[Missy D.]

My dad was diagnosed with AA in September 2014. He's been getting blood and platelet transfusions every week since June. Took them awhile to figure it out and to get a knowledgeable doc. His counts are WBC 1.4, hgb 8.1, platelets 3, ANC .70. He's been taking cyclosporine since he was dx. Started at 200mg/day then switched him to modified cyclosporine and increased to 600mg/day. His kidney levels went up a little so they dropped him to 500mg/day and they went back down. He still gets blood, platelet and now magnesium transfusions every week.

Brief history on my dad: age 66. Had a heart attack and massive stroke at 35. Quadruple bypass surgery at 48. Has a seizure disorder and is now on Keppra. Was on dilantin for years which the docs think is what caused the AA.

I have been trying to research as much as possible and this site has been amazing but I still have a few questions.

My dad is being treated with cyclosporine only and his doc wants to hold off for now on the atg. Is it because of his other health issues? Do people usually respond to only cyclosporine? All my research shows standard treatment is atg plus cyc.

Also for the past few days he's been extremely tired(only awake a few hours a day), and very confused. Are these side effects to the cyc?

Has anyone experienced good response while also taking Keppra? I worry about this since the dilantin is what they think caused all this in the first place.

I would really appreciate any help. I don't live in the same city as my parents and my mom doesn't question anything. I know she is very overwhelmed by everything and wish I could help. Thank you!