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Living with MDS

Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: May 17 5:49am | Replies (68)

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@jps01

I certainly appreciate your comments on naps and transfusions. At this point in my condition, i.e., that my cytogenetics indicate that I am in a “good” risk category, the hematologist stated that it is risky to give me transfusions, since they might result in accelerating the leukemia cells. In other words, I am currently fortunate since I can live with the anemia (what a pain), work at avoiding infections (had three over the past few months), try to get the time for regular naps, and get on with life. But I will certainly research all of the alternative treatments offered through the various comments offered… I am most aprrecative…

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Replies to "I certainly appreciate your comments on naps and transfusions. At this point in my condition, i.e.,..."

Good morning, @jps01 I think we’re getting to be old friends here…I’m always popping up with tidbits for you. ☺️

I don’t understand the comment from your hematologist that transfusions will accelerate or trigger leukemia cells. Transfusions are an integral part of treatment for patients with blood conditions/cancers such as MDS and AML.
Most everyone I know, including myself, were given transfusions (blood and platelets) as a lifeline as the blast cells (immature white blood cells or, leukemic cells) proliferated and were crowding out the red blood cells. The anemia was staggering.

The transfusions can help reduce the symptoms of anemia,
prevents or treat bleeding associated with thrombocytopenia, which is low platelet count. And it can help increase white blood cells to fight infections.

~HEALTHLINE.com

https://www.healthline.com/health/anemia/blood-transfusions-for-myelodysplastic-syndromes

~medical news today article
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/acute-myeloid-leukemia-blood-transfusion

While your cytogenetic report indicates you’re fortunate to be at a low risk for development of anything in the future, I just wanted to give you the information about transfusions.

If you do require one or if your anemia gets too pronounced over time, I hope your doctor will consider a transfusion for you. For me it was getting a hit of 10 cups of coffee! 😅 Life saver!