RBC dropped ?

[mike abrams]

I was diagnosed with MDS low risk 2 years ago , at that time I was able to see Dr.Greenberg at Stanford , he advised me to take 40,000 units of Procrit weekly which I have been doing faithfully……during this period my RBC has maintained anywhere from 9.3 to 9.9 or so. In Oct 2019 I developed Squamous cell cancer on both of my forearms , not real bad ,so the skin Dr.(who knows that I have MDS) prescribed a topical cream (Fluorouracil) I was told to apply it twice a day for 6 weeks which I did …..3 weeks later I went in for my monthly blood test, my RBC plunged to 8.3 . I learned that the cream I was using is a mild form of chemo , of course I stopped using the cream right away, my oncologist here in Hawaii does not think that the cream could cause such a sudden drop in my blood count, but also does not have a clue as to what caused it. I have continued to take my weekly dose of Procrit and now after almost 2 months my red blood cell count is still 8.3-8.4 , no increase. I am fatigued from the anemia ,I feel like crap ! my Dr.here wants me to double up on the Procrit to twice a week (80,000 units), I started today as I really feel lousy. Has anyone had a similar experience with a fast drop in RBC or from using Fluorouracil ?

[tam]

I have used Efudex 5% fluorourcil two times since being diagnosed with MDS in 2013. A couple years ago I applied the cream to an actinic keratosis spot two times per day for two weeks. I did not notice a change in my rbc, wbc or platelets at my follow-up blood test. Six weeks ago I again applied Efudex 5% twice per day for two weeks to the same spot. I have not had a subsequent blood test so can’t tell if it has impacted my counts. My next blood test is scheduled in April. I will report back after my next test. My dermatologist said it should impact my blood counts given the small area that I was treating.
TAM

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