PROCRIT:how long?

I am feeling so much better-20 days on Procrit-Will i need to continue til the end of TRX? How many have been able to stop blood boosters while on meds? I luv what the stuff is doing for my energy levels,but my insurance coverage ends Mar. 1st...anybody want to buy a 1946 indian chief-restored,matching #'s?-See how desperate i can be?

[can-do-man]

Check this site out in case you need it after insurance

http://www.procritline.com/

[NYgirl]

Mine have been approved for the entire time of treatment (which is currently through Sept. 06 but will perhaps go much longer).

I was doing once a week then twice a week now once a week. I don't see myself going off this completely at ALL during tx - it just won't be possible.

[FlGuy]

Maybe you 'stock up' on the procrit supplies. If your insurance ends, is COBRA available to you?  What about coverage for the riba and IFN? If coverage ends for all you should weigh the additional cost of COBRA coverage vs. the cost of the meds that you would have to bear out of pocket.  When is tx scheduled to end?

[cuteus]

your insurance coverage ends or the approval period for Procrit? mine had to be renewed by the dr every few months, and yes, you most likely will need to take it the rest of the tx time. Is it magical how well it makes you feel?
if you venture downstate you might find a few vials at the end of the rainbow...

[Mister beagle bailey]

the web site can do man gave you is to help those that have no ins. or can't afford the procrit. Check it out I believe it will help you stay on the procrit.

             Good Luck and let us know how you do,

                      Beagle

[Mister beagle bailey]

Just got back from the Dr. and my HGB is still at 8.7, but it didn't drop.  They will increase the procrit and I'm hoping it starts to climb.  The Dr. said as long as I feel fine that's what matters most.
Hope all are having a great day,

                 Beagle

[Algernon]

Congrats to both of you on feeling better.  That anemia is mean business.  Took about 3 weeks for me to really feel the Procrit and I don't think I could've lasted much longer.  Beam--I really wish that I could shoot you some of my Procrit.

My doc says that you sometimes have to cut back on Procrit (something about not wanting to overstimulate production).  I guess that suggests that not everyone stays on the Procrit throughout.  

Don't you just hate those Procrit injections?  Damn little scorpions.

[beamishboy]

i checked out your suggested site for assistance-procritline;filled out forms online;will submit for doc's signiture...Hope it's ago!!!...the stuff has helped kickstart my life again&i can deal with the additional injection(like fallin off a log) but if i gotta pay outa pocket-yeeow!!..Thanks for the info......Anybody discontnue procrit during trx because it was no longer warranted????

[NYgirl]

Just got back from the Dr. and my HGB is still at 8.7, but it didn't drop.

Hey that's FANTASTIC!  That is what happened with mine it finally levelled where it didn't drop and then they upped my dosage to 40,000 x 2 and it started going UP big time.

Believe it or not it got so high I had to STOP one of the shots!  WOO HOO that is where you will be soon too!  

I am happy this is great news.

[Mister beagle bailey]

NYGIRL--  Thanks, I remember this happening to you.  The doc said that procrit will be my best friend durning tx. I hope it goes up like yours did, it's the twin thing hehehe.  How are you doing this fine day?  Did you see the post you started yesterday where a newbee thought we were talking about texas when in fact it was tx, before that I never gave it a thought.  I then posted some of the meanings to our lingo and maybe we need to post them more often, any way I had a chuckle over it.  Hope work is bearable for you and that he soon gets what he has coming.

ALGERNON/ BEAMISH--- Thanks for the congrat, and yes most have to stay on procrit durning all of treating, I know I do.  Glad can - do posted that web site for procrit and hope all who needs it will follow through.  Good luck

          Beagle

[Mister beagle bailey]

no matter what happens I wouldn't stop tx, and today my Dr. said he will up the procrit if need be.  Congrats on starting tx, how did your first shot go?

     Beagle

[beamishboy]

BB: yu are hangin tuff mister-hgb in the 8's -we do adjust,but i am amazed at your fortitude&resolve!!!!! guess i got another hero.....GOODLUCK
Dyce: thanks for good word..always nice to see ya post..Regarding start to trx-wish you the best,no sx......Nothing but Blue Skys& Clear sailing.....

