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It was 10th March 2014 while I was at my Project site when all of a sudden started slow gum bleeding. I rushed to the nearby hospital, Jamshedpur city, TMH and CBC was done which showed a low platelet count of 20000. A bone marrow test was done the very next day which concluded as Severe Aplastic Anemia by the docs. I was referred to CMC Vellore for second opinion where again self-had to undergo for Bone marrow test (later on I realized why repeat bone marrow test was done?, Same answer should have been received by reviewing my first time bone marrow test slides)and the final remark was same. Due to my age being more than 40 years & non-severe case, CMC Vellore suggested for ATG treatment. But it was difficult to arrange donors for platelets at CMC Vellore so I decided to take this treatment at Medanta Gurgaon. The cost of ATG was almost same for both the hospitals (even though its miss-conception among public that CMV Vellore is a Govt hospital and will have less charges for all treatment including ATG injection or bone marrow transplant). Let me tell you that I had visited AIIMS New Delhi also with the slides of CMC Vellore for a third opinion which also concluded with same remark as CMC and suggested to go for ATG.

I consulted Medanta OPD thereafter on 6th May-2014 (Dr S Kr Gupta/Haematology Dept.) and based on the same report of CMC Vellore and AIIMS New Delhi, my doc advised me to get admitted. He did not asked for repeat bone marrow test.He explained me in detail about my disease, its current treatment all over world (not only in India), and side effects during administration of ATG and need for close follow-up even after discharge from hospital. I got admitted on 14th May-2014 at Medanta and released on 19th May-2014 (5days) after taking ATG injections.

I stayed in Gurgaon for 3 months at my in-laws residence at sector-45 hardly 10 minutes from Medanta for regular check-up vide CBC every week for first two months. The only medicine as prescribed by doc post ATG was Cyclosporine with calculated dosage. This medicine I took for almost one year and the dosage was gradually reduced and finally stopped in June-2015. Yes, there was side effects of ATG like fever with shivering , serum sickness but all were momentary and subsided by proper medicine. Only the serum sickness in which the skin gets red patches got subsided in a month’s time with brand new skin thereafter with glaze and fairness. Cyclosporine side effect in my case was Gingivitis which also got reduced once the dosage was minimized. Only, you need to keep yourself clean orally with two times brush (baby brush) and a good mouth wash.

As per the response of ATG injection is concerned, my Platelet count started rising in a month’s time after taking ATG and in three months , it reached to 80,000 and gradually almost 1.5 Lacs. I am taking plenty of citrus juices, milk products , non-veg (Liver & Fish) in low oil to boost up my immunity as advised by my dietician and doc. I walk every day for 45 minutes, do yoga and pranayama regularly. I am working in office almost 9 to 10 hours daily and keep myself stress free. In juices for the last 3 years, I am taking Kiwi mixed with Pomegranate everyday in the morning & Beet mixed with carrot and apple everyday in the evening.

I still go for regular routine checkup and CBC(and currently hemoglobin -11.8gm%, WBC/TLC- 5.39, Platelets -1.45Lac) after every 3-4 months and have telecommunication with Dr SK Gupta, though i have not shown him physically from past 2yrs.

And I am not taking any medicine since the last two years except my B.P. pills.

Compare to corporate hospitals, AIIMS and CMV Vellore are not cheaper. You can get better quality of treatment in Pvt hospital under care of expert and friendly doctor. After consulting in India’s top 2 Govt institute of India and getting same answer from Dr SK Gupta, I never had gone anywhere to consult for my treatment. He boosted my self-confidence which I feel is at most important in these life threatening blood disorders.So, let me conclude by saying that always have faith in yourself , be self-confident and God Fearing also , and the most important part is keep yourself stress free and smiling so as to live long and always remain healthy.

Thanking and Best Wishes to All.
Deepak