When does HGB stabilize w/Procrit?

[Maui lover]

Hi guys, me again.  Husband has been on 40,000IU of Procrit since Sept.  HGB at lowest point was 7.4.  He was taken off of Riba for three weeks.  HGB went up to 13.6 during that time.  He was put back on 1200 mg Riba at that point and continues with the weekly Procrit.  However, his HGB continues to fall.  As of yesterday it is 9.0.  I thought at some point it would kind of level off?  Last time we spoke with the doc (about 2 weeks ago) he didn't want to decrease Riba or increase Procrit.  Last time HGB was checked was two weeks ago (supposed to be weekly but lab got confused last week and only did his PCR test) and it was 10.1.  So it's dropped a point in two weeks, which is better then the two to three point drop per week he was experiencing pre-Procrit.  We're just concerned because he's starting to feel the anemia creep in again (short of breath, pale, tired).  Last night he did shot 14/24, so we're over halfway there and 4wk and 12wk PCR were UND.

[painterlady13]

My doc did not take me off the Riba but reduced and added the procrit.  It took about 3 weeks for my HGB to level out then he added one at a time back. I am on 1000 now and the lowest I got was 600 of riba.  I am at week 16 and have only had one pcr at 6 weeks and was UND.  It might be that the doc added the riba back too much too soon.  Maybe ask about a 1 pill reduction if it doesn't level off in a week or so.

[Pauly Boy]

I assume that he's a 2b like me? Right? I finished tx about 2-3 weeks ago. I was on 40,000 units of procrit as well. My HMGB never reclaimed it's pre tx level but the procrit allowed me to continue tx, without it I would have washed out. At about week 20 I upped the dosage to 60,000 units, I got really washed out. My HMGB level this week was 13.6, so I've got the OK to stop using it and see how I feel. Oh, I'd try painterlady's suggestion about a 1 pill reduction. At about 16 weeks I dropped 1 pill of riba to 1000 Mgs daily because of my dropping HMGB and an anxiety attack I had. All 3 of my pcr's have been UND. It's a balancing act of correct meds in order to get you thru tx sometimes.  Best of luck to your husband, tell him I told you that after tx is over that this will all be worth it. Promise. My prayers and good vibes are comin' to you, too. Not everyone has the love and strength not only to stand with, but to help your man during a process like this one. If he hasn't told you yet, he will after the meds are out of his system and his head is right!!!   Good luck,  Pauly

[friole]

There are some people that Procrit does not work for. However, it does seem to be working for your husband.  Thre are others here who use procrit every 4 or 5 days and that may be the solution.  I am sorry - he has got to feel just rotten and I hope you can get this resolved,

[Maui lover]

Thanks Pauly and Painterlady and Friole, we appreciate your comments.  Pauly, he is a type 3.  We wondered about upping the Procrit but I think at this point his doc will probably drop him to 1000mg of Riba and then see where it goes from there.  He only has 10 weeks left, but each week seems to bring something new to the mix.  I can't even imagine all of those type 1's out there who have to endure this for 48 weeks or longer.  My hat goes off to them and to all of you who have to go through this, you are all truly amazing people.  Pauly, congrats on being done with tx, I hope you are feeling great and that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!