Weight Loss

[cajunlady]

I am concerned with the weight loss.  I only lost 9 lbs., but I did that in the 2nd and 3rd week.  Does this go hand in hand with the point drop in hgb and wbc.  Or, is it just the meds that cause the weight loss.

Feel okay today, so far no achey breaky bones and no headache. I am a little pale these last few days.  Yesterday, I did get a little winded when I had to chase my grocery basket down in the parking lot.  The winds are very strong right now; we have Santa Ana Winds.  We already have a few fires.  One on 210 fry that looks bad and the winds will make it worst. I have to cross the 118 frwy this morning and it is known for hard gust; I will not be placing my van near a big rig.  I will be white nuckled by the time I get to work.

All enjoy the thread today.

cajun

[Mister beagle bailey]

Good morning,

It's the meds causing the weight loss, but you should have your HGB tested. When was the last time your HGB was tested?  Hope your day goes well, but see the sx's are getting better for you compared to the first shot. Hope the winds die down,I know how the fires are in Ca. my son lives in Aliso Viejo in orange county.

Think positive,

The Beagle

[friole]

I have lost a total of about 12 pounds.  I lost the first 10 in the first 4 weeks of treatment.  I think that is not uncommon.  I was slightly nauseated for the first month or so and that is what I attribute the weight loss to. I don't think it is related to the drops in white and red blood counts, but I guess it is all tied in together with the major adjustment the body in making.

Now I am at week #28 (hard to believe) and have, in the last month or so lost the other 2. It didn't matter what I ate over the holidays - I did not gain. The tastes of food seem to have changed.  I can't take anything too spicy (dang - that sucks) and I think I am understanding Jim's postings of the want for comfort foods like mashed potatoes.

Hope you got to work (or whereever) okay.
frijole (bean)

[NYgirl]

I lost 12 in the first few months of treatment but have stopped now.  For me it was a matter of not feeling well and not eating too much...but the meds DO help SOME people lose weight.

Now that I'm at 18 or 19...I've levelled off and have not lost anymore.

Also with the anemia...you really don't have the strength to eat at all so I think that is why you tend to lose around then...you feel like ****.

[cajunlady]

Thanks for the info.  I just did have my levels checked on Friday.  HGB dropped from 14.4 to 11.9 and WBC 6.6 to 3.2 and PLT 184 to 126.  RBC seems to be okay 4.4 to 3.7. AST 25 to 23 and ALT 14 to 11.  

I am going to call his office today; after talking to a few 24 hr. on call nurses they have expressed concern on my dosage of Peg/Inferon.  The norm is .5 and I am injecting .7; was told that was a dose for a larger male.  Advised me to call into office today and make sure. When I first started with tx I did not have specific instructions on the prescription label only the instructions in the box.  I called and spoke with his nurse to find out what dose I should be taking.  After going back and forth with the other girl in office she told me to follow the instructions on the box.  I really do not know if she spoke with the doc or not.  This is a big concern for me now.  I would prefer that I know its the doc giving instructions and not the nurse on her own.

Gotta Go to Work!  UGH

cajun

[NYgirl]

Are you using the redipen or the syringes?  My shot only goes up to .5 and I thought that was what it generally was so I"m guessing you are not on Peginterferon?

I wish I could get more!  I WANT MORE!  :)  The Interferon won't cause your hgb drop - that is caused by the Ribavirin.

Your hgb while going down is still not really low enough for Procrit as far as most doctors go.  Once you get down to about 9 (or underneath 10) then they generally will provide rescue drugs.

I was fine at 11 but absolutely crashed at 9. Now that I am at 12 I am happy...it's not that bad at all.

[friole]

Your counts look good, but I am sure you feel the effects of the anemia with that grear of a drop.

What is your ANC (absolute neutriphils)?  You are getting copies of all this lab work, aren't you?

[cajunlady]

I do mix my own. I am on Peg-Intron 120 mcg kit and 1200mg of riba (2 x day) 600mg am and 600mg pm.  I questioned and questioned the nurse about this filling of the shot. There was hesitation for awhile and alot of discussion (don't know with who) about my question.

I will call today and I will push more. I want a final answer on this. I don't want to insult the doc or anything; but after all this is my health.

cajun

[NYgirl]

I also think it's .5

It should say somewhere in there or on the prescription.  I've not heard of .7 but of course I haven't heard of everything.  I think even the GUYS in here are on .5 of PegInterferon.  I don't remember hearing anyone on a larger dose before.

But yes the Ribavirin can be less or more depending on your doctor.

Combo therapy however generally seems to be .5 and Riba from 800 - 1200.