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Caroline
MemberShari,
My Dad took Procrit (called Eprex here in Canada) for a couple of months early this year. He also has Kidney Failure and when his Nephrologist found out about the Procrit he didn’t want Dad on it anymore because it taxes the kidneys. Instead Dad was switched to Aranesp which he responds very well to. Procrit kept Dad’s hemoglobin at 100. Aranesp makes it shoot up. He is on the lowest dose available and still after one shot his hemoglobin goes from 125 to 148. Then they give him a month with no shots and let the hemoglobin fall again. He gets his next shot this Friday morning.
Caroline
MemberShari,
My Dad was on Procrit for awhile and now he is on Aranesp. With both drugs the doctor watches carefully to make sure that Dad’s hemoglobin does not go up too high. The reason that he explained to me is that when the hemoglobin gets too high, the blood thickens and the heart has to work much too hard to pump it. The result can be a heart attack. Last week Dad’s hemoglobin was up to 149 so now I only give him his Aranesp needle once a month to give his hemoglobin time to drop down to 120 (normal) again. I believe that both drugs work on the same premise.
When Dad was on Procrit he was getting 80,000 units weekly. Now he is on Aranesp but he receives a much lower dosage. He gets the equivalent of less than one third of the dosage of Procrit.
I hope this helps.
Caroline
MemberCrazy Woman.
See??? Even the machines and computers can make errors.
I’m happy for your husband….and you too.
Blessings,
CarolineMemberBety,
In the grocery stores where I shop, there is always a display of natural sprays that you can wash your produce with. I cannot remember any of the names but if you ask your grocer, he will be able to help.
You might also ask the people at your local health food store for a produce wash. You are better to be safe than sorry.
Caroline
MemberChuck,
I don’t know if you are overdoing it as far as your health goes, but are you getting canker sores from the fresh pineapple? I get them really badly.
Caroline
MemberFran,
I am sorry for what you and Jim have to go through. I can understand why you are angry. It is hard enough taking care of and worrying about someone as sick as Jim without having so many medical problems of your own. I continue to keep you in my prayers.
Caroline
MemberSusan,
Stay positive until you know the results. A second reading could be perfectly normal. Keep in touch. I’ll keep praying.
Caroline
MemberGloria,
I keep you and Kornel in my thoughts and prayers.
Blessings,
CarolineMemberHi Terri,
I am happy to hear that Bob is coping well with the radiation and that his spleen is shrinking.
I wish you both all the best.
Caroline
MemberSusan,
My Dad has Leukemia and he also has Gout in his hands. It is very painful.
Neil,
Cherry juice….I will go and pick some up for Dad tomorrow. Thanks for the tip.
Caroline
MemberJerry,
I am sorry to hear that you had to spend time in hospital. It is great to hear from you again. I wish we all lived close to each other so that we could physically help each other in times of need instead of reading about it after the fact.
I will do what I can to help Terri in the Walk. I was intending to go on the walk here in Ontario but I broke my heel a few months ago and it is just beginning to heal up.
Blessings,
CarolineMemberIt certainly is a sad day. What a shock ! With Dennis’ wonderful attitude, I was sure that he would have healthy results. The world will be a sadder place without him.
Caroline
MemberRuss,
My Dad has Chronic Kidney Failure. He was originally given Procrit shots by his Oncologist. When his Nephrologist found out, he switched Dad to Aranesp because it is MUCH easier on Dad’s kidneys. Last Christmas Dad had 8% kidney function. 3 weeks ago when he was last checked, he had 24% kidney function and his creatine was 150. That is a bit high but for the past several years, 150-200 has been Dad’s Normal Count. Last Christmas Dad’s Creatinine Level was just under the line where they need to do Dialysis…I think 500. Does that number sound right to you? I know it fluctuated somewhere between 400-600. So much pain and terminal illness has happened in our family over the past year that unfortunately I cannot just remember count numbers off the top of my head anymore. Anyhow, the Aranesp has not affected his kidneys adversly in any way.
Caroline
MemberRuss,
My Dad (80) has never become nauseus after an Aranesp shot.
We started about 7 months ago with 150 units once weekly. Dad’s Hgb went up way too high so they left him 3 months shot-free. When his Hgb dropped to 125 they started 80 units of Aranesp once weekly. Still his Hgb shot up so we began giving him one needle monthly. Still the Hgb was high. Now I give Dad 50 units on the first Friday of every month. His Hgb was 149 today at the Oncologist’s office. By the beginning of October it will probably have dropped to roughly 125 and I will give him another 50 unit shot. The Oncologist decided to stop seeing Dad for regular visits after today. He will still have a blood test done every month for the Nephrologist and the Oncologist will get a report. If he is dissatisfied with Dad’s results, he will request a visit. Dad’s platelets have also increased from 70 to 120 in the past few months. I do not know if the Aranesp had anything to do with that. Aranesp is the only drug that Dad takes right now.Caroline
MemberGayle.
You certainly have your share. All you can do is to continue what you are already doing. In alot of ways it is good that Grover is still living ‘normally’. My Dad does the same thing. Mom and I are his caregivers and he can’t seem to understand WHY he needs care. He feels good except that he is tired and he attributes that to the fact that he is 80 years old.
You are a very strong lady to manage your own disease and to take care of a little girl, besides taking care of your husband as well. My hat goes off to you.
Blessings,
Caroline -
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