Even after all this time, I’m still not sure how to take the free light chains results. I’m not a science-y person. Dr. Rodriguez says that there’s been an improvement. This is the result from last week’s blood draw.
| Component | Your Value | Standard Range |
| Free Kappa | 3.19 mg/L | 3.30 – 19.40 mg/L |
| Free Lambda | 163.95 mg/L | 5.71 – 26.30 mg/L |
| Kappa/Lambda Ratio | 0.02 | 0.26 – 1.65 |
When I became aware that I had myeloma, the FLC test wasn’t used. We just looked at my m-spike(s) and quantitative immunoglobulins. It was a pretty simple way to see what was going on. The FLC test is much more sensitive, so it’s a better diagnostic tool.
Results from July, 2019 for comparison.
| Component | Your Value | Standard Range |
| Free Kappa | 7.06 mg/L | 3.30 – 19.40 mg/L |
| Free Lambda | 415.22 mg/L | 5.71 – 26.30 mg/L |
| Kappa/Lambda Ratio | 0.02 | 0.26 – 1.65 |
The first cycle has been ok. There’s a long list of possible side effects, but I haven’t experienced anything harsh. I have chronic gastritis, so that definitely affects how my stomach feels. Were it not for that, I might get by with just the dex side effects.
For me, dex produces very predictable side effects. On the day I have it, I feel really speedy and I sweat profusely! I have trouble sleeping that night, so it’s not unusual for me to be awake until 3 AM. Usually, I will sleep a few hours and be ok with that. The next day, I can be extremely grouchy. My face will be red. The day after that, I feel exhausted.
It’s amazing that in the early days of my treatment, I would have to do what they called pulsed dex. I would take 40 mg of it each day for 4 days, then have 4 days off. Then I’d do it again. And again. It was torture.
This week I have no treatment. That’s how it’s scheduled. Three weeks on and one week off. I’m happy to have this break. I’ll let you know how the next cycle goes.