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Is it Normal to Feel Exhausted whilst on Vidaza?

This topic has 4 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 17 years, 1 month ago by JSRN.

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March 23, 2007 at 5:27 pm #17491

jen06
Member

My dad who has RAEB, has been on Vidaza for 8 months, and this last couple of months his platelet count has come right down from a high of about 300 to approx 80. His quality of life has really gone down and he seems utterly exhausted all of the time, often not getting up until lunchtime and then just sitting around for the rest of the day. Is it normal to feel this low whilst on Vidaza and if so is there anything he can do to help himself. He also has a diagnosis of Crohns disease so does not eat a lot of fresh fruit etc. because this can cause him stomach problems. Just feel at the moment that he is having no quality of life at all and would appreciate any advice/opinions. By the way he is 66 years old.

March 23, 2007 at 5:46 pm #17492

Bkwits
Member

Is his hemoglobin low? I don’t think that low platelets alone usually cause excessive tiredness. But Vidaza is chemo, and chemotherapy can really take a lot out of you. What does the hemo/doc say about the platelet drop?
Barb

March 23, 2007 at 6:50 pm #17493

SandyB
Member

Jen:

My husband, Mike, is also RAEB and on a medium dose of Vidaza right now. He does feel very tired the week he is on the medication and almost a week afterward.

Barb is right, low platlets does not cause tiredness. His HGB (hemoglobin) is probably a little low. Check this out under his RBC counts.

Mikes platlets are under 20 most of the time, but his Dr. says that is not to blame for tiredness.

March 23, 2007 at 8:02 pm #17494

jen06
Member

Many thanks for your replies. The doctors seem quite happy with his blood results, not sure what his HGB is but will try and find out tomorrow. I do know that he has not needed any transfusions as yet though. He did tell the docs that he felt tired and sick during his last session of Vidaza, and they tested for diabetes but the tests were all normal. Just wondered if there anything you can do to help bring your energy levels up, as he really seems at an all time low at the moment.

March 27, 2007 at 4:16 am #17495

JSRN
Member

Actually low platelets can cause fatigue. So can low whites. It is probably a combination of your counts and the Vidaza.
My mom is on it and lately all she does is sleep. She never goes out anymore except to the doctor.
Today he wanted her to stop it. But then he said one more course. And he wants to do a bone marrow biopsy again. I am going with her next visit so I can get some answers. Just trying things for the sake of trying things is ridiculous.
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