Guest guest Posted February 16, 2009 Report Share Posted February 16, 2009 I have had 15 blood transfusions since I started on Gleevec. HGB as low as 6.2 and high of 8.7 have started the transfusion process. I don't know about the expense since I am on Medicare. I finally was seem at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa and they discovered that Gleevec was the problem causing the HGB to lower for me and I now am on Tasigna and no longer require transfusions. I do give myself a shot of Aranesp when it starts to get low but that is a simple solution. I'll be glad to answer any questions you may have. hughes.jessica @ ________________________________ From: " avisallen@... " <avisallen@...> Sent: Monday, February 16, 2009 3:30:13 PM Subject: [ ] Blood transfusions Hello again - Forgot Dona (cousin) wanted me to ask you about people who have blood transfusion. Know there are a few postings on that. Because her blood went from 12 to 9 in one month, they want her to repeat the Aranesp in two weeks. She dreads the thought if her balance and nausea are repeated. We just talked and not much better today. I imagine transfusions, in addition to major inconvenience, must be much more expensive. Thanking you in advance, Avis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 16, 2009 Report Share Posted February 16, 2009 Hi Avis, I think my last transfusion , 2 pts. cost $3,700.00. A shot of Aranesp was $2,700.00. Both very expensive, my medicare did pay for them both, but will no longer pay for Aranesp or Procrit. And to receive 2 pts, I am in the hospital an entire day, last time they served me breakfast, lunch and dinner, I loved it, as this hospital serves good food. My hgb was 8.3 last week, if it is lower tomorrow, it will be transfusion time again. Good luck to Dona, Bobby a (Bobby) Doyle Brecksville, Ohio, USA DX 05/1995 02/2000 - Gleevec Trial/OHSU 06/2002 - Gleevec/Trisenox Trial/OHSU 06/2003 - Gleevec/Zarnestra Trial/OHSU 04/2004 - Sprycel Trial/MDACC, CCR in 10 months #840 - Zavie's Zero Club 09/2006 - out of CCR 04/29/08 - XL228 Trial/ U.of Michigan 06/02/08 - CCR ( in 4 weeks) 02/13/09 - XL trial ended due to side effects From: avisallen@... <avisallen@...> Subject: [ ] Blood transfusions Date: Monday, February 16, 2009, 3:30 PM Hello again - Forgot Dona (cousin) wanted me to ask you about people who have blood transfusion. Know there are a few postings on that. Because her blood went from 12 to 9 in one month, they want her to repeat the Aranesp in two weeks. She dreads the thought if her balance and nausea are repeated. We just talked and not much better today. I imagine transfusions, in addition to major inconvenience, must be much more expensive. Thanking you in advance, Avis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 18, 2009 Report Share Posted February 18, 2009 Lottie, how come you have to replace your blood when you have a transfusion, and I don't? I'm on medicare too? I lucked out this week, my hgb went from 8.3, to 8.9, whoopee, no transfusion....Bobby a (Bobby) Doyle Brecksville, Ohio, USA DX 05/1995 02/2000 - Gleevec Trial/OHSU 06/2002 - Gleevec/Trisenox Trial/OHSU 06/2003 - Gleevec/Zarnestra Trial/OHSU 04/2004 - Sprycel Trial/MDACC, CCR in 10 months #840 - Zavie's Zero Club 09/2006 - out of CCR 04/29/08 - XL228 Trial/ U.of Michigan 06/02/08 - CCR ( in 4 weeks) 02/13/09 - XL trial ended due to side effects From: Lottie Duthu <lotajam@...> Subject: [ ] Blood transfusions " CML " < > Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2009, 5:02 PM Dear , So many of us have different reactions to the similiar drugs for CML. I never had a transfusion in my life until I started SKI, but have had several since I did start getting them. I wish I didn't have to, but when it becomes necessary, my body just seems to cry out for them. The norm here is wait until your HGB goes below 9. Today mine was 10.l, higher than normal. One doctor used to use my Hct numbers to decide if I needed Aranesp or Procrit. That required my getting a cbc every other week and a Procrit shot every week. None of the oncologists in this area keep Aranesp because they claim the patients don't request it, but I liked it because I only needed a shot every other week. I am on Medicare, too, and once I have been given 2 units of blood, I have to replace the rest until the end of the fiscal year, gut that is hospital policy. I hae never been asked to replace the blood at MDACC. People don't line up around the block to donate blood, as there is always a shortage of it. The irony of it is I was a regular contributor of blood before I was diagnosed. I went to the hospital for x-rays and then went to the blood bank and they refused my blood because they said I may need surgery and would need my blood. The following week, I was in ER with a very bad attack of GERD. The doctors must have sent a copy to my internist who called and alerted me that there was something wrong with my blood count to come in and get tested again. I have a niece who is a nurse in the Tampa area, but don't know where she works, but has been in neonatology and dialysis for most of her nursing career. The corporation she worked for was owned by doctors. She worked out of New Orleans, but they sold their interests there and she was offered a job in their Florida offices, so that is how she got to Florida. She loves it there. When she built her house, it was of cement, so she's not worried about high winds. Take care. Blessings, Lottie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 31, 2009 Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 Thanks Sue...I will surely keep that in mind... From: Sue <hollie@...> Subject: [ ] Blood Transfusions Date: Sunday, May 31, 2009, 2:38 PM In the first year when diagnosed - I had many iron infusions and quite a number of transfusions. Quite normal for this type of management and the reason the specialists are watching your bloods carefully so that they can manage your condition and impacts If you need either - take a good book and fruit or something to eat - absolutely boring procedures and takes awhile for procedures to do Sue __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 4117 (20090530) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset. com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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