Low haemoglobin

[Frenchhouse3]

Over the last couple of weeks my haemoglobin has lowered causing me to feel breathless. I’m currently on my fifth month on Olaparib and have not had these symptoms before. Has anyone else expo this and do they have any advice?

Denise x

[sticky3006]

Hi, I’m on month four of Olaparib and my Hb is slowly dropping causing Mild anaemia. Your dr may reduce your dose a little to see if that helps, Thanks, sticky3006 x

[Frenchhouse3 in reply to sticky3006]

Hi Sticky

Thanks so much for your reply. I’ll ask my consultant about the possibility of reducing my dose if it drops any more. It’s currently on 88. He says it’s not that bad though I’m definitely anaemic but I hate this feeling of breathlessness. My GP checked my chest and heart over and says all appears normal but I’m in a worried state again.

Love Denise xxxxx

[sticky3006 in reply to Frenchhouse3]

My last Hb was 101 but yes, I’m a bit out of puff when I go upstairs 😬. Good luck x

[Frenchhouse3 in reply to sticky3006]

That’s what I was three and a half weeks ago and I felt fairly good then. That is reassuring that the breathlessness is due to this as my mind goes all over the place! Xxxxx

[delia2 in reply to Frenchhouse3]

Hi. It definitely sounds like anemia. I would push for a transfusion if the breathlessness really bothers you.

[Frenchhouse3 in reply to delia2]

Hi Delia, I did discuss this with my Onc nurse but she said it would need to be under 80 before they would think it serious enough. That was a kind of relief but doesn’t currently help. It’s strange because it has dropped quite suddenly. I’m having full bloods and phone appointment in just over a week. It’s so frustrating because I felt so well just a couple of weeks ago.

Xxxxx

[delia2 in reply to Frenchhouse3]

Maybe they’ll lower your dose? I’m on 200 mg twice a day. I hate being anemic! I hope they address it next week.

[Frenchhouse3 in reply to delia2]

Did you become anaemic on Olaparib too Delia? I’m currently on 300 per dose. Xxxxx

[delia2 in reply to Frenchhouse3]

No. I was anemic on both previous rounds of chemo. On frontline they wouldn’t give me a transfusion until my hemoglobin was 8 (here in the US we seem to measure it differently-normal is 11 or above). But I experience shortness of breath in the low tens. At Dana Farber where I am now they have me one at 9.2 because I was symptomatic and it was on a downward trend. It’s been better so far on Olaparib but it’s only been 11 weeks.

[Frenchhouse3 in reply to delia2]

That’s great news; hopefully mine will settle soon. I’m trying iron water every day to try and boost it plus iron rich foods. I did experience it with chemo but found that the gaps in between each session allowed me to build back up. I guess that with Olaparib, it is taken every day and though tiny doses compared to frontline chemo, I guess it can build up.

Thank you for help.

Xxxxx

[Lolotango]

I am on week 10 and at 8 weeks WBC , RBC, Hemoglobin, and Magnesium all below normal but Dr not very concerned except for Magnesium. Gave me 3mg thru port. Was also on 600mg and now reduced to 450mg a day. 1 pill in morning and 2 at night. Follow up Dr visit and blood work on the 21st. Hopefully still working because dropped CA 125 by 49 points. CT scan after Dr visit. This drug makes me feel worse than all the chemo I had. This is also my 3rd occurrence in 3 years, hoping this drug works for awhile.

[Frenchhouse3 in reply to Lolotango]

Hi there

My magnesium is always in the low side too. I hope that you soon settle with the Olaparib because it does offer a lot of hope and sounds as if it’s working well for you.

I think I may have said I’ve been on it for five months but it’s actually over six now.

Ca125 good at the moment, just need to sort the anaemia now.

Xxxxx

[Lolotango in reply to Frenchhouse3]

Glad your CA125 is good. I hope they can help with the anemia. I am sticking with this as long as it is working. Fight my way through each day! Staying positive

[Lolotango in reply to Frenchhouse3]

So this morning my bloodwork came back and my Dr called me because hemoglobin was a 6.6. So i went to Er and Dr told them to give me 2 units if blood. Keeping overnight for observation and feel little better with blood transfusion. See my doc on Tues. They did do a CT scan too. Tested for covid while here also, negative. So tomorrow I guess they will give me more info. Better days coming!

[Frenchhouse3 in reply to Lolotango]

Hi there, I’m sorry you’ve had low HB too but as Zena says, a transfusion can work wonders . I’m glad you’ve had a CT too, just to keep a close eye on things. I’m not sure when I’ll get one again.

For the moment, I’m having a week off Olaparib to allow my iron to build up ( My consultant suggested this). If this doesn’t help enough, he suggested a transfusion too and possibly reducing my dose down to three tablets a day.

All the best to you and hope you’re feeling too top again soon.

Love Denise xxxxx

[Lolotango in reply to Frenchhouse3]

Thanks Denise,

I am down to 2 150mg pills a day. One in morning, one in evening. See Dr on Tues, will see then what he decides to do. Whether I stay on this or keep low dose with something else. I always tell my husband everyday is a new adventure. Was able to cook dinner for the first time in about 8 weeks. Transfusion did help. Thanks

Lois

[Frenchhouse3 in reply to Lolotango]

Hi Lois, I’m so glad the transfusion has made you feel more energised again.

I hope the lower dose works really well for you too as I do believe overall, it is a good drug. However, should you need to change to something else that works better for you, I wish you all the best. With your positive attitude, you’ll keep going strong.

Love Denise xxxxx

[Lolotango in reply to Frenchhouse3]

Thanks Denise, what dose are you on now? Any side effects at all?

[Frenchhouse3 in reply to Lolotango]

I’m not taking anything for a week to allow my iron to build back up, then I go back on my usual dose and see what happens. My consultant did say if it drops rapidly again, he’d reduce my dose but I’m not sure hope much by as yet. I’ll keep you posted.

Xxxxx

[Lolotango in reply to Frenchhouse3]

Thank you. Seems we had similar symptoms. Stay strong! And be positive!

[Lolotango in reply to Lolotango]

Hope all is still going well for you. I am off the Lynparza now and staring something new. Take care and keep me posted

[ZenaJ]

I had my chemo weekly, on a trial and had the same symptoms as you. I had blood transfusions and felt like a new woman.

See if this can help you, I'm sure it will do the trick.

Best wishes, Zena x

[Frenchhouse3 in reply to ZenaJ]

Hi Zena, that gives me great hope as I’d just like to feel like I was before this breathlessness started. Thank you so much for your reply. Xxxxx

[ZenaJ in reply to Frenchhouse3]

Let's hope it works xx

[Frenchhouse3 in reply to ZenaJ]

Hi Zena,

I made it to France! My consultant has taken me off a Olaparib for a week to allow my iron to build up. I’m then having another blood test on my return and if still very low, I’ll have a transfusion. I may have to have a reduction in the amount of tablets I take, depending on the results. Good news though, my CA125 dropped another four points; I was so relieved!

Almost back to original reading of 18 now.

Love Denise

[ZenaJ in reply to Frenchhouse3]

Very good news. You have a lovely time in France and forget your troubles. Tell me all about it when you get back. xxx

[Frenchhouse3]

Will do Zena and thank you xxxxx