HGB going down,What about Procrit?

Well, I just got my first lab back since starting tx( 3weeks into tx). When I started my HGB was 14.8 today it is 11.1. My RBC was low and so was my Hematocrit( just a tad). I was feeling OK till end of last week when I started getting out of breathe doing real simple stuff( felt real weird). Is this the lowered HGB and whats the skinny on using Procrit. I have a survivor buddy that told me that is normal when the HGB levels go down. My PCP is monitoring my Thyroid and wanted to look at my iron levels as well, I'll get these results tomorrow and we'll all discuss our strategy then. I felt good when I found out he was aware of the fine balancing act that is needed when not overloading the liver while taking care of Iron deficiencies. At least he's not a total "maroon". Any input? thanx, Pauly

[DMPA]

good luck with the results and talking to your doc.  hope you feel better soon!

[avidreader]

Most docs (probably insurance driven) won't give procrit until your HGB drops to 10 or below. They ignore that the 'quickness' of the drop can be just as debilitating as the number and it sounds like you dropped very quickly. Procrit sometimes requires pre-approval and it takes a few weeks to work. You might want to talk to your PCP about starting the approval process now so they can intervene the minute you hit 10 and  your HGB won't drop too low while you wait.

[OnAPrettyPoison]

It is pretty normal for the hgb to drop, and in a way it is a good sign that the ribavirin is working in your body.  My insurance company let me go ahead and order/ship the procrit when I hit about 10.3.  I know it makes you feel real breathless and winded - but at least you know what it is!  I hope the process goes smooth for you, and you feel better soon.

[Mister beagle bailey]

All you describe sound like your HGB is dropping.  It's important to get the procrit approved as it take weeks to start working.  When I started tx, I had the procrit ready to go and started taking it the second week as my HGB dropped fast.  Everyone is different but for me it took about 5 weeks to start to work.  Also don't take iron supplements as it's not good for the liver with Hep C.
Paul please get started with the approval as it sounds like you will need it and talk to your dr about this as soon as possible.

Beagle

[Mister beagle bailey]

Hi deb,  How are you doing?  Feel like we haven't talked in a while.  Hope all is well.

Bob :-)

[NYgirl]

Start getting everything approved right now...because you may just need it.  They won't approve you until you are under 10 = I was at 9.0 when I finally got on it. First the one shot a week just KEPT me at 9 (living hell) and then twice a week shots raised me too high.

Now it's been going down but SLOWLY and that is important so it's OK.  The faster it goes down the WORSE it is. It's not just the number that matters really. Your body can get used to handling low oxygen (for example I've only been in the 10s now for like six months but feel pretty good).

I'm sorry this happened = but it's not really unexpected and it WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF.  Hang in there. You will be shocked how much better you will feel when they prescribe and it FINALLY kicks in (takes a few weeks to do so because it's NOT an instant energy shot what it does is have to go in to your bone marrow and grow new RBCs so it DOES take a while)

It is MAGIC stuff I tell you.

[Hepkitten]

Yeah, they told me no iron suppliments either. My husband had to wait till he was 8.2 till he was on the stuff, but his color came back almost immediately (he was a lovely shade of grey) and the oxygen seems to be getting to his brain more now after 3 weeks.

[NYgirl]

I know I feel exactly the same way.

Did you see I have my appt with Dr. j?  It's in August (first new appt avail for a new patient) but she has me on the cancellation list. I mean I am supposed to stop on August 18th at 48 right now so if I am going to 72 weeks I don't want to find out ONE WEEK before LOL~!  I am pretty sure I'm going to be doing it though.

I see you are an 8.  That's a pretty number = considering you are DONE DONE DONE after this. I can't believe it's come and gone that fast. Look how much longer I'll be going! Not fair!

But...I also didn't have a 7 hgb so it evens out in the end!  :)

I never fixed the computer this weekend = having MAJOR issues with one of my kids (who at 15 has decided he is 25 and is getting in trouble with older kids) and was so stressed out from it all (on top of tx) i was like oh FORGET IT I don't hav ea brain cell left!

I'm going to go check my home mail from here later on at lunch if I can.  I can't imagine how much junk mail might be there!

What's new with you. :)

[Mister beagle bailey]

Hi Deb,
Yes, I saw you have an appointment with Dr.J, I had answered you in a post but you must have missed it. LOL  So glad you are seeing him, but I don't think you'll need him as your going to be undetectable.  I know what you mean about your 15 year old, I remember those years well and can't even imagine going through it while on tx.
Have you heard from can do man?  I have posted and e- miled him and no answer.  Hope he is alright.

Bob

Hi Kalio,

Yes, Sunday is my last shot and will be going back to FL. on Monday.  It's been a wild ride and glad it's ending and able to get back to a normal life.  How are you doing?  Hope your sxs are not that bad your second time around.

Bob

[NYgirl]

BeagleB

I am really worried about CanDo.  I haven't seen him at all and even looked at my home email quickly from here and didn't see his name (but there were honestly 150 junk emails so I COULD have missed it).

I didn't see ANYTHING about him to make me think anything was going on.  Maybe he, like me, has some computer problem at home (besides laziness - although my son has been in so much trouble these past two weeks I guess I really can't call it LAZY I'll call it nervous exhaustion).  I took tomorrow off from work because my daughter is graduating so if you don't see me...I'm fine but busy.

It's really such a bother when something happens to someone on here and they don't post because there is no way for us to get them.

One time this woman DIED on a forum I was on.  Her daughter came on two weeks later and said to all of us how much we meant to her mom at the end (she was house ridden) so we found out = but only because that daughter was so kind.

I just ate ice cream (frozen yogurt) I have a massive headache and thought that might help :)

[Rogirl]

Good luck with your son!  My son is 24 (remember--he got married in May?)--and I went through one heck of a time with him during a couple of the teen years--wasn't certain if we would get through.  But somehow we did.  I can't imagine dealing with a teen AND going through tx so I will send some energy and positive thoughts your way...did you get them?!  Take care.

[FlGuy]

We have a 15 y/o son too.  Although we say often 'it's the meds', it may not be the reason why a 15 year-old acts up.  It's the age.  Remember when you were 15, wanting to be older and doing 'older' things. Summer is here and kids get a bigger idea of freedom this time of year. I'm sure being a single parent on this stuff is trying enough, but to ride herd on a rambunctious teen is another level all together. At this age kids are pushing the envelope in everything they do and they get pretty adept when they think they are out of parental view. Before saints can be called patient they must go through trials - I guess this is yours.

[NYgirl]

If he does a 1/4 of what I did...good Lord I honestly don't know how my parents made it.

Sadly when our big discussion was going on = where i had to be "mom" i was remembering in my head when I was his age and had done the exact same things really.  Of course, I couldn't really admit I was a complete hellion (even though he knows) as I was being "mom" but someday I'll tell him exactly what was going through my head.

Sometimes - it's hard for me to remember...I am the old mommy not the young kid.