i am receiving taxotere for breast cancer - one more treatment to go. but haemoglobin levels have dropped to 10.3 and oncologist says if they drop belwo 10 I should have a transfusion. what else can i try?
2007-02-20 11:06:42 · 11 answers · asked by Viv W 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
If you haven't started it already, you should start Procrit (erythropoeitin) injections. You should supplement your iron and b-vitamins.
10 is not a bad hemoglobin level...if you don't have other health problems (other than cancer) like heart disease, you could consider letting it drift lower than 10. For example, young adults can tolerate levels down to 7.5 pretty well. If you are otherwise healthy, you may consider waiting until it is 9.0 or if you get symptoms...then you can get the transfusion (rapid heartbeat, near faint feelings, weakness).
Best of luck!
2007-02-20 11:11:55 · answer #1 · answered by CaliDoc 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can be safe without a transfusion at a hgb of 8 or above. If you drop to that low, it is important to be filled back up.
I think you should not be so worried about recieving blood. I work on an Oncology unit and we literally give thousands of units every year.
Your Oncologist could try procrit (epogen) to help you make red blood cells. Its a subcutaneous injection.
2007-02-20 23:15:21 · answer #2 · answered by happydawg 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Viv,You should examine a nutritional product called Beta 1,3-D Glucan.It is a primary treatment for cancer in Asia,it works by triggering an immune response in your body,creating a system of defense against viral,bacterial,fungal,parasitic and neoplastic(abnormal tissue growth) invaders.You can find more information at www.dna911.info.It helps people undergoing radiation or chemotherapy by boosting the immune system.I hope this helps you.
2007-02-20 19:47:53 · answer #3 · answered by adam p 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wheat grass juice has been used to raise hemoglobin levels but you need to drink at least 3-6 ounces a day. It is also used by some alternative practitioners for a host of ailments including cancer. A goo d book that describes everything there is to know about wheat grass is called "Wheat grass--Natures Finest Medicine" by Steve Meyerwitz.Ann Wigmore's book is also good but the first is more inclusive and gives you options other than fresh squeezed which is time consuming.
http://www.wheatgrasshealth.info/Wheatgrass_books.htm
2007-02-20 19:17:16 · answer #4 · answered by Mr. CoCo 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Strongly recommend you don't listen the advice of us idiots. Particularly on treatment for your breast cancer.
I hope it all goes well. My friend completed a course of radiotherapy a few months ago, successfully, we think/hope. It's all a bit of a modern miracle, eh?
2007-02-20 19:17:37 · answer #5 · answered by guernsey_donkey2 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a great question for your oncologist. Call him / her. If they can't answer then ask who they recomend that you contact.
Keep up the good work and bless you.
2007-02-20 19:35:17 · answer #6 · answered by Neil L 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chlorella would help with this
check out the reasearch on these websites
they also list other things you can take to help keep your body strong through treatment
cal.net/wesurviv/chlorella.htm
charlesloopsdvm.com/cancer.htm
Blessings!
2007-02-20 19:12:38 · answer #7 · answered by taffneygreen 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Iron tablets. I am always given strong dose iron tablets when i am anaemic.
2007-02-20 19:13:56 · answer #8 · answered by crazy child 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No there is erythropoetin, or EPO. Try that.
It works very, very well.
You might need to raise your white cell count as well.
2007-02-20 19:10:46 · answer #9 · answered by morshmi 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
if you have time climb lots of mountains and live in high altitude. atheletes do this to increase RBC
2007-02-20 19:14:44 · answer #10 · answered by hobgoblin 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