New wrinkle

mrou50
mrou50 Member Posts: 389 Member
in Kidney Cancer #1

Sorry I have been out for a bit I was feeling pretty ill for several days, I even had to go to the hospital that sucked.  So I do like my new port, if anyone is considering it do it, the port is so much better for accessing veins.  When I did my Opdivo on Monday I found out I am mild to moderatly anemic now.  I was wondering if this has happened to anyone else with stage IV or other, and how you doc's handled it.

 

 

Mark

Comments

  • APny
    APny Member Posts: 1,995 Member
    #2
    While mine was stage 1, I

    While mine was stage 1, I have been anemic, at one time so severely that I needed a transfusion and iron infusion series. That was a few months after my surgery. I am again anemic and my iron store is very low. I've been taking 45 mg Slo Fe iron tablets three times a day as per my doc. I'm seeing a hematologist later this month. I don't know if it's related to the cancer but the only times I've been anemic were a year before I was diagnosed and twice since then.

    I have read however that chemo can cause anemia so I'm wondering if that's what is doing it for you.

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    #3
    APny said:

    While mine was stage 1, I

    While mine was stage 1, I have been anemic, at one time so severely that I needed a transfusion and iron infusion series. That was a few months after my surgery. I am again anemic and my iron store is very low. I've been taking 45 mg Slo Fe iron tablets three times a day as per my doc. I'm seeing a hematologist later this month. I don't know if it's related to the cancer but the only times I've been anemic were a year before I was diagnosed and twice since then.

    I have read however that chemo can cause anemia so I'm wondering if that's what is doing it for you.

    sorry guys

    Years back people talked more about this. Lots of anemia. Some get it after surgery I think. Some after treatments. But slo-fe is what I've heard the most about. Mine is also just a little low, but low none the less. I've decided to adjust to current treatments first then add fe. I've used it in the past.

  • mrou50
    mrou50 Member Posts: 389 Member
    #4
    Anemia

    Thanks, it seems this may be just another piece of the cancer pie I guess. My ONC is starting me on a drug next week but has not told me what it is, he said one of the side effects is clots in the lungs if a person has tumors there (guilty as charged) so it looks like that is what we are going to watch for next.  Does the fun ever stop?

     

    Mark

  • APny
    APny Member Posts: 1,995 Member
    #5
    mrou50 said:

    Anemia

    Thanks, it seems this may be just another piece of the cancer pie I guess. My ONC is starting me on a drug next week but has not told me what it is, he said one of the side effects is clots in the lungs if a person has tumors there (guilty as charged) so it looks like that is what we are going to watch for next.  Does the fun ever stop?

     

    Mark

    Mark, how will they monitor

    Mark, how will they monitor you for clots? Hope that particular side effect side steps you! Also, if your anemia is caused by iron deficiency (like mine) ask your doc if it'd be ok to take Slo Fe. It really is gentle on your system and even with three 45 mg ones a day I don't have any stomach issues. And if does help in feeling a lot less draggy.

  • mrou50
    mrou50 Member Posts: 389 Member
    #6
    APny said:

    Mark, how will they monitor

    Mark, how will they monitor you for clots? Hope that particular side effect side steps you! Also, if your anemia is caused by iron deficiency (like mine) ask your doc if it'd be ok to take Slo Fe. It really is gentle on your system and even with three 45 mg ones a day I don't have any stomach issues. And if does help in feeling a lot less draggy.

    Thanks

    I will look into the Slo Fe, as for monitoring the clot potential I don't know how we will do that at that moment, I planned on asking those questions next week when I go in for Opdivo.  Thanks for letting me know about the Slo Fe.  I do know he said the anemia is being cause by the drugs I have been taking for the cancer and all of the side effects that came with them (Votrient) so I guess this is the price we pay for trying to stay alive longer.  

  • APny
    APny Member Posts: 1,995 Member
    #7
    mrou50 said:

    Thanks

    I will look into the Slo Fe, as for monitoring the clot potential I don't know how we will do that at that moment, I planned on asking those questions next week when I go in for Opdivo.  Thanks for letting me know about the Slo Fe.  I do know he said the anemia is being cause by the drugs I have been taking for the cancer and all of the side effects that came with them (Votrient) so I guess this is the price we pay for trying to stay alive longer.  

    Hope it can get resolved.

    Hope it can get resolved. Feeling tired and draggy because of anemia is the last thing you need. If it's not iron deficiency though you shouldn't take the Slo Fe. So make sure he does an iron test to see if your reserves are low before taking it. Wishing you the best, Mark!

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