I stopped treatment a little over 5 weeks ago (37 days to be exact) in anticipation of getting ready for a stem cell harvest. I went through the testing for the stem cell harvest about 2 weeks ago and am waiting for my doctor's office to contact me to schedule the harvest. Fortunately the bone marrow biopsy I had 2 weeks ago shows no multiple myeloma (down from 80% to begin with 5-6 months ago).
I'm just what the length of time usually is between the time treatment is stopped and when the stem cell harvest / stem cell collection takes place? Is there an optimal amount of time between stopping treatments and starting the harvest?
I guess I'm also interested what the usual time is between stem cell harvest and stem cell transplant, when the transplant is done soon after the stem cell collection.
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DallasGG - Name: Kent
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 6/20/2013
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: How long between stopping treatment & stem cell harvest
Good evening.
My husband was diagnosed in July 2013. HIs last treatment (5 cycles of VCD - Velcade, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone) was November 22. He started the collection process on December 15th. He did Neupogen shots for 4 days. They collected on Day 3 (December 18) and Day 4 (December 19). They gave him a week off for the holidays. He had pre-screen on December 26th. He is now on Day 2 of melphalan. Today is our day off. Then, transplant on Monday (Day 0).
So things have went relatively quickly. He was 50% involved at diagnosis and down to less than 2% after 5 cycles. No M-spike in the urine after treatment.
My husband was diagnosed in July 2013. HIs last treatment (5 cycles of VCD - Velcade, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone) was November 22. He started the collection process on December 15th. He did Neupogen shots for 4 days. They collected on Day 3 (December 18) and Day 4 (December 19). They gave him a week off for the holidays. He had pre-screen on December 26th. He is now on Day 2 of melphalan. Today is our day off. Then, transplant on Monday (Day 0).
So things have went relatively quickly. He was 50% involved at diagnosis and down to less than 2% after 5 cycles. No M-spike in the urine after treatment.
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LadyLib - Name: LadyLib
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Spouse
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 42
Re: How long between stopping treatment & stem cell harvest?
My dad is at the Cleveland Clinic harvesting stem cells for his transplant that is scheduled to happen next Wednesday. His harvest has not been successful so far.
I have found during research that almost everyone I have seen has had 4-6 weeks minimum off of Revlimid as a "wash cycle" before harvest. My father has only been off of Revlimid since the last week of August, which is a little less that 2 weeks before his harvest started. So I've been wondering if that could be the reason for the trouble he's had harvesting.
I have found during research that almost everyone I have seen has had 4-6 weeks minimum off of Revlimid as a "wash cycle" before harvest. My father has only been off of Revlimid since the last week of August, which is a little less that 2 weeks before his harvest started. So I've been wondering if that could be the reason for the trouble he's had harvesting.
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Tydahs87 - Name: Ty
- Who do you know with myeloma?: My Father
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: How long between stopping treatment & stem cell harvest?
Hello,
My wife was taking thalidomide, which apparently is very similar to Revlimid. She started the collection process 3 days after stopping thalidomide.
Collection was done with a first Endoxan (cyclophosphamide) chemo and 10 days of Zarzio 30 growth factor (Neupogen biosimilar).
Not sure it can help, as every patient is different.
All the best.
My wife was taking thalidomide, which apparently is very similar to Revlimid. She started the collection process 3 days after stopping thalidomide.
Collection was done with a first Endoxan (cyclophosphamide) chemo and 10 days of Zarzio 30 growth factor (Neupogen biosimilar).
Not sure it can help, as every patient is different.
All the best.
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Pauillac - Name: Louise Rose
- Who do you know with myeloma?: my wife
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March 2017
- Age at diagnosis: 42
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