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low hemoglobin count
by brob5, Feb 28, 2005 12:00AM
I am in my fourth month of Tx w/Alpha 2 Peg intron/Rebetron. My HCR (viral load) levels are below 10ppm (virtually undetectable). By the way, my genotype is 1-a. My hemoglobin levels have fallen to 9.7. The Pharmacare (dispenser of interferon here in Hawaii) called the other day and said they weren't going to send me any more medicine. I complained, and they sent it. The nurse from Dr. Timothy Jahrus, (Margo, Last name unknown), called me to set up another blood test. She said that if my hemoglobin count fell to 8.5 they would cancel my meds. I asked if anything else could be done to boost my Hb levels and she said: "No, there is nothing you can do, we will wait till the levels fall to 8.5 and then cancel your medicine." I have researched the internet and there are several things a doctor can do to boost my Hb levels. Procrit, reduce ribavirin dose, transfusions if necessary, vitamin and or dietary canges, along with herbal supplements. My Question is : Why would a competent Liver specialist(Gastroenterologist,to be exact) be so quick to take a patient off of the therapy which is working to save his patient's life? What should I do? I am firing this doctor. I am seeking help with (hopefully) a more competent physician. Thank You, Brian. P.S.But what really worries me is that the pharmacy is making diagnoses on their own and threatening to discontinue my meds, without physician approval. How did they get my blood work? What should I do if they cancel my meds prematurely? It is dangerous to discontinue Tx. The virus comes back. Please help, me and the DR
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I needed Procrit after the third month and my HGB was then at 10. Get out of that office ASAP!
I stayed on the meds for 72 wks, because my riba was lowered to 800mg for three months(the PA forgot to up it), and I did not clear the virus until sometime between week 12 and wk 26.
I insisted in extending Tx. That was my 3rd doctor.