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[DallasStar]

Hello All, I have noticed not to many threads have been open for posting, so since I was finally able to post, I just wanted to open one so everyone can use it, pls don't get mad at me for just opening one, but it seems all the post are overloaded. Hope this help....

[Dave_B]

I've monitered this site since starting pegintron/ribavarin therapy 8 weeks ago. Thanks to all the posters for their insights and valuable information.

I'm a 53 yr old male, geno type 1. Since starting treatment my ALT's have dropped from 300 to 41, so it seems to be working. Recently my WBC and neutrophils have been dropping and my last blood work showed WBC 1.3 and neutrophils 0.8. This has led to a 50% reduction in interferon dosage. If this was week 20 or 30 I wouldn't be so concerned but at week 8 there is a chance that a reduction in dosage might effect my viral load at week 12. If I don't see a 2 log drop I will be cut off treatment.

I've read many posts mentioning Neupogen. I am in Canada and my doctor says it isn't an approved therapy here for treating neutropenia caused by pegintron. It certainly isn't covered under our Provincial Government health plans and there is no private health insurance in Canada.

I am considering trying to get Neupogen prescribed by an MD in the States,  and bear the cost myself.

I was wondering if anyone taking Neupogen could let me know how often they take the shot  and for how long the therapy lasts. It seems it will cost about $250 per injection, so that could add up pretty fast.

Whether or not a doctor in the US would prescribe Neupogen to a Canadian being treated in Canada is another story. Then there is a risk of alienating my Gastro here in Canada by going over his head and getting Neupogen in the US.

Thanks in advance for your help, everyone.

[MichaelT]

If you are infected by someone with hep c, the virus you have will be of the same genotype.

-Michael

[scruffy]

I'm also on Pegintron combo and for me the fatigue and short temper and fogginess all decreased considerably by about 10 weeks.They're not gone but my quality of life is much improved.Try not to assume that the entire Tx will be as bad as it can sometimes be(like at six weeks).Although some others here have had quite a  different experience.

[raheem]

I'm a 1b guy on week 22 of 48. About 14 weeks into tx my WBC was 1.2 and neutophils or ANC (Absolute Neutrophil Count) was 516. I'm on Pegasys and Copegus and the product literature indicates a dose reduction of interferon from 180 units to 135 units if the ANC goes below 750. My doc said any dosage reduction lessens the chance of having a SVR particularly with a genotype 1. He said my blood work should stabilize and not drift any lower. Anyway, my current WBC is 1.6 and ANC is 784 which is OK.  I did get on Procrit about a month ago but I can't help you out with the Neupogen question.

[odessit]

I was wondering whats going on with number of threads? It seemed we had priviledge to post 4 threads a day, today in particular only one thread was open and no more are allowed. Why?
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I actually have question for all of you knowledgeable people out there:)
About myself: I'm 1b guys, week 11 Pegasys/Copegus, 180 mcg/1200 mg. At the start of tx was 80 +-2 kg. I put off some weight, I can feel it, but don't know the exact number.
Question: what is the danger of mantaining my Riba dose at 1200 mg if my weight is < 75kg ?!?
I'm feeling good, no complaints. At week 5-6 my HBG stabilized at 115, WBC 2.5-3, ANC 1.2-1.5. I'll see my DR next week for 12-week PCR plus will have my 8-week blood work results.

[oldhippiechick67]

Dallas dont feel bad about opening a thread!  Its the first and only one for today so far!   I am feeling achy, warm, nauseated and just yucky since my Procrit, Neupogen, and flu shots the other day.  But other than that Im okay!  I have been having the weirdest thoughts before I fall asleep, like icky old bad memories keep surfacing, and strange dreams.  I read somewhere here that other ppl have had the same so it must be tx related.
Dave from Canada, its a shame you cant get the Neupogen up there.  I dont know how vital it is for you to take it at this point, and I imagine the doc would reduce your dosage  for awhile.  I know there are ppl on here who have leftover Neupogen and would love to send it to you, but thats illegal...dammit.  Well I am not much help today, going back to the couch!  Happy Wednesday fellow heppers!