anemia

Good morning,
Just got back from the doctors office and found out my latest bloodwork shows I am pretty anemic (sp?) from my last chemo. I spoke with the nurse in my doctors office and she said there isn't much I could do about this and the dosage at my next chemo treatment will be reduced by 10%. I am not good just taking the wait and see attitude. The nurse did say if I had been having any symptoms of anemia I would have had a blood transfusion. I am a little scared of that, so I want to try and do what I can to prevent having a transfusion. So I was wondering if anyone has advice on what I can to help my anemia. I am already planning on having red meat and green leafy veggies for dinner tonight and maybe much of this week. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Julie

[NorthStar484]

Therre should be a cut off point the Doc uses to determine a transfusion. What was your level? I had a transfusion once during chemo. It was a breeze and believe me, well worth it, like having IV energy!!!!!

[babeblue94]

Hi - My mom has had several blood transfusions for different reasons during her chemo treatments.  The cut off for the red blood cell count was 8 - if it was 8 or below, they would do a transfusion.  A lot of times after chemo you will have a few days when everything is very low, but usually bounces back by itself.  The transfusions arent bad and can make you feel a lot better.  They will make sure you dont have a reaction to the blood and send you home with a sheet of some side effects if there is a reaction.  My mom never had one.

Hope everything works out

[gah_70]

Do you (or have you ever) had Procrit or aranesp?  Both are colony stimulating factors that raise red blood cell counts.  I had it weekly when in chemo.  I also had more blood transfusions than I can count, too, and never had any problems from them.  It just takes a long time, and would require a night in the hospital just to finish it.  It was at it's worst when I was on Topotecan.  

If you can get either of the shots, that could make the difference between getting the 10% reduction or the full dose of your next chemo.

Best wishes to you!

Gail

[milashka]

I had an aranesp shot every time I took chemo. Worked for me. Are they giving you one?

[helenl89]

I aslo suffered from amnia when in chemo, and for a long time afterwards. eat lots of spinach red meat etc. What about iron pills etc.  I've had  3 blood transfusions since july of 08. they are a breeze. it's like putting in a new battery. it really works well.. i still suffer from anemia, but not that bad as i need another transfusion yet.

[JC145]

My # got into the mid 9's and my onco. uses below 9 as a time for a blood transfusion.  In the meantime, he put me on HEMAX .. an iron pill that also contains a stool softener and vitamin C (iron needs C for absorption).  I also took one ferrous sulfate (another iron pill).  The HEMAX is new and needs an Rx .. the ferrous sulfate is over the counter.  My #'s went into the 10's and held.  Iron is constipating, so I took stool softeners and/or Miralax daily.  Hope this helps.

[JC145]

Part 2 .. I did/do eat spinach in my salads and I happen to like liver so would have that about once-a-month.  Other foods contain iron, too.

My MD quit using aranesp .. some side effects are not good.  He treats severe anemia with blood transfusions.  

[westajul]

Thanks for all the advice and input. I am less anxious about a blood tranfusion. My hemoglobin was 8.9 but my oncologists does a blood transfusion when it reaches 8...hopefully a healthy diet will help. Thanks again. Julie

[Tealoak]

Julie,

My counts would fall in the 9 - 11% range regularly.  My Dr will give the growth factors below 10% and transfusions below 8%.  Unfortunately since I have blood clot issues and remain on Lovenox, I am not allowed the growth factors as they will cause havoc (make me throw clots).  

When I was initially hospitalized I ended up with 10 units of blood---4 before surgery; 2 during and 4 after.  When my fatigue level is high I have actually hoped my hemoglobin would be low enough for a transfusion as it truly a jump start.  

I am currently off my trial because of too many sores that will not heal....but my counts are decent. sigh.

Good luck

Teri