Tiredness and blood transfusions

Hi,

Just wondered if anyone else has had a blood transfusion to overcome tiredness, and how they got on…

My GP phoned me a couple of weeks back to say my ‘anaemia count’ (forget technical term,presumably haemoglobin count) was 9 and he recommended a blood transfusion. I was surprised as I did not realise my GP looked over the results of my blood tests - I am on 3 weekly cycle of Xeloda so have a blood test every 3 weeks in the off-meds-week of my cycle.

I asked my onc what he thought at my next appt, and his attitude was ‘give it a try’. Apparently a count of 9 is not very low, but does indicate anaemia. So last Friday I had a transfusion of 2 units of blood. I have felt somewhat less tired since then, nothing dramatic, just more ‘normal’. Also my skin (face!) is a better colour, I was looking very washed out and now look better.

I wondered if others who suffer from fatigue have tried a transfusion. The downside is it takes a while, I was transfused at the rate of 2 hours per unit so was there about 4 hours. Fortunately not in the chemo unit but in a side room, less depressing.

Just curious,

LL

I have had 2 lots of 2 units of blood when my haemoglobin was under 9 whilst having chemo and 2 units previously after a childbirth haemorrhage. It did help a little with tiredness but helped more with not being dizzy or faint when standing up and not being so breathless.
Blood transfusions are not without risk as you can have allergic reactions and build up antibodies so that future transfusions become more difficult to match your blood. Therefore, for me I choose only to have them when I am feeling very ill and not just tired.
It’s a difficult decision and best to be guided by what the oncologists say.

Kate

Hi LottieLemon

I had a blood transfusion 3 weeks ago. My Hb count had been running at 9.0/8.9 and I was feeling very tired and washed out. My palliative consultant thought it would be a good idea to do a blood transfusion. My Cancer Unit seem to be too busy to worry about low Hb counts to really consider it. Anyway, following a blood test to get a cross match for the blood my level had dropped to 7.9 and I had the blood transfusion. It took a good few days before really feeling the benefits but I feel so much better for it. My palliative consultant said that she wouldn’t hesitate in doing it again if my Hb count hovers around 9.0.

I haven’t heard of any negative reasons not to have it although I think we all get different views on the subject.

Spike