Building red blood cells

[Lam-Laf]

Is there anything I can eat or take a supplement to keep my red blood cell count from going any lower. I'm all ready on Neupogen and would like to avoid another shot.

[Kyana]

I just went through the same problem with red blood cells ~ count went to 10.3 and they were talking about reducing my dosage.  I'm on week six and tolerating everything remarkably well.  Did extensive searches on building blood cells and came up with the following information:

Body requires B-12 and folic acid to generate new blood cells.  Acidophilus (found in yogurt, but higher concentration available in Colostrum ~ go to the health food store)
Diet and exercise play a part in the process.  I ride my bicycle 2-3 miles, walk a lot and do a basic aerobic workout at the gym two times a week.  (yes, there are many days I don't want to do this but the payoff is worth it!)
Beet juice, green leafy veges, wheatgrass, etc play a part as well.

Go to google.com and type in "building red blood cells."  Some of the information for cancer patients is very relevant to this particular side effect of tx.  

I have a very traditional doctor who doesn't want to hear about alternative treatments however she marvels at how well I'm doing so there might be something to combining both belief systems.  I got a shot of Procrit (generic EPO) and I'm sure that jump-started things as well. The diet and vitamins will take awhile to impact my blood but I think every little bit helps.  Keep as active as you can with low-impact exercise.

Good luck!

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=building+red+blood+cells

[scooz]

Hi Erin,I just had my 4mo post treatment bloodwork done,I should have it back tomorrow.They put me back on the aranesp shots.The red count is still going down.They have put me through every test they can think of for the weight loss.I did weigh 215lbs when I got sick before my transplant.Weighed 164 at transplant time.Weighed 170 at start of treatment.I am still losing I hit 136 Friday a.m..I am 52 and 6'2".I had 3sets of chest x-rays,abnominal ct and pelvic ct.colonoscopy and egd all negative.I eat normal I have even be averaging 6 donuts a week to put weight on.What ya think..Maybe just should be called the incredible shrinking man?

Steve..

[chicagogirl]

I would do what you want.  My hepatologist agreed that it is ultimately the patient's decision to treat; especially in cases where there appears that there isn't much damage YET.   Some people want this virus out of the system NOW, so they enter treatment.  Besides, the less damaged the liver is, the greater the chances of succesful treatment.  Count on at least 5-6 years for protein inhibitors to become available to the general public for Hep C.

[GI.PA]

No, this is a direct result of the medication.  The only thing your doctor can do is to 1) reduce your dosage or 2) give you Procrit to pump things up.

Erin

[Tweetie2]

Erin, I posted a question to you a couple weeks ago but I think it got lost, here's a copy. Your advice would be greatly appreciated.
I have a question for you......my GI "still" after a year and a half told me he doesn't think I need treatment yet. My ast is 38 and alt is 43 but my VL has gone from 450,000 to 2.8 million in the past year. He says he wouldn't know if there's any damage to my liver without another biopsy, last one was done 2 yrs ago. At that time, I had no damage at all. He was surprised due to the drinking I told him I had done in the past.....none to speak of the past 2 yrs but I renewed my wedding vows after 20 yrs and got sloshed a couple times. Other than that, my life is BORING now, no vices except coffee....haha! I have tho been taking herbal stuff to try to combat this and was told by my GI that after tx starts, it will strip the plaque from the HCV (which helps it hide-out in the blood) so that the immune system and tx can fight the disease. So after starting tx, the VL will appear to rise when in reality it was that high all along. Is this true???

Can you tell me if his advice is good or should I get another opinion? I don't want to wait till there "is" damage. Seems the disease might be getting worse. Thanks!