another procrit /dropping hemo question

[working dog]

if it takes a couple weeks to get procrit....what are the other options before stopping tx...do you get blood transfusions once or twice a week??i already cut down on my riba from 1200 to 800....i know you can't stop the pl...i'm not doing good at all....almost all the time in bed now...thanks...billy

[spectda]

I think there is a good chance that your hemoglobin will rise before long from lowering your ribavirin dosage, hopefully it is has stopped it's decline as a result already. Also to a degree your body may very well adjust to the low hgb. Part of the problem is you had such a quick decline.

[working dog]

i'm 2/2...started with vl 9.5 mil....enzymes in the 200s.....in the evening ifeel a little better....like right now i just ate some eggs and an sitting up....billy

[Trish77]

Billy, wondering if your doctor discussed blood transfusion with you at all and when he would use that to intervene?

Trish

[Trish77]

The reality is that they may not use transfusion if your HGB is above 8.0.  They may continue to drop your ribavirin.  There are some who have had to submit to dosage reductions in response to severe drops in blood counts.  Whether that will apply to you remains to be seen.

It takes about two to four weeks for procrit to show results.  Procrit would make any dosage reductions short term.  

While dosage reductions are not ideal, in the absence of transfusion or waiting for Procrit to kick in, you may not have much choice if you can't tolerate the impact your HGB level is having on you.  

While it's best case scenario to avoid dosage reductions as much as possible in the first part of treatment in particular....sometimes that's what needs to happen.  So you hang in there as long as possible and as long as medically feasible but you don't unnecessarily jeopardize your overall health either.  It's a very difficult balancing act.

Billy, have you had a biopsy so you know what level of liver damage you have?  Just wondering what that is.  Thanks.

Trish

[streamline569]

What is your doctor telling you to do? Have you spoken to him about the seriousness of your distress. I feel for you. Hope you feel better soon.  

[frijole]

The question is, have they ordered the procrit?  If so, you might have to have a transfusion until they take effect, but no one can tell you how often.  IT may be that you will need to take a couple of shots a week until your HGB boosts up.

frijole

[working dog]

i was 12.7 at the end of the 1st week...i don't know what i was before tx...probably 14 to 16.....i never had any anemic issues before...billy

[nygirl7]

Yes a transfusion would be your only legitimate option but it would depend on at what level will they do it.  You'd have to ask your doctor but personally since we know there is always a 'chance' of getting blood infected with something it would be my last option.

You started in the 12's right so I am not sure a doc would consider a 4 point drop enough or not, you have to ask them.

[fretboard]

That sux dog!  Were you anemic prior to tx or has this just happened since you started?