Blood and Platelet Transfusion for Hep C low hgb

 Blood and Platelet Transfusion for Hep C low hgb

I can write from my experience. There are many questions that go through your mind when your HGB gets low. If Procrit or Nupogen do not work, you doctor may want to give you a blood and platelet transfusion for Hep C low HGB. It is natural to feel somewhat anxious about it. It is not something you have done every day! You may be to sick to even care. You may be concerned about the blood supply, or what your reaction will be to a donor’s blood. A blood transfusion is a life saving treatment and it just feels more serious. I’ve been there and like a BFF, I can tell you what to expect.

Let’s start off with odd things you should not think about: Transmission of AIDS, HIV, or HCV – It may seem crazy that you got Hepatitis C from a blood transfusion. Now that you are trying to get rid of the virus, you wonder if the blood is clean. There are now ways to test for all of these virus’s including HCV so that the blood is rarely contaminated. What I found  during treatment was that most of the online articles dealing with transmission of the Hepatitis C Virus through transfusions are very calming. They state with assurance that the chances of that are less than 1% percent due to the HCV test that is required before donating blood.  So you can rest assured in that regard.

When my HGB got below 7, I was ready for anything. My body was exhausted. Shortness of breath and fatigue had taken over. I was afraid of another dose reduction. Bottom line: I would do anything to just stay on my feet and finish treatment. I was given blood when I was diagnosed with Hepatitis C so I had passed the “fear of contamination” hurdle.

By the time I the nurses got me settled into a room, my family had all been reassured. They went home and let me rest. It was pure bliss. You are going to love it!

Here is what to expect if you have a blood transfusion to help with anemia while on Hepatitis C Treatment:

1. Everyone who walks into your room will check your bracelet and ask you to give them your name. I guess they are afraid of switched identities. Or maybe they want to double check to be sure you get the right blood type. They take a lot of samples just to be sure.

2. You will have to sign your name (not in blood) to give your consent to getting the transfusion. They check it against your rap sheet for outstanding warrants.

3. They will plug and unplug every item in your room 3 x’s to make sure they work.

4. They move fast, but with attention to detail. Once the blood is out of the fridge, it’s like potato salad at a picnic I think. Gotta use it up fast.

5. They watch you like a hawk. The nurses come in every 15 minutes to take your blood pressure and other vital signs. They feel your feet and rub your tummy. They listen to your chest sounds and ask a lot of questions.

6. They take your drugs. My daughter brought my mobile pharmacy over because it was shot night. The hospital will not have your Hepatitis C Treatment medications. You will take your own Telaprevir, Ribavirin, Interferon, Boceprevir or whatever you are taking.

Your doctor will probably write an order for any diuretics, steroid creams, Nadolol or Propanolol, beta blockers and sleep meds like Ambien. I had all of mine with me just in case. The crazy itchy skin rash mess was all over me and I took no chances. I did wait until a nurse was in there so they could chart the meds I brought from  home. This is important. 

The bag of blood and a saline bag are both running into your vein at the same time.If you are on a low sodium diet, be sure they use a lower percentage of saline solution. I pitched a fit and they had to get a lower saline bag brought up from the hospital pharmacy. That would have been great to get life saving blood and then die from ascites.

I have poked fun at blood and platelet transfusions, because when my nerves kick in, I look for something to laugh at. The truth is that all of my nurses were angels who kept constant eyes on me for any sign of problems. They cared so much about my body, fussing over me and making sure I stayed alive. I had worn my body out with Hepatitis C Treatment. I was tired. If you are ready for a transfusion, you are too. The staff will do their best to provide you with the rest and quiet you need. As a matter of fact, you may not get a lot of sleep because of all the attention you get.

That attention can feel good. I remember the feeling of safety. I was in a hospital. They could take care of anything that came up.

If you are having a blood transfusion, you will feel so much better. It is life giving. You will wake up the next day and have the ability to walk and think so much more clearly. You will be so grateful for every person who donates blood.

You will go home with renewed strength. My kids were scared, so I went straight to their Saturday morning football game to prove that new life was coursing through my veins. You know my wish is that you too will have all the new life that your heart can hold. xoxo Karen:)

If your doctor wants you to get a transfusion as a result of low hemoglobin you can rest assured. – HGB, platelets, and RBC  can be restored to normal. It is considered safe during treatment. Fresh frozen plasma blood transfusion. That just sounds healing, doesn’t it? Check out my blog on anemia for more about what steps your doctor may take. and follow this link to a power point that deals specifically with HCV and blood transfusions from a google+ friend Paul Parks.

http://parksmedicallegal.blogspot.com/2012/12/indications-for-use-of-red-blood-cells.html

 Blood and Platelet Transfusion for Hep C low hgb