Radiant!
Thanks for the updates! I just wanted to add my well wishes for a speedy recovery physically as well as emotionally and mentally. For all of us here in this boat, keep the faith as the journey moves to a different phase.
Ativan, (IV) as well as zofran helped me "manage". Looking forward to hearing about a successful transplant from you!
All my very best! BN
Forums
Re: Inpatient autologous stem cell transplant at UC Davis
Sounds like you're hanging in there through the trials, RT. I also found Ativan to be the only thing that really kept the nausea away. Compazine didn't help much at all.
The pantoprazole (Protonix) was a revelation. I had suffered from pretty significant heartburn for years prior to the SCT, managing it with lots of Tums. Once they put me on the Protonix, it went away completely. I now use omeprazole (Prilosec, Losec) to keep the heartburn down. Learning how well those drugs work was probably my most significant day-to-day benefit of the whole procedure!
The pantoprazole (Protonix) was a revelation. I had suffered from pretty significant heartburn for years prior to the SCT, managing it with lots of Tums. Once they put me on the Protonix, it went away completely. I now use omeprazole (Prilosec, Losec) to keep the heartburn down. Learning how well those drugs work was probably my most significant day-to-day benefit of the whole procedure!
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Mike F - Name: Mike F
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 18, 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Inpatient autologous stem cell transplant at UC Davis
Day +12
My counts have recovered quite dramatically - WBC >12 and ANC >9.
My fever has been waxing and waning for 3 days, but just hit 101.3 F (38.5 C) again, so they decided to do another round of tests for cultures. Last set came back negative, so hopefully it's just ‘engraftment syndrome’ causing the fevers, which may require a temporary dose of steroids.
Earlier today they were talking about sending me home on Day +14, but I guess I need to see what these blood test results are before I get too excited.
Still on anti-diarrhea medicine, and did have to take 0.5 mg Ativan after barfing this afternoon. Nausea has generally not been that bad, but I have no appetite.
I am quite weak, and just want to sleep a lot, but am otherwise in good spirits, and optimistic that each week will bring incremental improvements in energy level and gut function.
I never did suffer from any mouth sores during this process (I guess this is very common for transplant patients).
RT
Peace to all suffering from the symptoms of myeloma and its pharmaceutical interventions.
My counts have recovered quite dramatically - WBC >12 and ANC >9.
My fever has been waxing and waning for 3 days, but just hit 101.3 F (38.5 C) again, so they decided to do another round of tests for cultures. Last set came back negative, so hopefully it's just ‘engraftment syndrome’ causing the fevers, which may require a temporary dose of steroids.
Earlier today they were talking about sending me home on Day +14, but I guess I need to see what these blood test results are before I get too excited.
Still on anti-diarrhea medicine, and did have to take 0.5 mg Ativan after barfing this afternoon. Nausea has generally not been that bad, but I have no appetite.
I am quite weak, and just want to sleep a lot, but am otherwise in good spirits, and optimistic that each week will bring incremental improvements in energy level and gut function.
I never did suffer from any mouth sores during this process (I guess this is very common for transplant patients).
RT
Peace to all suffering from the symptoms of myeloma and its pharmaceutical interventions.
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RadiantTiger - Name: Radiant Tiger
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself, my deceased uncle
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: Inpatient autologous stem cell transplant at UC Davis
Wow! I went home on day 15 and they said that was the earliest they'd ever sent anyone home. You must be doing very well (despite the fever and such) for them to consider that. I hope things just continue to get better from here on out.
I managed to escape the mouth sore issues as well. Don't know if it was because I was very attentive to oral hygiene or if I just got lucky. (I suspect it was the latter.)
I managed to escape the mouth sore issues as well. Don't know if it was because I was very attentive to oral hygiene or if I just got lucky. (I suspect it was the latter.)
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Mike F - Name: Mike F
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 18, 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Inpatient autologous stem cell transplant at UC Davis
Really glad to see that you're getting stronger, RT. Congratulations! I hope the the positive trend continues and you're out of the hospital really soon.
Thanks again for keeping us updated on how you're doing.
Thanks again for keeping us updated on how you're doing.
Re: Inpatient autologous stem cell transplant at UC Davis
I actually went home on Day +12. Hang in there, the end is in site!
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heatherlib - Name: heather
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: may 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 52
Re: Inpatient autologous stem cell transplant at UC Davis
Hi RT,
Thanks for the update. It sounds like you're progressing well. I think this would be Day +14 for you, so good luck with getting discharged today, or really soon! The day I got discharged after my SCT was a very excellent day.
