Anemia Update

[BoceprevirGal]

Hi Folks, so, my HGB went from 10.0 at 4 weeks, to 9.9. at 6 weeks, and I am feeling progressively more like I cant get a deep breath, a suffocating feeling, very claustrophobic!  My Doc prescribed the Procrit, my specialty pharmacy does carry it ( My Doc had said they didn't...??/), and they will get prior authorization for it, justlike they did, for the other meds, so all should go well, but all this may take until next Tuesday (I go to the Doc every Tuesday, it's a clinic, only open tues, and weds...grrr)
   Soooo...I'mm not real worried, cuz the HGB is dropping gradually, but does anybody have any suggestion, on how to get a DEEP breath, or any other techniques, that help with hemolytic anemia? I also heard that Procrit takes awhile to kick in, so I am trying to stay calm, not panic, etc...

[Trish77]

I'm not sure taking your pulse is going to help you much to get a clear indication of where your HGB is at.  You'd be better off doing weekly blood tests since you're starting Procrit, particularly since you need to stop or taper the Procrit once your HGB rises above a certain level.  Talk to your doctor about this and see what his plan is to monitor your blood levels once you start the Procrit.  Perhaps he has already discussed this with you, hope so.

Trish

[BoceprevirGal]

Thanks. So, if I am wondering if I my HGB is taking a sudden turn for the worse, I can take my pulse, for an indicator, it sounds like. This reminds me, I think I will start taking my pulse, every morning...I did buy an on-line blood pressure cuff,  but it wasn't very accurate, too cheap, etc~
  

[working dog]

sounds like your doing ok...they wouldn't give me a transfusion till hgb was in the 7s or below...in time you may think 9 hgb is really great....its good your keeping an eye on your blood work...the first time mine dropped to the high 9s it felt awful..but as tx went on i had a tough time getting to high 8s...my shortness of breath lasted quite a while after tx but i think its just about back to normal 4 months post...you pulse will most likely get faster....good luck...take it easy...billy

[BoceprevirGal]

: )

[LookingForward12]

Without starting a family 'war', dad and the boys are going to have to man up and step in and do a little more while mom rests. You are doing this so you will have your health down the road for years to come...and you will be more than able to nurture them then. Right now, YOU need to me looked after. That being said,I think it took my +1 seeing me in the hospital hooked up to a bag of blood to finally have his aha moment. I do try to cook a couple of nights during the week, but I feel no guilt over saying 'let's order out'. And ve been lucky that I have had friends bring meals by as well.
Take care of ourself....this treatment is about you!

Cheers.

[BoceprevirGal]

Yeah, I am thinking, if it takes to long for this Procrit to be "pre authorized", and I start feeling like I totally cant get any air at all, or have palpitations or pains, that I will just go to the E.R., and we have a rly nice Hospital close by, and they take my insurance there, so I am prepared to  help myself, I'm the only one who can tell how I am feeling. I hope you feel better, and get your transfusion soon~