New and anxious

[gizmogramma]

Hi: Three years ago, in June "07, I had yearly physical and was startled to see the results. My creatinine was elevated and I was anemic. My doctors out west scheduled a MRI ( I had two) and the results were undiagnostic but they said most likely renal artery stenosis. I was given HP meds and a diuretic and landed in the hospital for 3 days, very dehydrated. The doctors didn't seem too concerned and just monitored everything, in "08 I moved to Ontario and went back to my old doctor who immediately sent me to a hephrologist. Now the worrying begins, my creatinine has stayed the same, flucuating between 140-177 for the last 3 years, my RBC is roughly the same as is the WBC. But this doctor has found MGUS, very low amount and told me not to worry, but researching on the computor has sent my mind in a spin. Has anyone else out there ever been told they have MGUS? Help!!! I'm very scared.

[BJ275]

Hi! I wanted to chime in and let you know your story is being read. I'm not familiar with your disease but I hope there are others who can offer you some insight.  You are not alone - people here understand anxiety and fears being diagnosed and the all kinds of treatments. It has really helped me to be part of these forums. Try the HOPEline. Please let us all know how you are doing.

[getlife]

I have never heard of this either...I am going to do some searching..see what I can find.  I'm sorry I don't have this information at hand. 

[getlife]

From a little search I did...do you have to see a hemotologist?  The anemia is a symptom of MGUS...  What treatment are they doing or are they just following you?

[Angie]

Hi: Three years ago, in June "07, I had yearly physical and was startled to see the results. My creatinine was elevated and I was anemic. My doctors out west scheduled a MRI ( I had two) and the results were undiagnostic but they said most likely renal artery stenosis. I was given HP meds and a diuretic and landed in the hospital for 3 days, very dehydrated. The doctors didn't seem too concerned and just monitored everything, in "08 I moved to Ontario and went back to my old doctor who immediately sent me to a hephrologist. Now the worrying begins, my creatinine has stayed the same, flucuating between 140-177 for the last 3 years, my RBC is roughly the same as is the WBC. But this doctor has found MGUS, very low amount and told me not to worry, but researching on the computor has sent my mind in a spin. Has anyone else out there ever been told they have MGUS? Help!!! I'm very scared.

Oh wow  you live in Ontario? So do I! What part are you in? I am assuming south like me going by your email address as I am with the same ISP as you. There is a man in our Province in Sudbury who started an online group called the Canadian Kidney Connection on Facebook. More about that here: http://www.kidneyspace.com/index.php?topic=2358.0

Anyway, glad to meet you! I understand your Creatinine numbers for Creatinine numbers are different in the USA than Canada. Mine currently is around 200 even after a transplant which is about 2.2 in US Creatinine measurements.

I use this converter for Creatinine numbers: http://members.iinet.net.au/~bill/java/creatinine.html

Your GFR can be calculated here: http://www.virtualmedicalcentre.com/calc.asp?calc=gfr (meant for Australia but they go by the same numbers as we do in Canada)

Your Creatinine in American numbers is 1.6

I had never heard of Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) myself before.

[gizmogramma]

Thank you all for replying. Appointment on the 16th will keep in touch.

[BJ275]

Thanks, Angie, for posting the "conversion" sites - I was confused by numbers I couldn't identify.  My creatinine is 5.4 last checked. :-) 

[gizmogramma]

Hi Everyone: Just an update. Had my first renal clinic visit today. Stats, (potassium, phosphorus, calcium etc.) were great, but creatinine was a little higher. I've had alot of stress recently, do to family. The MGUS, talked about earlier, is so small a level that it is in his words, insignificant and will likely never be of a concern. My BP meds have been reduced to 4mg. instead of 8mg. and just one pill a day. Followup clinic visit in late April. Hope everyone is doing well. 

[getlife]

Thank you for keeping us updated.  Glad the MGUS is small or insignificant.  That's good news.  Continue to keep us updated.

[Chatty]

Sounds like you got some peace of mind on that one...  and it is one day at a time and one thing at a time.  Just take care, and keep on learning as much as you can !  It does help...