Hi Amanda
it is the common treatment procedure to try and put the myeloma as close to remission with the initial drugs and then have the sct to try and put the myeloma into remission. Hopefully the sct does achieve that and the remission is a long one.
What JaneElliot says is true. There are lots of other drugs available to treat myeloma for which the side effects are not (necessarily) as severe as the sct. Although you should be aware, that although the side effects of the sct will probably make you feel very unwell for 2 weeks, and weak for a further month after that, you will recover and return to normal after 3 to 6 months. I was feeling close to normality after mine after 2 months. If you go with the drugs instead, the side effects of them will be with you permanently while you take them, and often with myeloma you are continually on drugs to keep it under control. If you go with the sct you might be able to go drug free. Again this is worth discussing with you consultant. It’s also worth noting that taking the sct option over alternative treatment is that it buys you more time, and leaves all the other drugs available for use in the future. The problems arise when you run out of treatment drugs.
just for context, I was 34 when I had my sct in October 2013. I was at home for 5 days initially, being sick on and off all day, and then an inpatient for 7 days and generally felt awful that whole time, constant sickness the issue, and then mucousitis of the mouth ( basically sores in throat so swollowing or eating is painful. Then there’s the diahorrhea). But it all passed after 2 weeks. After that I had little or no appetite for a further month. But then I started feeling better. Without a doubt the sct saved my life (I am an unusual myeloma patient in the sense that the myeloma hasn’t collected in my bone marrow but in my lymph nodes). I would do it again if I have to, although I hope I never have to.
good luck with whatever decision you take.