[marett]

After effects from stem cell therapy

by marett on Tue Jun 22, 2010 3:46 pm

My husband underwent a stem cell transplant last August. He had no major side effects and within 2 months we were back to pretty much our usual life. He went into complete remission and his blood levels continue to improve.
Lately he has been crashing a lot. Tired all of the time. He sleeps for a couple of hours every afternoon and has no energy for anything. He tells me that he has no sex drive.
Is this normal to experience this with a stem cell transplant? I hear some people say that it takes them a year to get over it. He said that it feels a bit like a roller coaster. Fine for several weeks and then tired for several weeks.
He is not on maintenance.

[Caro]

Re: After effects from stem cell therapy

by Caro on Wed Jun 23, 2010 10:33 am

Hi Marett,

My partner had several months after his stem cell transplant similar problems. His doctor took the hormone level from the blood and found out his testosteron was much to low. So he send him to an endocrinologist (hormone specialist). After some examinations he gave him once a month a testosterone injection. With this he felt much better. That would be also an explanation for his lack of sex drive.

I wish you, things will go better - but don't forget - high dose chemotherapy is really heavy stuff, it takes time for the body to recover

Kind regards from Germany

Caro

[lyndaclark]

Re: After effects from stem cell therapy

by lyndaclark on Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:35 pm

As part of a clinical trial, I had two autologous stem cell transplants over the course of five months in 2006. It took me over three years to truly have my "old" stamina and strength back. The exhaustion I would experience from time to time was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. And as you mentioned, it would come and go. The exhaustion caused flu-like aches, some dizziness, and muscle cramping. Whenever I overtaxed myself for long periods of time, I would usually end up sick with some sort of sinus or upper-respiratory infection, or worse yet, the shingles. The good news is, I feel very close to my old self at this point, but for awhile it was tough to see the end of the tunnel. Please be patient with your husband and tell him to hang in there. It will get better. I am still in full remission, going on five years!!

[PaulG]

Re: After effects from stem cell therapy

by PaulG on Sat Jul 24, 2010 7:23 pm

I slept a lot for a few months after my autologous stem cell transplant, usually needing a couple hours midway through the day and my sex drive was reduced for a number of months also (there's also a psychological impact here from being sick and treatment). I did bounce back though, I suspect being relatively young it was probably a bit quicker for me than it would be for most. With a healthy diet and keeping involved with life as much as limitations will allow, I'd think your husband should bounce back. Obviously keep the doctors in the loop regarding his progress and your concerns to help eliminate any other possible complications to his recovery.

[Hannao]

Re: After effects from stem cell therapy

by Hannao on Sun Jul 25, 2010 9:00 am

As part of a clinical trial, I had two autologous stem cell transplants over the course of five months in 2006. It took me over three years to truly have my "old" stamina and strength back. The exhaustion I would experience from time to time was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. And as you mentioned, it would come and go. The exhaustion caused flu-like aches, some dizziness, and muscle cramping. Whenever I overtaxed myself for long periods of time, I would usually end up sick with some sort of sinus or upper-respiratory infection, or worse yet, the shingles. The good news is, I feel very close to my old self at this point, but for awhile it was tough to see the end of the tunnel. Please be patient with your husband and tell him to hang in there. It will get better. I am still in full remission, going on five years!!

Lynda's comments mirror mine. I'm just over 1 year post ASCT and my description of the way I feel is drained. It's not just that I'm tired, sometimes I feel like all the energy got sucked out of me. Other times I am perfectly normal. I think what happens is that whenever I do anything new (well, post SCT new) I'm tired the next day.

I still nap or rest every afternoon before dinner. And like some of the others, yes, the sex drive is not what it should be. I had my levels checked recently but haven't yet received the results.

Lynda - so glad to hear that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and that it's not a train.