Meds arriving 2 days late this month, anything to worry about?

[birdnParadise]

My pharm co. in PA has swithched me to the manufacturer in St. Louis for my shipments.  Im down to 40/48 and the change over is delaying arrival. Anyone had any problems wtih a two day delay? I'm thinking I'll switch from injecting on Sunday to Tuesday and stay with Tues. for the next 8wks. What about two days without
Riba? I'm on Peg/copeg. What should I expect here? I'm in "rainy" California, my doc doesnt stock samples, any ideas?

Thanks for any input.  
Kathi

[Drugs Sucks]

I know when i get down to where i have to order my meds i make sure that i call the pharmacy and stress to them i need those shots by monday and that when i do my shots and i haven't missed a monday yet.. I am not for sure if it matters if you had to change the shot day or not but my doc said to stay on the same time each time each week and same with the pills and that what i have done..
Monday night at 9 is shot time and take pills at 8:30 pm and am each day..

Have A great holiday Tooooo Alllll

kenny

[mistybean]

I am taking it one week at a time.  My doc told me aI could quit at shot 20.  I am now on shot 21 and will make it to 22.  I am trying to go the entire way.  thanks for asking.

[debdeb47]

I've seen various studies, etc., in which an "at least 80% of meds" bottom line was mentioned, with an emphasis on a strong first 2-4 weeks.

[fresnoborn]

how are you doing? i know what you mean about worrying if unfit meds will delay svr. i too am on unfit meds, quite a bit of them and i wonder if that is what has delayed me reaching svr at week 13. good luck to you and keep us posted. lol

[Dweav]

I was taken off for two week due to being put in the hospital Started back up after the two weeks. That first shot was ruff more side like I had had the first few week at the start. I just today got my shot that was due on Wed. they told me of I was off it more the three days I needed to cut the dose in half. and on the next one go back to full dose. They say it a day or two isn't that big of a problem but not do it on your own to call them and let them pick the size of the dose for you. in the later part of treatment is can be vary hard on you system. Beleave me that two week I didn't ask and it was the worse side I have had.

Don

[MerrieJane]

My interferon was a day late as my pharmacist not only was keeping it on an unrefrigerated shelf, but dropped it. She said she wold order me a new kit.  I have also seen it "roughly" handled.  I wonder how many of us get interferon that has been ,inhandled along the way, and what the impact is.

As I wait for my 12 week results, I hope unfit meds don't make me a "non-responder".  Hopefully, injecting 26 hours late won't be a problem either.  Lesson:  Don't leave picking up your meds for the last day.

When the pharmacist realized what she had done...I saw the panic in her face. Truly, I felt for her.  I believe the "refrigerate immediately" and "do not shake" warnings should be even more visible on the box.  With my 1st set of 4 injections, I didn't refirigerate it for a few hours...until I noticed the warning on the box.  Guess I should have read the enclosures! :)

I will let you all know my results when they are in.

MerrieJane

[strator]

A special prayer your way today. Keep us posted.
Don

[cuteus]

who knows, really? some of us might be overdosed and some under, since almost 50% relapse after 48 wks, if they can really determined who is who, maybe we can all get SVR.
So, you are doing the full 24? I know you were undecided for a while.
good luck

[mistybean]

I don't know this for a fact.  I would strongly suspect that we are dosed a bit longer than needed.  All the studies I read that gave SRV number were based on 80 percent of the meds at 80 percent of the time.  I think they build in a error factor into the treatment as it is not uncommom for someone to forget a pill/shot, etc.   I think you will be fine.  I would not be happy with the pharmacy and woudl turn them into to someone.

[NYgirl]

Ah such an excellent point DONT Wait until the last day!

I went on Tuesday to pick up my next batch...and the pharmacy that told me there WERE indeed there did NOT have them.  Had I relied on the phone call alone and then picked them up today...I would have been OUT OF LUCK as they DO OVERNIGHT THEM BUT NOT ON THE WEEKENDS.

I find it better when I'm done with week 3 of my 4 week supply to reorder and check THEN so I have a full week to do whatever needs to be done.

PS WHY WONT THEY OVERNIGHT THEM TO YOU?

[jmjm530]

Pegasys hotline: 1-877-PEGASYS

http://www.pegasys.com/resources/pegassist.asp

[jmjm530]

You're probably OK but if you want to go the extra mile...

(1) Speak to a supervisor (or the supervisor's supervisor) at your mail order pharmacy and explain how critical the situation is for an earlier delivery and don't be afraid to be a PITA; (2)Call the Pegassist hotline, again ask to speak to a supervisor, and see if they can expedite delivery; (3) If all else fails pay for it -- have your doc write you a script for two days worth of riba and one dose of Pegassys, then start calling local or hospital pharmacies to see who has or can get it right away; (4) Get in touch with Goofy but make sure he doesn't send you his hemmorhoid pills instead. Good luck!

-- Jim

[GoofyDad]

I'd be happy to lend you some copegus to tide you over. I'm in CA too.

[johnisme]

Sounds like you don't have much of a choice, From all ive read here the riba stays with you awhile and some here has been a day late on their shots do to illness with no problems. Also it seems that being late or missing doses early in tx. is more of a concern then it is in the home stretch. So try not to sweat it to much. Best of luck to you.

Stay well........John