Is there a special diet I should be on that would help me feel better?

There is no specific diet that makes aplastic anemia, MDS, or PNH better or worse. Experts recommend you eat a well-balanced diet. Your doctor can help you find the best eating plan for you. You may also want to talk to a dietitian, nutritionist, or other member of your healthcare team. Some insurance plans cover nutrition counseling.

Make sure to check with your doctor before taking any medicines, supplements, vitamins, or herbs. They may interact with your medicines and prevent them from working or increase the risk of side effects.

If your white blood cell count is very low, your doctor may ask you to avoid certain foods that can make you sick. This is called a neutropenic diet. This diet is controversial because research has not proven its value. This is because most infections in patients come from the billions of bacteria that normally live in the mouth, intestines and skin. Nevertheless, you should use common sense and avoid foods that might cause unnecessary infection, and follow these guidelines:

• Avoid eating raw meats and fish
• Drink only beverages that have been pasteurized to kill germs. Milk you buy from the store is fine to drink
• Stay away from buffets
• Don’t eat leftovers