I remember during the 70s as my mother went thru hemodialysis, she required a transfusion every other month or so. It used to wipe her out. She'd come home and be totally out of it for at least a day, if not longer.
Have the powers that be figured out a way to lessen the frequency of transfusions? I mean, I don't know. Was/is that something that differs from patient to patient, etc. What do I have to look forward to?
PeaB4you go....great name. Transfusions depend on the individual as to why they are getting transfused. Most common is low iron. Do you know why your mother was getting them? They have medications now for iron deficiency now, so it may ot be as much of an issue. Also what you eat can make a difference. Talk to your doctor.
Hi Pea,
I started HD about a year ago and I felt immediately better. I don't know anyone that gets transfusions. I have anemia so if my iron level comes back low they'll boost me with iron through my lines or they have given me hemocrite (spelling?) if my red blood count falls below criteria.
I have PKD so my kidneys still work mostly, they just do not filter my blood as well as they should. So on my HD treatments, I get my blood cleaned but hardly ever have any fluid removed. I feel like that is the only thing that wipes me out. Luckily that hardly ever happens. But for others who cannot clear their urine for what ever reason, they need all their fluid removed or they run in to big problems. That is where the exhaustion comes into play. The more fluid they need to draw from you the more it wipes you out.
It's very uncommon to get a transfusion these days - usually if your HGB is low (below 10) you will get a shot of EPO - a synthetic version of the hormone that normal kidneys make.
I don't know for sure but I imagine it varies from patient to patient. In my experience I've had five transfusions and they've actually all been really helpful. I don't recall being exhausted afterwards, and I definitely didn't need them that often. The majority happened when I first got diagnosed and was severely anemic, and then I didn't need another one until after transplant when my transplanted kidney needed a little boost in the blood department. Hopefully you won't have to deal with what your mom went through!
Agree with Bumblebee-Tuna. Transfusions have largely gone away for dialysis patients. Healthy kidneys produce a hormone called erythropoietin (EPO), which stimulates the bone marrow to make red blood cells needed to carry oxygen throughout the body. As kidneys fail, that hormone level falls. So, instead of getting transfusions, patients receive injections of Procrit or Epogen or something similar, etc. which substitute for that missing hormone and encourages the body to make red blood cells and avoid anemia. Almost everyone at my hubby's dialysis center had issues with anemia, so many were on this protocol.
I had a terrible time with my iron transfusions. Is that what you are talking about? The first one was horrendous. I litrelly crawled up the stair and had to get my husband to pull my trousers and shoes off. I was beyond exhausted. I had felt great hours before. I then noticed a pattern. Always felt this way after an infusion. I told the renal nurse and she said it was the first she had heard about it blah blah. I then googled it and there are loads of people that feel the same way. I wont lie it took at least 6 months not to feel this way. I still don't get the energy boost that nurses say, you should get. However my stamina has improved. I totally get what your mum went through. It knocked me for 6. However please do not worry. Everyone is different. Try and be positive. As I say some patients feel a real difference. Also they can switch to different brands and see if that makes a difference. All the best.
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