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Who had had Stem Cell Transplant? And how does it work and what about side affects and infections?

A MyMyelomaTeam Member asked a question 💭
Fort Worth, TX

We talked to Dr. about the SCT. He said that might be a lot better for her.

February 25, 2025
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A MyMyelomaTeam Member

My husband had the sct in 2018. He was in hospital almost three weeks. He had few problems and the nurses anticipated every possible symptom. He has been on maintenance since September 2018.

February 25, 2025
A MyMyelomaTeam Member

I got SCT this past January… was in hospital 15 days… they are so well prepared with necessary pre-medication you really don’t feel that bad!! Understanding, I was pretty health going into procedure!!!

February 25, 2025
A MyMyelomaTeam Member

Karin has had a lot of issues with the treatment. She is high risk. I would rather she have the SCT than the bone marrow.

February 25, 2025
A MyMyelomaTeam Member

I had a transplant in 2017. It was really rough for about 3 months afterwards. It took awhile to get my strength back. You will want to discuss the pros and cons at length. Many people are getting to mrd negativity with the newer induction treatments without a transplant. I have high risk disease. I did not respond that well to induction. So, transplant was a good option for me, but not everyone needs a transplant.

February 25, 2025
MyMyelomaTeam

Between 30-40% of people with myeloma undergo stem cell transplants. Some can receive treatment as outpatients with daily monitoring, while others need a 2-3 week hospital stay during recovery. After the transplant, you'll receive antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals to prevent infections. Some patients also receive Show Full Answer

Between 30-40% of people with myeloma undergo stem cell transplants. Some can receive treatment as outpatients with daily monitoring, while others need a 2-3 week hospital stay during recovery. After the transplant, you'll receive antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals to prevent infections. Some patients also receive transfusions and EPO hormone to help red blood cell growth. Common short-term side effects include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth sores, fever/chills, and loss of appetite. You may also experience bleeding problems and anemia which can cause dizziness and shortness of breath.

Long-term effects might include vision changes, sexual side effects, fertility issues, and early menopause. After transplant, maintenance medications are typically prescribed for several years to sustain the treatment response. Your doctor may recommend avoiding certain activities for 3-6 months after the transplant while you recover. During stem cell collection, you might experience mild dizziness, tingling sensations, chills, and muscle cramps. It's important to discuss all potential side effects with your healthcare team so they can help you manage any complications that arise.

February 25, 2025

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