PEG - INTRON REDIPEN

Just wanted to know if anyone has used the redipen?  I just found out about two months ago that i have hep c and the liver specialist I am seeing is putting me on the max dose that the redipen can give.  I'm not sure what that dose is.  I meant to write it down but I will on my next visit.  I am a newbie to this site and must say you all have some great information on here.  I hope to be a regular on here as I start my treatment and will post any information I think will be helpful as it comes along.  Good luck to all who are going through hep c treatment.  I know it will be hard but look forward to beating this no matter what I have to go through.  I see most of you have a lot stats on your hep c and I will get all mine next visit.  I start this treatment on June 30th.  Lots of fun on a holiday weekend!  Take care!

[OnAPrettyPoison]

Welcome to the forum!  I wish I had found it prior to starting treatment.  I am not on the redipen, but pegasys.  I understand the redipen is easy to use.  The doctor's office will instruct you on use, so don't worry about that.  Everyone pretty much starts out on max doseage.  Make sure they will prescribe rescue drugs like procrit/neupogen if you need them.

If you don't mind, post your stats, like your age, sex, genotype, viral load, and biopsy results.  Be sure to get copies of all your labs. More will come post and welcome you.

[Stvski80085]

I will get the rest of my stats on the next visit.  I am 30 year old male.  I believe my geno type is 1.  He said that it's the one that is the hardest to get rid of.  That's my luck though.  I will get the other info posted soon.  I believe i contracted this in the past two years when I was living with an uncle that had it.  I had went through back surgery and he was handicap so we spent a lot of time around each other since we both had to sit around the house.  He wasn't the cleanest person in the world because he is pretty sick with other problems. I had been tested for everything a few years before in a routine checkup and everything was good.  Had to visit the ER due to my back and thats when they told me somethinng was going on with my liver.  I have no pain or symptoms at all so far from the hep c so it was a shock to me.  I have never used drugs or had a blood transfusion so I really have no idea how i got it. More to come soon.  Thanks for the warm welcome.  I

[can-do-man]

Know what you mean there. I don't even try anymore. Don't be over doing it girl. Take care

[Mister beagle bailey]

Your right, there have been to many posts lately.  There seems to be no limit to the threads that can be opened.  The first few today are already buried.

Beagle

[can-do-man]

Heck he's been checking out them hydrants, out sniffing, nose to the ground and them paws a moving. Bet he's even been wagging his tail. Just watch that paw don't swell. You seem to get a little wild at home in fl.

[Mister beagle bailey]

Your right, I'm wild now that I'm back for good in FL and no more tx!  Just wish I would start to feel better, I know it takes time but it's like I want it yesterday. LOL  I even have about 4 or 5 shots of procrit I brought home with me, that should get my blood pumping.
Do you guys have any idea when I'll start to feel better post tx?

Beagle

[OnAPrettyPoison]

Of course me and the Can Man aren't there yet!  I understand most folks feel better within a couple of weeks.  Of course, being the special beagle that you are, you are probably going to get that hemoglobin back up a little more to feel like the handsome dog that you are!

[can-do-man]

I would think once your hgb starts going back up. I bet within a couple weeks you'll be feeling alot better. Now remember i'm not a vet. But them beagles bounce back pretty quick.

[Mister beagle bailey]

Can do said......  He's not a Vet...LOL LOL I'm still laughing on that one, I think I woke the wife up. ;)
Your right, I probably will feel better in a couple of weeks.

Beagle

[Mister beagle bailey]

How are you doing with work?  I remember you were having a rough time a few weeks ago.  

Beagle

[can-do-man]

Getting slower, hgb down to 11 as of last week, Not thinking as clear as before. Ended up going to the same place twice in the same day a few times. So i think vacation time is not to far off.

[fishdoc]

I use the redipen, piece of cake.  Only problem is you are going to freak when you think you've squirted your dose out on the floor!  You snap them together, sit a few minutes, then put the needle on, and their must be pressure, because it either drops two or three BIG drops out of the needle, or it has even shot out in the air.  It does not hurt, practically painless.  Let it sit out for 45 minutes or so to come to room temperature... don't hit the midline between navel and pubis, it hurts!!
best of luck..

