Which is more effective procrit or a transfusion

[pcds]

Not talking about risk, just effectiveness in bring up hemoglobin.  Wonder why procrit before transfusion is it cost?  Seems like the real deal is better.  Curious what others who have faced this think.
judy

[eureka254]

I think most docs prescribe procrit before transfusion because as stated above, one-size-fits-all.  Plus, it's much easier on both the patient and the doctor.  Procrit can be prescribed and self-administered at home in minutes, whereas transfusion requires an apheresis center with special equipment and about 2 hours per pint of blood transfused, added to which there continues to be a shortage of blood supply in general.

Also, I believe the incidence of risks comparatively is higher with transfusion than with procrit.  The transfusion does give an immediate rise in hemoglobin, but it doesn't last more than a few weeks.  In my husband's case, he was transfused twice... once at 24 weeks 2 weeks after starting procrit, and the 2nd time at 42 weeks after which point they increased the procrit dosage to 2x a week.  

I don't know which costs more dollars, but I think from a medical-cost perspective giving out blood can be much more costly than doling out procrit.

[pcds]

You can also get transfused with platelets which I know is better then the medication.  Anyone get platelets?

[nygirl7]

I'd rather take the procrit and manage the anemia in a meaningful fashion rather than have a transfusion and have it to up then down then need another one and have it go up then down -  sounds like a lot of pain to me when you can take the procrit and stay over ten nice and evenly.  Feels much better over ten rather than under!

[Trinity4]

I think alagirl had multiple transfusions and as a result had high iron build up in her blood.  I believe she ended up having iron chelation therapy.  High iron is something we definitely do not want with HCV.

Trinity

[FlGuy]

A transfusion is almost immediate gratification.  Procrit stuff may take a couple of weeks for effect. For a transfusion, a blood match is required and some types are rarer.  Procrit is one-size-fits-all.  And, what goes down will go up in both situations but down again with ongoing hcv treatment.  My preference would be premptive procrit at a predefined level to avoid drastic anemia. I don't know the comparative costs.