Hemoglobin dropping?

[JulieMarie]

mom’s been on procrit for a year now and well I have a feeling it’s not working anymore. every blood draw this summer it’s slowly falling from 11.x to now just 9.3 the rest of her counts are good. What does this mean for the MDS RARS -5q? Mom’s still trying to work 16 hours a week as a registered nurse, just to keep the insurance. Any insite?

[Neil]

What is her Procrit dosage? if below 60,000 an increase might help.
If she is at 60,000 she might want to discuss a switch to Aranesp. It has helped a number of patients who found they no longer responded to Procrit.
What was the outcome of the potential for Revlimid at her 7/27 appointment?
Neil

[JulieMarie]

Neil,

thanks for the reply. Her dr. on 7/27 wants to wait until October when revlimid is suppose to be approved, eventhough there is an open case study in Scottland. I am devistated that there has been no treatment for her since her last Vidaza treatment in April. (besides the weeekly procrit) Mom has been on 60,000 dose of Procrit since last December. Would you suggest her still working as a nurse treating other patients with her hemo so low? I know a physical Therapist who says they aren’t allowed to work on patients with a hemo less than 8.0. We go back to the dr. on 9-7 so hopefully something will happen then. do you know of any side effects for Aranesp? Thanks for all your help Neil.

[Neil]

Everyone has a different fatigue threshold when HGB gets low. The amount of fatigue she would probably experience at 8.0 would likely keep her from working. She will be able to tell when she reaches her threshold.
Aranesp side effects are usually minor if any. Much like side effects from Procrit.
A question for her doc—Can she take Aranesp and Revlimid at the same time?
Neil

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