[Larryfra]

Time between melphalan and stem cell reinfusion?

by Larryfra on Tue Jun 20, 2017 10:18 am

My hospital tells me that I will have my stem cell reinfusion (transplant) the day after I'm given the melphalan infusion. I know that some myeloma treatment centers recommend waiting an extra day to make sure all the melphalan is out of the body. Should I be concerned by the shorter time my center is planning?

[Eddie]

Re: Time between melphalan and stem cell reinfusion?

by Eddie on Tue Jun 20, 2017 6:50 pm

I remember reading about studies with a 2-day washout after 2-day melphalan infusions for patients on hemodialysis.

Next-day infusions are not uncommon. I had my transplant done at Mount Sinai in New York City. The melphalan infusion started at 8:45 pm and lasted for 15 minutes. The stem cell reinfusion was scheduled for 3:30 pm the following day.

Don't forget to chew ice before, during, and after the melphalan infusion. By 7:50 pm I started chewing ice. At 8:05 pm I got pre-chemo medications. I stopped chewing ice at 9:30 pm, 30 minutes after the infusion end.

Good luck!

[goldmine848]

Re: Time between melphalan and stem cell reinfusion?

by goldmine848 on Tue Jun 20, 2017 8:37 pm

Next day is not uncommon.

[Mike F]

Re: Time between melphalan and stem cell reinfusion?

by Mike F on Wed Jun 21, 2017 12:13 pm

I got my melphalan within what seemed like minutes of arriving at the hospital. They infused the stem cells the day after that. I am pretty sure this is the standard procedure at the UC Davis Med Center.

[wwieland]

Re: Time between melphalan and stem cell reinfusion?

by wwieland on Wed Jun 21, 2017 5:13 pm

The time between the melphalan and stem cell infusion was 24 hours for me.