Marrowforums

Marrowforums (http://forums.marrowforums.org/index.php)
-   Transfusions and Iron Overload (http://forums.marrowforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=13)
-   -   Transfusing when feverish (http://forums.marrowforums.org/showthread.php?t=5528)

Bananamoore Wed Oct 19, 2016 02:07 AM

Transfusing when feverish
 
My mom is due for a transfusion, but for the past week she has been debilitated with a fever and severe headaches that keep persisting. The nurse said that it's because her hemo is so low, but I think she really did catch some infection, and is still slowly recovering. Is it safe to transfuse in this condition? Her counts are low, so she needs it, but worried about the added stress to her body if still sick.

Marlene Wed Oct 19, 2016 08:16 AM

If she needs red cells then I would get them. John had multiple transfusions while fighting infections in the hospital. How high is her fever? The fever should still be addressed by her doc but it shouldn't be a reason not to transfuse. FYI...fevers tend to chew through platelets and red cells so this transfusion may not hold for as long.

The headache is a sign of low red cells and she may need to transfuse sooner. How low is she now?

riccd2001 Wed Oct 19, 2016 01:48 PM

Not a good idea IMO...
 
Sometimes transfusions can elevate one's temperature especially if the donated PRBCs are least incompatible.

I use extra strength Tylenol every so often to control elevated temperatures prior to my regular transfusions, in addition to 2x regular Tylenol as part of my pre-meds.:cool:

Mseth Thu Oct 20, 2016 08:18 AM

The doctor won't allow transfusion if my mother has a fever, Tylenol is given orally and transfusion is done only when temperature is below 99. And at the slowest speed possible. Transfusion itself raises body temperature.

All the best to your mother.

Bananamoore Tue Oct 25, 2016 10:34 AM

Thank you everyone for getting back to me! I'm realizing this is more of an art than a science. We did end up transfusing, she was 5.7 Hg, but was still feverish for about four days afterwards. The highest her fever got was 100.2°F. We ended up going into the emergency to see if this was a long standing infection, but we ended up checking out and just seeing her regular doctor. He took blood and we should get the results today, but when I last checked her results I did see that her platelets and white blood count is lower, this is the lowest her platelets have been I think since I've started tracking them, 130, which I know is still quite good, but they plummeted by about 150 in a week. It's good to know that the fever probably lowered them, but I am concerned if perhaps she also has a new mutation. She does feel better now, we will see what the blood results say today or tomorrow, when I spoke with the doctor about Revlimid he was hesitant since her white count are already so low, plus she is hypo-cellular, but said we can try at a low dose, 2.5 mg. Is that enough to even be effective? I'm also starting to consider doing iron chelation, she must be at about 1400 at this point.

bailie Tue Oct 25, 2016 11:26 AM

What is your mother's white blood count(WBC)? Also her neutrophils?

Bananamoore Tue Oct 25, 2016 04:05 PM

From the 17th of Oct, wbc count was 1.7, neutrophil was 0.6; Doc said usually wbc counts go up during infection, so not sure what's going on.

bailie Tue Oct 25, 2016 04:37 PM

I'm sorry to hear the numbers. I just really have a problem with the "watch and wait" that some doctors suggest. Naturally patients want to go with that suggestion but I am convinced that it is too easy for some doctors to suggest waiting until a person's situation turns for the worse. Having said that, I fully realize there are different forms of MDS and that waiting can be appropriate.

Cheryl C Tue Oct 25, 2016 06:39 PM

I believe the important thing about watch and wait is the watching! Blood results need to be monitored regularly (I have path 4-weekly). If you can spreadsheet your mum's results so that you can see at a glance whether she's stable or otherwise, that will be very helpful.

If you aren't averse to natural treatments, good quality Olive Leaf Extract and Echinacea may give her neuts and lymphs a boost when she has an infection or virus.

Bananamoore Wed Oct 26, 2016 04:21 PM

Update: as of yesterday, my mom's counts have bounced back up, wbc 2.7 (???) I was so happy, but confused, can they vacillate so much in so little time? And weirdly enough, she still has a low grade fever on and off, highest of about 100.5 F. Doc said if counts are back up then we'll wait and see if the fever tapers off.

Cheryl, yes we incorporate a lot of natural products into her regime, I will try the olive leaf extract. I was reading your byline, so impressed that you got your blasts down. Were you on medication or any other kind of protocol?

Cheryl C Thu Oct 27, 2016 02:53 AM

Bananamoore - I will send you a private message.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:36 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Forum sites may contain non-authoritative and unverified information.
Medical decisions should be made in consultation with qualified medical professionals.
Site contents exclusive of member posts Copyright © 2006-2020 Marrowforums.org