Missing Medication

[Tselere]

Hello Everyone,
well since last wednesday my dad wasn't feel good finally yesterday we eneded up at Emergency Room. after they did lab test the told us he is anemic. His Red blood count was 26.7, so my dad didn't take the riba yesterday night and today this moring. Is it ok to miss one day? oh also the doctor said they see some little damage in his pancreas. what is your suggestion. until we see his doctor tomorrow should I just give him the medication today or wait until tomorrow.

Thank you very much.
Liza

[dodger1]

How long has your dad been on treatment?  I know it is not suppose to be good to reduce your meds at the beginning of treatment.  They will most likely put your dad on procrit to bring his red blood cells back to normal.  Hang in there it will get better once the procrit kicks in.  Sheila

[can-do-man]

Sorry your dad is still feeling bad, Can't tell you whether he should take the riba or not.

But one thing i think you should do is talk to his doctor, your dad is 65 and is a geno4 which is the hardest to cure. Find out how much liver damage he has. And any other health problems he has. Make sure him  being on tx is worth the risk vs reward. Your a great daughter good luck to both of you.

[Tselere]

He Got his 5th shot on friday. and the riba is been one month.

[Tselere]

Yes he has geno type 4 stage 1 with 380,000 vl. Is there any food you sugest to give him for the anemia until I talk to his doctor tomorrow. today he is very tired and doesn't want to eat anything.

Thanks,

[can-do-man]

Just try to get him to eat anything. If he hasn't been eating you might try to get him to at least try to drink ensure. Right now its more important he keeps drinking water or gatorade, maybe some chicken soup. Is he being seen by a hepatologist? Just find out tomorrow what stage of damage he has and if tx. is the best thing for him. Again good luck to ya

[can-do-man]

Just seen he's at stage 1, thats not much damage but im not no doctor and wouldn't tell you what he should do or shouldn't do. But have a good talk with is doctor,

[friole]

I am sorry your dad is taking this tx so hard.  There is a collelation between hepatitis C and diabetes; also some people develop diabetes from the interferon.  That may be what is happening to the pancreas - here is a link to a little info. I really don't know anything about this tho.

http://www.ikp.unibe.ch/lab2/HCVDM.htm

I am confused on the red blood count 26.7 - where are you?  In the US the range for the RBC is about 4 - 5.5 M/uL. Can you find out what the hemoglobin (HGB) count is (the range on that is about 12-15 (more for men).  I would ask the doctor about Procrit instead of reducing Riba.  He really should not miss many during these first few weeks of treatment, but there is nothing you can do about it but I would let him take today's dose.

[NYgirl]

I would really advise discussing rescue drugs with your doctor instead.  Just dropping a few doses of the Riba here and there most likely won't make him feel any better at all = we build up a serum level in our blood you know...it most likely would take a while of being off the medication to do anything at all and then you know you will have compromised treatment completely.

Please make sure that you talk to the doctor about drugs that can help fix the red blood problem.  Many of us in here have been extremely anemic (I admit I don't understand your numbering in here) and have been prescribed either Procrit or Epogen.  They take a few weeks to work but with me it was a MIRACLE drug and enabled me to not drop meds and to stay on treatment.

Missing doses of medication is not such a great idea. While it is ok to miss one if you FORGET = missing a bunch may have terrible ramifications.

[honey11]

I agree with NYgirl,,,,missing a dose is not going to make you miss out on the anemia.  It really takes awhile to get the meds out of your system or at least more then a day or two. I would also like to know hemoglobin because not sure about what you posted?  Of course,,,,always check with your dr and closely monitor your dad such as high fever etc.  The meds do make you weak and anemic and they usually prescribe procrit for anemia but the pancreas,,,,I have no idea on that so sounds like his dr could be better judgment there.  I hope your dad gets to feeling better and please keep us posted!

[can-do-man]

Being 65 years old, prior health problems, and procrit takes at least 10 days or longer. being anemic at that age cannot be good on the heart. Could be wrong though.