[can-do-man]

Heres a site about redipen and a video. I'm on the redipen max. 150ul. Welcome and good luck.

http://tinyurl.com/mjn8z

[cuteus]

I like the old fashion vials, because I squeeze all the juice out, which comes out to more than the standard. after that, the prefilled syringes of Pegasys was more than a piece of cake. A friend recently had a scare about improper dosing with the redipen, and I would rather be able to see what I am injecting and whether it is empty afterwards. the redipen does not seem to allow you to view within. am i right?

[can-do-man]

While the redipen is easy, you do lose a small amount through the top. Plus there is no guarantee you get it all. Had a problem myself. My hepo checked a few redipens and called someone with schering-plough. They said it would not be enough to worry about. (yeah right) But his lab did find different amounts after trying some to see. He also said it was not that much to be worried about. ( Again yeah right)

[cuteus]

enough to make you want to kill! would try Mother theresa's patience even!
i don't know what comfort to offer, except I pray it does not make a big difference as they said.
btw, ms tator has flown the coop to Alaska again, but will reside in the west coast soon. you are not on that side are you?

[can-do-man]

Nope mid-west here, Glad to here tators ok though. She heads all over the place. LOL.... And yes you want it all. Some times they were hard to dial to the .05 and they said it COULD strip it. Which would cause a lost. A few times the dial would push right in during the shot. And you should have a little pressure while pushing it. Like i said they/he said not that much would be lost. Would they swear to that NOPE. Just don't worry. Easy for them to say when their not the one thats a geno1 stage 4.

[Stvski80085]

From the research I have done on the Redipen they have a little extra in those pens to compensate for the little bit that may drip out.  I'm sure they noticed that feature when they were testing it.  They even mention that very thing on the video and on the website.  I'm not to worried about being able to see it or anything like that but thanks for the comments.

[OnAPrettyPoison]

See, I told you they would come to welcome you!  There are lots of us genotype 1's right here.  

Big Wave to the Can Man!  I have been missing you!  We just aren't posting at the same times!

Fishdoc, I thought about you the other night watching the opening of the big aquarium in Spain.  It was a documentary about building it, stocking it, and opening it to the public - cool stuff!

[can-do-man]

Hi gal, been cruising. Must be missing you though.:)

[Mister beagle bailey]

Me too!  I keep missing you guys.  Wow, you guys move faster then those silly wabbits.............. ;)

Beagle

[OnAPrettyPoison]

I am just working a lot of hours and some nights I just can't make myself look at the computer any more!!!!!  I try to catch up, but all these threads drive me nuts - I know I miss good stuff.  Just hanging in there, not many more weeks to go! ;o)

[OnAPrettyPoison]

Welcome back to hurricane world!!!  I sure loved that nice breeze and cool temps we got from the hurricane here, but it wasn't as nice in Florida.  I am so glad you are done, I posted somewhere below that you would be circling those hydrants in no time, leaving the famous two drops up and down the block!

[Mister beagle bailey]

That's the lowest I can remember your HGB has been.  With this brain fog I mix things up and forget a lot of things.  When I got home Monday, I forgot where the silverware, etc was.  Wife's afraid to let me leave the house as I may forget where I live.  On the other hand that may be a blessing.
Are you going to take procrit?  

Beagle

[can-do-man]

Well we went to the doctor after christmas, but i didn't start the meds till on a sunday. My wife marked it in her calender, but last week i told her since sunday starts a new week. Then i changed shot day to saturday. So who knows. Im either getting a 24 week pcr or a 25 week pcr this friday.

[Mister beagle bailey]

Your wife sounds like mine.........They could be sisters.  

How many weeks do you have left of tx?

Beagle

[can-do-man]

Do the 24 week pcr friday. So depends, more then 48, maybe a million.

