Is Aranesp dangerous for blood clots? (Can Lovenox offset?)

amicus · New User Joined: 10 Mar 2009 Posts: 4

My father has pancreatic adenocarcinoma with multiple metastases in the liver. He was diagnosed 17 months ago. Around the time of his diagnosis, he had deep vein thrombosis and was put on Lovenox (70mg, twice daily). Presently, he is on his third line of chemotherapy and his illness is stable/slowly progressing.

His platelet level gradually decreased caused by chemotherapeutic drugs and in the past couple of months, it reached the lowest normal level. At the same time he experienced nose-bleeding and unusual bleeding from his finger when measuring his blood glucose level. Internal bleeding can be a serious side effect of chemotherapy and, to prevent it, he stopped taking Lovenox.

This week, based on his latest blood test result, his oncologist decided to inject him with Aranesp. This is something new for us, added to the numerous other drugs that he has to take. Reading the information about Aranesp we learned that the patient

- may get serious heart problems such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure and

- may get blood clots at any time while taking Aranesp.

We would like to know if we should administer the Lovenox again to lessen the chance of blood clots.

Any input would be much obliged. [/b]

starseed · Experienced user Joined: 06 Sep 2006 Posts: 51

You want the Aranesp... We got ours yesterday.

It should decrease and break-up clots. I'm not aware of any real side affects from it either.

There is a risk of a clot causing Stroke, Heart Attack, or Lung Embolism. That risk is from the clotting from the cancer. Aranesp should help break up those clots. Those clots that get free should also break down in movement as to not cause too much damage.

If chemo is current, you want the Aranesp because it is the cancer AND the chemo raising the clotting risks. I was told it is dangerous and can cause severe complications to take chemo without the Aranesp once clotting is forming.

Pancreatic Cancer is famous for clotting, the first man to diagnose PC did so based on the clotting in his own body, I think in the 1800s. The clotting forms when the cancer is metastasizing.

Aranesp is the next step anti-coagulant

starseed · Experienced user Joined: 06 Sep 2006 Posts: 51

I believe Lovenox is oral and Aranesp is a daily injection.

Aranesp is a step up from Lovenox.

My mom only needs Aranesp if she is choosing chemo treatments

Without chemo, the Doctors will put her on oral Lovenox.

My mom will be in anti-coagulants from now on.

At this point, NO anti-coagulant is a big risk.

amicus · New User Joined: 10 Mar 2009 Posts: 4

Hi Starseed,

Thanks for your input.

Aransep is actually a red blood cell booster and not an anti-coagulant. It is used to treat patients with anemia (i.e. with a low red blood cell count). Lovenox, on the other hand, is the anti-coagulant. They have roughly the opposite affect.

I think the reason that your mother is receiving Aransep is that her bloodwork before chemo probably showed that she was anemic. However, Aransep can have serious side effects such as numbness, swelling and difficulty breathing. While it is still much better than going through a blood transfusion, you should be aware that it is a serious medication.

This is the reason I was trying to find out whether or not my father should take Lovenox because the risk of clotting is apparently increased by Aransep.

TruthSeeker · Regular Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 12 Location: Canada

Hi Amicus,

Sorry to hear about your Dad's condition but I am glad to hear that he is stable and improving and getting along well with the treatment he is on. My mother was diagnosed with PC with mets to the liver as well and at stage IV. She lost her battle very recently. Her hemaglobin levels were quite low but on account of the progression of the cancer rather than chemo. She was offered and agreed to blood transfusions. I was just wondering what your decision process was regarding not opting for blood transfusions. My understanding is that some people can have bad reactions.

With regards to your query re. the Aranesp, I am not familiar with this product, but do know something about Erythropoietin which is used for the same purpose of building red blood cell count. It is a substance that is naturally occurring in the body but at small amounts. This product works to simulate bone marrow to create red blood cells. If you are concerned with side effects from the Aranesp, the Erythropoietin doesn't apear to have as many of the effects as you've noted, except for potential high blood pressure which can be managed. I was contemplating taking this last year between donations when I was banking my own blood for an operation, but then couldn't get it in time.

This product can take a couple of weeks to work and while it wouldn't have been a good option for my mother, it might be something you may wish to ask your Dad's doctor about.
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starseed · Experienced user Joined: 06 Sep 2006 Posts: 51

I'll stop giving advice cause I'm obviously really stressing with my family.

Thanks for the correction of the information.

amicus · New User Joined: 10 Mar 2009 Posts: 4

Thanks for your advice TruthSeeker. I will look into it.

My condolences, I am very sorry for your loss.

God Bless!

TruthSeeker · Regular Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 12 Location: Canada

Thankyou amicus. All the best to your Dad.
_________________
MEC - 1926-2009 - Your rest is well-deserved ...

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