[myelomaminxParticipant]

I went for stem cell harvest last week and there were none – NO stem cells at all.  I had the GCSF injections and still nothing to find.  I am to go back again in a month or so but all the time my KLC are rising fast.  Anybody any experience/advice?  After 10 months on chemo my myeloma levels will be back up to where they were before?

[rebeccaRParticipant]

Sorry, don’t know much about this but have read there is a plexifor injection that can be used instead of the growth hormones – think it is very expensive for hospitals to use and therefore limited for those who have had a lot of chemo that is hindering the process. I would have thought they would want you in a stable condition and not rising pre harvest and SCT? My understanding of SCT is that it has to have stabilised to undergo the process – that’s what I was told. I would ring the helpline on Monday for more information. I’m sure some on this forum have had plexifor so you may get some more info.
Stay strong
Rebecca

[tomParticipant]

Hi myelomaminx (love the name ha ha)

So sorry you never got any let alone enough, I am sure some one on thus site was the same as you and it all worked out well.

Good luck with ur and hope next time is better

Tom onwards and upwards xx

[myelomaminxParticipant]

Thanks for the replies.  Plexifor can only be used once and I think what it does is to multiply the number of stem cells found.  And if there are none there then there is no point in giving it!  Will just have to wait – again!

[finnParticipant]

Hi Myelomaminx

Sorry to hear that you were unlucky with stem cell harvest. Just to clarify that Plerixafor is used to help move stem cells from the bone, where they are produced, to the bloodstream, so that they can be collected. You may have produced some stem cells after growth factor injections but none were released to blood (and therefore found in a blood sample). They could have at least tried Plerixafor injections. The drug can be used for several days. It is expensive though.

Better luck next time!

 

 

[tomParticipant]

Hi myelomaminx

When you had your growth injections did you get pain in ribs/back and or hips ? Because when I had mine done in 2009 I had bad Iain for three days/nights just prior to the day of collection.

Just wondered, and good luck with the next time

Tom onwards and upwards xx

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