Hi Deb,
Are you being treated at a facility that specializes in aplastic anemia and other rare bone marrow failure diseases? This is extremely important. You want to at least consult with a specialist who has seen many patients with these diseases vs. just a handful. If you have aplastic anemia, you don't want to fool around with experimental treatments. I am amazed that they didn't try and do another BMB on you, especially if there was no aspirate with the first. You really need the aspirate to help with the diagnosis.
I had to ask my local hemotologist to do the PNH test. He didn't know anything about it, as these diseases are rare. I consult with a specialist who is an AA/MDS/PNH expert.
That presentation that I mentioned previously is called "Aplastic Anemia: Current Thinking on the Disease, Diagnosis, and Treatment" by Dr. Young. It is really good and can be found at
http://live.blueskybroadcast.com/bsb...T=944&CAT=1031
In it, Dr. Young talks about a new study that indicates that patients with an Absolute Reticulocyte Count > 25k and Absolute Lymphocyte count > 1k at the time of diagnosis have a 80% response rate to ATG.
If you do go the ATG route, you are only on prednisone for a month. The doctors will try to wean you off as quickly as possible to avoid the side effects.
I really think that you should get another BMB done ASAP. Ask for the PNH test. Don't settle for not having a diagnosis. Time is of the essence! Although you may think you feel good, if you are transfusion dependent, that is not good.