This drug can cause anemia.

Indocin can cause bleeds from the GI tract, many silent.

Long term acid blocking drugs reduce iron absorption.

Low copper levels cause anemia.

Kidney issues.

I hope the new doctor finds your cause! You might find it with the occult stool test.

For Mrs. D and anyone I've missed thanking. Many thanks now. Mrs. D, I'm writing this list down because my rheumie just out and out states he doesn't know what is going on. And he doesn't mind me asking questions. He doesn't agree with me a lot of the time. But he's willing to read, learn and be educated with things he's not had time to catch up on. We started backing off on the methotrexate and look where I am now with the inflammation. Not good at all.

Anyway, thanks all. I'll see him on Monday. We'll see what the latest is on bloodwork. Have a great weekend!

Billye

Let us know what transpires. Hopefully, it will be something simple to take care of. I admire him for saying he doesn't know what is going on... I would a lot rather hear an honest statement like that.

Cathie

injectable iron. These injections are very painful to endure.

So if possible exhaust any other solutions before accepting that.

There is a movement now to use Procrit for the elderly who have simple anemia.
This is still controversial...and very expensive, but it works.
If it works too well, then there is risk of thickening the blood and stroke.

Here is an explanation:
http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/n...ed-to-declines

However, just recently it was suggested to only use low doses, in the elderly.
Another product is Aranesp (very similar and longer acting). Very expensive also.

This is the drug typically used in "doping" in the Olympics, and the Tour de France BTW.

John has used Procrit in the past for his anemia. Depending on the what's been diagnosed will depend on whether or not medicare/insurance pays for it. Medicare usually will authorize it if your Hemaglobin (HGB) is less than 12. This is because there's an increase risk of stroke when you continue to use it when your HGB is above 12. This mostly applies to cancer patients.

Even though procrit is not considered an approved "treatment" for John's aplastic anemia, it has been known to help those whose "natural" levels of EPO produced by the kidneys is less than 200 in the presence of anemia. The normal EPO range is very low....I think 4 -19. John's was only 99. So even though it is considered "high" he did use procrit and it did work to get him transfusion independent. People with anemia can have EPO levels as high as 1000.

It would be a good idea for your doc to check your EPO level. This is a blood serum test. It can be part of the work-up the hematologist does. You may have to ask to have this run. If they have not checked your iron, B12, Folate, B6 and copper levels, they should do that also. Rule out the easy stuff first.

Wishing you best.....Marlene

Thank you both for all the info. My Hemoglobin is 9.6 right now, so it looks like I would be eligible if that's what is necessary. I'm anxiously awaiting the Monday doctor's visit. But we will only be addressing the tip of the iceberg I'm afraid. There are just so many things to be ruled out and checked. I feel rather anxious, depressed and frightened. Naturally this has flared the neuropathy.

Anyway, thanks for all the info. I'm printing this out for my rheumatologist.

Billye

I saw the rheumie today. My new bloodwork was no better. His thinking is that the flare of the rheumatoid arthritis/spondylarthropathy/sjogren's and whatever the heck the rest of the stuff is, is causing my anemia. He has raised my methotrexate back to the level that it was when I was at Mayo, 20 mg.

If I'm not feeling better in two weeks, he's going to put me on a daily dose of 7.5 mg. of prednisone for a few months to bring the inflammation down. But we are both hoping that the methotrexate will bring it down. I am just in a lot of pain. All the joints,.. but primarily the sacro/sacroilliac joint, hip area. The swelling is causing me a lot of pain too in my ankles. And the neuropathy is out of sight!!

If the bloodwork doesn't come down with the inflammation relief in 4 weeks, then he is sending me to a hematologist and will get another rheumatology opinion. I can tell he's frustrated. He says he has me on methotrexate and Humira which European studies have said for years is the best for my diseases. But then I'm getting no better, only worse. The prednisone is not good because of my bones but he says the inflammation isn't good either. Kind of a d*mned if you don't and a d*mned if you do situation.

Anyway, that's the plan.

EDIT: OOps! quick change. The testwork he thought he was looking at just came in this afternoon. Hemo. and Hemocrit is dangerously low. He's hospitalizing me and giving me blood. I'll know more in a day or two. And....I'VE GOT MY LAPTOP for when I can use it.

Billye

Oh my, Billye:

Nothing much I can say except send warm hugs and wishes that you feel better soon.

Thank goodness you can take your laptop with you.

Take care hon.

Melody