[OnAPrettyPoison]

Mr. Beagle Bailey - congrats on leveling off.  I bet you bump up a little this week.  When do you go get rechecked?  

Beamish, I don't remember hearing of anyone going off or not needing the Procrit during treatment.  I know it is what keeps me working, and that is the one shot I look forward to because it makes me feel so much better.  I sure do hope you get approved for the assistance.  Good Luck!

[dyce]

Congrats. on that 1st shot! Ha, no(LOL),I'm not the guy who sent you the website. I've done some lifting but it's hard to keep up with work and all. Looks like we'll all graduate in 2007 class of svr!

  Dyce

[dyce]

Great news, your hmg has leveled off. WIllyou get the 60 cc of the procrite? Looks like I'll start tx this friday and I'm already rearranging the schedule I do things by so as to work around shot night. Will be doing pegasy once a week and 1200mg. of riba. a day. Just wondering how I will do after the first jolt of the meds.


   Beamishboy, Hope you find a way to keep the meds. goin! It's quite a bit of aggravation to deal with setting thease meds. up. I tell you there is a lot of waiting around.

Best of luck,
             Dyce

[Mister beagle bailey]

Glad your starting tx Fri.  Do you work?  If you do I would take the shot on the last of your work week at night.  If you take it say at 7PM you'll sleep through most of the chills,etc.  You may not even have any sides, but most do on the first shot.
Not sure how much they will increase procrit I think their waiting to see if I go up in a few days.  Let us know how you do.  

                      Beagle

[anise]

Mister beagle bailey, I am so glad that your HGB has leveled!  You have been in my thoughts, hoping your doing well and not have to stop treatment.  Way to go!

Dyce, sounds like there are a few of us starting at the same time.  I did my 1st shot last thursday.  Lilmoma, did hers last thursday also.  Friscosue will be starting in about a week.  What a journey we have embarked on.  

Dyce, aren't you the bodybuilder that gave us your website a while back?

[sunspot]

algernon. Ice the injection site before and after the Procrit shot. It helped me a lot.

All. I've continued my Procrit after completing tx. It was at 9.3 even with 40k IU 2X a week at the end of tx. I'm now adding 1 day between each shot, kinda tapering off. My HGB was at 14.6 on week 6 post-tx.

Dana

[anise]

dyce, I must have gotten you mixed up with someone else.  I am going to go for some lifting of weights.  Heard that people lose muscle mass during treatment, and I want to be proactive in not losing my muscle!

mister bb, so glad to hear you won't stop treatment.  My first shot went quite well.  Surprised me actually.  I kept waiting for some reactions, but nothing.  Had to have the nurse give me the shot, I still can't get behind sticking myself.  Since it is my first week, there is still plenty of time to develop a reaction.  Personally, I am keeping my fingers crossed to have an easy go of it.

[GoofyDad]

Doing 48 indeed! Cut the <span>cr</span><span>ap</span> Can-do, you're starting to sound like my doctor!

I figure it's best I stick around, at least for a while. Wouldn't want to have to come groveling back if things don't workout with my new consort, SVR!

Hey there's the start to a song in there....

SVR in a SUV;
C'mon baby,
I need a Humvee...

Uhhh....... never mind.....

[cuteus]

I just finished reading your 'getting things off your chest' post and I am without words! They use interferon for some forms of cancer, but I guess the type in your spine is not sensitive to these meds. Do they think that the tx might be accelerating the tumor growth? What a challenge has been delivered to your door!
I hope you get your svr asap, so that you can focus on the next challenge fully.  We had a couple of members here battling both leukemia and hcv. If I remember correctly, they both cleared HCV and at least one of them is also free of leukemia.
I wish you a full remission and svr.
the best to you

[sunspot]

Thanks for responding. My HGB baseline is 16. I have 2 vials left in the fridge as we speak and a script for 16 more. I doubt I will do a refill but I will use up the on hand stock. I <b>will</b> space them out so as not to do to much. It's so nice not feeling animec again. :-)

Dana

[MissMiss]

Hello,

Just wanted to say when my hgb went over 12 Doc told me to skip Proc, did so for two weeks and dropped below 10 real quick.  I was upped to 80 Procrit 3 weeks ago.  Yesterday I was back up to 11.3 hgb.  Ended up having to quit working too.

