Lolobro, A SCT is best if it is given with the first line of treatment. It gives Remission the deepest and longest chance. First of all they will knock down the Myeloma cells with Chemo or Myeloma drugs or both. When the cells are low enough they will do a harvest by building up your cells then do a blood electrophoresis, which is a blood procedure that takes your blood and takes out the bad Myeloma cells and keeps the good cells then freezing them until needed. This could take several hours or a couple of days. They try to get enough for at least 2 SCT’s. Then they hospitalize you and give you a Chemo - Melphalan which wipes out all cells (good and bad) then they give you back the clean unfrozen cells and then start to build up your immune system.. When you have safe levels they release you from the hospital and you go back on a maintenance Myeloma drug. At day 100 they do blood tests and a bone marrow biopsy to determine it you are in remission., (complete or partial response). If you have questions along the way don’t hesitate to ask. Love, Marcia 🌸

Stem cell transplant is usually done the first year of diagnosis if possible. The transplant offers the most durable control for myeloma. Myeloma is a smart cancer and is able to create resistance to drugs. You want the Myeloma to get to the lowest level possible. Stem cell transplant is a standard of care for most myeloma specialist in the US. The hope is a transplant will last for a few years with maintenance chemo extending the control of myeloma. Most doctors try to collect enough for two transplants if needed. Please go to the Multiple Myeloma Research foundation website and International Myeloma Foundation websites. Dr. Brian Durie's podcasts are first rate💓😇🙏

An SCT is planned after the initial 12 weeks of aggressive treatment after diagnosis. I think some doctors may do 2 in a row but mine doesn't. When/If the MM comes back I would imagine having another. I say "If" not just when. Perhaps a cure is already here.

I found the side effects with Revlimid were hard. Frequent loose bowel movements, major fatigue and chemo brain. Felt a lot better getting off but not for the reason. Had a chemical relapse. Have been on regular weekly treatment w Carflizomib, Darzalex, and Dexamethasone. I feel much better on it. Although Dexie is not without its ups and downs, it took care of back and foot pain.

My onoglist didn't suggest a sct for me,i was 69 when i was diagnosed,he said if it was his mother he wouldn't do it because they were so many good drugs