low immune system with vidaza, now pneummonia
 

my mom who is 68 with no other health problems started her first round of Vidaza on Monday, Thursday after treatment she stated she was very tired. I took her temp and it was 104, so off to the hospital we did go. She has Pneumonia, low oxygen and rapid heart rate 144. Last night she suffered a slight heart attack. Today blood transfusion, etc etc. I know it is common to pick up sickness with low immune system. How long should one wait after receiving transfusion before beginning treatment again??

Vidaza and low white blood cells
 

Hi Robin,
As you know Vidaza often gives low red blood cells, low white blood cells and low platelets the first four months. Then about 60 % of the patients have some kind of hematological improvement.

You have to follow your mothers counts - in this case specially the type of white blood cells called neutrophils. When they are low you should ask her dr if she should have Neupogen or a similar drug for low white blood cells. Then she has to be very careful and try to avoid infections in the future.

Here is a link about neutropenia: http://www.neutropenia.ca/about/living.html. I have followed these recommendations since I had neutropenic fever Aug-Sept 2007 and have not had any infection as far as I know (knock on wood!).
Kind regards
Birgitta-A
69 yo, dx MDS Interm-1 May 2006, transfusion dependent, Desferal 4 days with transfusions, Neupogen 2 injections/week after neutropenic fever 2007