I am just starting the stem cell transplant process for multi myeloma. I was wondering if anyone had gone through the process and could tell me what to expect. I got a shot of nupregen today.
Thank you for any and all posts
Forums
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RedDog - Name: Art
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September 27, 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 51
Re: Starting the process of stem cell transplant
Hello Art,
This should be an interesting discussion. I hope people who have been through a stem cell transplant chime in with some feedback with what you should expect. Experiences differ, of course, but it will be good to see the different stories.
One of the Beacon's columnists -- Pat Killingsworth -- underwent a stem cell transplant last summer, and he wrote several columns about it. Here are some links:
https://myelomabeacon.org/headline/2011/06/23/pats-place-sometimes-you-just-have-to-laugh/
https://myelomabeacon.org/headline/2011/06/30/pats-place-thoughts-from-a-brand-new-stem-cell-transplant-patient/
https://myelomabeacon.org/headline/2011/07/07/pats-place-my-new-unexpected-superpower/
Also, several patients who maintain blogs that are linked to through the Beacon's "blog aggregator" are currently undergoing (or just underwent) stem cell transplants. Go to this link, https://myelomabeacon.org/blog-posts/ , and then just start paging through the recent postings. You are bound to find one or two patients who are writing about what they've been through.
Finally, there is an interesting thread here in the forum about what to expect after the transplant. You also may want to check it out.
https://myelomabeacon.org/forum/stem-cell-transplant-and-ability-to-do-light-work-t464.html
Good luck!
This should be an interesting discussion. I hope people who have been through a stem cell transplant chime in with some feedback with what you should expect. Experiences differ, of course, but it will be good to see the different stories.
One of the Beacon's columnists -- Pat Killingsworth -- underwent a stem cell transplant last summer, and he wrote several columns about it. Here are some links:
https://myelomabeacon.org/headline/2011/06/23/pats-place-sometimes-you-just-have-to-laugh/
https://myelomabeacon.org/headline/2011/06/30/pats-place-thoughts-from-a-brand-new-stem-cell-transplant-patient/
https://myelomabeacon.org/headline/2011/07/07/pats-place-my-new-unexpected-superpower/
Also, several patients who maintain blogs that are linked to through the Beacon's "blog aggregator" are currently undergoing (or just underwent) stem cell transplants. Go to this link, https://myelomabeacon.org/blog-posts/ , and then just start paging through the recent postings. You are bound to find one or two patients who are writing about what they've been through.
Finally, there is an interesting thread here in the forum about what to expect after the transplant. You also may want to check it out.
https://myelomabeacon.org/forum/stem-cell-transplant-and-ability-to-do-light-work-t464.html
Good luck!
Re: Starting the process of stem cell transplant
Hi Art...best wishes on your upcoming stem cell harvest and transplant! I went through that more than two years ago, and it was a very busy and at times stressful experience! I would just advise you to not expect too much of yourself in the way of outside activities at this time. Of course you could be pleasantly surprised and be quite well throughout the process, but most people find it quite tiring and there are side effects due to the very strong chemo drugs used.
You could expect some bone pain with the neupogen shots, since the marrow is actually producing an excess of stem cells, which will burst out into your bloodstream! They are not usually there...but that is how they can be readily harvested. I had a central line put in for the harvesting, although I think that now it would be a 'port'. I lost my hair at that time too! The harvesting took about a day on the apharesis machine.
Once you get through the harvesting, you can rest up for a bit before the transplant??
I was surprised overall at how busy I was with medical appointments, blood tests and the like. There wasn't much time for anything else...but the medical staff and my supportive family were all just great and got me through it OK.
You could expect some bone pain with the neupogen shots, since the marrow is actually producing an excess of stem cells, which will burst out into your bloodstream! They are not usually there...but that is how they can be readily harvested. I had a central line put in for the harvesting, although I think that now it would be a 'port'. I lost my hair at that time too! The harvesting took about a day on the apharesis machine.
Once you get through the harvesting, you can rest up for a bit before the transplant??
I was surprised overall at how busy I was with medical appointments, blood tests and the like. There wasn't much time for anything else...but the medical staff and my supportive family were all just great and got me through it OK.
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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: Starting the process of stem cell transplant
Thank you for the information. Any suggestions on what to take for the pain? My morphine sulfate is not working. I received my 2nd shot today of the nupregen.
