Anyone chosen to do chemo with HMA (vidaza) before transplant (BMT)?

Posted by Crystal @turbo65, Dec 21, 2025

Hi, I was diagnosed with MDS 4 years ago. I was 63. My doctor suggested to wait and watch. My numbers have slowly declined and are now at a place where i need treatment or transplant. The treatment will be chemo using vidaza. I've heard the chemo if it works can be done for several years. (Possibly) Has anyone tried doing the chemo using vidaza first. If so how long did it help control your MDS?

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johansenrj | @johansenrj | Dec 22, 2025

I was diagnosed with MDS in June this year when my Hg dropped into the 8s. My Dr put me on Vidaza and warned me that there was a good chance that the numbers would go down before they improved. That surely happened and my Hg dropped like a rock to 6.6 and over the next few months I received 4 transfusions for a total of 5 units of blood keeping my Hg between 7.4 and 8.2. Neutrophils also dropped to .2. After 4 cycles of Vidaza the doc and I both felt that the Vidaza wasn't working and he gave me a referral for a BMT. Amazingly, after the referral over the following 3 weeks, Hg shot up to 11.1 and Neutrophils to 1.2! Platelets have dropped to 60 tho. I have a consult for the BMT later this month to figure out what's next. Good luck!

Crystal | @turbo65 | Dec 22, 2025

In reply to @johansenrj "I was diagnosed with MDS in June this year when my Hg dropped into the 8s...." + (show)

@johansenrj
Thank you for your response. That is great about your numbers increasing. Looks like the vidaza may workout. I just had my BMT consult this week and I'm trying to decide which way to go. Whether to start the chemo treatment or go straight to the BMT. Its a hard decision to make. I hope your numbers continue to rise and the vidaza keeps working for you.
And Merry Christmas to you and your family!!

dax1million | @dax1million | Dec 23, 2025

In reply to @turbo65 "@johansenrj Thank you for your response. That is great about your numbers increasing. Looks like the..." + (show)

@turbo65 all I can say is you are still young enough to have a stem cell transplant. Grab the chance and go for it. My husband is 81 and was diagnosed with myelofibrosis, to old for stem cell transplant he would love to have a chance like you have. Vidaza didn’t work for him his myelofibrosis is progressing. He has had 86 infusions of platelets. It is like we are living in a nightmare with no way to turn. Take the chance. God bless. I’m

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 3 8:41pm

In reply to @turbo65 "@johansenrj Thank you for your response. That is great about your numbers increasing. Looks like the..." + (show)

@turbo65, it is a hard decision to make. Did your care team outline the pros and cons of each choice with and without chemo prior to BMT? What and how did you decide?

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 5 12:45pm

In reply to @johansenrj "I was diagnosed with MDS in June this year when my Hg dropped into the 8s...." + (show)

@johansenrj, have you had your BMT consult? What's next?

johansenrj | @johansenrj | Jan 5 1:12pm

Yes, I had a really good meeting with Dr Chhabra on Dec 26. Now waiting to hear from the patient coordinator.

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