HGB levels still falling EOT

[nsgirlie]

Perhaps someone has had the same experience? Finished Interferon on Feb 14 after 24 weeks. Finished riba on Feb 21. UND at 4 and 16 weeks and get another PCR at end of March. Geno 3. On the 21st had a transfusion as hgb was 7.8 and took my last riba pill the same day. The following Tuesday had blood work and hgb was at 10.4.
One week later my hgb is 10.0. So it is still falling 3 weeks after interferon finished and 2 weeks after riba. My hep c nurse said that it should start rising. I feel okay and hair has stopped falling out this week and have energy but have noticed my breathing is starting to get weak. Nothing like it is when it is 8.5 or lower but this worries me. Am I expecting too much too soon? When should my hgb levels start to rise after treatment? We aren't offered rescue drugs here so its all about healthy eating and transfusions as a remedy. I just want my life back to where it was when I started this journey. Its been a tough go for me.

[nsgirlie]

thanks all....I just need to practice patience and wait it out. I was just a bit anxious with the hgb numbers being a bit lower. Your comments are appreciated. On to SVR!

[Kristina538]

The Riba is accummulative so the last 3 weeks of tablets will still be 'peaking' on top of each other after tx......   I can't last for too long (a lady I knew took extra riba in the last two weeks of treatment and was fluctuating into anemia over the fortnight/three weeks after tx.   It soon improved.

[HectorSF]

Your hemoglobin is not going down. The difference between 10.4 and 10.0 is negligible. One blood test over a week period does not make a trend. You have stopped the meds that caused your anemia. Your anemia didn't happen in in a day or two and it won't disappear in a few days either. It takes time for the meds to clear from the blood system.

Best to focus on being done with treatment the result will take care of itself.

Good luck with SVR.
Hector

[asle]

I finished treatment about the same time as you. I'm now 6 weeks EOT, and my body is very slowly improving as the poisons leave my system.
Just be patient.
Personally, I loved transfusions. I knew I would feel good for a week or so, and my body would get a rest. We don't use Procrit here in Australia either as a rescue med during treatment. We played with my Riba and bags of blood.
No point in being anxious. Your body will return to better/good/great health when it is ready and cleared of meds. It CAN take up to 6 months or longer.
You can assist by detoxing, eating liver friendly foods, and eating small and frequent meals to gently assist your body's return to health.
I get worried coz I have days when I feel I can take on the world again, and then days like today when I just feel tired.
My HGB went to 100 or so just after treatment, but is back around 90. During treatment it hovered around 75/90.
No sense in pushing it.

[nsgirlie]

I only get transfusions when below 8, but I am dreading another one if my level keeps dropping. I was averaging one every 5 weeks throughout tx but the last one was at 4 weeks. I get a cbc every week so Monday or Tuesday I will see how the hgb levels are. I am just anxious to get back to my old self. Also my PCR test results in a few weeks is something I am looking forward to. I feel like a pin cushion with all the blood taking and giving. Yuck.

[flcyclist]

If I understand correctly your Hgb at one week after your transfusion and last Riba was 10.4 and went to 10.0 at two weeks.  When is your next CBC to check the Hgb?  Don't assume it will continue to go down.  I'd suspect at week 3-4 the meds should be down to lower levels and you'll begin to see your Hgb start to climb.  Hopefully you can keep an eye on this with a weekly CBC, but I guess another transfusion won't be necessary.  Good luck with SVR.

[can-do-man]

Another Transfusion at 10.0. I'm not understanding why this is even being considered.

[nsgirlie]

Thanks...I guess I am expecting a quick turnaround. Wishful thinking. Your experiences make me feel better, I just need to wait it out. I am dreading another transfusion. Next one will be # 6. Next milestone will be PCR in a few weeks! I feel so much better at EOT so I am hopeful that I will beat this virus. All the best to you and thanks for your good wishes.

[nzkiwilife]

imo that is too early to expect things to go back to normal. Most of my bloods are back to normal now - Post EOT 8 months. the readings incremented slowly over time. My wbc and neutrophils are still not back though. IT just takes time for the body to recover.
All the best.

[can-do-man]

I would think as the meds keep leaving your system it will start to rise, I was on Procrit during treatment and was told to continue using it for a couple weeks post treatment. After about a month it was pretty much back to normal. Hang in there, trust me before long you will begin to wonder if all this was just a bad dream... Best to you