[Mister beagle bailey]

Did you start tx on Jan. 1st?

Beagle

[can-do-man]

beagle said.........Wife's afraid to let me leave the house as I may forget where I live...............

Mine could only hope. heck she might even change the phone number. Like i even know half the time what mine is. Don't ever call myself. Though i do talk to myself.... When it hits 10. But it held in the low 12's for a long time.

[NYgirl]

Said:  their must be pressure, because it either drops two or three BIG drops out of the needle, or it has even shot out in the air

Oh my GOD you made me laugh = GOD can I relate to freaking out LOL.  The first times I was positive I'd lost the whole shot and would never ever get better. Of course it was such a little amount and I"m sure they know all about it but...

It's amazin how much the same we all are during treatent

[can-do-man]

When do you go for your first post tx pcr?

[Mister beagle bailey]

Can do Man-- I don't know when I'll get the post PCR test done.  What do you think, when would you get it?  I don't plan to retreat if I have a relapse until newer drugs are out.

Goofy-- LOL That toilet seat being left up will get us every time.

Beagle

[NYgirl]

Why worry about it at all - you won't be having to re-treat anyway.

[Mister beagle bailey]

Hi Debby,

I know, but can't help but worry as there are some 2B's that relapsed.  You have 2 months left of tx,right?  When is that appointment with Dr J?

beagle

[GoofyDad]

C-man says: "Mine could only hope. heck she might even change the phone number. Like i even know half the time what mine is."

I think you'll find she's that gal that's a yammering away on the phone all the time and complainin' that you left the toilet seat up. You know, the one with the shampoo collection in the shower?

[doglover28]

Hi All,

Does anyone have a guestimate of when the trials should be over with the new drugs?  Just curious.  

[sindog]

I use redipen. I was nervous at first and worried that I wasn't following all the steps. My dr said not to worry about additional amount wasted. I began with a high VL at 20 million. I had a 3 log drop at 4 wks and undetectable at 12 and 24 wks. I was told by my dr that the dose lasts well over 7 days, so a little wasted doesn't make any difference. good luck!

[can-do-man]

Warned you about that cage dancing on this tx. But Nooooo you do it anyway. And i know them dollars you make are good and all but where you think that infection came from? Being passed all around like that. GEEZ. Take care gal

[cajunlady]

I am still laughing.  You are tooooooooo funny.  Good to see you post.  And, all along I thought I could get away with dancing in that cage and not get caught.  But here you are busting me again. LOL

If you think I'm dancing in the cage now, WELL just wait til I am post tx.  God save the world from me; I think I will just become a little phyco for awhile.  If you look up and see that cage flying in the sky; just might be me. LOL  This weeks shot I will start counting backwards, so I guess everyone will have a bit of a time to prepair for this CRAZY CAJUN CUTTING LOOSE ONCE AGAIN.

Cajun

[Mister beagle bailey]

Cajun & Can do--I'm still laughing at what Can do Man posted to you, what would we all do without him to keep us on the humor train.
Your HGB is running in the range mine is and if I was you I would take the procrit.  In your case you may not need as much as me or may not need to take it that long.  Heck, almost all here treating are on one recue drug or another.  The most important thing is to get rid of these bugs once and for all, and you can do it.  I'm glad your feeling better today, but your numbers are dropping like mine did.
My HGB Monday was 7.6 and I brought home to FL a few shots of procrit to get my #'s up.
Cajun you know me, I'm so Pro-take what ever it takes to get rid of these virus bugs.  :)


Timedog--Good luck with the biopsy and blood work.  When will you start treatment?  Do you know your geno type yet?


Beagle

[cajunlady]

I can totally agree on getting lost in all the new threads everyday.  I am so glad to hear MR> BB, that you are done with tx.  Give it awhile, they say you will feel better.

Can Do ,  Always have to say hi, hi ya doing.