[cajunlady]

I have the two people here that can re-assure me on the blood counts.  I have just gotten another read, so far I have had a drop about every two weeks.  My original CBC's were just before Christmas , second set on 1-20-06 , third 1-31-06, 2-20-06.
WBC ...6.6 ...3.2 ...3.6 ...2.8
RBC ...4.4 ...3.7 ...3.5 ...3.2
HGB ..14.4 ..11.9 ..11.3 ...10.6
HCT ..41.8 ..34.8 ..33.0 ..31.6
PLT ...184 ...126 ...130 ...114
NEUTROPHILS on 2-20-06       49
AST on 2-20-06               22
ALT on 2-20-06               7

I was told I could take another drop; maybe two more drops before putting health in danger.  They seem to drop every 2-2 1/2 weeks.  I do have an appointment with a Hemotoligist on March 7th. for him to chart me and then I will be going to primary doctors office to get my shots. I just would like your opinion on what they have told me; how low can a person go with blood drops. I just have this issue with not enough monitoring on my treatment and sometimes am not so secure with their answers.

My eyes have been a major problems with my reading vision.  Most days I can not read, just too blurry; and on the days that are a little clearer, it is very limited. Since, I saw you two post the same thread, thought I would try and get an answer before eyes blurr up again.


Much appreciated.  

cajun  

[Algernon]

I'm no doctor but the drug company info on ribavirin talks about reducing the dosage if the hemoglobin falls to certain levels.  I think you should call the drug company and listen to your doctor.  

I have anemia and the Procrit has really helped me but my doc had me skip 1 dose of Riba after I made a visit to the ER.

[can-do-man]

Getting ready to start week 10 aren't ya? Your sides still been good to ya?

[fishdoc]

Hi everyone.  I am exhausted, but I didn't miss my doses.  I have spent the week in the Lubbock tx hospital with my mom- thought it was a routine trip, turned out I had to drive 190 miles home friday give my self my shot, turn around and go back.  Drove home to day to pay bills, etc. and then back here in a minute.  I did go home and get my shot, but I am missing my bloodwork (should have done friday and an appt. on monday).  I seriously hope I am exhausted because I SHOULD be exhausted, not because anything is seriously out of whack...

[can-do-man]

Hope your mom is ok. And heck i'm exhausted just thinking about that much going. Good luck to both of ya.

[TheFalcon]

Hi Tselere,
  I am an on-call RN & what you could do is call the Dr's answering service today & have the Dr. paged or the Dr. covering for him (if he's in a big practice) & give him the details as to what happened yesterday (he may not know yet since you went to the ER) he will direct you as to what to do.

[NYgirl]

I seem to remember hearing that you go to the ER with your dad often.  Is this where he is seen on some regular basis?  Do you go to them before his primary hep doctor?  I think that it might be best to be more involved with the DOCTOR and not the ER so that they know exactly what is going on with him.  Going to the ER - the doctor doesn't have a clue what is what with him really until maybe later.

You need a person who is competent to be in charge of this whole procedure.  Then they can advise what to do with full knowledge and get him straight.

[strator]

Liza - Hope your Dad get's some relief, I'm sure it must be hard on him. Think Falcon's got the right idea there. I've called doctor's answering services over the years for many things, especially when my son was little and I was this baffled Dad trying to get through. Heck I used to get calls in the middle of the night cause people's lights stop working.  It's a safety issue so ya get back to em. Same thing in your case but way more so. Most doctor's are pretty good with it.

fishdoc- Hope all goes well for your Mom. You know the concerns for her and related stress probably add to the fatigue. Sometimes we go into crisis mode to get thru stuff but suddenly the body has to send a signal. When I was doing a lot of back and forth w/my Dad and Mom when she was here, to drs I always bring some good reading to keep my mind off worry. I've  catually gotten comfortable with nodding off while we wait between labs and stuff. Cat naps do wonders for me.

cajunlady - Keep an eye on the hgl drops. But how do you feel? Are you feeling more worn out? I just hit 11.1 and I just did 23/48. The fatigue is steady but manageable. Some say it's the quick drops that really hit ya. Good luck with that.
My eyes seem more blurry on tx but so I've pretty much gone to keeping some reading specs in every room. Worries me with the artwork cause I have to take breaks when I don't want to. Hopin that doesn't stay with me, one problem at a time I guess.

