[Kate]

Re: Erythropoetin (epo) - yes or no?

by Kate on Tue Jul 30, 2013 12:12 pm

Hi p-roy,

You are asking what I will do in case I am low again, well, I don't know yet. Like your dad, I received 2 units and made sure that the dosage of my medication was reduced. I am not really hot on blood transfusions - on the other hand one has to be grateful to the donors. How old is your dad and what are his wishes?
Kate

[p_roy]

Re: Erythropoetin (epo) - yes or no?

by p_roy on Tue Jul 30, 2013 4:45 pm

My dad just turned 65. He is a fighter - giving up is not something he'll ever do. So he wants to go for the high dose chemo.

As you mentioned, I am not very comfortable with anonymous blood donations either. I'm very grateful to every donor but still... Anyways, with the high dose chemo, blood transfusions will have to be given. Doctor said to arrange for Single donor platelets but they are rare in my country. Most of my family members are of different blood groups. So no help there. Will probably end up relying on blood bank RDP to some extent.

Anyways, I'm still not sure if Melphalan is the way to go.

Kate, I hope your blood remains steady and you won't have to get transfusions or Epo.

[Ron Harvot]

Re: Erythropoetin (epo) - yes or no?

by Ron Harvot on Wed Jul 31, 2013 5:40 pm

I would get another opinion you got nothing to loose. The fact that all of his organs are operating ok seems like there still has to be other options. There are Drs that are experst on this board that may be able to direct you. Certainly the NIH is a resource.

Ron

[p_roy]

Re: Erythropoetin (epo) - yes or no?

by p_roy on Sat Aug 03, 2013 7:13 am

Thanks you so much for your reply, Ron. Sorry for the late reply ( got a little sick myself)

I talked to the doctor and he has consulted who is arguably one of the best haematoly-oncologist in my country. He agrees with Dad's doctor. But it has to be said that he is not pushing the treatment on Dad. He has decided on 50mg of Melphalan I.V once a month. He has already warned us that all the blood components will drop and asked us to be ready for it.

So confused right now.

[Dr. Ken Shain]

Re: Erythropoetin (epo) - yes or no?

by Dr. Ken Shain on Sun Aug 04, 2013 10:34 am

If the ESA (Procrit or Arenesp) will keep you father from receiving transfusions on a scheduled basis- e.g. going from once a week or worse to less frequent, then it is worth it in my opinion. However, if he is going to continue to require at least weekly transfusions, it does not warrant utilization.

Sometimes it takes a trial of the injections to determine whether or not they are worth it.

[GaryE]

Re: Erythropoietin (epo) - yes or no?

by GaryE on Tue Aug 06, 2013 3:09 pm

Since your Dad is in the final stage what does he want? What is his quality of life? Who wants to put him through melphalan? Yet Melphalan works and is the only sure shot in the arsenal. Have you considered hospice? Perhaps it is time for you to leave go.

[GeorgeLJurak]

Re: Erythropoietin (epo) - yes or no?

by GeorgeLJurak on Wed Aug 07, 2013 4:29 pm

I say NO!! But I am not a doctor. I took one shot of Erythropoietin and then found out that is can have serious side effects. So I stopped. The side effects include, blood clots, blindness and many others. Medicare has stopped paying for these class of drugs because of their side effects
A warning also has been posted by RxList.com and the National Institute of Health about the possibility of progression of tumor development and death as possible effects of taking
Erythropoietin.
But your Dad may have no other choice because transfusions cannot be continual or complications can occur.
I know I haven't helped much, but I hope this info gives you a starting point to investigate on the Internet and to discuss with the Doctor.
God Bless