Thing is I still feel pretty bad.  I know all the tx will do that but think I should have a little bit more energy than this.  And the bone pain is always there. Near constant liver pain too.  Just can't seem to eat or drink much either for fear of making a mess, if ya know what I mean.

For me, I won't stop the procrit during tx unless I get above 14 or so.  And then I bet only for one week.  The time it takes to work is pretty slow.

Muscle wasting- just noticed the other day how little muscle tone I now have.  Didn't know I had that much skin!  I just worked real hard three weeks straight and there should be something there!  lol  

NYGirl-I was wondering how you faired with double dosing.  The weight loss is very interesting.  Want to say my heart goes out to you at work.  You have been a bright supportive voice to so many here it isn't fair that jerk treats you like that.  Don't think I could get away posting how I really feel about him.

Goof--please don't stop posting.  I love your attitude.  Just wonder how you have made it with such low hgb.  You must be about done with tx?  24/48 Friday for me and aren't you 24/24?

So many of you I can't remember names I want to thank again for hanging here.

missmiss

[GoofyDad]

Hi Missmiss -
Thanks for your nice words - and more importantly thanks to you and others for tollerating my antics.

This weekend will be 24/26 - I'm definitely in the stretch. Now I'm going through the emotional - 'did I hit them hard enough' phase. Leaving emotion out, it's time for me to stop. I'm not much in the praying dept, but we'll definitely have chicken bones and goat entrails scattered in the garden this spring

[FlGuy]

"chicken bones and goat entrails"...you get a lot of people showing up for your barbecues at your place?  All kidding aside Goof, you did enough and you did it well.

[GoofyDad]

Thanks, pal. Look forward to seeing you on the other side!

[can-do-man]

I hope you know how many here you've helped with your knowledge and your humor.

Don't suppose we could talk you in to doing 48? Na that just wouldn't be right.

At least maybe you can keep checking in.

I too will pass on your bbq's.

[cuteus]

I would consider stopping the Procrit. You don't want it too high either. 14 is good and your body should be able to keep it, now that the meds are out.
In my case, I did one or two more shots after finishing tx, and the hgb was at 13 at wk 12 post tx. Normal. Ask your dr if you can stop now.
good luck on the PCR, did you have a 4 wk post tx one?

[GoofyDad]

The plan is for 26 - ending 3/11.

[beamishboy]

Hello gal, good to see you posting...i know you just lost your grandmother&did the funeral/family thing.....Now that everyone is gone& the casserole dishes have been washed&returned you are allowed to miss her in the real sense,the everyday,no more gram!!! sense...My heart goes out to you-Be Well& keep posting:OUR CHEVYGAL!!!

[GoofyDad]

Chevy, Thanks for your well wishes.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

<hr>

<b>(((goof))))</b>
Now why does that graphic give me the sense of being nestled in an ample boosom?  

[can-do-man]

My heart goes out to you sweety, And i bet you were the best grandaughter a grandmother could ask for. Take care gal and remember this ole mutt still loves ya.

[cuteus]

definetely a nice way to cross over, go to sleep and wake up in the most beautiful place ever. You and her were so close, and her departure has left an emptiness in your schedule, but not your heart. It is filled with her love and all the memories shared.
You sound much better than last wk, sorry you experienced such harshness at a time when your emotions were so raw.

[Tallblonde]

Here's another interesting quote to ponder:

"They love without measure the people they will soon hate; they alternate between friendly dependency and hostile control."

[Tallblonde]

No, that wasn't a quote from "Indiana", but I think he's agree that it's very true.

[mikesimon]

Here's another quote to ponder:

"He whose face gives no light, shall never become a star"

Mike