Nygirl:  How have you been.  I can relate to the kids and the computer.  I just spent $125.00 to clean up their mess.  Next time it will come out of their bank accounts.  Funny how we pay for this stuff and have to fight them for time on the home computer.  Go figure.

Well I have taken 24/48 shots.  This Friday will be 25 and I will be counting backwards.

Doctor discuss giving me one of the rescue drugs for Red Blood, or maybe just reducing dose.  Any have an opinion on this. I am now on 1200 a day, I think he will want to drop it to 800 or 1000, not made that decision yet.  

Question, if you do reduce dose, does it, at least make you feel less cr***, or are the sides still the same and strong.

Have a great day all.

Cajun

[Mister beagle bailey]

Cajun--Hi there, glad to see you post.  About the recue drugs verses reduced tx, you know what I'm going to say.  I took the procrit and 2 Transfusions to stay on full meds.  Given my history, I had all odds againist me.  
Onle you can decide but if it was me, I'd do the recue drugs.
Hope your having a great day.  How have your sxs been?

Doglover-- I have know idea when the trials for the new drugs will be done, but there may be some on here that does.

Beagle

[doglover28]

from what I read, the treatment won't be nearly as long.  I go to the doctor next week.  At that time, he will discuss my bloodwork and schedule my biopsy.  I do need to make a list of questions to carry in there with me.  I guess I'm really in limbo until I get my biopsy done.  I'm ready to do it!  
Congrats on being done with your treatment.

[cajunlady]

Yeah, I know, stay on the dose.  Each time my red counts go down they tend to restable and are not to bad to deal with.  This time my hgb 8.6; but did have a little infection in my chest from my sinus allergies.  Had 103 fever for 3 days, went to the doctor on Monday and he gave me Levaquin 500 mg  1 tablet once a day for ten days.  Knocked the fever right out of me and started to clear up the congestion.  About the third day of fever I was pretty weak.  Feeling better now and back to work.  Hoping that the infection is clearing up; maybe by counts will go back up.  We will see.  
I am so sick of BRAIN FOG. I also, had a case of nygirls, glue mouth syndrome.  How terrible that was.  I have lost half the volume of my hair:(   I am going to visit the Harley Shop this week end and check out some bandana's, you know, a few skull bones LOL LOL LOL  I figure if I make a strong statement there, I might not get so many strange looks. LOL

But even with the little here and a little there; I feel pretty darn good today.  Comes and goes you know.  Still have a smile and a good attitude, so thats a plus.  Just can't wait till I am done and can start feeling a little more like my normal self.  I really miss my personality of fun loving, happy go luck, spur of the moment fun. YOU KNOW,  I will just be patient a little longer.

cajun

[fishdoc]

patience my @ss, lets just kill something and make it better...I miss my brain, my eyes don't have bags, they got suitcases, and black ones at that-with red trim... week 19 here and counting...

[can-do-man]

you said........patience my @ss, lets just kill something and make it better............. Have i told you how sweet you are? Oh the heck with it do me a favor and put me out of my misery.

[fishdoc]

OK, pitchfork, 9 mil, or do you want the usual???



I'll talk you to death..........;)

[fishdoc]

OK, here are the topics: my hubby would actually ask when I asked him if he wanted to go somewhere:
Are you going to talk about horses?
Are you going to talk about dogs?
Are you going to talk about cats?
Are you going to talk about birds? NO, ok I'll go.

Now he longs for the old days, these days its;

Do you want to talk about fish?
Do you want to talk about genetics (his eyes glaze over in 5 seconds)
Do you want to talk about my rash?
Do you want to talk about my rash?
Do you want to see my rash?  NO NOT that!!
Have I mentioned my rash?

hey, if your not dead yet,.... good night!!! Always worked for him... OH yes, parasites.... how bout them bed bugs....

[can-do-man]

To many holes now from the shots, so the pitch fork or 9mm might not work.

So just do what you do best and talk us men to death.

[Mister beagle bailey]

Just read what you posted to can do man and I'm still laughing.  

I needed that, keep the humor coming.

Beagle