Home         Forums  

Go Back   Marrowforums > Bone Marrow Failure Diseases > AA
Register FAQ Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

AA Aplastic anemia

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
  #1  
Old Thu Aug 30, 2012, 05:09 PM
Paul2012 Paul2012 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 3
my father diagnosed with aplastic anaemia

Hello - My father has just been diagnosed with aplastic anaemia, through a bone marrow biopsy. He's being given predinsone, which I've read isn't really an effective treatment. I suppose I'm just thinking that maybe they are trying to prop him up a bit until he dies. I just don't know how long he may have. Feeling pretty low. By the way, he's 85 and has had diabetes since he was 12. If anyone is able to advise me in some way, even in the absence of a full clinical profile, I'd be very grateful - even if the news is harsh.

Many thanks

Paul
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old Thu Aug 30, 2012, 06:35 PM
ssdavi71416 ssdavi71416 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Atlanta Georgia
Posts: 105
Your Father

Paul

Sorry to hear about the diagnosis. Remember that Aplastic anemia comes in many levels. You father may have reduced Red blood cell levels, reduced White blood cell levels and or reduced platelet levels. Many people live with moderate AA without treatment. If these blood levels are only slightly reduced then the Dr. may feel a wait and see approach is the best treatment at this point. When I was waiting my diagnosis the Dr increased my predinisone to try and increase my plateletes. Even though your father is of advanced age and has other health problems, I think he could probably be helped by supportive care dependant on blood levels. If you have not already visited a specialist an appointment with a hematologist is recommended. Even in the absence of a cure, supportive care including red blood cell and platelet transfusions can sustain life. If your father has a low white count he may also be placed on antibiotics antifungals and antivirals to avoid infections. I wish you and your father the best!! The website AAMDS.org is the US aplastic anemia website and contains information about AA. Others on marrowforums are more knowledgable about AA than I and will probably add to the discussion. The most important thing at this point is to insure you are seeing the correct type of Dr.

Scott
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old Thu Aug 30, 2012, 06:48 PM
Paul2012 Paul2012 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 3
my father

Scott, you are so kind to have sent such a thoughtful reply. I thank you. My father told me today he is producing 'no red blood cells' but this may just have been a manner of speaking. I'll try to speak to his haematologist tomorrow. Thank you very much for taking the trouble to write.

Paul
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old Thu Aug 30, 2012, 07:31 PM
Neil Cuadra Neil Cuadra is offline
Owner
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 2,556
Paul,

Will you be able to accompany your father to future appointments? It's a lot easier to get the facts if you get them first-hand. It's the rare patient, especially at age 85, who can understand, remember, and pass along everything a doctor says.

At the next opportunity I suggest that you ask for, or have your father ask for, the lab report of his blood counts. It is called a Complete Blood Count (CBC) or a Full Blood Count (FBC).

To understand what's in the lab report, you can ask his current doctor, ask the haematologists you'll see, look at medical web pages like this or ask other patients and family members here at Marrowforums.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old Thu Aug 30, 2012, 08:43 PM
Paul2012 Paul2012 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 3
my father

Thank you, Neil. I'm hoping to speak to the doctor tomorrow and will ask her for the lab report.

I'm very grateful.

All the best

Paul
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
JUST diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia TASHMAC Questions and Answers 6 Tue Mar 27, 2018 10:09 AM
Family Member Diagnosed With Aplastic Anemia. Help? JustSomebody8 Questions and Answers 1 Mon Apr 7, 2014 09:23 PM
My sisters aplastic anaemia hannah6860 AA 12 Sat Oct 27, 2012 12:12 AM
Father diagnosed MDS or AA hypocellular and treated with ATG vicid AA 9 Thu Feb 18, 2010 01:26 PM
Linda R's Aplastic Anemia- newly diagnosed Robi1Knobi Tell Your Story 11 Mon Apr 23, 2007 01:29 PM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:35 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