[Hockey man]

Antibiotic use prior to stem cell transplant

by Hockey man on Mon Dec 14, 2015 7:58 pm

Hi,

I just completed 16 weeks of induction chemo CyBorD and was also taking septra 3 times a week and an antiviral twice a day. I have completed high-dose cyclophosphamide and completed 9 Neupogen injections in preparation for my stem cell transplant in 2 weeks. I was able to collect 11.6 million stem cells for 2 transplants.

My question is: My transplant doctor wants me to continue the anti-shingle med but to stop taking the septa antibiotic I have been taking for the past 19 weeks; is this customary or do people continue with the antibiotic to the transplant and following the transplant?

Would greatly appreciate any comments. Thanks

[stu1975]

Re: Antibiotic use prior to stem cell transplant

by stu1975 on Mon Dec 14, 2015 8:06 pm

Hi Hockey man,

I'm in exactly the same situation, finished CyBorD last week and start stem cell on Jan 5, and my doctors have told me to keep taking the antibiotics for 2 weeks and the antiviral until transplant. One of the nurses also mentioned that I would probably be on it for a while post transplant too.

Hope this helps.
Stu

[JPC]

Re: Antibiotic use prior to stem cell transplant

by JPC on Tue Dec 15, 2015 7:14 am

Good morning Hockey Mom and Stu:

With respect to antibiotics, it appears to be done differently at different centers. In my wife's case, she would be prescribed antibiotics in induction and post transplant, only as needed. During the ASCT, she had antibiotics, but only a couple of times before and after. The anti-viral (acyclovir) she was on since induction started last September. In my opinion, the only as needed approach is better for antibiotics because you might develop a resistance to them. Good luck.

[Stann]

Re: Antibiotic use prior to stem cell transplant

by Stann on Tue Dec 22, 2015 2:32 pm

I was not given antibiotics after VD-PACE. I was told to get them locally the next day.

I went septic, and spent 17 days in ICU. I came very, very close to death only 6 months after diagnosis (6 years ago).

We are an over prescribed nation when it comes to antibiotics. That does NOT apply to myeloma patients!!

I've been on acyclovir for years for shingle prevention.