Tx, hemoglibin, iron

[Newbie Judi]

I have been on Tx for Hep C now for 4 months - Pegatron -  I have 6-8 more months to go.  I am struggling with low hemoglobin.  It looks like I am going to have to have a 2 unit blood transfusion every two weeks - levels drop to 70's -.
Brutal - I am having problems taking care of myself, let alone my family.  I sleep.... all the time.
Doctor says there is nothing we can do about it, just take the transusions  (which is how I got into this in the first place).  I take folic acid and hormones & synthroid.  
I have always had low iron, so was continuing to take my iron pills, until Dr. said not to take iron -
Then Dr. mentioned I should take iron at my last visit.....it didn't register what he had said until later.

I am concerned about getting so many transfusions - also confused about the iron
p.s. good news, viral load went from almost 30 million to 0 (yes zero)

[jmjm530]

Are you on Procrit (epo)? They usually try that before transfusions, assuming there is time. Look, if you feel at all uncomfortable with your doctor's care, you can always get a second opinion. If anything else, it could at least validate that your doctor's approach is correct. Anyway, congratulations on being non-detectible. Sorry you're going through such a difficult time.

-- Jim

[Newbie Judi]

thanks Jim,
No, I have never even heard of Procit, but just looked it up, I will ask my Dr. about it - but I am a bit concerned with the fact that it appears to cause cancer tumours to grow faster - I have had cancer tumours twice in the last 24 years (I am 44)  so I might be high risk. (both tumours were irradicated via chemo & radiaiton) - so I might not be a good match for procit

[jmjm530]

Like many drugs, Procrit has a side effect profile. That said, many of us here are, or have been on it to help fight anemia during treatment. Is your doctor a liver specialist (hepatologist)? If not, you might want to consult with a hepatologist. In general, they have more HCV treatment experience, including handling side effects. Hepatologists can usually be found at your larger, teaching hospitals. It may indeed turn out that Procrit may be contradindicated in your case, but certainly worth an expert opinion.

-- Jim

[Susie2007]

Judi, because of your medical history, you should be consulting with a hematologist regarding your anemia. You are right, you may not be a candidate for procrit. The hepatologist will probably be no  help in this area. Your hematologist will be able to evaluate yor anemia and decide if procrit (I like aranesp better) would be ok for you to take. Many of them are also oncologists. Having a hematologist made a world of difference in my treatment.

[alagirl]

Your previous hx of cancer makes your case to complex for me speculate about.  I too would be worried about the frequent transfusions because they do tend to add extra iron to the system which settles in the organs.  I would get to a hematologist as quickly as possible to see what the risk is with the procrit.  It may be that your doc feels the previous cancer is to high a risk, again, its difficult to speculate, but with your history, I'd hope that you consult specialists in both areas, a hepatologist for the hep c, and a hematologist for the anemia with the specific question of how best to manage it in treatment with your special history.  It would be great if you have or can find a hepatologist who knows a hematologist familiar with hep c patients.