Wellness, Smiles, Cherished Moments to all,
Don

[Algernon]

wow, i wonder what you're like without brain fog.  i can barely remember what week i'm on (just kiddin'--I'm like a prison inmate making a big "X" on the calendar every morning).


Sides are being pretty good to me but my chest still hurts.
How are YOU feeling?

[can-do-man]

Just did shot 10, besides that fine thank you, I seem to have been born with brain fog, so as yet haven't seen much different. Don't know if thats a good thing or not. Oh well at least it will give me something to ponder on the rest of the night. Best of luck to ya

[can-do-man]

Just took your last riba, gosh thats got to be a good feeling. If you miss them though i'll share mine. Best of luck to ya, svr and living again.

[strator]

Can man- For a guy wrapped up in brain fog ya sure got one of the sharpest minds here. Makes you a pop top can I guess. I just posted above I did 23/48. Spent an hour yesterday making sure it was 24/48. You people have no idea how bad my typing has gotten on tx. It's type and correct, type and correct. It's like I type dyslexically. And I don't even type fast. Not sure if it's the eyes the, fog, or a bad keyboard. When i typed a letter to the Warden of a prison for a guy, even the Warden pointed out my typos. Went to visit the guy today at  half way house. Holy crapola, 15 guys in this place all fresh from correction places. Make home seem extra nice tonight.

Kalio1: YYYYYIPPPEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! and that's not a typo.

algernon-glad to see you postin more. Amazing what a difference it makes just knowing this place is here somedays.

The berry, berry best to ya'll, Don

[can-do-man]

LOL, having one of the sharpest minds is one thing i've never been accused of. Now your the one with the sharp mind how you manage to do all you do in one week is beyond me

[NYgirl]

Sorry it took me a while to respond I didn't have the best weekend I am so glad at least I saw it now I wish I had your email I'd mail you some encouragement!

Your hgb is dropping down but thankfully it's going nice and slowly. The worst thing that can happen to you is when it does it really abruptly. I went from almost 15 to 9 in only a bit over a week and it was really literally hell.

You are on the road to Procrit or Epogen for sure.  The best advice I can give you right now is to have the doctor write the prescription - tell him you want to make sure it goes through the insurance bing bang boom no problems. Also I dont know if you are on redipen or not - if not you'll need to make an appt to learn how to do the shot. It's NOT hard.

Have you had your eyes checked out by the doctor? Did you have an appt with the Opthamologist BEFORe you started treatment to get a baseline reading? My doctor made me do so just in case I think they most do.

Try and get things lined up now, the prescription approved and all of that. Since it takes a few weeks to work you will want to get it asap.

Your AST and ALT are awesome - keep up the good work chica. You'll get through this in one piece for sure.

Debby

[cajunlady]

I have an appt. with hemotologist on Tues., March 7th to be charted for rescue. Yipeee  I will be taking my shots with my primary doctor's office once things are determined.  Did you find yourself becoming (almost crazy) about germs in and around you when these counts drop.  I am like a nut case about it. LOL

With my eyes; I had them checked just before Christmas, have not had a change in vision for two years now.  I have worn glasses for years and when I turned the golden age of 40, the reading vision went too.  I was able to get into my eye doctor on the day vision blurr was really bad.  My eyes changed; did get a prescription for reading glasses on those days.  Funny thing, on the days my vision is good, I use my regular prescription.  This is what gives me hope that it is only temporary while on tx.  At work I ordered an 8 1/2 x 11 magnifier sheet; this helps me be able to process invoices for payment and actually get them paid on time and the correct amount.LOL LOL

Speaking of work.  I did read your post awhile back about your studpid employer.  That person needs to crawl back under the rock in which he came from.  WHAT A JERK! I do not know how you do it day in and day out with this person.  Everyone's advice was right.  Document, Document, Document.  You hold this man/company by the balls right now; they just don't know it yet.  Hang tight Honey Bun, you will win this in more ways than one.  You so deserve much, much better.  And it will come; I just know it.

