Waiting for possible bone marrow transplant

[Optimistic]

How long does it usually take to find a donor after the HLA typing is done? I have relapsed 3-4 times in the past 5 yrs since dx with AA & received ATG from horse & rabbit along with prednisone & cyclosporine. I've been taking promacta with no results yet.... Docs say I really need the transplant I agree but the don't want to give me anymore immunsuppresive meds while I may get a transplant in the near future but how long is this gonna take I'm getting transfusions every week and my platlets are down to 4..... Does everyone get GVHD?


Sorry for sooo many questions & thanks in advance

[Neil Cuadra]

The National Marrow Donor Program, which manages the U.S. bone marrow registry, says the following:

It can take as little as a few weeks and sometimes many months to find the right match for you; typically, the time from the start of the formal search to the day of transplant is about 3 months.

It actually takes only minutes to search the national database or other international databases with your HLA typing information, but that shows only candidate donors. The rest of the process involves locating and contacting those people, seeing if they are still available, willing, and eligible, then testing them to confirm a match.

If a donor has been selected, other logistics are involved in arranging the donation process for the donor in coordination with your transplant center.

Everyone involved knows the process should be done as soon as possible so they don't waste any time!

About your other question: Not all transplant recipients get GVHD.