MIRCERA/ANACEP injections - EPO therapy ( artificial hormone therapy to stimulate for red blood cells in CKD anemia) side effects?!

[Ddd4]

Hi CKD peeps,

Is anyone receiving EPO haemoglobin growth therapy? I had my first two injections in the intervals of 2 weeks apart. Since then I have uncontrollable weight gain, water retention, and I'm recently diagnosed with extreme hormone imbalances that occured out of no where! I had always been quite petite with the same stable weight for the past 15 years, and I'm athletic with an active lifestyle. Yet I had gained 6kgs within 2 weeks post injections, without any lifestyle or diet changes.

I know the injections stimulate the bone marrow to make EPO proteins - a hormone for red blood cell production; I'm suspecting they're the culprit that's messing up all my other hormones (estrogen, testosterone, progesterone etc.) causing the imbalances! Can someone help me or share with me any side effects they have if receiving EPO? Extremely frustrated

Thanks!!

[MAS_Nurse]

Hi Ddd4,

Here are a couple of websites explaining about Micera. It is given in anaemia caused by CKD. However, there are some serious contraindications and side effects to be considered by you and your HCP's before commencing and during treatment. So do read thoroughly through the Patient Information Leaflets (PIL) below. Weight gain is not mentioned in any of the information.

Medicines Compendium -Micera: medicines.org.uk/emc/files/...

Drugs.com -Micera:drugs.com/mircera.html

Hope this helps.

MAS Nurse and Moderator

[Ddd4 in reply to MAS_Nurse]

Yes, I've searched and read a few articles & released trial/treatment papers on Mircera. However there just isn't enough on this particular EPO drug (or any EPO drugs in general. There hasn't been enough recorded feedbacks in clinical studies on comprehensive lists of side effects from patients. However I've seen a few lab tests on rats & rabbits, and found that Mircera did lead to gross mass gain & obesity.

[orangecity41 in reply to MAS_Nurse]

My Doctor told me that there was a treatment for low RBC and anemia but did not recommend it for me due to side affects, unless critical.

[Ddd4 in reply to orangecity41]

Yes, I'm pretty annoyed my doctor didn't even inform me of any side effects prior, which I find very unprofessional! Would you be able to share with me the side effects your doctor told you? Thanks!

[orangecity41 in reply to Ddd4]

My Doctor did not share any of the side effects. I did not ask.