How long for Hgb to return to normal post-tx?

For those who endured tx and had low, preferably extremely low, Hgb that required use of Epoetin-Alpha, how long did it take for you count to return to anything resembling a normal pre-tx level?

[Kalio1]

Do you know what your pre tx level was? What is it now?

[MissMiss]

I am just over 4 mo post.  My HGB was in the 7's the last few mos of tx and my Procrit was upped to 120 a week.  Hemo wanted me to stay on 120 but I took it upon myself the first post mo to reduce gradually to 80, then to 40.  The next week we checked bloodword and I was up to 14.7.

The next mo I had a procedure done and they checked again.  I was down to 12.4.  So I assume the procrit wore off and I was on my own.  I want to get it checked again and probably will this week.  

Pre tx I was in the 15's and 16's.  Actually too high for awhile.

Are you nearly done?  Your procrit was quite high too wasn't it?

miss

[mikesimon]

It took me nearly 6 months and I too was on Epogen. My surgeon cautioned me that I may have a residual anemia due to my lengthy TX but it did finally resolve and after about 5+ months my Hgb and RBC were normal. Mike

[jmjm530]

Hgb took around 3 months to return to pre-tx levels. My WBC is still slightly off normal but it may have low-normal pre-tx as well, I'll have to check.

-- Jim

[GrandOak]

I was just curious as to other peoples experiences.  I was 14 pre-tx, 11.3 when pulled from tx on 100,000 u/SQ Procrit at that time, only 11.6 one month later with no Procrit, and getting labs tomorrow to see if another few weeks is still showing a gradual climb.

I could still grab some Procrit as I got 14 20,000 multi-use vials in my frig. but would rather see a normal climb w/o it.

Anemia sx's seem to come and go, but overall much better than during tx, even with Procrit.

[Tallahassee]

For me, it usually takes 2-3 months for Hgb and ~6 months for WBC.

Don't worry, it will normalize eventually.

Be well

E

[mikesimon]

I think I'd be careful before supplementing any further. Your Hgb should recover in time. At least check with your doctor first. We have to be patient with this stuff sometimes. Mike

[rochammer]

GrandOak

Pre tx my Hgb was about 15. when on tx the first time it dropped to 10 with in 3 months and started epo. The Hgb level stayed around 13 through tx and for 6 months after. At 6 months started tx again Hgb at 14.8 drop again fast and started epo again at 11.5 At the end of round 2 of tx which was 48 weeks as apposed to 24 we continued the epo for 4 more shots So far the Hgb is holding at 15 which was pre tx levels

After the first tx the Hgb stayed low this time it didn

[MissMiss]

I agree with Mike that you should not do more procrit.  You were on a high dose.  Let your body take back over and be patient.  Procrit has its risks.

miss