HGB has dropped

Well I guess I knew this would happen. I was just late getting started. My HGB dropped to  10.8
from 12.2. two weeks ago. Yuk!

Feeeling a little nervous about it. Will go on rescue drugs at 10.
Uptight about it even though I know its par for the course.

I was a late bloomer tonite is shot 17.
All my other labs are normal.

[Deb_c430]

Knew they were dropping, I am so sorry my friend!  

Don't be scared of the rescue drugs, they will make you feel better.  

You have done really well with your hgbs.  till now. All that pasta and egg plant!

Glad all else is ok,    our next journal  entry can be the procrit buzz!  Or something equally fun and silly! We will get through it!  

Hugs ya and loves ya!

Deb

[jdwithhcv]

So sorry to hear that.  I was impressed by the last labs you posted, was gonna ask if I could borrow some red blood cells. (My hgb was 9.2 at last CBC)

Once hgb gets into the 10 range it really becomes a problem.  Your mind will tell you "of course you can do X" but go ahead and try doing X and see how fast your body  tells your mind to go stuff it.  Be careful about things like driving, you really aren't getting enough oxygen to your brain and muscles to concentrate and react.  Really frustrating, that helpless feeling.

Do you need pre-cert for your rescue drugs?  If so, have your doctor's office set it up because if you go below 10 you'll definitely need it and it takes from 2-6 weeks to work so the less time wasted on insurance paperwork the better.

Procrit helps, I've taken it before with success.  Right now I'm still waiting for the latest round to take effect.  Sure hope it does - no way do I want to go the transfusion route.

jd

[hitherdither]

I'm sorry your HGB has dropped. Hubbies is at 10.3 right now and he's on shot 11 tonight.  It dropped to 9.8 at one point. Thats when they gave him a shot of Aronesp. Brought it right up. That was at week 4.  Now it's week 11 and he'll get another on at week 12.  At least that's the plan.  He didn't have any sides from the aronesp but he's hurting so bad with arthritis he couldn't tell any way. Glad to hear your other labs are normal. Whats with the pasta and eggplant Deb mentioned?  

[Andiamo1]

I am sorry to hear that your HGB is dropping.  My Hgb dropped to 9 and I understand that is worse for males than females.  I am sure the rescue drugs will work for you, so hang in there.

Eric

[charm27]

Thanks for the support. Your all great. Im just a chicken I cant help it. Im totally determined and in for the long haul. Im just alone and sometimes I find all of this overwhelming . A friend of mine on the forum said to be she feels hideous as to the way she looks the other day-I said to her dont be silly!
However I woke up this morning feeling like "a balding GUMBY toy"

I never took an aspirin in my life and all these drigs scare the hell out of me sometimes. So I will try not to dwell.

Like I said I knew it would happen I just thought maybe I would get lucky. But not.
Im grateful Im UND somewhere between week 5 and 7! Thats sure helps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Again thanks to all of you. DOnt know what I would do without you!

The Chicken!!

[GingerB]

You're a good patient !  Good Luck with your HGB.  On my March 4 CBC bood test, my HGB dropped to 10.0, but my doctor takes a 'just wait and see approach.'...so I am hanging in there, and managing...just slower.  
Keep strong !
Take care....GingerB.

[charm27]

Thank you. Im a good patient but an impatientoine. But being on this tx Im learning fast.
Hope you get straightened out on your "72" week vs. 48 week situation.

Charm27

[GingerB]

Thanks Charm.  It was certainly unexpected for me to hear  72 weeks tx !   Well, I still have to see what the 12 wk VL results will be  (which will be drawn 4/1/08).                    Stay well....GingerB.

[nygirl7]

Hey friend - at least it's happening now and you can get it all straightened out and over with here!  That's a good thing.  That will help lead you to easy sailing later on.  :)

It happens and we had a strong feeling it was going to anyway - believe me once the procrit starts to kick in in a few weeks you'll be like WOW amazing and although you'll be tired it will be so much better you will notice it big time.

Just relax and stay on the ride.  That's what matters.  

Good luck.

[charm27]

Thanks both for all your encouragement and positive thoughts.


Charm27

[FlGuy]

I would rather reach the level of intervention (10, for you) and receive the meds than hover just above the level and feel worn out.  Timing for successive dosing is tricky to modulate but very important for the doc to figure out.

[charm27]

Isnt that the truth....I dont feel that bad I just dont feel that good.
Just hoping doc does the right thing as far as the timing. Ive been going every two weeks for CBC all along..now he changes it to once a month. This is the part that makes me scared.


But I do have an awful lot of determination in my favor and want to go full steam ahead.
Its just the waiting, and waiting I dont do well in that dept.

But Im learning faster now to have more patience. Another lesson to be learned.
Thanks for your reply & Have a good weekend.
So Im starting to bottom out at week 17....late bloomer!!!

[Lady Lauri]

jd....good summation of when hgb drops! Your mind isn't winning over your body in this one! I also rarely drove thru those times. Couldn't do rescue d's so had to just stay down!
You can't walk to go pee! Wanted a bed pan :)

Charm, I feel for you on the worry of more drugs, understand. I rarely took anything, had a little phobia of drugs BEFORE tx! Had to get over that fast. Know how lousy you feel too. Just give in to it and rest all you can. This is when I wonder how people work on tx!!

Also, with it getting low, I'd ask to continue checking it every 2 wks. until it goes back up & the Procrit works!

Hope you feel better, LL

[charm27]

Thank you for your input and wishes. Will keep you posted.