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Treatment
Can anyone tell me how often someone should be having blood tests taken when first starting treatment?
Thanks for all of the help. No blood tests were done just before I started treatment. The gastrologist used blood test results that were done months before by a different doctor. I was on high doses. My back went out as soon as I started treatment, and caused me so much pain that I had to have help just to get to the bathroom. When I called my gastrologist's clinic and explained I was taking treatment and what was happening to me, I was told by the receptionist that he didn't give out pain meds and that I needed to contact my pcd. I called my pcd and relayed all of this to the receptionist, explaining how sick I felt and how much pain I was in. I never got a call back. In the mean time, I kept getting sicker and sicker until I got to the point that I couldn't stand up out of bed without feeling that I was about to pass out. All of this in less than 3 weeks. I was scared and didn't know what to do, so I stopped treatment. I called my gastologist's clinic and told them I had stopped treatment, and only then did my gastrologist suggest I come in. When I went, he told me that I wasn't a candidate for treatment, and said that some people aren't. He also told me that I can have my annual blood tests done by my pcd. In other words, he gave me the boot. I guess he didn't want to have me as a patient if I couldn't take treatment. Eventually I had to get out in order to get a copy of the blood test he ordered, since I never heard from him again. The results showed that my white count was very low. Some of my other blood test results became abnormal a few months after stopping treatment, but they eventually straightened out. I want to try treatment again, but not with the same gastrologist. I welcome anything anyone here has to say in response.
i have weekly blood tests and a complete printout of results from the week before. i'm in a clinical trial and they monitor very closely. good luck to you. belle
Like I said before, knowing my history lends no additional credence to the knowledge I have about hepc and treatment protocols but if it makes you feel more comfortable no, I have never taken drugs, ad's or otherwise.
I am not influenced by what I read on the forums or the Internet. I would never take a mind or mood altering drug because of the testimony of other's experiences. I don't view taking an ad as a sign of weakness, they seem to help many people but I will not take a drug unless I feel it's the right thing to do for me. If it was necessary for everyone to take an ad prior to starting treatment it would be part of the treatment protocol and it is not.
I intend to treat in the near future with Incivek, don't think I can bump up the amount of treatment meds much more than that. Each of us copes in our own way, perhaps mine is being on the internet "all the time" as you put it. As far as feeling more stable, I didn't have a problem in 06 and suspect I won't this time and I'm fully aware of the side effects associated with Incivek but if I do need something to stabilize me you'll be the first to know. :)
I am not influenced by what I read on the forums or the Internet. I would never take a mind or mood altering drug because of the testimony of other's experiences. I don't view taking an ad as a sign of weakness, they seem to help many people but I will not take a drug unless I feel it's the right thing to do for me. If it was necessary for everyone to take an ad prior to starting treatment it would be part of the treatment protocol and it is not.
I intend to treat in the near future with Incivek, don't think I can bump up the amount of treatment meds much more than that. Each of us copes in our own way, perhaps mine is being on the internet "all the time" as you put it. As far as feeling more stable, I didn't have a problem in 06 and suspect I won't this time and I'm fully aware of the side effects associated with Incivek but if I do need something to stabilize me you'll be the first to know. :)
it takes about a month for the ad to work...mine took about 6 weeks...no one wants to admit that they might need mental help...i wasn't going to take a ad... i hate drugs...but after reading so many depressing stories ...and folks having trouble weeks into tx then starting i decided to start early...2 months before tx..i'm glad i did...i'm not saying everyone needs one ....but to get through tx feeling more stable it is nice...i can't wait till i'm off all these drugs...btw lynda....are you on anything?..did you ever take drugs ? just wondering i see lots of folks have ask you about yourself ..your history ....i would like to know your background since you seem to be on the net all the time...i know i can't wait to get off the net and back out doing stuff...i see you say you tx with little sides but didn't cure...do you think you need to up the amount of your tx meds next time/??...i do hope you cure and everyone that got stuck with hepc....billy ..
I'm being told to have cbc,uric acid, LST (?) at wk 2,4,8 (vl at wk 8 only), 12. I go next Fri for my 1st blood test.Tonite is shot #2.
In the beginning I had a cbc every 2wks, and vl at 4,8 ,12. By the time I got to 6 wks my labs were all over the place and dropping.I have a standing order at labcorp for cbc, so I took it on my self to test weekly,Nobody is going to be as vigilant as yourself, so be proactive.If you feel something you'd worry about get a cbc, and keep every copy of those tests.The blood tests at least put you in front of the doctor or their helper , they have to acknowledge them.Thanks to this forum I have a better ability to understand them and act on those results.I'm in wk 10 and getting shots and getting a test at least once a week or till I run out of blood.
The guidelines for hematology evaluations if you are starting triple therapy w/Incivek are listed below. Within the first several weeks, your doctor will notice if values are dropping more quickly than expected and will probably order testing more frequently and should be proactive in determining if rescue drugs are needed. It is not necessary to start an AD prior to treatment, many people do not need them and there is no reason to add another drug to the mix unnecessarily. Once you start treatment and feel like you need something speak with your doctor as soon as possible about starting and AD or anti-anxiety medication.
Laboratory Tests
HCV-RNA levels should be monitored at weeks 4 and 12 and as clinically indicated. Use of a sensitive real-time RT-PCR assay for monitoring HCV-RNA levels during treatment is recommended. The assay should have a lower limit of HCV-RNA quantification equal to or less than 25 IU/mL and a limit of
HCV-RNA detection of approximately 10-15 IU/mL. For the purpose of assessing response-guided therapy eligibility, an “undetectable” HCV-RNA result
is required; a confirmed “detectable but below limit of quantification” HCV-RNA result should not be considered equivalent to an “undetectable” HCVRNA
result.
Hematology evaluations (including white cell differential count) are recommended at weeks 2, 4, 8 and 12 or as clinically appropriate thereafter.
Chemistry evaluations (electrolytes, serum creatinine, uric acid, hepatic enzymes, bilirubin, and TSH) are recommended as frequently as the hematology
evaluations or as clinically indicated [see Adverse Reactions (6)].
Laboratory Tests
HCV-RNA levels should be monitored at weeks 4 and 12 and as clinically indicated. Use of a sensitive real-time RT-PCR assay for monitoring HCV-RNA levels during treatment is recommended. The assay should have a lower limit of HCV-RNA quantification equal to or less than 25 IU/mL and a limit of
HCV-RNA detection of approximately 10-15 IU/mL. For the purpose of assessing response-guided therapy eligibility, an “undetectable” HCV-RNA result
is required; a confirmed “detectable but below limit of quantification” HCV-RNA result should not be considered equivalent to an “undetectable” HCVRNA
result.
Hematology evaluations (including white cell differential count) are recommended at weeks 2, 4, 8 and 12 or as clinically appropriate thereafter.
Chemistry evaluations (electrolytes, serum creatinine, uric acid, hepatic enzymes, bilirubin, and TSH) are recommended as frequently as the hematology
evaluations or as clinically indicated [see Adverse Reactions (6)].
You also need to be tested at follow up (after dosing stops) for some months thereafter.
do yourself a favor and get tested every week ...keep an eye on it..hopefully if you need rescue drugs you'll have already gone over this with your doc...ask him when he brings them into tx...maybe start an ad before tx...good luck...billy
If you are doing the triple therapy,the most important ones are week4(right before your 5 th shot) and week 12(right before your 13 th shot) Those are a must.Some Drs do more or on a weekly basis.It all depends on your DR. and how your feeling. cindy
My brother is treating and hes into week 6 and has has blood tests every week..
My brother is treating and hes into week 6 and has has blood tests every week..
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