Plonanon
new member
Greetings people.
This is a bit long. My apologies.
I was originally scheduled to have a THR in July. Pre-op blood work was off in a number of ways, partly because I was sick shortly before I did the tests, and partly because I am slightly anemic. I was referred to a hematologist and have done several additional sets of blood work since then.
I met with the hematologist this week. My hemoglobin, which was 11 a month ago, is still 11. In her opinion, I do not have iron-deficiency anemia. She does not know what is causing the anemia.
She said that if I am willing to postpone my surgery yet again, she would recommend that I do so. She feels it is not wise to go into an operation while one is anemic if there is a good chance of needing a transfusion, since that transfusion would necessarily be from another person if the patient is too anemic to donate to himself. She prefers to use transfusions very sparingly because of her fear that there are things in the blood supply that cannot be tested for and that can be problematic.
She said to wait another month, do more blood tests, and then see her again. She raised the possibility of using erythropoeitin so that I would cease to be anemic. When she mentioned that it stimulates red blood cell growth, my first question was whether it might stimulate cancer. She acknowledged that that was an issue, though she pointed out that it is used in treatment of leukemia patients. Later, I discovered that it also increases the risk of a blood clot in those who use it prior to orthopedic surgery.
Overall, I strongly agree with her approach of trying to avoid an infusion. I would like to get the surgery over with, but my level of pain is not terrible.
I am looking for additional information on the use of erythropoeitin. I'd appreciate your input.
Thanks.
This is a bit long. My apologies.
I was originally scheduled to have a THR in July. Pre-op blood work was off in a number of ways, partly because I was sick shortly before I did the tests, and partly because I am slightly anemic. I was referred to a hematologist and have done several additional sets of blood work since then.
I met with the hematologist this week. My hemoglobin, which was 11 a month ago, is still 11. In her opinion, I do not have iron-deficiency anemia. She does not know what is causing the anemia.
She said that if I am willing to postpone my surgery yet again, she would recommend that I do so. She feels it is not wise to go into an operation while one is anemic if there is a good chance of needing a transfusion, since that transfusion would necessarily be from another person if the patient is too anemic to donate to himself. She prefers to use transfusions very sparingly because of her fear that there are things in the blood supply that cannot be tested for and that can be problematic.
She said to wait another month, do more blood tests, and then see her again. She raised the possibility of using erythropoeitin so that I would cease to be anemic. When she mentioned that it stimulates red blood cell growth, my first question was whether it might stimulate cancer. She acknowledged that that was an issue, though she pointed out that it is used in treatment of leukemia patients. Later, I discovered that it also increases the risk of a blood clot in those who use it prior to orthopedic surgery.
Overall, I strongly agree with her approach of trying to avoid an infusion. I would like to get the surgery over with, but my level of pain is not terrible.
I am looking for additional information on the use of erythropoeitin. I'd appreciate your input.
Thanks.
United Kingdom