Mike
Thanks for the update. It sounds like you're progressing well. I think this would be Day +14 for you, so good luck with getting discharged today, or really soon! The day I got discharged after my SCT was a very excellent day.
Mike
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mikeb - Name: mikeb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009 (MGUS at that time)
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Inpatient autologous stem cell transplant at UC Davis
Hi RT,
Thanks for the update and a nice thread. Really glad you are progressing well.
Like you, I have also checked in for ACST on Monday October 19 and was reading your updates in real time, comparing them to my experience.
I am not much of a writer, but I can share a quick summary of my ACST happening in parallel to your's:
Hospitalization: Day -1 --> Day +14
• Day -1: Place catheter, Melphalan
• Day 0: Infuse Stem Cells (~5m from 23.05m collected)
• Daily from Day +5 until Day +12: Neupogen infusion (8 infusions), no pain
• Day +10: Platelets infusion (1 infusion) once Platelet count fell to 9
• Day +14: Remove catheter, Discharge
Mild Nausea: Day +2 --> Day +9
• Ativan works the best, with no side effects
• Compazine works more as a sleeping aid rather than as anti-nausea medication
• Zofran causes constipation and does not resolve nausea
Loss of appetite: Day +2 --> Day +7
My diet during the timeframe was:
• Breakfast: French Toast with Jam, Tea, Strawberry Yogurt
• Lunch: Bacon Cheddar Burger (ate ~1/2, no bread), Dole fruit cup
• Dinner: Chicken fingers, breaded, somewhat spicy with pepper, Dole fruit cup
All in all, lost 10 pounds during the 2-week hospital stay.
Mild Diarrhea: Day +4 --> Day +9
• Imodium really works
Hair Loss: Started on Day +12
• Kids helped to shave off at home on Day +14
Thanks for the update and a nice thread. Really glad you are progressing well.
Like you, I have also checked in for ACST on Monday October 19 and was reading your updates in real time, comparing them to my experience.
I am not much of a writer, but I can share a quick summary of my ACST happening in parallel to your's:
Hospitalization: Day -1 --> Day +14
• Day -1: Place catheter, Melphalan
• Day 0: Infuse Stem Cells (~5m from 23.05m collected)
• Daily from Day +5 until Day +12: Neupogen infusion (8 infusions), no pain
• Day +10: Platelets infusion (1 infusion) once Platelet count fell to 9
• Day +14: Remove catheter, Discharge
Mild Nausea: Day +2 --> Day +9
• Ativan works the best, with no side effects
• Compazine works more as a sleeping aid rather than as anti-nausea medication
• Zofran causes constipation and does not resolve nausea
Loss of appetite: Day +2 --> Day +7
My diet during the timeframe was:
• Breakfast: French Toast with Jam, Tea, Strawberry Yogurt
• Lunch: Bacon Cheddar Burger (ate ~1/2, no bread), Dole fruit cup
• Dinner: Chicken fingers, breaded, somewhat spicy with pepper, Dole fruit cup
All in all, lost 10 pounds during the 2-week hospital stay.
Mild Diarrhea: Day +4 --> Day +9
• Imodium really works
Hair Loss: Started on Day +12
• Kids helped to shave off at home on Day +14
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Eddie - Name: Eddie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 42
Re: Inpatient autologous stem cell transplant at UC Davis
Hi Radiant Tiger,
I almost went to UCD for my SCTs, but ended up going to UCSF. I too liked the inpatient idea. I met with Dr. Tuscano; really liked him. But in the end I chose UCSF due to more friends and family in that area.
Good luck to you!
I almost went to UCD for my SCTs, but ended up going to UCSF. I too liked the inpatient idea. I met with Dr. Tuscano; really liked him. But in the end I chose UCSF due to more friends and family in that area.
Good luck to you!
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Stann - Name: Stann
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 9/11/09
- Age at diagnosis: 46
Re: Inpatient autologous stem cell transplant at UC Davis
Hi RT
Thanks for sharing your stem cell transplant journey. I don't know how people can post while so early in the transplant process. I could barely focus on getting out of bed
You are obviously a strong human being. Stay strong.
I wish you must success with your transplant!
Rhonda
Thanks for sharing your stem cell transplant journey. I don't know how people can post while so early in the transplant process. I could barely focus on getting out of bed
You are obviously a strong human being. Stay strong.I wish you must success with your transplant!
Rhonda
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Rhonda - Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 54
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