Blood Transfusion while on chemo

shondagaylord · 04-30-2009, 11:59 AM

Hi everyone...

I am currently on Navelbine. I just finished my 4th round. My hemoglobin is 8.8 w/ a normal range starting at 12. I was in the hospital last year for 3 months and I had over 50 units of blood during that time. Several units of platelets and 21 days of plasma exchanges (11-13 bags daily). That is ALOT. They have stopped using aranesp here to boost RBC's so my option is to watch it or to transfuse. My Onc told me yesterday I have to tell her when I am feeling real tired and need a boost. Well I am tired, but is that from being on zoloft, ambien and chemo or just being anemic... A combo of all plus just life with 5 kids? I really don't know what to do here. I have not had any problems or transfusions since I came home in Oct. Again I was in the hospital when I had all of these and I couldn't walk, so I have never done it in a normal setting. Anyone have? Any advice?

Thank you

lisajones4 · 04-30-2009, 02:19 PM

Hi Shonda. I am so sorry you have to go through all of this. I have been anemic for the last 10 years minus the chemo. I have had blood transfusions before being diagnosed and during my treatment. Regardless of when I received the transfusion, it made such a difference. It is a very easy procedure. I spent the night in the hospital just to make sure I didn't have a reaction.

I wish I could come over and give you a break! Let me know if you have any further questions!

Lisa

shondagaylord · 04-30-2009, 02:56 PM

Hi Lisa..

Thank you so much for the reply.. When you say difference, do you mean in your energy level? How many transfusions have you had? With your anemia prior to dx, what was that like? What were the numbers and the cause? What chemos have you done and how long have you been a survivor? I am a 3 year metastatic survivor. For me I developed TTP from the gemzar, I had ARDS and was on a vent for 8 days sedated and do not remember those 8 days and lost my ability to walk after that due to weakness. I had rehab for a while and I can walk perfect now. I also during all of this had the CMV virus and was treated for that. It was so strange becuase the treatments for TTP and CMV were suppose to counter act each other per research I tried to do. It all worked out though. I thank God every day... When in the hospital I wouldn't really have kown my energy level not being able to walk. All I did was eat, watch TV and really could not move much. I couldn't even pull my self up in bed. Had to call for help. Sorry to ramble... I have just had so much blood. I only had 1 reaction and from then on they always gave me 25mg of benedryl.. I took Rituxan also for the TTP and they would give a 50mg benedryl push. OMG sleepyville and sooooo fast! I remember one time Gross I had just had my husband juice me some wheatgrass ( I know I am weird)but I started spinning after that push and I actually got nauseated. I gagged for a bit into this bag and just had wheatgrass foam. Never again will I drink that!! HA. It was so bad.

Thanks

lisajones4 · 04-30-2009, 06:37 PM

Hi Shonda. Unfortunately I have battle anemia for a long time. In 2000 I was hospitalized with a severe case of anemia. I had passed out a few times, was extremely pale and had extremely low energy. My hemoglobin was at 6.6. They hospitalized me, gave me a two-pint blood transfusion and did every test they could (I was treated at Northwestern so I felt in good hands). Despite all the tests they put me through, they couldn't figure out why I had become so anemic. Crazy but two years later I was pregnant and never was considered anemic (I loved being pregnant.)

I was diagnosed with Stage IIIA breast cancer (er/pr-, her2+++) in 2005. I went through 4 AC treatments, 12 taxol & herceptin, 6 weeks radiation and a year of herceptin. I struggled with anemia during that entire time. I had two transfusions during my treatment. Since then I have had two iron infusions, have been on iron pills (which I despise) and am now taking Floravital, an iron and herb supplement that can be purchased at Whole Foods. Most of the time my hemoglobin ranges between 8-10. My oncologist was happy because on Wednesday I was up to 11.6, which is very high for me.

Transfusions have always been great for me because they have given me so much more energy, but I completely understand why you are hesitant. I am so sorry you had to go through all of that. I hope you have plenty of energy today!

juanita · 05-01-2009, 03:36 PM

i'm anemic and always have been. and since i'm in chemopause one pcp thinks i shouldn't be any more but onc wasn't concerned about it.

ElaineM · 05-01-2009, 09:49 PM

Do you want to try liquid iron? Iron pills can cause constipation, but liquid iron usually doesn't cause that.
One can get it from pharmacies and health food stores without a prescription.
I never needed transfusions or procrit during treatment. My platelets have always been normal. I have been taking a spoon of liquid iron every day from the very beginning. My hemoglobin is currently 12.6. Some foods have iron. Blackstrap molasses also has iron.