- How long before your immune system is working at full capacity, and I mean 100%? (I work very close to people, inches from their faces, many of which are kids, would prefer to not wear a mask)
- Since our own stem cells are reinfused, are we getting back our previous immunity? In other words, will we still be protected from all the "stuff" we have spent a lifetime building up against?
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Immune system recovery after stem cell transplant?
Hello! I have 2 questions about post stem cell transplant (SCT):
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gardengirl - Name: gardengirl
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Nov. 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 47
Re: Immune system recovery after stem cell transplant?
Gardengirl-
I don't know how long it takes to gain full immunity post ASCT. But, I think it took a good year, or more, before I wasn't getting a respiratory infection every couple of months. I worked in health care with one-on-one close patient contact. I was extra careful with making sure that I cleaned everything that we used during a treatment session, and washed my hands faithfully, but not only was I immune compromised, but so were the patients that I was working with. I also told people on evaluation that if they felt at all sick, or were coughing and sneezing, to please cancel their appointment with me.
Since that first year plus a couple of months, I haven't been sick at all except with a bout of shingles. When I start to get the feeling that I'm developing a respiratory infection, I'm extremely fatigued for a couple of days and then it clears right up and I'm fine again.
My oncologist says that we do retain our antibodies that we had prior to the ASCT. But, the only way to really know for sure is to have titres done for everything to see if you have the antibodies.
I hope this helps,
Nancy in Phila
I don't know how long it takes to gain full immunity post ASCT. But, I think it took a good year, or more, before I wasn't getting a respiratory infection every couple of months. I worked in health care with one-on-one close patient contact. I was extra careful with making sure that I cleaned everything that we used during a treatment session, and washed my hands faithfully, but not only was I immune compromised, but so were the patients that I was working with. I also told people on evaluation that if they felt at all sick, or were coughing and sneezing, to please cancel their appointment with me.
Since that first year plus a couple of months, I haven't been sick at all except with a bout of shingles. When I start to get the feeling that I'm developing a respiratory infection, I'm extremely fatigued for a couple of days and then it clears right up and I'm fine again.
My oncologist says that we do retain our antibodies that we had prior to the ASCT. But, the only way to really know for sure is to have titres done for everything to see if you have the antibodies.
I hope this helps,
Nancy in Phila
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NStewart - Name: Nancy Stewart
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Immune system recovery after stem cell transplant?
G'day Gardengirl,
I can only speak from my own experience. So here goes. I was receiving Intragram (IVIG) for six months post transplant to help my immune system. I then had to have all my "baby shots" to re-immune myself to childhood diseases. In fact, I just had my third lot on Friday.
I am now 15 months post transplant. I believe that my immune system is not 100% still. Possibly it never will be. I gauge this by the fact that, when others in my family get a cold or bug, they seem to get better in a few days. I, on the other hand, seem to take 2-3 times longer to heal, often needing antibiotics to help me get over it.
Having said that, I do not get anywhere near as many illnesses now as I did pre-transplant. So really can't complain. I, like Nancy, am careful about my working areas, and wash my hands regularly. Possibly too much.
As for gaining previous immunity. I was told that we lose all previous immunities. Which is why they re-immunise. I also have young children, so it made sense to have them done again.
Vicki
I can only speak from my own experience. So here goes. I was receiving Intragram (IVIG) for six months post transplant to help my immune system. I then had to have all my "baby shots" to re-immune myself to childhood diseases. In fact, I just had my third lot on Friday.
I am now 15 months post transplant. I believe that my immune system is not 100% still. Possibly it never will be. I gauge this by the fact that, when others in my family get a cold or bug, they seem to get better in a few days. I, on the other hand, seem to take 2-3 times longer to heal, often needing antibiotics to help me get over it.
Having said that, I do not get anywhere near as many illnesses now as I did pre-transplant. So really can't complain. I, like Nancy, am careful about my working areas, and wash my hands regularly. Possibly too much.
As for gaining previous immunity. I was told that we lose all previous immunities. Which is why they re-immunise. I also have young children, so it made sense to have them done again.
Vicki
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vicstir - Name: Vic
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: October 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 39
Re: Immune system recovery after stem cell transplant?
Hi GardenGirl,
Interesting questions. Have you raised them with your doctor / myeloma specialist? If so, it would be interesting to know his / her responses.
There have been a couple of discussions related to this topic before, and the postings in them may be helpful to you. See, for example, the responses to a similar question you asked earlier this year, including the response from Dr. Valent:
"How long for suppressed immunoglobulins to recover?" (started Feb 2, 2015)
Also, this discussion may also be helpful:
"Immune system recovery after transplant?" (started April 13, 2015)
Good luck!
Interesting questions. Have you raised them with your doctor / myeloma specialist? If so, it would be interesting to know his / her responses.
There have been a couple of discussions related to this topic before, and the postings in them may be helpful to you. See, for example, the responses to a similar question you asked earlier this year, including the response from Dr. Valent:
"How long for suppressed immunoglobulins to recover?" (started Feb 2, 2015)
Also, this discussion may also be helpful:
"Immune system recovery after transplant?" (started April 13, 2015)
Good luck!
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JimNY
Re: Immune system recovery after stem cell transplant?
Well for goodness' sake ... thank you, JimNY, for bringing these past posts to my attention! Must be chemo brain! 
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gardengirl - Name: gardengirl
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Nov. 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 47
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