low hemoglobin on tx

[blakcat]

Hey All, I'm going on week 21/24 of tx and recently got word from my gastro to INCREASE my procrit shots to 2x/week. My hemoglobin is 8.8 and I've been on procit for about 6 weeks now and actually feel ok. How long does it take to get hemoglobin above 10?

[sfbaygirl]

HI! HGB takes a while to go up. At 8.8 you must be feeling a bit out of sorts and even though you are close to finishing tx, your Hgb will not return to normal with the Procrit. Do the 2x a week for now, get your Hgb back to normal. At least above 10. I have heard others here post that they have to continue Procrit until there levels increase, since the tx meds take a while to get out of your system this could be awhile. Better to be feeling better with a higher Hgb level, then just stop when you finish tx and wait and wait for it to increase. I think you ought to continue the procrit until you don't need it. Taking it 2x a week now could make it possible for you to not need it far into post tx. Good Luck!

[sfbaygirl]

I meant to say, your Hgb will not return to normal WITHOUT the help of the procrit. With the procrit it took me 3 weeks to get back to semi normal. I didn't have many sx's from the procrit, so i hope you can continue this until you no longer need it.

[Maui lover]

I should have read this post first!  Linda, you answered some questions, thanks!  Hang in there Blakcat.  My husband's HGB never got to 10 while on Procrit but I think his body adjusted and he feels ok in the 9's.  I hope you are feeling better soon.