Anemia Update

[BoceprevirGal]

Hi Folks, so, my HGB went from 10.0 at 4 weeks, to 9.9. at 6 weeks, and I am feeling progressively more like I cant get a deep breath, a suffocating feeling, very claustrophobic!  My Doc prescribed the Procrit, my specialty pharmacy does carry it ( My Doc had said they didn't...??/), and they will get prior authorization for it, justlike they did, for the other meds, so all should go well, but all this may take until next Tuesday (I go to the Doc every Tuesday, it's a clinic, only open tues, and weds...grrr)
   Soooo...I'mm not real worried, cuz the HGB is dropping gradually, but does anybody have any suggestion, on how to get a DEEP breath, or any other techniques, that help with hemolytic anemia? I also heard that Procrit takes awhile to kick in, so I am trying to stay calm, not panic, etc...

[rockymoe]

You need to set your family down and tell them that you cannot funtion like you did before tx. I try to keep meals easy I do alot of crock pot meals since you can just throw them in and your done. Also they have those slow cooker bags that you can just throw away. Also I do my shot on Monday so my husband knows Tuesday is take out night. Search post for the letter to people who don't have hep c. Give your husband and kids a copy.

[Dee1956]

Hey there you are doing great.  Don't beat up on yourself.  You do not need to "buck up"  Some docs will give rescue drugs, some will reduce riba to help with the anemia.  My doc did neither.  All they said was that I would be better after I finished the Incivek.  When I saw posts on here to the contrary and asked again I was told I was stable and if I felt breathless or weak "lay down" I was not happy going from 14.8 to 9.7 however there was no choice
You are very kind to everyone on here, be kind to yourself.
I wish you the very best.
Dee

[Idyllic]

Hey Bo, Thank you so much for responding to my question. I didn't mean to hijack your thread or anything. Yeah, I am reluctant to reduce my dose of Riba.  I recall my doctor mentioning that would be the first line of action while on the Incivek but not after.

I found the article I was looking for. It said this:
Finally, this pooled analysis showed that ribavirin dose reduction had no apparent effect on SVR in the telaprevir-containing arms (12 weeks) but seemed to have a deleterious effect on SVR in the arms without the protease inhibitor.

It was in this article:
http://www.clinicaloptions.com/Hepatitis/Journal%20Options/Collections/2011%20JO%20Hepatitis%20Volume%205/Articles/Bacon_NEJM_2011/Commentary.aspx.

Anyway,   I think I am going to hang in there til Monday. 1,000 is the right dose for my height and weight. Maybe I just need to buck up.

[jules2551]

Yes Bocep they go by weight.  Hope you are feeling better soon!

Have a great day!
Jules

[BoceprevirGal]

My Doctor hasn't talked about any Riba reduction...I take 1,200 mgs a day. My HGB was 9.4 at week 8.
   I dont think the hemolytic anemia is life threatening, until it is under 8, but when it drops, it definiteley affects "quality of life". This means that I lay in bed half the day, and when I finally got up, moved slow, felt nauseous, etc.
   I have heard they also go by weight, they are more cautious with a small person, someone who is short, and petite, is more likely to need a reduction, from what I've read.
   I am a big, ol Gal....taller than 5'8''...but still, hating this anemia, it's such a downer : (
   Wait to talk with your Doctor, if you can...I just kind of took to bed, letting stuff pile up on me~

[hrsepwrguy]

I was typing a little fast it was still at 11.1 at wk 16 and rebounded to 11.7 at wk 20 and then to 11.9 at wk 24 and has held there