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Very bad body odor post stem cell transplant (SCT)
I am day 13 of auto stem cell transplant. I reek! My body oder is terrible and won't go away even after a shower. Anyone else have this problem? How long will it last?
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kjpoppit - Name: Kim Nelson
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Sept. 19th, 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 47
Re: Very bad body odor post stem cell transplant (SCT)
There is an odor sort of like creamed corn, which is from the solvent (DMSO?) that the stem cells are stored in as they are frozen down to the temp. of liquid nitrogen. IT is very pronounced on one's breath and through the pores after the infusion of stem cells. Maybe you still have some of that strong scent.
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Very bad body odor post stem cell transplant (SCT)
I remember the DMSO and that went away. This is a new different smell. I will ask doctor about it today.
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kjpoppit - Name: Kim Nelson
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Sept. 19th, 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 47
Re: Very bad body odor post stem cell transplant (SCT)
That is interesting. In agreement with the earlier post, it is unlikely that the odor is the residual effects of DMSO. That odor (garlic, tomato, creamed corn smell -- apparently what you smell depends on where you were raised / the ethnic cuisine you're accustomed to) which accompanies the stem cell infusion should only last a few days (max typically ~ 72 hours).
Interestingly, patients do not always notice the DMSO, but the rest of the room will.
Have you asked if anyone else notes the odor? Meaning, that it is your sense of smell that may be enhanced or altered secondary to the transplant. Taste and smell (as well as other aspects of your body, as you are learning) can be altered with high doses of melphalan (or even other therapeutic agents). That would be my suggestion of an explanation.
As stated, I have not run across this, but I will ask around here as well. And if so, if they have a management strategy. More than likely time and patience will be the answer.
Please let us know if you come up with anything.
Interestingly, patients do not always notice the DMSO, but the rest of the room will.
Have you asked if anyone else notes the odor? Meaning, that it is your sense of smell that may be enhanced or altered secondary to the transplant. Taste and smell (as well as other aspects of your body, as you are learning) can be altered with high doses of melphalan (or even other therapeutic agents). That would be my suggestion of an explanation.
As stated, I have not run across this, but I will ask around here as well. And if so, if they have a management strategy. More than likely time and patience will be the answer.
Please let us know if you come up with anything.
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Dr. Ken Shain - Name: Ken Shain, M.D., Ph.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: Very bad body odor post stem cell transplant (SCT)
After discussing this with my team, it is thought it could have been my body's response to receiving all of my meds by IV for several days while in the hospital. My husband thought I was a little more pungent also but I guess I will attribute this to smell sensitivity. I am not smelling so bad anymore. Thank goodness.
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kjpoppit - Name: Kim Nelson
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Sept. 19th, 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 47
Re: Very bad body odor post stem cell transplant (SCT)
My wife just came home form the hospital yesterday and there was a pungent odor as soon as she got into the car and it permeated the house all night. She also received melphalan yesterday. Not sure what is doing it, but it is irritating.
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fp86
Re: Very bad body odor post stem cell transplant (SCT)
Hi fp86,
In Dr. Ken Shain's above post, he describes this pungent odor as being from the preservative that stem cells are stored in, DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide), not from the stem cells themselves. The odor dissipates after a few days though. Your wife may not notice the odor but others do. As I recall, it is breathed out in the breath of the patient.
In Dr. Ken Shain's above post, he describes this pungent odor as being from the preservative that stem cells are stored in, DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide), not from the stem cells themselves. The odor dissipates after a few days though. Your wife may not notice the odor but others do. As I recall, it is breathed out in the breath of the patient.
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Very bad body odor post stem cell transplant (SCT)
fp86 wrote:
My brother had a wife like that, and she wasn't even sick! Seriously, over the past few years I have noticed different odors causes by myeloma treatments and it is frustrating when nothing one does can get rid of the smell. It just has to wear off. My doctor says she has seen (smelled?) a lot of this and it varies from one person to another even with the same medications.
Grizlump (grouchy German)
My wife just came home form the hospital yesterday and there was a pungent odor as soon as she got into the car and it permeated the house all night. She also received melphalan yesterday. Not sure what is doing it, but it is irritating.
My brother had a wife like that, and she wasn't even sick! Seriously, over the past few years I have noticed different odors causes by myeloma treatments and it is frustrating when nothing one does can get rid of the smell. It just has to wear off. My doctor says she has seen (smelled?) a lot of this and it varies from one person to another even with the same medications.
Grizlump (grouchy German)
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Grizlump - Name: Charlie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 67
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