I was diagnosed with MDS with ringed sideroblasts 6 years ago. I’m 69. My father died from MDS 30 years ago so there’s an unusual inheritance component to my disease. The only treatments available to my dad were transfusions-no drugs on the market at that time. I was monitored the first 2 years, then started EPO injections every couple of weeks. I have since been placed on Aranesp injections every 3 weeks. My hemoglobin averages about 8.5 every 3 weeks and low neutrophils sometimes. Like everyone else, I have much fatigue and the occasional dizziness and brain fog. But I fight nausea and vomiting the entire week after the injections. I have anti nausea meds but I experience side effects from them also. I took a 3 month break from treatment over the holidays. Surprisingly, my hgb counts stayed about the same. A blood transfusion was so much easier on me. I was thinking about talking to my oncologist about stopping treatment again but continue lab work once every month to monitor my blood counts. My insurance denied payment for the drug Reblozyl. Does anyone know if Medicare forces patients to be on a drug routine before they will approve a blood transfusion? I don’t feel the little benefit I get from Aranesp injections is worth being sick a couple weeks every month.