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i'll talk to my PA tomorrow. I guess i'll swallow 'em tonight and take it from there.
thanks again mike and take care of yourself. tracy
I'm glad you're doing okay. i think about you often. you've been an inspiration to me. take care Mike. and thanks again. Tracy
Tracy , I come in at a very petite 260 lbs and they have me taking 1400 mg/day and I'm still hungry after I take them.
Take care.
Good luck with the HGB.
I'd talk to the doc before I'd reduce the riba , 10 pounds doesn't seem like to bad a weight drop.
In your case, your starting weight of 189 lbs fell into the 1200 mg/day category, whichever scheme you used. Now, at at 179lbs, you fall into the 1200mg/day category in the first scheme, and somewhere near the top of 1000mg/day category in the second scheme.
In my case, I was offered the three-tiered approach (1000 mg/day) at pre-tx weight of 176 lbs. I declined and took the two-tiered approach and started at 1200mg/day. Except for some experimentation early on with much higher doses, I remained on 1200mg/day througout treatment even though my weight dropped to 148 lbs at one time. My personal theory is leave the dance with the one (1200mg/day)that brought me there (to non-detectible).
I should add that when my weight dropped below 160, my NP suggested I lower my riba to 1000mg/day, while my doctor felt it important for me to keeep it at 1200mg/day. Of course, I went my doctor, since that's what I wanted to do
anyway :) As you can see, these decisions are not really a science but they do have to be made on some basis.
More riba does equate with more anemia and sides, but not necessarily with higher drop out rates. Keeping full riba dose is also more important for the first 12 weeks.
As suggested, ask your doctor, but my guess is they will leave it up to you, as long as you appear to be doing OK, and a lot will depend on your current hgb plus symptons. In any event, based on the way you say you feel, it's really time to have the Procrit discussion with your doctor as it does take a few weeks to kick in. I'd also ask them if your hgb could be monitored weekly until it stabalizes.
All the best luck.
-- Jim
BTW, my hubby played pro-soccer. we love the world cup. it's been a life-saver during these long days of couch. :) i have to say i'm pulling for ghana but do love those brazilians. they smile alot. thanks again. tracy
Jim: you were on fire the other day, hilarious! were you coo coo for cocopuffs or what? ha ha! Still haven't tried the natto yet...
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With regular combo, a geno 1 of your weight would probably take 800 or 1000mg, depending on what protocol was followed. I believe NY Girl had a similar pre-tx weight and ending up taking 1000mg, although originally prescribed 800. Not sure how Vertex enters into the equation, but if you treat with Vertex in the trial stage, the riba dosage will probably not be left up to you.
Regarding my recent "playfulness" (and I suppose you're talking in part about my good friend Mr. Brian Fog) being upbeat doesn't necessarily translate into feeling good, and in fact I believe that theme was covered in a letter that circulated the internet to help friends and relatives deal with those treating for hep c.
In part the letter said that phrases like "but you sound good" can quite unintentionally minimize what those treating are actually going through by not allowing them to smile in the midst of adversity. Don't have to remind you that lots of funny stuff is posted here by those who don't feel good at all.
OK. So now that I've brought everyone down LOL -- in my particular case, being the simple sort I am, how I feel and how I sound often does correlate, and this past week I have felt pretty good both physically and mentally. Hopefully, if I can get rid of some pesky lingering sides, the mood will stick.
-- Jim
Well just take care of yourself there, throw a few hugs and smiles around, they're less cardiovascular then most stuff and give better returns.
Be well,
Don
Some of the funniest people I know actually suffer from depression, it kinda makes sense...but you do seem more upbeat, that's for sure...and for that I'm glad...
they said on the treatment protocols for the trials that people will be given "the average dosages for the particular drug protocols" whatever that means...
bobby
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Not necesseessarrillly...just wait till you start treating and look in the mirror and see that riba rashed face after droping 30 pounds. LOL.
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But going back to the other topic, often you find yourself between a rock and a hard place with friends and relatives when on treatment -- especially if your major contact is on the phone.
If you moan and groan, they'll *get* it but after awhile the phone stops ringing. LOL. On the other hand, if you're upbeat all the time, they start to wonder why you won't go out and play -- and the phone stops ringing. LOL. I never found the happy compromise.
You said: hey said on the treatment protocols for the trials that people will be given "the average dosages for the particular drug protocols" whatever that means..
Exactly, whatever that means. LOL. You really going to do this or just talking trash :) What about Alinia? A long shot but I'd be tempted to try it first if in your shoes, because no riba and no peg -- or at least wait a few months until some "hard, factual" anecdotal data rolls in. :)
-- Jim
Youre a caring person Jim, I know this...this trial is the kinda thing where I'll be "glad" if I'm accepted, and maybe "glad" if I'm not?
I am thinking of trying the alinia, just waiting a few months (if I'm not accepted) to see how my friends fare with it...(they are telling me that they feel better overall, but they aren't completely sure that that's not the placebo effect, though they both say they are feeling more apt to do activiites that they wren't doing, so maybe it is working, who knows?) these next few months will tell me a lot...I even broached my doc about having another biopsy (like I'm looking forward to that) to help decide what to do...
be well, next thing you know we'll be hearing that your entering Iron Man triathalon contests...heard tell that at certain ones you have to wear Man Thongs....
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/518702
from their daily worries.
I've got to turn this machine off for a little while. I've been sitting here all weekend working and my eyes are starting to cross , or is that a new sx?
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I wouldn't start to worry until you're convinced that the crossed eyes will protect you from wearwolves. Then consider discussing your riba dosage with doctor :)
-- Jim
bobby
-- Jim
my hgb never went below 12 but the fatigue was overwheming at times. i am glad as bc/bs would not cover injectables.
hope you feel gooder sooner.
bobby
weight_in_lbs / 2.2 X your_mg_per_kg
so in Forsee's case 127 / 2.2 X 15.2 = 877
or if you want to know your ratio
dose / weight_in_lbs X 2.2
800 / 127 X 2.2 = 13.9
foresee- the vision of jim-in-man-thongs (or anyone for that matter) made me laugh and i'm low on air!! Stop it!
The anemia is a VERY common side effect and one that we just have to deal with until the doctor prescribes Procrit. It stinks but it is how it goes.
I asked my doctor to UP my Riba before tx started hoping the extra would do me good. Of course it SLAMMED me with the anemia big time (from 15+ to only 9 in just over a week)- and I wanted to give up but I took the advice of those in here did not reduce and waited for the Procrit (Epogen) to kick in.
I've NEVER regretted that advice was some of the best I've ever taken.
just get pcrit- huge difference! i am @ 1000/day wiegh 104.
ja
bobby