Transfusion

[hondapatches]

Oh my...My nurse called me first thing this morning and said I needed to go get my blood typed, I had no idea what she was talking about. She said my red blood cells were bad and I needed to get a transfusion on Monday. She also said there going to cut my ribo in half for a while. Has anyone had a transfusion does it make you feel better? Does it hurt? Never had a 6 hour transfusion before. Got some pac cell a long time ago with surgery, didn't want that blood at all thats what started all this crap in the first place. Oh whoa is me...

[dontworry_behappy1]

"Hubby's hematologist constantly reminds us that he cannot legally prescribe Procrit when your hemoglobin is a 10 or higher".
______________________________

That's because you husband hasn't become anemic to the point it's use is legally justified.  There could be possible health risks if your blood count is above 10 and you use procrit.

DWBH

[Shdwsldy]

Many of the rescue drugs (Procrit & Promacta) run the risk of blood clots.  Hubby's hematologist constantly reminds us that he cannot legally prescribe Procrit when your hemoglobin is at 10 or higher.

[roostermom]

I have heard that blood clots are a danger when using procrit when you hemoglobin is over 10.

[crossroadsec]

Your sitting about where I was. Honestly. I can't describe how great you'll feel. No fear! I don't mean to downplay ur concerns. I had em too. But I'm grateful ur dr is on this... Karen

[hondapatches]

My HGB is 6.8  RBC 2.18 platelets 51

[crossroadsec]

I'm really happy for you. It was a positive experience that brot all new energy levels! It's scary getting all this thrown at you, but you will feel better within a day. I'd do it again n may have to if procrit doesn't get here soon. I went from 5 to 11.7 and a month later - on full RIBA - I'm still at 9.7. Go girl!! You'll sail throughout the thanksgiving holiday! Karen :)

[Mary4now]

good luck, it will be nice to feel better..
mary

[frijole]

honda
I am so sorry you are having such a hard time.  You will feel better once you tranfuse.  I agree with you, I would not want to do it either, but I think you must.  Remaining as anemic as you have been is very dangerous to the system.
frijole

[uncledudeness]

i meant to say 3 procrit injections a week. not a month.

what is your HGB at?

[uncledudeness]

my hgb went down to 7 last month and i got 3 pints of blood. it took all weekend in the hospital. they don't hurt at all. when they discharged me i was at 10.9 and i felt great; still do and that was 4 weeks ago. i had to stop all meds for 2 weeks. i'm on 800mg of riba now and 180 units of interferon, plus i'm down to one procrit injection a week. i was doing 3 a week for a month.

btw, i am at 41/48 weeks and have been UND since week 12.

good luck

[screaming48]

the blood type thing means they will check to see if you are a neg, b post, opositive that type of thing so they can give you the proper blood. I don't think that a blood transfusion would hurt I had one in 86 cant remember because it was emergency surgery. My dad had several transfusions with leukemia and they made him feel much better, he just hated to go into the hospital and be poked. Make sure you find out your blood type ask them and make sure you check each bag they run into you ok just to be on the safe side. Good luck and let us know how it goes ok. Will be thinking of you....anne