A question: what happens if the patient has NO stem cells? This came out of the blue. Despite the mobilisation drugs there was nothing. They will try again in a few weeks time but all the while, the KLC are increasing.
Anybody any experience of this/advice?
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Whitters - Name: Whitters
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 42
Re: No stem cells available for transplant?
Hi Whitters,
I remembered this article in the Beacon from a while back about the use of a hyperbaric chamber to stimulate stem cells. Thought it might interest you.
Lyn
https://myelomabeacon.org/opinion/2011/01/11/stem-cell-collection-and-hyperbaric-oxygen-treatment/
I remembered this article in the Beacon from a while back about the use of a hyperbaric chamber to stimulate stem cells. Thought it might interest you.
Lyn
https://myelomabeacon.org/opinion/2011/01/11/stem-cell-collection-and-hyperbaric-oxygen-treatment/
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Christa's Mom - Name: Christa's Mom
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September, 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: No stem cells available for transplant?
Thanks but don't think this is an option for me
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Whitters - Name: Whitters
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 42
Re: No stem cells available for transplant?
Is some sort of allo transplant an option?
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dnalex - Name: Alex N.
- Who do you know with myeloma?: mother
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2007
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: No stem cells available for transplant?
Hi Whitters,
My husband had the same experience last summer. It was so difficult, especially when so many people have so much success so quickly. I remember feeling so anxious and upset.
Our doctor remained very calm, and believed that my husband's bone marrow was "beat up" from the prior treatment. He suggested that we take a break from all treatment for one month and try it again. We had great success after that one month of recovery. Don't get me wrong; it was nerve wracking -- watching numbers go up while we were waiting, and psyching ourselves back up again to try and gather cells and get ready for a transplant that may or may not happen, but the waiting did work for us. My husband gathered enough stem cells for two transplants; he had his first transplant in September and is doing well.
God bless and keep the faith - the doctors have a lot of great tools at their disposal even if the waiting doesn't work.
Wishing you all the best!
Sandy
My husband had the same experience last summer. It was so difficult, especially when so many people have so much success so quickly. I remember feeling so anxious and upset.
Our doctor remained very calm, and believed that my husband's bone marrow was "beat up" from the prior treatment. He suggested that we take a break from all treatment for one month and try it again. We had great success after that one month of recovery. Don't get me wrong; it was nerve wracking -- watching numbers go up while we were waiting, and psyching ourselves back up again to try and gather cells and get ready for a transplant that may or may not happen, but the waiting did work for us. My husband gathered enough stem cells for two transplants; he had his first transplant in September and is doing well.
God bless and keep the faith - the doctors have a lot of great tools at their disposal even if the waiting doesn't work.
Wishing you all the best!
Sandy
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SandyC63 - Name: SandyC
- Who do you know with myeloma?: My Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 51
Re: No stem cells available for transplant?
Hello,
For the great majority of patients in 2014 it is possible to collect enough stem cells for 1-2 transplants. A few years ago a major advance in the ability to collect stem cells was realized when the drug Mozibil was released. It is probably not available in many countries because it is expensive. The bottom line though is that some patients cannot collect enough stem cells for a transplant. In that situation the procedure simply cannot be performed.
On the other hand if a transplant cannot be done then the chemotherapy that we use for transplant (melphalan) can be administered orally in small doses instead of intravenously in a very large dose (as we do in transplant). So a patient would still have an opportunity to benefit from melphalan, but administered in a different manner.
In your case I would follow your oncologists advice/instructions, hopefully a collection can be accomplished the 2nd time around.
I wish you and husband good luck in your journey with myeloma. Thank you for posting your question on the Beacon!
For the great majority of patients in 2014 it is possible to collect enough stem cells for 1-2 transplants. A few years ago a major advance in the ability to collect stem cells was realized when the drug Mozibil was released. It is probably not available in many countries because it is expensive. The bottom line though is that some patients cannot collect enough stem cells for a transplant. In that situation the procedure simply cannot be performed.
On the other hand if a transplant cannot be done then the chemotherapy that we use for transplant (melphalan) can be administered orally in small doses instead of intravenously in a very large dose (as we do in transplant). So a patient would still have an opportunity to benefit from melphalan, but administered in a different manner.
In your case I would follow your oncologists advice/instructions, hopefully a collection can be accomplished the 2nd time around.
I wish you and husband good luck in your journey with myeloma. Thank you for posting your question on the Beacon!
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Dr. Edward Libby - Name: Edward Libby, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: No stem cells available for transplant?
Thanks to all for responding. I guess that I will find out next week when I see the consultant what the next plan is. Meantime, my brain is being fried by the uncertainty....
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Whitters - Name: Whitters
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 42
7 posts
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