Also sleeping is out the window. I can't get comfortable. Any suggestions on that ?
Thank you in advance.
Also sleeping is out the window. I can't get comfortable. Any suggestions on that ?
Thank you in advance.
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RedDog - Name: Art
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September 27, 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 51
Re: Starting the process of stem cell transplant
Hi Art... I do recall that pain! You would have to ask your doctors about your pain meds, and maybe sleeping issues too. I remember so wanting to go to a choir concert (it was in December) but couldn't even get off the couch! Once the stem cells were harvested that pain went away though.
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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: Starting the process of stem cell transplant
Hi RedDog,
I had my sct last Nov. 2011. I was given nuelasta (1 total) instead of nuepogen shots. Cells were harvasted and then had a couple of wks. off before actual transplant.
I was admitted on a Mon morning at 8 am and was given melphalan chemo on Mon and Tues.
Wed. afternoon reeceived my stem cells and left the hospital at 8 pm that night.
I had daily trips to the hospital for 21 days. Given an IV for fluid everyday and over the 21 days I received 2 units of platelets and 2 units of blood.
I did have some nausea for a wk or so, but the pills they gave me worked great and I never threw up. Be sure to use the mouth rinses that are provided for you. You definitely don't want to have mouth sores. Mouth sores can be bad enough to have be readmitted to the hospital.
MAKE SURE YOU RINSE OFTEN. I rinsed 6 to 8 times thru the day and only had 1 small sore
You probably won't be hungry and nothing will taste right, but eat and drink as much as you can. Make an effort to walk and keep moving as much as you can.
All the best to you and keep a positive attitude.
ritz
I had my sct last Nov. 2011. I was given nuelasta (1 total) instead of nuepogen shots. Cells were harvasted and then had a couple of wks. off before actual transplant.
I was admitted on a Mon morning at 8 am and was given melphalan chemo on Mon and Tues.
Wed. afternoon reeceived my stem cells and left the hospital at 8 pm that night.
I had daily trips to the hospital for 21 days. Given an IV for fluid everyday and over the 21 days I received 2 units of platelets and 2 units of blood.
I did have some nausea for a wk or so, but the pills they gave me worked great and I never threw up. Be sure to use the mouth rinses that are provided for you. You definitely don't want to have mouth sores. Mouth sores can be bad enough to have be readmitted to the hospital.
MAKE SURE YOU RINSE OFTEN. I rinsed 6 to 8 times thru the day and only had 1 small sore
You probably won't be hungry and nothing will taste right, but eat and drink as much as you can. Make an effort to walk and keep moving as much as you can.
All the best to you and keep a positive attitude.
ritz
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Ritz - Name: Ritz
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Oct 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 62
Re: Starting the process of stem cell transplant
Hi Again Art! Hope you can get past the pain!! Should also mention that when you get to the transplant, and on the day that you take the malphalan, the nurses will get you to suck on ice chips for hours! This is to avoid sores in the mouth and throat...just go ahead and do that, even if it does feel like your stomach is freezing! I did that with my dear hubby by my side encouraging me, and didn't have those sores.
I had about a six week break between the harvesting and the transplant, as I recall. It was the Christmas break, and I appreciated having that time with my family and friends. I am older than you though, and that probably makes a difference to one's stamina.
I had about a six week break between the harvesting and the transplant, as I recall. It was the Christmas break, and I appreciated having that time with my family and friends. I am older than you though, and that probably makes a difference to one's stamina.
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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
Starting the process of stem cell transplant/Transplant Tues
I go in Monday and Tuesday is my actual transplant day. What have other experienced with days following transplant. I am anxious to get back to work. Any ideas on when I could look for that to happen. The doctor I have has told me pretty much nothing on what to expect. Spoon feeding me information. So I would appreciate any and all information.
Thanks,
Art
Thanks,
Art
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RedDog - Name: Art
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September 27, 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 51
Re: Starting the process of stem cell transplant
Good Luck Art! I'll say a prayer for you.
Best Wishes
Art
nice name Huh?
Best Wishes
Art
nice name Huh?-
Art - Name: Art
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 12/2011
- Age at diagnosis: 40
Re: Starting the process of stem cell transplant
Good luck, Art (Red Dog)!! You must have gotten thru the stem cell harvest by now! The transplant isn't painful really. Just remember about taking in lots of ice chips, if that is what they do at your centre.
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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
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