Stopping Vidaza

[Aureta]

My MDS involves hemoglobin only. Have been on Vidaza for 6 months n this past month hemoglobin went from 7.6 to 9.7 in three weeks. My doctor wants me to stop taking Vidaza n just have labs done every couple of weeks to monitor me. I am a little concerned about going off drug since I have not read where u could go off treatment n if labs go down go back on. Has anyone else went off Vidaza because they were doing better?

[Kathie Wolf]

Aureta, how did this work out for you? My hubby has been on Vidaza for 12 months, labs are all normal,and he is in remission. His oncologist is offering him a vacation and just follow with labs. She has told him he can do,either, no wrong answer…

[Amy S.]

I was on Vidaza since last December. For the last 2 cycles ( June, July), all my lab numbers have
been normal. I asked the doctor if I could discontinue treatment or on a less frequent schedule ( perhaps 5-6 weeks instead of 4 weeks). He said it would run the risk of a relapse and continual treatment would lengthen the remission. I do not know what to do? Should I ask a second opinion ? Has anyone discontinue treatment after remission and is OK?

[Dr. Lin]

Would definitely encourage a second opinion. Most people in remission after Vidaza would be considered for transplant which is the only curative modality unless not a transplant candidate.

[Amy S.]

Thanks for the advice. I was not considered a transplant candidate because there is no match in the repository. My sister is only 50% match and lives in another state. The doctor said that I have no social support.(?)

[Author]

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