Recently diagnosed with MDS with anemia and would like to connect

The injection I receive is Aranesp -Darbepoetin Alfa

@montauk I started injections of Aranesp -Darbepoetin Alfa a few weeks ago. My hemoglobin raised up to 10.6. Better than what it was. I go every two weeks for lab work. Hopefully it stays above 10. I wish you the best of luck.

@loribmt Aranesp -Darbepoetin Alfa

@lindak123

Great to here your results.

What was your hemoglobin start point, and did you reach this level new elevated level with transfusions PLUS your medication ?

The highest I have gotten has been 9.0 with transfusions.

Revlimid and Reboslyl ( spelling) both failed to raise my hemoglobin and I am totally dependent on transfusions.

I will look up your drug info.

Thank you.

@montauk Hi. My hemoglobin hovered between 10.0 and 10.6 when I was first diagnosed. It dropped to 9.3 and my Oncologist started me on the injections. The last time I had my blood work done, my hemoglobin was 10.6 so I didn't get the injection.I have not had a blood transfusion. My doctor mentioned that he would infuse iron if needed. I am tired most of the time and take lots of naps.

Why not Procreit?

@shoch1957 Hi, and hope things are improving for you. I am about to begin Reblozyl after trying almost everything else. How are you reacting to it?

@lindak123. That’s one of the preferred medications given for treating anemia. With your latest labs it certainly looks as though it’s working for you by raising your hemoglobin numbers. That’s very encouraging. Have you noticed any changes such as a little more energy?

@barbwsm, Epoetin Alfa (Procrit) and Darbepoetin Alfa (Aranesp) are both medications given to patients with anemia in an effort to encourage production of red blood cell. Since the drugs are similar in their goals, doctors will make the decision based on what is best for their patient.

With the diagnosis of MDS your red blood cell counts have been decreasing. Your doctor prescribed Procrit in an effort to encourage red blood cell production. You mentioned in another reply that your RBC hasn’t returned normal. While the drugs Procrit or Aranesp may help promote red blood production it may not be enough to match the usual production of a healthy bone marrow. Every second, if healthy, the body will produce over several million cells. Over the course of a day, that’s over 200 billion red blood cells; A staggering amount. So if the ‘manufacturing equipment’ in the bone marrow is basically malfunctioning, the drugs can only do so much to keep up the pace. Think of it as a factory running with a skeleton crew. While there will be some production and the business will keep running, the output will be less than with a full production team.

When is your next set of labs?

@jeffreykassover1 I’m not having g any negative reactions. It is bringing u my HG to between 10 - 11 from a low of 8.2