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Retacrit + Venofer for B-thalassemia
Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: 6 days ago | Replies (6)Comment receiving replies
Welcome to Connect, @mikeneverwired. Looking through discussions in the forum I found a few members who have one of the subtypes of Thalassemia such as Alpha or Beta but no references to surgery or taking Retacrit and Venofer to raise their RBC.
Since Venofer (infusion) is a form of iron, (which aids in the transport of oxygen in the blood) this may or may not be a relevant discussion for you.
Will an iron infusion help with Thalassemia Anemia?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/thalasemia/
Your doctor would like to raise your red blood count before surgery. According to Drugs.com, Retacrit is a man-made form of a protein that helps your body produce red blood cells. It’s also used to reduce the need for red blood cell transfusions in adults having certain types of surgery. It’s also used for people with certain forms of blood cancer to increase their red blood counts. So in theory this should help increase your hemoglobin to acceptable levels for your upcoming surgery. I’ve not had this medication myself, but I have received injections with a treatment to increase my white blood count, which was very effective. I’d expect the Retacrit would work similarly for you.
I know from my experience leukemia and a bone marrow transplant, that all meds have a risk vs reward factor. The warnings labels with some of our treatments can really elevate the stress level! However, I’ve also found that these meds can be life savers and the rewards out weighed the slight risk of side effects.
If you opt not to take these infusions, what are your options for surgery? Would you require blood transfusions?
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Diagnosed with "MDS" Aug of 2024...I have been getting the Retacrit injection weekly to generate more Red Bllod Cells. I had underwent a Bine Marrow Biopsy & it showed a 7q deletion in my body cells, since my Hemoglobin rate was way,way down in the low 6's. I am now up to 9.2...& my doctor says she wants to get me to a Hemoglobin rate of 10.
I am having more energy, etc, however I am wondering why reach only a level of 10....is it possible my Hemotopogist-Oncologist is setting goal to low or does she think at my age of 73 also diagnosed previously with Chronic Heart Failure that will prob be my best ever possible Hemoglobin rate to get to achieve with these 2 conditions I have.
I also have had Sepsis 4 diff times (1st case was a bad one ) in 9 years as well...once you get Sepsis....you have a much greater chance of getting it again. I think Sepsis has shot holes in my overall body immunity as well. I have to really watch anu new skin cuts, etc & immediately clean it well.
I am just to give you an overall picture right now of where I stand with MDS...MY Oncologist has always said I am a mild case of MDS....sometimes I wonder if she is being straight up about this...I told her to be & I do not like playing any niceties about MDS...want truths .
Anyone feel--only reaching of a level of Hemoglobin rate of only 10....is too way to low for me? I want back up to at least 13 if possible for me. At the moment I am only at a 9.2 rate...it stayed same 9.2 for last 2 weeks...1st time it did not advance a little after the standard Retacrit injection each week....all injections beginning...since mid August