Hi daisy

Allay your fears. Your GP is making these tests to rule out myeloma. They would be failing their duty of care if they did not. They can then continue with making their diagnosis and get you some treatment to relieve your symptoms. I have metastatic skin cancer in my bones and had those tests for myeloma which proved negative. Hopefuĺly your results will be negative too.

Ed

It's not melanoma.its myeloma a blood cancer  I'm being screened for.i already have polymyalgia (autoimmune condition). I have persistent lower back pain as the gp thought it may be a slipped disc. Now suspected myeloma! I'm terrjfied

HI daisy

Yes myeloma is a blood cancer caused by cancer in the bone marrow which affects the production of plasma cells a type of white blood cell.  It can also intefere with the bones making them weaker and susceptible to fracture. When this happens in the spine it can cause pain in the back. This has happened to me with fractures in spine and shoulder. But not from myeloma but metastatic skin squamous cell carcinoma. I dont have melanoma skin cancer. Your doctor is ruling out your back pain being caused by fractures caused by myeloma. The scan and blood tests will confirm it either way. All the best.

Ed

• Thanks for replying.im worried sick though.if I do have it then I'll just have to cope. I know I can't change the outcome but there is no cure for myeloma and I'm absolutely terrified

Hello Yellowdaisy and thank you for posting and I'm sorry you are feeling terrified. Waiting for results is seldom an easy situation to cope with.

People often experience a whole range of emotions when waiting for results. We know that talking can often relieve some of the distress and anxiety. There's some useful advice about Talking Therapies and how to access them on the NHS website. In the meantime,  Anxiety UK has a good website with helpful tips on how to deal with anxiety in these situations.

I cannot say why your GP is wanting to do a myeloma screen. You would need to speak to your GP to clarify the rationale behind the myeloma screening. In most cases it is to rule out a diagnosis of myeloma. Then your GP can start to explore other possible causes for your symptoms.

Try to keep an open mind about everything for now until your doctors can tell you more and take things one step at a time.

I hope you know more soon.

Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

 Kind regards

Tina