Procrit

[streamline569]

Just want to know what questions to ask when I see my hep doc. When I last mentioned to him I was worried about treatment because my Platelets were so low he's reply was he could put me in a procrit trial, but from what I've been reading on here procrit is for low hemoglobin, my hemoglobin level is at reads 11 and 12 on some my blood reports. Why would he say that? Procrit doesn't look to be for low platelets. Just want to make sure I ask him the right questions on my next visit when we talk about treatment. Thanks in advance.

[streamline569]

Lot's of good information. Thanks.....

[eureka254]

When my husband started on Procrit, his treatment nurse mentioned that she sometimes also sees a slight boost in platelets in patients using Procrit to raise hemoglobin.  Not sure how accurate that is, but she explained that because Procrit works by stimulating bone marrow, it also may increase platelet production slightly in some individuals along with increasing rbc production.  

[spectda]

My guess is that since your hgb level will be starting at 11-12 gm/dl (the normal range for adult women  is: 12-16 gm/dl) The doctor wants to be prepared for you to have it drop under 10 hgb when he would use procrit to increase your hgb. He is probably more concerned with your hgb then your platelets.

The two platelet drugs that I know of are:

promacta which can cause hepatic injurty and blood clots

neumega which can cause edema and water around the heart and lungs.

You don't want to take these drugs unless you really absolutely had to. better that your doctor is willing to let the platelets go low and monitor you carefully. They often rebound it seems.

Good luck,
Dave

[spectda]

I have taken two injections of neumega for low platelets. One this week when my platelets went to 37000. My trial doc has to intervene under 50,000  my platelet level increases to 65,000 two days after injection. Nuemega is not too be taken lightly. Lots of potentially serious sides, it does not feel good at all. If treating privately you could probably wait until your platelets go to the 20s as  flguy mentioned.

[FlGuy]

Correct.  Procrit (aka EPO) encourages increase in hemoglobin, not platelets.  There is a newish med for low platelets (thrombocytopenia) called Promacta.  But, Promacta is not indicated for HCV. I have read of only one person here who had access to it and one of the side effects is hemolytic anemia.  I don't know what your platelet level is but most expereinced docs don't consider a platelet danger level until 20 - 30.  Generally speaking, the platelet level during HCV treatment decreases then levels out and then bounces around in a fairly tight range.  An hgb level of 11-12 is probably adequate.  However, many people believe that an indicator of adequate ribavirin dosage is more significant impact to hemoglobin levels and have a mantra "more riba until it hurts"