Myelodysplastic anaemia/syndrome

[Guest guest]

I've seen this 73 yr old man with recent diagnosis with this. He also has

vitiligo (came up about the same time) and cardiac problems (hypertension and

has had an angioplasty). As far as I can work out the bone marrow is hyperactive

but the cells are mostly defective -his bloods showed a haemoglobin count of 5

normal range 13-17, this was increased to 8 after a blood transfusion.Many texts

treat this condition as a pre-leukaemic state and many people with this go on to

develop leukaemia. He is very reluctant to have blood transfusions and has so

far managed to control his hypertension and high cholesterol through diet so

wants to do the same for this.

I was thinking of starting with 'safe' herbs such as Alfalfa, Nettles, Milk

Thistle and Hawthorn.

I am unsure whether to use Astragalus and Echinacea or not- any ideas?

I have also seen a study looking at curcumin (4-12g per day)and gingerol

extracts (1400-2800mg per day) specifically related to MDS- any thoughts?

What about mushrooms Reishi, Shitake etc?

Does anyone know of anyother bone marrow normalisers?

If someone could give me any guidance it would be much appreciated, I am feeling

a bit out of my depth with this one.

Many thanks in advance

Lettitia

Lettitia Derrington BSc (Herb.Med) MNIMH

Medical Herbalist

3 Wychwood Lane

Headington

Oxford

OX3 8HG

Tel: 01865 768156

Mobile: 07932 686037

info@...

www.oxford-herbal-medicine.com

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 08/11/2005 22:30:15 GMT Standard Time,

l.derrington@... writes:

I am unsure whether to use Astragalus and Echinacea or not- any ideas?

I have also seen a study looking at curcumin (4-12g per day)and gingerol

extracts (1400-2800mg per day) specifically related to MDS- any thoughts?

Lettitia

I would be careful about giving anything that will stimulate the bone marrow

at this stage as it may merely speed up the production of abnormal cells. Do

you know what the differential cell count is in the bone marrow and how is

his clotting and platelet count?

Probably one for

Regards

Phyto Research Ltd

Innovation Centre

Epinal Way

Loughborough

le11 3eh

[Guest guest]

My father had myelodysplastic syndrome that later developed into leukaemia. He

was treated by Headley so it may be worth contacting him. I was

training at the time and thought of astragalus myself but did not use it -

I'm not sure why. The mix he did give him contained among other things Arctium

and Calendula I think. His life expectancy at diagnosis was 3-6 months and in

fact he lived for another 2 years and for the time that he was taking the herbal

mix (about 6 months) he had no serious infections- which of course is the danger

when you have neutropaenia.

Mandy

peterawhitton@... wrote:

In a message dated 08/11/2005 22:30:15 GMT Standard Time,

l.derrington@... writes:

I am unsure whether to use Astragalus and Echinacea or not- any ideas?

I have also seen a study looking at curcumin (4-12g per day)and gingerol

extracts (1400-2800mg per day) specifically related to MDS- any thoughts?

Lettitia

I would be careful about giving anything that will stimulate the bone marrow

at this stage as it may merely speed up the production of abnormal cells. Do

you know what the differential cell count is in the bone marrow and how is

his clotting and platelet count?

Probably one for

Regards

Phyto Research Ltd

Innovation Centre

Epinal Way

Loughborough

le11 3eh

[Guest guest]

Letitia - Actually Stimulating hematopoiesis is exactly what is required. Both

EPO and

GMCSF are used as standard practice to treat MDS and to try and delay

transfusion. The

disease is clonal and everything to maintain normal counts is mandatory. The

problem is

that the refractory anemia form of MDS is really hard to treat and declining

transfusions on

ideological grounds is not very smart... they will extend life considerably and

without them

a patient will die sooner rather than later which of course may be ok...for a

given

individual. Transfusions are not however curative, and their efficacy decreases

over time.

Usually however quality of life can be very good.

Regarding herbs, if the disease is trilineage - astragalus is good, also

millettia stem and

dang gui.

Additional strategies include botanicals that are anti-angiogenic because MDS

bone

marrow exhibits increased vascularity and high levels of VEGF and bFGF (

proangiogenic

factors). Think curcumin etc

jonathan

>

>

>

> In a message dated 08/11/2005 22:30:15 GMT Standard Time,

> l.derrington@n... writes:

>

> I am unsure whether to use Astragalus and Echinacea or not- any ideas?

> I have also seen a study looking at curcumin (4-12g per day)and gingerol

> extracts (1400-2800mg per day) specifically related to MDS- any thoughts?

>

>

>

> Lettitia

> I would be careful about giving anything that will stimulate the bone marrow

> at this stage as it may merely speed up the production of abnormal cells. Do

> you know what the differential cell count is in the bone marrow and how is

> his clotting and platelet count?

> Probably one for

> Regards

>

>

> Phyto Research Ltd

> Innovation Centre

> Epinal Way

> Loughborough

> le11 3eh

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I have been treating a patient with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia for about a

year and a half now (diagnosed in May of 2004), as a supportive role

alongside the conventional drug, Gleevec. His tea mix contains Astragalus,

and has been part of the herbs which have truly supported his general

resistance to infection. With the conventional drug, his blood count has

been stabilized for about a year now... and I feel that the Astragalus acts

as an immune modulator, rather than a 'stimulant'. This patient is

bombarded with germs during a commute to New York City on public

transportation, and endures a highly demanding work schedule, yet, has

rarely suffered even a mild head cold but for a day or two. I see no

problem in using it for this particular patient... he notices when he

doesn't take it for a day, that he just doesn't feel as good as when he

takes it. Very compliant. The tea mix also contains nourishing herbs,

lymphatic support, and adaptogens.

Tami

NJ USA