Epo for Renal Anaemia

[mmwsmall]

Anyone had any experience of taking Epo for anaemia? My renal nurse wants me to have it but when she first mentioned it she said it carried a risk of stroke. Tried iron infusions but not effective. I have high blood pressure and a family history of strokes, naturally worried . On the other hand exhausted always. Medics say it is my decision but conflicted!

[Darlenia]

Hi! My husband, who is on dialysis, was also given iron transfusions initially but now takes Epogen injections regularly. (He also takes three or four medication for high blood pressure.) He hasn't experienced any significant side effects to date, and it controls his anemia (chills and fatigue) pretty well. My husband also has a family history of strokes and heart attacks. It seems most everyone with (or nearing) end stage renal disease winds up taking Epogen. It's an exceptionally pricey med in the US. Hope this helps.

[mmwsmall in reply to Darlenia]

Hi Darlenia, thanks for your reply, that's reassuring!

[manbreak]

Hi I took EPO for ages it really helped me had so much more energy

[mmwsmall in reply to manbreak]

Thanks for you reply,!

[Pianohome]

Hi. I’ve just had my first prescription for EPO. Ferritin level 650! My kidneys not converting it to haemoglobin. I was worried by the patient leaflet for Darbepoetin and the high risk of stroke. But it said the dose was 1.5mcg/kg for CKD. I am 60kg so that’s 90mcg. But the dr prescribed me 20mcg. Obviously very cautious. So you could ask your dr to do the same. D

[mmwsmall in reply to Pianohome]

Thanks! Will do

[Niazms]

Have been taking Eprex(EPO) for a while now and iron IV on two occasions according to ferritin levels. So far so good, at least you feel less exhausted.Remember everything that we take will most likely have some side effect at some point.

[mmwsmall in reply to Niazms]

Thank you. I agree, filing less exhausted will definitely be a bonus!