[Jerry]

To do ASCT or Not to do?

by Jerry on Thu Apr 14, 2011 10:04 pm

I was diagnosed last October and began therapy in Novembe and was on Dex and Velcade for 4 cycles and Revlimid was added for 2 more cycles.
Praise God, after a blood test and bone marrow biopsy, the results were complete remission. good news for this 65 year old in otherwise pretty good shape. Now the questions is, should I go for an ASCT or wait until I relapse?
For the last month, I have not had any maintenance drugs, Revlimid etc. so I starting to feel my feet a little better with a reduction of Neuropathy.
Would like to get as many responses as I can.
Thanks
Jerry

[Julie Shilane]

Re: To do ASCT or Not to do?

by Julie Shilane on Tue Apr 19, 2011 10:53 am

Hi Jerry,

Hopefully a number of multiple myeloma patients will respond about their choices and experiences. In the meantime, I thought I'd point out a couple of related forum discussions that you might find helpful:

Transplant in the future-timing questions: https://myelomabeacon.org/forum/transplant-in-the-future-timing-questions-t300.html

Question about stem cell transplant timing: https://myelomabeacon.org/forum/question-about-multiple-myeloma-stem-cell-transplant-timing-t131.html

Time for transplant: https://myelomabeacon.org/forum/time-for-transplant-t250.html

Is Complete Remission using MPT or SCT the same? https://myelomabeacon.org/forum/is-complete-remission-using-mpt-or-sct-the-same-t142.html

Good luck with your decision!

[BuffaloPat]

Re: To do ASCT or Not to do?

by BuffaloPat on Thu Apr 21, 2011 12:48 pm

I can share my own experience...
After completing four rounds of chemeotherapy and achieving pretty good results, I had not yet achieved remission, but the numbers were heading in that direction. I really wanted a break from all the medical stuff. When my doctor was making plans for ASCT, I suggested waiting until things looked worse. He explained that the transplant can only be done when the body is not full of multiple myeloma and this complete overhaul (my language--not official medical terminology) of the blood system is the next best thing to a cure. I followed the advice and went ahead with transplant. However, I did decide against the back-to-back second transplant that was also recommended, as my instincts told me it would be too much to take. All that was seven years ago and I remain well.

[Jerry]

Re: To do ASCT or Not to do?

by Jerry on Sat Apr 30, 2011 12:15 pm

Julie,

Thank you for your reply.
I am still in the proces of making this decision so am geting yet another opinion of a doctor that is in favor of a more cautious approach to ASCT. Will post the results after next weeks trip.

As I learn more and more about this multiple myeloma through web sites and blogs like this one though,
I realize that there are so many wonderful people out there who are willing to help.
I thank and pray for them and the good work they are doing.

Jerry