A lot is dependent on the clinic where you have your harvest and your circumstances. I did not have cytoxan or any other "conditioning" treatment except neupogen. But, I did not have a great harvest either. There are several newer drugs that can help you get a better harvest.
Talk with your doc and find out what they include in their protocol.
Janet
Forums
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jsnow527 - Name: Janet
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2006
- Age at diagnosis: 50
Re: Stem cell harvest coming up--any advice?
goldhair54 wrote:
> ok...I'm getting my cells harvested in June. I had no idea that I would be
> give cytoxin and lose all my hair...that was NOT mentioned. Do they still
> do it that way???
I was given a bunch of Neuprogen and had to administer myself shots prior to my harvest appointment. Those were not enough and I was also given Mozibil which did the trick but it took 2 days at the U of MI Aphresis Center. After it was over, I was wiped out tired. I guess you could say it was a 'draining' experience.
With the exception of the exhaustion, I did not have any 'hair falling out' issues.
> ok...I'm getting my cells harvested in June. I had no idea that I would be
> give cytoxin and lose all my hair...that was NOT mentioned. Do they still
> do it that way???
I was given a bunch of Neuprogen and had to administer myself shots prior to my harvest appointment. Those were not enough and I was also given Mozibil which did the trick but it took 2 days at the U of MI Aphresis Center. After it was over, I was wiped out tired. I guess you could say it was a 'draining' experience.
With the exception of the exhaustion, I did not have any 'hair falling out' issues.
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P. Aaron - Name: P. Aaron
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 10/2009
- Age at diagnosis: 49
Re: Stem cell harvest coming up--any advice?
Aaron,
I'm currently at Mayo Clinic on day 11 after my transplant. Would like to send some encouraging words. I'm aware everyone is different, but my experience has been very uneventful, which is good thing. I went right from Stem Cell Harvest to my transplant so I've been here 5 weeks. As for the harvest, my transplant doc was looking to harvest enough for 3 transplants. I did not need cytoxan, but was told I would have had the Velcade not knocked my numbers down low enough. Along with the neupagen shots, I also took part in a study where I received mozibil through infusion. It did take longer than I had expected, 7 days, but in the end I got enough for the 3 transplants. I then went straight to transplant, where I received malpholan over 2 days before recieving my cells back. Doc spoke to me, today, about possibly sending me home this Friday, which would put me at day 14. I've been quite fortunate and have had few to no side effects. I chewed the ice and ate popsicle during the Malpholan IV and had no signs of sores, etc.... in my mouth. I've was only slightly nauseated at about day 3, but the compazin took care of that. My WBC started engrafting at day 9.
And I still have a full head of hair, but I'm expecting that to start to leave any day now.
I was very healthy coming into the process. Diagnosed Stage1 back in Sept 2010. But a good attitude will carry you a long way. From one Michigander to another, I wish the best of luck and a quick recovery,
Julie
I'm currently at Mayo Clinic on day 11 after my transplant. Would like to send some encouraging words. I'm aware everyone is different, but my experience has been very uneventful, which is good thing. I went right from Stem Cell Harvest to my transplant so I've been here 5 weeks. As for the harvest, my transplant doc was looking to harvest enough for 3 transplants. I did not need cytoxan, but was told I would have had the Velcade not knocked my numbers down low enough. Along with the neupagen shots, I also took part in a study where I received mozibil through infusion. It did take longer than I had expected, 7 days, but in the end I got enough for the 3 transplants. I then went straight to transplant, where I received malpholan over 2 days before recieving my cells back. Doc spoke to me, today, about possibly sending me home this Friday, which would put me at day 14. I've been quite fortunate and have had few to no side effects. I chewed the ice and ate popsicle during the Malpholan IV and had no signs of sores, etc.... in my mouth. I've was only slightly nauseated at about day 3, but the compazin took care of that. My WBC started engrafting at day 9.
And I still have a full head of hair, but I'm expecting that to start to leave any day now.
I was very healthy coming into the process. Diagnosed Stage1 back in Sept 2010. But a good attitude will carry you a long way. From one Michigander to another, I wish the best of luck and a quick recovery,
Julie
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myelomafromannarbor - Name: Julie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Sept 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 45
Re: Stem cell harvest coming up--any advice?
Today, 6/10/13, im going in for my first harvest of my stem cells for my "Auto" I have had 4 consistant day shots of neuprogen. I will be hooked up for 5-6hrs and then we shall see if another is needed tomorrow.
I guess my question was am I to eat before the start of the harvest or just during? My Dr said dairy night b4 but nothing about comin in empty full or indifferent. Plz reply if u know. Thnx
I guess my question was am I to eat before the start of the harvest or just during? My Dr said dairy night b4 but nothing about comin in empty full or indifferent. Plz reply if u know. Thnx
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blueyeznextdoor
Re: Stem cell harvest coming up--any advice?
I had my stem cells harvested without any melphalan. I was on RVD for 4 months prior so I'm assuming that's why I didn't need it. I injected the nuepagen myself and definitely felt it towards the end of the weekend. It's almost as if your bones are pulsating when your heart pumps and it's def a weird/bad feeling. I didn't take any painkillers for it because I had a previous problem with them and decided it wasn't worth it. I just took Advil! The worst part was the inability to move my arm for 7.5 hrs in one day. I got everything I needed in one day for 3.5 transplants . I am a 26 yr old male .. Dx at age 19 sooooo take it how you may but It honestly wasn't bad at all. My first infusion of Zometa was 1000x worse then the stem cell harvest. Btw I did not need a port they just used my veins from my arms. I guess overall I'm lucky! Def bring an iPad or computer and/ or headphones ... Also going to the bathroom was honestly horrible cuz they have to stop process and really don't want you too stop but I stayed 2 hrs extra to get it all done in 1 day
Mark
Mark
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Barneasada - Name: Mark
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Jan 2007
- Age at diagnosis: 19
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