Daily infergen? anyone doing this....

[whoaisme]

My husband is a 1a (stage 4) pegysus combo therapy non responder,(dr stopped him at 16 weeks,didn't see the log drop they were looking for and his blood levels were dangerously low) has started a trial using daily infergen (consensus interferon) and riba. I was just wondering if anyone else was doing this and perhaps we can compare notes. This board is great and has been so helpful and informative over the year and half since he was initally diagnosed. Wishing you all a good night/great day and don't forget to drink your water!!!

[Bam929]

Any good suggestions on relief from the rash incivek causes?

[shebee]

Yep.... lots of it daily....
numbers look good for once

[MichaelT]

The pegylated interferon doesn't have quite the ups-and-downs of the unpegylated stuff. In the "good 'ol days" interferon was dosed three times a week and one's body could never adapt to the cycle of a bunch of interferon all at once and then none.

Tylenol, as much as I dislike the stuff, may help with some of the sides. It helped me.

By blood levels are you talking about red blood cell count? This will still have to be monitored closely since this is a consequence of taking the Ribavirin.

God bless!   -Michael

[Southernboy]

Hi again and thank you,

The sides you are describing are very familiar to me.  The daily Infergen is harder to take then the Pegasys, which I was on for about 9 months and did not clear.  I am also 1a and am stage 5/6.  This does not mean that your husband will have the same experience...and don't forget that I am also adding interferon gamma to the mix. Some good news, while the sides come and go, they do not seem to get much worse as tx goes on.  More like riding waves on the ocean......a lot of ups and downs.  I hope this helps and would be happy to answer any other questions.  Keep up the good fight, it can be done, but you must keep focused on the goal.

Best to you and hubby,
Steve

[whoaisme]

thanks so much for your responses, its amazing how closely connected we have become to this site. In answer to your question ,Michael,about blood counts it was actually the RBC, white and platelets all seemed to plummet together..they started him on Procrit but by then they felt he was in danger with the other counts. They will be doing blood work every week now to keep an eye on his levels, and will be willing to use "growth products" i.e. neupogen/procrit. prophyllactically (sp)...so we'll see how it goes. thanks again for your encouragement!

[whoaisme]

Hi! I hope you are having a good day, and thanks for getting back to me. I am concerned about my hubby's sides, they seemed to start right away and much more severe than with the pegysus. He has been in a constant sweat, with and without a fever since he started last week, we see the doc on Thursday, but I was curious. Also stomach discomfort, naseau and diarehea (sp?)and this is just the first week...I realize this is a different drug and therefore the sides and intensity will vary, Peg's sides actually took a few weeks to start..but I think he is already apprehensive about whats to come and his continuing. thanks for your support. Su

[Southernboy]

whoaisme,

Hi there,

I know that there a several people here who are on daily Infergen and would be happy to help.  I have been on it, and ribavirin, for almost a year now, but in combination with Interferon Gamma 3x per week.  I would be happy to help in any way I can.  We can chat here or you can email me at ***@****.  Let me know.

Best to you,
Steve