Anemia during chemo

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sfar
sfar Member Posts: 32
edited August 2016 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

I was scheduled for my last of 6 TCH treatments when I developed anemia. My hemoglobin has been steadily dropping, but when it reached 8.3 I felt miserable. I have been exhausted and have breathlessness if I go up a flight of stairs or stand in one place for long. I can't do housework or grocery shop. My doctor gave me the option of a blood transfusion or a 1 week delay of chemo while I try to increase my eating and take an iron supplement. Her opinion was to delay having a transfusion, so that it was I am doing.

Has anyone had any experience with anemia while on chemo?

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  • hikerchic
    hikerchic Member Posts: 48
    edited August 2016

    I have battled anemia the entire time (completed 5/6 ACF). I'm also prego so that doesn't help the situation. After my second round, I received an IV Dextran (iron) infusion and ate a lot of iron-fortified cereal, which brought my Hgb up to 9-10. I also take prenatal vitamins and eat a lot of spinach. All in all, I have held my own. Maybe ask your MO about an in infusion? Def better than a blood transfusion, I think. Sorry you are going thru this....

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  • sfar
    sfar Member Posts: 32
    edited August 2016

    Thanks for responding. I don't know why my doctor didn't bring up an iron infusion, but I will ask her. Just when I start feeling sorry for myself, I hear from someone who has it much worse. How do you do all this while pregnant! Bless you and I wish you the best

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  • muska
    muska Member Posts: 1,195
    edited August 2016

    I had a blood transfusion while on AC. I came for the chemo infusion but RBC was too low and they infused me the same day instead of chemo. Chemo was delayed one week. That one transfusion lasted my through the completion of AC and 12 taxol treatments afterwards.

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  • KateB79
    KateB79 Member Posts: 747
    edited August 2016

    My hemoglobin got down to 9.8 or something, and we kept going anyway; by that time, I only had one round (TCHP) left. I'd do what your MO says and delay it a week. I felt horrible as soon as mine went below 11; I can't even imagine what you must feel like at 8.3. Big hugs.

    For what it's worth, I finished chemo at the end of November, and my red counts are solidly in the middle of the normal range these days. You'll be amazed at how much better you'll feel when it's all over! Hang in there!

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  • flaviarose
    flaviarose Member Posts: 442
    edited August 2016

    sorry you are going through this - it does get better. My hemoglobin got down to about 8.3 also, and doc said if it got below 8 I would need a transfusion. I also had the breathlessness and fatigue and on a couple of occasions fainted. It was hot July a few years back and I was dehydrated. I had a couple of chemos reduced to 80% and that helped. I saw a nutritionist who recommended a product which I will link here and I think it helped. Staying hydrated helps too. Good luck

    https://www.amazon.com/Solgar-Hematinic-Formula-Ta...=sr_1_sc_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1470275636&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=Hematonic

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