@A MyMyelomaTeam Member. Not necessarily true. It all depends on the type of MM, and how aggressive it is. A few years back, my oncologist stopped the maintenance treatment. The next bone marrow biopsy showed a marked increase in cancer cell count. So, back into maintenance treatment. Everybody is different. Stopping maintenance may work for some, who don't have an aggressive form of MM.
Just for info. I’ve been in treatment for 7 years. I exercise every day. I still snow ski in the winter. I’ve gone 11 times last season.i also still waterski. I actually waterskied this morning, before going in for my maintenance treatment this afternoon. Staying active and having a positive outlook, definitely helps. I will continue to do that, till I can’t do it anymore, or I pass away.

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A MyMyelo...

After my SCT, I did not fully go into remission, since my MM is aggressive. Even after being in maintenance, it took a long time to get into remission. I’ve had a relapse once in the 7 years I’ve been in treatment. I’m back in remission now. It all depends on what type of MM you have, and how aggressive it’s is.

Wilma, I support your decision if you decide not to go on maintenance after reaching remission. Since this is an illness that has a guarantee of relapse, enjoy the remission and deal with the relapse, when it comes. It may not happen for years. I truly wish you well!😊

If you’re in Complete Remission of 10 -6 Negative (none per million cells tested), consider Monitoring without MM Meds.

I get Full Monthly Labs and Quarterly Blood Sample clonoSEQ Testing. As long as I’m MRD Negative at 10 -6, I’m on absolutely No MM Meds whatsoever.

It’s been 23 months since I quickly dealt with a Bone Lesion (fixed in a few weeks in Sept 2023) and coming on 4 years since my original Stage 2 in 2021.

MM Meds will continue to beat down your immune system - Get your Natural Killer Cells Tested - the lower they are than 10%, the higher the risk of not being able to fend off serious infections (I lost a friend a year ago to bacterial meningitis because of his immune system’s failure after being on DarzFasPro + Rd for 18 months).

I’m 71 - over the last year all of my Labs have returned to Excellent Levels since I’m no longer on any MM Meds. In addition my IgG has recovered to 640, from its low of 300 in 2022, during Induction.

A Plant Based Diet, Supplements (keep your Vit D at 80ng to 90ng), and Exercise and being off the MM Meds will allow your body to Heal. I have my best Labs in many decades.

Now that I’m back to Normal, I’m slowly adding in more animal Protein from organic sources of pasture raised eggs and chicken and Salmon, as additional to my Plant Based Diet. I’m using my Full Monthly Labs as a way to see if any of my dietary changes have any effect on my Labs - I’ll see things well in advance of any harm and adjust if needed

I went through induction; achieved remission and was on maintenance for a while but I was having a hard time with Rev. symptoms and since I was doing well in my tests, I decided to stop treatment and just continue testing till the need to contine was needed. It's risky, but my fear of another cancer, or serious condition gave me courage to stop for the time being. It will be 4 yrs. off of treatment, this Nov. ( 2025)
We are not clones, so each has to decide their own ......options. I am by no means feeling better because of side effects. Some may be aggravating my aging process. I still don't want treatment unless I relapse, or it just seems like the thing to do. I have leftover side effects still and .......I'm watching the numbers. That's on me, what happens.