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Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS): how to increase red blood cells?

Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: Jul 14, 2023 | Replies (45)
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@kgerbitz

Thank you for your very knowledgeable reply !
I was diagnosed 3 years ago but had no significant changes until this past winter. I am 78 and have always played golf and tennis and walked daily so being short of breath is new to me.
My doctors current plan is a shot every 2 weeks until I see him in 4 weeks.
Do you think someone my age is a candidate for transplant?

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Replies to "Thank you for your very knowledgeable reply ! I was diagnosed 3 years ago but had..."
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | May 8, 2023

@kgerbitz, Whether or not you’re a candidate for a transplant is something you’ll need to discuss with your doctor. There are a number of factors besides age that are taken into account such as the overall health and any co-morbities. There’s an extensive testing and evaluation week beforehand that lets the transplant team know if a patient a potential candidate.

But I’ve recently been mentoring several patients referred by my local oncologist who have gone on for transplant and 3 of them have been in their mid 70s…so, never say never. I was 65 at the time.
But I will be honest, it’s not a walk on the beach and is a last resort. So if there are other options available to you, your doctor may opt to proceed in that direction.

What is your current treatment and how long have you been receiving the shots so far?

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