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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Taking Chemotherapy And Blood Transfusions For Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. Have Arthritis. Pain In Head, Neck And Shoulders, Fatigue. Suggestions?

I have Acute Myelogenous Luekemia. I get chemo the first full week in every month Monday through Friday, then every remaining week Mondays and Thursdays. I also get blood transfusions and white blood platelets injections in my Metaport as needed. I am so fatigued I can hardly function at all. I ve most memory and get confused so much now. I am a concert pianist and had to cancel all concerts in 2011. I am back now performing and have not had to cancel any concerts this year. I am not actively promoting them, as I don t know what to expect next. I will be 78 in September. How much longer can I survive this? Should I try clinical trials? My oncologist is Dr. Patel at UT Southwestern Hospital. Sometimes the pain in my head, neck, shoulders, back and legs is so bad I just sit and cry and cannot stop. I also have arthritis so I suppose that is the cause for the extreme pain. Any suggestions????? Any ideas????? I will appreciate hearing from you. Jewel Myers
posted on Tue, 3 Jul 2012
Twitter Thu, 27 Sep 2012 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 27 Sep 2012 Last reviewed on
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Hello Jewel,

You didn't mention in your query what kind of chemotherapy you are taking and since when you are taking it. One option at your age, for the treatment of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, is Azacitidine (Vidaza). This is a treatment which is done for 5 days, every month, by subcutaneous injection. Is this what you are taking? This is a treatment that can be quite effective, but that takes some months to get results. Usually it can take up to 4-6 months for the first results. The fatigue and pain you are experiencing, are probably related to the leukemia. Besides transfusions, chemotherapy and pain killers, there is nothing else that can be done. Hope to have answered your query.

Best regards,

Rute Alvarez
Hematologist
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Taking Chemotherapy And Blood Transfusions For Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. Have Arthritis. Pain In Head, Neck And Shoulders, Fatigue. Suggestions?

Hello Jewel, You didn t mention in your query what kind of chemotherapy you are taking and since when you are taking it. One option at your age, for the treatment of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, is Azacitidine (Vidaza). This is a treatment which is done for 5 days, every month, by subcutaneous injection. Is this what you are taking? This is a treatment that can be quite effective, but that takes some months to get results. Usually it can take up to 4-6 months for the first results. The fatigue and pain you are experiencing, are probably related to the leukemia. Besides transfusions, chemotherapy and pain killers, there is nothing else that can be done. Hope to have answered your query. Best regards, Rute Alvarez Hematologist