“We report nine cases of arthritis/joint pain associated with a monoclonal gammapathy of undermined significance (MGUS). Joint involvement was noted simultaneously or after the diagnosis of monoclonal gammapathy was made.”
Hello David- I’m trying to find more information on MGUS and joint pain. In your years of research have you come across anything that links the two? I’m curious if the m proteins are depositing themselves in the joints and causing inflammation and pain? Thank you! Kelly
Hi Kelly-
Yes, MGUS is associated with joint pain. Or I should say that joint and bone pain is a symptom of MGUS, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance.
The issue, in my mind, is to try to figure out how to stop or reduce your joint pain. I have linked and excerpted several studies to try to figure this out.
After reading the studies linked below, while none of the studies discuss possible causes of joint pain, I have to say that the therapies discussed are a good place to start to try to minimize or eliminate your joint pain.
Frequent, moderate exercise, a clean diet, acupuncture, massage and whole body hyperthermia have all been shown to reduce joint pain.
Curcumin and omega-3 fatty acids both have been shown to reduce joint pain AND kill monoclonal proteins and reduce the risk of a frank multiple myeloma diagnosis. It is also anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic.
Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck.
David Emerson
- MM Survivor
- MM Cancer Coach
- Director PeopleBeatingCancer
Recommended Reading:
“Objective: To review the clinical profile of patients with plasma cell dyscrasias presenting with inflammatory arthritis.
Results: Four patients had monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance and two patients had multiple myeloma.
Mean age of the patients was 65 years (range 59-74). Three patients presented with oligoarticular arthritis, two with symmetrical polyarticular joint pains and one with fleeting periarticular pains.
Wrist and shoulder were the most commonly involved joints.
Three patients had carpal tunnel syndrome. Five patients were seronegative for both rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies.
Mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was high in all patients (range: 82-120 mm/h with a mean of 99.6 mm/h).
Arthritis improved with chemotherapy in patients with multiple myeloma.
“Conclusion: Occurrence of inflammatory arthritis with plasma dyscrasias is more than a chance association.
Plasma cell dyscrasias should be ruled out in any elderly patient presenting with atypical arthritis with disproportionately high ESR, high creatinine and hyperglobulinemia…”
ARTHRITIS ASSOCIATED WITH MONOCLONAL GAMMOPATHY: CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS
“We report nine cases of arthritis associated with a monoclonal gammapathy. Joint involvement was noted simultaneously or after the diagnosis of monoclonal gammapathy was made.
The cases had oligoarthritis or polyarthritis mimicking rheumatoid arthritis. However, rheumatoid factor was absent in all patients, and distal interphalangeal joints were involved in two cases and sacroiliitis in one.
The plasma cell dyscrasia was a multiple myeloma in two cases and monoclonal gammapathy of undetermined significance in the other patients.
The light chain isotype was kappa in eight of our patients. A type I cryoglobulinaemia was associated in four cases; it was detected in the synovial fluid of two of them. We suggest that the occurrence of paraproteinaemia with chronic arthritis is more than a chance association. Moreover, a monoclonal gammapathy should be searched for in patients presenting with atypical seronegative arthritis…
Treatment
2 Intravenous cyclophosphamide (700 mg/m every 4
weeks) was initiated in three cases because of vascuh’tis or glomerulonephritis (Table II).
However, despite cyclophosphamide and plasmapheresis, the arthritis process in patient 7 did not improve.
Melphalan was initiated in two patients for myeloma and induced remission of arthritis. Joint inflammation did not improve with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs…
An association of a monoclonal gammapathy with RA could not be definitively excluded, although the presentations were atypical.
Two patients had DIP joint involvement and patient no. 7 had sacroiliitis, which is rather atypical in RA. Moreover, three patients had vasculitis or glomerulopathy. In all cases, rheumatoid factor was absent.
- Manage your weight
- Get enough exercise
- Use hot and cold therapy
- Try acupuncture
- Use meditation to cope with pain
- Follow a healthy diet
- Add turmeric to dishes
- Get a massage
- Consider herbal supplements
Many herbal supplements may reduce joint pain, although scientific research hasn’t confirmed that any specific herb or supplement can treat arthritis.
Some of these herbs include:
- boswellia
- bromelain
- devil’s claw
- ginkgo
- stinging nettle
- thunder god vine
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t monitor herbs and supplements for quality, purity, or safety, so you cannot be sure exactly what a product contains. Be sure to buy from a reputable source.
Always talk to your doctor before trying a new supplement, as some can cause side effects and dangerous drug interactions.”
