Hi to everyone
Hello my name is Annya. I live in a small village on the west coast of Scotland, about 40 miles from Glasgow. I am 59 years old and have been having problems with my blood since last September. It has taken a year but I have now been officially diagnosed with AA. I went to the GP originally because of consistent bruising all over my body. The GP took blood and sent to the lab for testing.
Next thing I knew was a telephone call from the local hopsital asking me to attend the haematology day bed ward the very next day. I was advised that my red blood count was 7.4 and platelets were 5. Not sure of white blood count. After a lengthy discussion the consultant suggested this anomoly had occurred due to recently being prescribed Asacol for colitis. Immediately stopped taking this medication. Returned the following week with similar results and therefore received two units blood and platelets. Since then I have been getting transfusions of blood and platelets every week. My counts have now risen to the dizzy heights of 10.1 and 11 for platelets. Not sure of white blood but will check at hospital next week. In December of last year I was prescribed Cyclosporin which I have been taking ever since. In May my consultant referred me to the Beatson Cancer Hospital in Glasgow to consult with a AA specialist for the West of Scotland. I was advised that [i] ATG was the next step. Went into the Beatson for another bone marrow biopsy and to have a hickman line fitted for the ATG treatment. Unfortunately I then acquired an infecti on in the hickman line and had to have antibiotics (via the line) and stay in hosp for a further week. At that time I advised one of the doctors that a mole on my leg had changed appearance and asked if that was caused by the cyclosporin. He said not but referred me to a dermatologist locally to my home. To cut a long story short, I was then diagnosed with a milignant melanoma which was cut out immediately. I was then told I would have to go to another Glasgow hospital and have further surgery to ensure all the melanoma was removed. In the meantime I have been back to the Beatson and told they cannot start ATG until I have had the surgery and the wound is healed. I am sure this will not be until early next year so back to the local hospital for weekly transfusions. About 3 weeks ago started ExJade as iron levels are very high after so many transfusions. And so it goes on.......... I try to keep happy, but am not able to go out too far because I get so tired when I walk just short distances and some days I just feel I want to be in bed and feel pretty miserable!!! This is not like me as I have always had so much energy and have always been a very positive person. I have been told that when I do get my ATG I will be in hospital for about 3 - 4 weeks. I have read a lot about the therapy but would appreciate others views on how they felt when receiving the treatment and after. Has anyone experienced lumps in their groin, under arms etc. perhaps caused by the cyclosporin. They seem to come and go all the time. Also seem to get bladder infections quite frequently. Look forward to hearing from you all.
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