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Rescue Drugs

Has anyone not responded to rescue drugs for their anemia?
I just came from Dr appt. and the drug I am on "Aranesp" does not seem to be working have been on it over 2 months with no improvement and some pretty nasty sx. Does anyone know if you change to a different rescue drug ex.Procrit does that work or will the same thing happen again.
Also, am still on a reduced dose of Riba because of anemia, but GI dr wants me to go back to full dose even though they cannot get the anemia under control.
I am feeling very torn as to what to do next.
Thanks, Jordie47
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Avatar universal
From: http://www.aranesp.com/professional/prescribing_information.jsp

"Lack or Loss of Response to Aranesp
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When I started the Aranesp it was 10.7 after 2 months on the Aranesp its 10.1
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Well, you could look on the bright side and say that at least it didn't drop much. But, I don't know what your Hmgb was before you started treatment. Regardless, a lot of doctors don't do much until hemoglobin hits 10 or drops below 10. My experience has been that it's not what the number is as much as how big of a drop you've had that impacts the way we feel. I really can't say whether Procrit or Epogen would yield better results. My inclination is that they all work the same but I just don't have any information one way or the other. Good luck. Mike
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thanks, hgb was 14.9 when I started treatment.
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That's significant and I doubt you're feeling too well. I never took Aranesp but I did take Epogen and they increased my dose when I didn't respond as well as they wanted. Perhaps they can adjust dose if they haven't already. I wish you luck. Mike
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Avatar universal
If the one I met at my doctor's office is any indication, Aranesp has by far the best looking drug reps. If your hemoglobin doesn't rise soon, maybe ask your doctor if he can hook you up with one of the Aranesp reps instead. I guarantee your hgb (or something) will rise very soon :) But seriously, have you considered Procrit? It requires a weekly shot, but we're doing that anyway, and of us have had good results with it.

Be well.

-- Jim
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Avatar universal
We are going to discuss that Friday. I'll let you know
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85135 tn?1227289772
I did Procrit for 3 months with no responce to my HGB. It was up-ed to 40K per week. My Hemo and I were ready for a transfusion but my end of tx was only 3 weeks away. I had no sx from the Epo.
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Avatar universal
If you haven't already, have your doc check your iron stores. This is different from the normal serum iron test. Iron store tests are Ferritin and TSAT. If TSAT is below 20%, your iron stores may be too low for the Arsnep to work and your doctor may want to prescribe supplemental iron.
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