Discussion Forums > Thalassemia Major

Choices

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SamanthaDawn:
After 9 months of testing my daughter has been just diagnosed with beta thalassemia. She has been receiving monthly transfusions for these past months. She is 16 months old. We are now, being told our choices are a drug called,hydroxyurea that is a oral, chemo. Or a bone marrow transfusion. Any thoughts?

Andy Battaglia:
Hi SamanthaDawn,

The third option would be to continue with transfusion and chelation. If you try hydroxyurea, transfusions will probably still be needed, although not as frequently, if the drug works. It does not work for all patients. There is a new drug in trials that hopefully will have a better effect at raising Hb levels than hydroxyurea.

Bone marrow transplant is a cure, but it does not work 100% of the time and there are possible dangers and side effects. The success rate continues to rise with BMTs as centers do more of them. There are some hospitals in the US with very high success rates. Where are you located?
To learn more about BMT, you can see the FAQ page of our partners at http://www.curethalassemia.org/faq/
This will answer most questions you may have about a BMT.

Pratik:
Hi Andy,

I didn't know much about Hydroxyurea. Could it really increase Hb levels?

Can I try to take it and see what it does?

-P.

SamanthaDawn:
She would get her transplant from cincinatti childrens hospital. But I was told there was no cure persay

Andy Battaglia:
BMT is a cure. After a successful BMT, thals no longer need transfusions. Cincinnati is highly rated for BMT.

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