Anyone taking retacrit and releuko injections for MDS

Hi @auntsue303, I'm tagging a few members like @jelilien @jrwilli1 @momz who have experience with MDS (myelodysplastic syndrome) and who may have experience with Retacrit (epoetin alfa-epbx) and/or Releuko (filgrastim-ayow) - colony stimulating factors for treating anemia (low red blood cells) and neutropenia (low white blood cells).

Auntsue, how is your husband doing on on Retacrit and Releuko? I think @mikeneverwired will also be interested to hear how he is responding to increasing his blood cell counts.

He has been taking retacrit along with a drug to increase white cell count for 5 years. The white cell growth medication was recently changed to releuko so that he can take that injection at home. His numbers are steady although just below normal. It is keeping him from having to do blood transfusions. Doctor says these injections are the best route. We are not sure. My husband is 80 years old.

Good to hear that his numbers are steady. Sounds like just below normal may be his normal perhaps. I hear some hesitation in your message with continuing injections. What concerns do you have? Were you able to raise them with his doctor?

My husband is concerned that he gets retacrit rather than pro rig and also they have reduced his dosage due to supply issues. Also he previously took zorzio (sp) rather than releuko and thinks he felt better taking zorzio. Doctor is not very informative. We see him about every 8 weeks or so.

That should be he gets retacrit rather than procrit