I did break down on Friday and ask my hep doc for something to curve this physco cybil personality that comes out of left field.(Riba Rage) He gave me Lorazepam 0.5mg; for a tiny little pill it sure does alot.  I just could not look back into the faces of the people I raged on and see that hurt anymore, it just is not fair to my family.

I also, have my order to go get my 12 test on March 20th; keeping fingers crossed.  The wait is going to drive me crazy.  I go back to hep doc office on March 28 to get results for those. It will take longer for results than normal, because he does send it to Quest. I just want to beat this DRAGON.

Thanks,
Cajun

[NYgirl]

I started on Paxill before I went on treatment - it's been a LIFE Saver (mostly for everyone else around me LOL).  I've always been high strung (I guess that is the nice way to say b*tch hahah) and I probably should have been on this stuff years ago.

Valium is a good idea for when you get too freaky but I would want to go to bed LOL. That's pretty much ALL I want to do since treatment.

Are you on any sort of antidepressant? I can't remember. They really have helped for me (even if I always joke about shooting little old ladies and stuff).

Sounds like you are on the track if you have an appt with a Hemo doc. I'm curious while your regular doc can't save you the trouble and just prescribe it for you though. Still I had to go to the office for the first shot "lesson" as well. Then they make you practice on an orange - I'm not sure WHAT that really had to do with anything at all though I mean I just close my eyes and jam it into my leg muscle and hit the plunger - no artful talent required.

Regardless of your numbers how are you FEELING? That is a really good indicator of when you need the meds. I was very, very bad after the drop - I couldn't stand up without passing out for a while. Went to the doctors thinking something was REALLY wrong with me. Then until the Epogen kicked in I took an hour nap at lunch every day when the others left.  It was right around them the idiot boss told me when I came in one day that I had to try to not look so "tired". LOL jerkoff my hemo dropped 6 points in just over a week I should be HOME you moron.

God I hate him thank God everybody isn't stuck with someone like that.

I don't think I"ve had any eye problem the biggest thing has been because I am so dehydrated my contacts dry out so EASILY and my eyes hurt like h3ll waking up in the morning because they are glued closed. I've always been blind as a bat I am so glad I've not gotten WORSE. Well then maybe I wouldn't have to see that idiot boss after all ;-)

Did you ask the doctor if this would straighten out at any point?

[fishdoc]

Just to add something else to worry about...  I know a woman (rn) that went through a really bad time- and she went on paxil for awhile.  Her husband in an independant contractor, so he doesn't have a "group" insurance policy.  When it was all said and done, she was no longer insurable- paxil raised a flag somewhere, so he insures himself and kids on his policy, and she is on a state assisted insurance, because she can't get it now...I think that is so wrong- I hate to think how many fecal rosters we are on with this....

[Dale_Ray]

You know what you call 10,000 insurance executives at the bottom of the ocean? A good start. DR

[beamishboy]

fecal rosters-lol-that made me do a doubletake!! and kinda sounds worse,nastier then the real phrase,nice endrun tho& thks for the chuckle.......
nygirl-take it easy on yurself w/ the shots;shut eyes and jab sounds vicious....treat them gams w/ Respect,eh..
cajun-good move to AD's makes the trx just a lttle more DOABLE-we need sum weapons to Slay Dragons
dale-ray: we share similiar thots,yu have made me smile twice tonite('nother post,somewhere) and that is worth a whole lot-Thank You!!!!!!

[GoofyDad]

I think she meant fecal roosters (I guess that's what happens when the sh!t hits the fan in the barnyard?)

Sorry you ladies are having your problems with eye sight. One small positive, the worse your eyes get, the better I look!

[beamishboy]

awww,now that explains why your wife is wearing darkglasses in wedding photos;and i guess also clears up my confusion about which is the groom& which the seeing-eye dog-Goodlooking dog!