Anyone been on Aranesp (ESA) for anemia ?

tropa23

Good morning ladies,

Have you ever been on Aranesp while on treatment ? From some research I believe it's an agent that increases my Hb level as I currently have Hb of 7.5 and I recieved a pack of blood transfusion and my MO wants me to start Aranesp once weekly.

I find contradicting information about it and about risk of tumor progression .. so have you been here before ?

I am also currently on A/A and not chemotherapy which is the current indication of its use that I find so what are youf opinions ?

JFL

I did have one transfusion but my MO was against using EPO or any of the drugs that boost RBCs/hemoglobin due to risk of it helping the tumors grow. After a long time with anemia, he did end up recommending I take iron supplements as I also developed low iron. Iron can also have risk of helping the tumors grow. I started taking a mild, whole-food, vegetable-based iron supplement. I also started taking ashwagandha which is known to help boost hemoglobin. It has been a MAJOR turnaround. In a few months' time, my hemoglobin is almost normal. I feel like a new person. You may want to look into ashwagandha. It is also thought to have anti-cancer properties.