Anyone Ever Have to Have Blood Transfusions?

Mothercrone
Mothercrone Member Posts: 28
in Breast Cancer #1
I am her2 and just completed my 5th round of chemo (taxotere, carboplatin, herceptin).

After my 3rd chemo, my platelet and hemoglobin counts were so low that I needed a blood transfusion. I am currently having my third platelet/blood transfusion.

This is not a big deal, especially since I have a port...just time consuming. 8 am to 8 pm.

Have any of you had to get transfusions during your chemotherapy?

Thanks for your answers.


pat

Comments

  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #2
    Hi Pat. I didn't have
    Hi Pat. I didn't have chemo, nor have I had a blood transfusion. I just wanted to be sure your post doesn't get lost and hopefully someone that has gone thru this will reply to you.

    So sorry about this.


    Hugs, Angie
  • Mothercrone
    Mothercrone Member Posts: 28
    #3
    Angie2U said:

    Hi Pat. I didn't have
    Hi Pat. I didn't have chemo, nor have I had a blood transfusion. I just wanted to be sure your post doesn't get lost and hopefully someone that has gone thru this will reply to you.

    So sorry about this.


    Hugs, Angie

    Thanks, Angie!
    I appreciate your moving my thread up. It does look like it was getting lost.

    Thanks again,
    pat
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #4
    Mothercrone said:

    Thanks, Angie!
    I appreciate your moving my thread up. It does look like it was getting lost.

    Thanks again,
    pat

    no..
    No transfusions with chemo...has your oncologist mentioned a Nuelasta injection following each chemo? I had this the day after each chemo treatment, many on this site also had it....My blood work was always perfect..
    You might want to ask about this...
    Wishing you the best,
    Nancy
  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #5
    MAJW said:

    no..
    No transfusions with chemo...has your oncologist mentioned a Nuelasta injection following each chemo? I had this the day after each chemo treatment, many on this site also had it....My blood work was always perfect..
    You might want to ask about this...
    Wishing you the best,
    Nancy

    Not me
    but I have a friend who did - twice. I don't think it's terribly unusual. My friend always felt better immediately after a transfusion.

    Good luck. We do what we have to to get through this.

    Suzanne
  • LadyParvati
    LadyParvati Member Posts: 328
    #6
    Yep, It Happens
    I also had to have a blood transfusion after my third round. I'm really glad it hasn't been a big deal for you! I turned out to be allergic to the blood I was given, and I experienced the most severe rash and excruciating itching I have ever had in my life! The itching lasted for three weeks, though it did improve after the first week. During that period, I also learned that benadryl--prescribed to control the itching--triggers my restless leg syndrome to the utmost, so I was an itching, scratching, walking zombie.

    They wanted to do another blood transfusion after my fifth chemo, but I refused and did everything else I could to improve my hemoglobin and red blood count so I wouldn't have to go through that misery again! I turned into the spinach queen, ate red meat three times a day, etc. I was actually craving those foods a lot, so that helped even though my appetite was pretty bad.

    I am surprised that your blood transfusions are taking so long. I wonder why? Mine did not take 12 hours; maybe 4? I don't really remember for sure, but I know it didn't take all day.

    Anyway, I wish you continued good luck with your blood transfusions! I hope that the rest of your treatment doesn't present too many challenges, too.

    Sandy
  • ennie__1
    ennie__1 Member Posts: 32 Member
    #7
    Blood Transfusion
    I am currently on chemo and I have had to have 2 transfusions already, My Doctor said that some people just need them and not to worry. For some of us its just part of the process, my transfusions usually lasted 4-6 hr. it just depends on how fast they set the pump, what your veins can handel is my understanding they can speed it up.
  • linpsu
    linpsu Member Posts: 747
    #8
    2 transfusions
    I had 2 transfusions during chemo - after my 5th and 7th (out of 8). I too had an allergic reaction both times, which meant they had to stop and give me Benadryl until the itching stopped. But they said the blood could only be left unrefrigerated for 4 hours and then they would have to throw it away. So I opted to deal with the itching just so I could get all the blood into me. I felt so much better afterwards.
    The Neulasta shot for white blood cell counts doesn't have anything to do with the blood transfusions which is for the red blood cells, as I understand it. I had a Neulasta shot after each chemo session.

    Linda
  • Mothercrone
    Mothercrone Member Posts: 28
    #9
    linpsu said:

    2 transfusions
    I had 2 transfusions during chemo - after my 5th and 7th (out of 8). I too had an allergic reaction both times, which meant they had to stop and give me Benadryl until the itching stopped. But they said the blood could only be left unrefrigerated for 4 hours and then they would have to throw it away. So I opted to deal with the itching just so I could get all the blood into me. I felt so much better afterwards.
    The Neulasta shot for white blood cell counts doesn't have anything to do with the blood transfusions which is for the red blood cells, as I understand it. I had a Neulasta shot after each chemo session.

    Linda

    Thanks for Your Info
    Thank you, good people, for your responses. This is my third transfusion and my chemo nurses said that it's not unusual at all; that I may have to have two more transfusions.

    I also tried eating foods high in iron to boost my hemoglobin and red cell counts but nothing worked. I do have a shot of Neulasta for the white cell count the Monday after each full chemo treatment (which happens on a Friday).

    Today I was at the hospital at 8:15 a.m. and wemt promptly up to my room. I did have to wait until around 10 a.m. until they got my platelets in. Around 10:30 a.m. they started the first unit of blood. I noticed that the blood does drop very, very slowly. Then the nurse had me take a 1 hour break between units and finally I was done today (early!!!) around 7:15 p.m.

    For other newbies, just to let you know, a blood transfusion is nothing to be afraid of. It's totally painless; just takes awhile, that all.

    Right now, I feel about 50% better since walking into the hospital this morning. Hopefully, by tomorrow, I'll be skipping around the house, breathing alot easier with no exhaustion.

    Again, thanks for sharing your experiences. ♥

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