Treatment when your anemic

[peaches45]

Hi everyone, here I am again with another question. I have been anemic over the years because of always having a heavy menstrual cycle. The question is, has anyone here been an anemic before treating? I know that one of the drugs now can cause anemia, the treatment nurse told me that they can give something to help with that. That is what I am worried about, already being anemic. Does anyone know about this?  

thank you all, peaches

[peaches45]

Thank you, it is good to know that there is something they can give me to help with the anemia if I need it.

peaches

[eureka254]

My understanding is that the medication Ribavirin can cause hemolytic anemia in some people, but not all. You may not necessarily have worsening anemia from treatment, but if you do, there are "helper" drugs.  My husband never suffered from anemia so can't help with the pre-existing anemia question, but being on treatment did make him very anemic and the Procrit has helped him a great deal.  It's prescribed and administered as an injectable (for most people once a week is sufficient when hemoglobin goes below 10) and helps with anemia by stimulating bone marrow activity and increasing red blood cell production.  My husband is currently on 80,000 units/wk and has CBCs drawn once a week to make sure his anemia doesn't fall below acceptable levels.  Hope that helps.

[peaches45]

LOl....thanks for the info.....

[fretboard]

Well I don't know anything about the motorcycle but I know a little bit about HepC and anemia. lol  If you get anemic on tx and your hemoglobin goes down below 9 or so, they give another drug called Procrit.  Anemia is very common in tx.  good luck