Any natural remedies for anemia?

Still want to know how to do a prep for possible anemia.  I am open to changes in diet, vitamins etc. that might help avoid the worse effects.  I know that there are chemicals that they prescribe if it gets bad but when you are in a trial, you don't know what they will put up with before releasing you from the study.  Please let me know.  I searched the archives and could not find anything substantial on this.

[willbb]

curiouslady1 & attagrl

There is no prep for the type of anemia some experience while in tx. The type of anemia that happens to many is called "hemolytic anemia"  and that is when the Ribavirin (and to some extent the new DADs) desrtoy the red blood cell too soon and  faster than the bone marrow can make them.Also INF  can suppress bone marrow production of red cells..so it can be a bit of a double whammy.

That is much different than having a low iron storage.. and hemolytic anemia can not be treated or raised by eating iron enriched foods or taking an iron supplement...(which can do more harm than good ..as James mentioned)

Not everyone on tx. needs to rescue their HGB. levels ..however Procrit is very successful in doing so(with usually little side effects) in order to continue tx. at the proper doses

Will

[attagrl]

I don't have an answer, but I'm definitely interested in everyone's feedback. I find out tomorrow if I will be getting ribavirin or not, but since I'm already borderline anemic, and suffered from it pretty badly when I was pregnant with both kids, I have a sneaking suspicion that it'll hit me hard. Would be interested in knowing if there is anything I can do to remediate the effects.

[sandysf]

From what I have found the anemia caused by the drugs cannot be remedied by food, supplements etc.  as it is caused by the chemicals we are taking.  It is not iron deficiency.   Here is an interesting study though that indicates some of us will suffer from anemia during treatment and some won't.. they have identified a gene that predicts it!  

http://hepatitiscnewdrugs.blogspot.com/2011/01/hepatitis-c-treatment-and-liver.html

[joemc34606]

My last treatment i got anemia, so my doc and I are ready for it this time I'm on my fifth shot as of yesterday. I go for my results on Tuesday, I've been taking an iron pill since day one, don't no if it will help until I get my results. Good luck
Joe

[curiouslady1]

Thanks Joe, that is what I thought but wasn't sure.  My understanding is that depending on the shape of your liver you should/shouldn't have iron, protein etc.

[James10500]

no iron !

[susan400]

For most of us, without cirrhosis, protein is not a problem.  In fact, protein is a necessary component of any healthy diet.  Even vegatarians need protein, even if they are getting it through cheese, or soy protein, or beans/nuts.  I do not know how that changes if you have cirrhosis as I've never had cirrhosis.  

It's iron supplements that are hard on the liver.

Susan400

[curiouslady1]

Why?

[curiouslady1]

ok never mind.  I googled it.  no iron.

[James10500]

Iron increases HCV replication. I should have found the link before I posted. Here you go.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1034/j.1600-0676.2000.020002125.x/abstract

[willbb]

curiouslady1 & attagrl

There is no prep for the type of anemia some experience while in tx. The type of anemia that happens to many is called "hemolytic anemia"  and that is when the Ribavirin (and to some extent the new DADs) desrtoy the red blood cell too soon and  faster than the bone marrow can make them.Also INF  can suppress bone marrow production of red cells..so it can be a bit of a double whammy.

That is much different than having a low iron storage.. and hemolytic anemia can not be treated or raised by eating iron enriched foods or taking an iron supplement...(which can do more harm than good ..as James mentioned)

Not everyone on tx. needs to rescue their HGB. levels ..however Procrit is very successful in doing so(with usually little side effects) in order to continue tx. at the proper doses

Will

[willbb]

not new  DADS  ha...meant new DAA'S      Don"t think new DADS has that much effect on HGB  :)

[eureka254]

"want to know how to do a prep for possible anemia."
----------------
Buy comfy pillows (you'll be laying down a lot).
Buy a soft electric blanket (you'll be feeling cold and having chills).
Buy a space heater (see above).
Hire a maid or bribe your children (you'll feel zapped just walking from one room to another).
Buy extra TV remotes (you won't have the energy to go out, or find the remote when you misplace it).
Buy foam and duct tape (you may want to pad the sharp corners of furniture in case you fall or faint in cases of severe anemia).
Oh, yes, and there's this little vial of magic called "Procrit."

If you don't develop anemia, you'll be set for the winter and weatherization ;). ~eureka

[willbb]

LOL Eureka..!

[willbb]

just one Eureka may have forgot...if in the middle of severe anemia...don"t post or it often looks like this .

     DANNM  WY DU I FEEEEEL SO SH&T i  

[James10500]

Excellent advise Eureka. Truth is on tx you are simple not capable of doing many of the things you do in normal life.  But one day it's all over and you are done !

Will excellent post.

[working dog]

your doing the right thing checking into anemia before tx...i wish i knew more about it before tx...if i did i would have gotten procrit when my hemo first dropped below 10...there was a huge difference for me between 10 and 8....if it drops like a rock be ready to start procrit...it's been awful for me...had to stop riba for now so i'll most likely end up tx way longer..good luck with tx....billy

[crossroadsec]

LMBO @ Eureka n Will-  I'm looking for an adult size backpack carrier so my family n friends can throw me in n take me for a little walk.. buy me an ice cream to go w my inhibbies.
Curiouslady, I've done the same research. Like you I wanted a healthy alternative. They got me up to 15 hmg last fall w transfusions n I'm down to 11 already since tx. Going for the drug.. Karen xo

[ann61]

Thanks for the laugh....I needed it!

[curiouslady1]

Transfusions?  I didn't expect this to be a walk in the park.  But transfusions?

[eureka254]

For some, staying the course of treatment means whatever it takes.  My husband had 3 sets of transfusions during his long course of treatment in addition to procrit.  Being a stage 4 on the edge of decompensation, he did whatever it took to stay the course of treatment.  

Most people don't have anemia drastic enough to have to require transfusion as intervention, but in some situations, it's necessary.  Some folks (a small minority) don't respond to procrit, and some respond slowly (my husband is a slow responder).  Some folks have a response to the meds such that anemia hits so quickly, there's not enough time for procrit to work, but it's only a handful of patients that need transfusion.

[willbb]

The study I was in was ONLY transfusions ..if needed .as there was no procrit allowed

[exaddict24]

Hi, I am now in my 16 weeks of treatment. I ask the doctor to increase my riba by one to six a day. I did not realised that i might be asking for trouble, with my hgb at 10.1 on the 25th july, 10.5 on the 28th july and 10.5 again on the 11th this month. I did not know that by increasing now it is not so effective, and might csuse my hgb to go haywire. The doctor agreed so i thought i was making the right move. On the back of my mind  was the procrit to rescue me.
I was also thinking 1 more riba will help the body rid the virus more effectively. Maybe i should have ask for more pegasy??? Or maybe Alina too, 4 months into treatment.Just joking. I won't try my luck anymore.
I have  been taking the increased dosage for 5 days now, everything seems the same, minimal sx, but i learn in this forum that it might take 3 to 4 weeks to kick in.
Anyway the doctor had approved, so i will go along, even if i am shooting myself in the foot. When the hgb goes down below 10, i will be insisting for procrit or aranesp, I heard the both can be used.


- before i forget, if i have wrongly commented in any of my previous posts, i truely apologies. God bless.