Falling blood cells and low hemoglobin levels

DanC1979 8 days ago

5 replies
61 subscribers
144 views

Hello,

My wife has been taking Olarapib and bevacizumab, now for 15 months, she is due finish her Bevacizumab in 3 cycles and then Olarapib at the end of year.

Her red bloods cells and hemoglobin levels continue to fall, She had a appointment today with her oncologist and they have informed us, if the levels continue to drop they will consider a few options

Blood Transfusion

Reduce strength of Olarapib

Pause treatment for a period of time

I'm just wondering if anyone else has had a slimlair experience that could share?

Wondering if her levels will start to return to normal once she has finished the Bevacizumab infusions or is it Olarapib causing the issues.

Any advice would be helpful TIA

latchbrook 6 days ago

Hi DanC1979

I’m Anne, one of the Community Champions here on the Online Community and, although I'm not a member of this group, I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Responding to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussion list again.

While you're waiting for replies, it would be great if you could put something about your wife's diagnosis and treatment into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

Wishing you and your wife all the best

"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"

Lormac 5 days ago

Hello, sorry to hear your wife's red cells are low. I was on olaparib for 2 two years and had same issue. My oncologist occasionally paused the meds for a few weeks to allow the cells to recover. However after year 1 I had to have a blood transfusion and it made a huge difference not only to the blood cell count but I wasn't as fatigued. This lasted for 7 or 8 months and then the red cells dropped again and I became anemic, but my oncologist put me on to folate tablets for 4 months and that worked well. The red cells recovered and once I had completed the olaparib the red cells returned to normal levels. Hope all goes well for your wife, sending best wishes for recovery.

DanC1979 2 days ago in reply to Lormac

Hi Lormac,

Thanks so much for getting back to me. My wife had her blood transfusion on Friday, and her breathlessness has definitely improved. She’s still a little tired, but she’s getting better. Her levels had dropped quite low, so she’s having another blood test this Thursday to hopefully show that things are moving in the right direction.

Thanks also for the information about the folate tablets. I’ll mention it to her and see what her oncologist thinks.

Hopefully people don't think its strange for me asking questions on here, its a little of comfort for me, to try and find out as much information as I can, to try and help my wife on this journey.

I hope you’re doing well too and that everything is under control.

Best wishes,

Gauri 2 days ago in reply to DanC1979

Hello

I had Olaparib 600 mg a day which caused anaemia needing 2-4 transfusions in first 6 months. My Oncoloist reduced the dose to 500mg a day which worked. My Olaparib finished in February 2025.

Best Wishes

Lormac 1 day ago in reply to DanC1979

Hi Dan, I'm so pleased to hear your wife's first transfusion has gone well and fingers crossed the 2nd one will make more of a difference.

Please dont think it's strange in any way for you to post questions or thoughts here, that's what the forum is for. It's a great source for information and even just to know that others are going through the same or similar really helps. I've learned a huge amount about my illness from using g the forum and I know I'm not on this journey by myself which is a true comfort.

Best wishes to your wife for Thursday and to you both as you go through this journey.

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