[Hopeful]

Hi Steve,

What did the second doctor see in the bone marrow biopsy that led to a "confirmed" MDS diagnosis? Did he have any cytogenetic abnormalities? If so, which ones? Did he have significant cell dyplasia? What was his bone marrow cellularity like?

As Birgitta mentioned, there could be other possible causes. It would be prudent to be confident in the diagnosis before starting a powerful drug like Vidaza.

How frequently are the CBCs? Does your father have an illness right now that could be contributing to the drop in platelets? What is his platelet count now?

Can your father switch the medication that lists thrombocytopenia as a side effect?

How is your father's clotting factor? Does he have any symptoms of the thrombocytopenia?

I would seek the third opinion unless I understood what confirmed the MDS diagnosis. Get a copy of the bone marrow biopsy report, if you haven't already.