Mds/rcmd

[amiezf]

Trying to find out as much information that I can. My mother (70) was diagnosed in March of this year. Her WBC hovers at 2.0 and she is now anemic. She will be receiving iron transfusions, 2 weeks on the 2 weeks off and 2 more on.

She also suffers from Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Any information that can be shared would be great.

[Birgitta-A]

Hi amiezf,
2006 I got the same dx as your mother - MDS RCMD. You can look att the home page of Marrowforums for info. http://www.marrowforums.org/mds.html.

The first 4 years I only got supportive therapy: txs and iron chelating drugs due to iron overload after txs.

You have to follow your mother's counts and her ferritin value. If she is receiving 2 units of blood twice a month she will soon develope iron overload too.

We have to look out for infections - all infections can decrease counts.
Kind regards
Birgitta-A
75 yo, dx MDS Interm-1 2006. Thalidomide + Prednisone 2010-2013. Since July 2013 Revlimid woth positive effect.

[ccnarayanan]

Hi amiezf,

Have you taken a cytogenetics / FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) test for your mom? It is test where samples are taken from bone marrow as well as blood. It shows chromosome abnormalities and will likely determine the severity of the disease and its progression to severe conditions.