I had the Auto SCT in June and am in full remission so far thank God. Using your own stem cells eliminates the rejection aspect which is key. I lost weight and couldn’t eat much. Felt like crap two weeks. Three weeks in hospital then two weeks in a “clean” hotel then we could go home. Not fun but not that bad. Conservative approach first leaving another SCT if it returns or Car T. Car T will be even better later as they are improving the process as they learn more. My advice. If you have health issues and are weakened then SCT may not be best option. If current meds work this is good option unless MM gets worse than Car T comes into play. About the same as SCT but a bit more risk because it’s new but extremely promising. I am not a doctor so talk all this over with your MM expert doctor and your local oncologist.

I didn’t do stem cell even though I was stage 3 Multiple myeloma . . I am doing well taking Velcade injections. I’m feeling well and running my home . Doing all house work , cooking and taking care of all finances. My husband is 83 so I’m pretty much on my own. So I couldn’t go through the stem cell .
I’m going into my 4th year since diagnosis . Dr is pleased with my progress. My M- Spike is down.
So I think it is a personal decision we each have to make accordingly to our circumstances .

Hi Dianne - Very glad to hear you're in Remission. Darzalex and its FasPro version has been a real breakthrough treatment for many. Happy New Year & All the Best

I was supposed to have a stem cell transplant in September 2022 at Pres., St. Luke's in Denver, Co, but failed the collection piece. Has anyone else failed the collection? Instead, they sent me back to RMCC in Colorado Springs, where I had already spent 12 weeks doing infusions: Kyprolis and Dex, with Revlimid (21 days on and 7 days off). They had taken me off the Revlimid prior to trying the SCT, and then started me on Pomalyst. My new treatment was Darzalex infusions and Dex, every other week and then after several treatments, due to my numbers doing well, they changed me to Darzalex injections. I will get them for 8 weeks (every other week) and then go to once a month after that. I was told that I was in REMISSION, praise God! When I was still in Denver, they told me that this new treatment in the Springs could put me in remission or if not, I would be eligible for Car-T Cell therapy which my Denver oncologist stated would someday replace SCT. I am thankful that the new treatment has worked, but am researching Car-T since is one of the latest and greatest!

Take your time to research the other options, the latest I saw is Tecvayli. I haven't researched it yet, but it is similar to Car-T if I understand it correctly!

Blessings on your decisions. Praying for us all to have wisdom on how to proceed to get the longest remission or (be cured)! Merry Christmas!

It’s a very difficult decision. I’m at day 40 post transplant and it was a rough process. I can’t honestly say I’m sure the transplant was the best decision. Like you, my pre-transplant treatment, 15 weeks, 5 cycles of DVR-D, had done well with minimal side effects. My advice would be to do your own research, ask a lot of questions about your options, and don’t be “pushed” into doing a transplant just because that is todays “standard”. Blessings to you & your family.