How often are Procrit Shots?

[BoceprevirGal]

I am wondering how often I will be getting the Procrit shots? I am assuming it goes by the labs. I had the shot 3 days ago, but my Doctor has only been ordering labs every two weeks, so far. I dont have a problem with that right now, because I am feeling pretty good today. I know many people have blood work done weekly....maybe it has to do with my insurance co, not sure.
    I also forgot to ask how much the dosage was, that she gave me. My 6 week HGB had me at 9.9, and I had the Procrit shot at 8 week, before any new blood work had come in~

[Dee1956]

Hi, not sure if my experience will help or not.  I started out with HGB at 14.8 before Incivek Peg Riba, I quickly dropped to 9.9 asked about Procrit and was told I was stable then each week it dropped until stopping at 9.7.
At week 19 it finally started to go back up.  I was never offered rescue drugs despite the fact that I had been told I would be given them if needed.
As you said, I was tired, breathless, could not balance myself and when I called the doctor they told me to lay down.  I am surprised you can do anything.  Hope your levels start to come up soon

[MelvynB]

I am in week 21 of triple with Vic. Started Procrit 3 weeks ago since my hgb dropped to 8.6. I get labs every week. After 3 weeks on the procrit I am a steady 10.6 taking 40000 units weekly. I also reduced my ribs from 1200 to 1000 with the goal getting back to 1200. There is a big difference in the fatigue factor between 8.6 and 10.6. The bummer is my insurance makes me pay 10% of the cost which is about $300 month. Well worth it though as I can now work 5 days a week. 7 weeks to go and then I am back in the world of the living.

[uncledudeness]

when my HGB hit 10.5 my NP put in the request for procrit but my ins co wouldn't approve it until it was under 10. i think that might be the same with all ins co's cuz that's what is on the procrit site. when i hit 10 i was on 1 shot per week (40k units). when my hgb hit around 8.5 i did another shot per week. when it hit 7.5 i did another shot. 3 a week was a problem cuz you aren't supposed to take interferon close to the procrit; i think 48 hours. i was on 3 shots per week for a couple of weeks then my HGB hit 7 and i got a call from the NP to go to the ER for a blood x-fusion. after 3 pints i felt great, up to 11.2. there are risks with procrit, namely heart attack and stroke. i had weekly CBC's too. they reduced my riba to 600 after the x-fusion and shortly after i was up to 800 where i remained for the last 2 months. i also did 1 shot of procrit a week and my hgb stayed around 8.5, which i was ok with....anemia is a major reason for stopping treatment. i just met with my hep doc this week and he really cautioned me relative to anemia when i start trip tx in a few months. in my case, cuz all this has to do with JUST me cuz we are all different, i think the procrit just kept me somewhat stable; it didn't increase my hgb. we're all different.

funny story; when i was dropped off at the entrance to the ER it took me longer to walk in to the desk than it took for the person who took me to park and  find the er. i laughed about that one ... good luck with the anemia.

[frijole]

I can tell you how often my doctor tells me to take procrit but it is specifically geared to me.  I also had to dose reduce the riba.  The procrit seems to take a long time to help with me - 4 weeks before my hemoglobin rose into the 10s.  My goal this treatment is to stay in the 10s.  I have weekly CBCs.  I have an rx for procrit every 5 days.  Since my hgb has come into the 10s I have upped my riba to the original amount - 1200mg per day.  I am going to continue taking the procrit every 5 days, but if my hgb gets into the 11s I will drop back to once a week.  There is no way I will discontinue it until I am done with tx.

[BoceprevirGal]

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@jules2551: I would be violating Terms of Service, to tell you the name of my Doctor, and it is considered "fishing" for imformation, to ask someone "what Doctor are you seeing in S.F."~  I hope this explains things better, no disrespect intended

[BoceprevirGal]

  Well, without revealing too much personal imfo I will say again, my Doctor specializes in treating Hepatitis C, and has a great reputation in the field : )
I feel good, and I'm UND, and that is all we can hope for~