does Procrit have any sides...?

I may be getting Procrit/Epoetin rescue drugs within the next 2-4 weeks - i have to admit Iam scared - I dunno if its been something ive read somewhere but im on the understanding that like Interferon Injections the Procrit also have nasty sides and is also one of the reasons your on weekly/fortnightly monitoring at hospital

I could be totally wrong - like I say its just stuff ive picked - and Iam scared of these extra injections - the sides

any honest input I will be greatfull for

[can-do-man]

No sides here from procrit, i do 40,000 every 5 days at home. Don't know anything about monitoring at hospital just regular CBC's. I wish interferon was as sx free............. Best of luck

[jdwithhcv]

I sometimes had some mild bone pain from procrit.  The regular CBCs are to track the efficacy of the procrit in raising hgb, and to ensure that hgb does not rebound so far that it causes danger of blood clots.  That is not very likely to happen.  In 40 weeks of taking procrit my hgb never got above 10, but at least it did not drop any further.

If your doctor says you need procrit, go ahead and take it.  You will feel much better and it can save your tx.  Good luck.

jd

[donnieraye]

I have just completed 72 weeks and had weekly injections of procrit for many months.  No sides from procrit I am happy to say.  

Now if your WBC gets to low, you may be put on Neupogen, which has sides, such as bone and joint pain.  I was doing 4 injections a week for most of my 72 weeks.  

Please dont be scared of extra injections, If you need them to get to the end of TX, so be it.  

Just stick with this site, and everyone will help you with you questions.  Best of luck with your TX.

Donnie

[snadge]

thanks all

its not the injections im scared off but the sides - i dont get sides from Interferon just skin ans sleep issues from Riba - my other bloods are excellent

week 39
HGB - 10.9
NUETS - 3.07
W.B.C - 4.7
PLAT - 187
ALT - 45
AST - 44

[newleaf09]

Wow you are looking good except for liver enzymes.  Look up epoietin or procrit on the net for potential sides.  They list something for everything but it doesn't mean you'll be bothered by it.  I used procrit  maybe 8-10 times and it was the only injection that made a little red rash around the injection site.  No big deal.  You may be disappointed that it has to build up in your system with several weekly shots to start working but once it starts working you will feel dramatically better.  My docs always took me back off it then.

[Trish77]

I had absolutely no side effects from procrit.  Not a heavy user compared to some but still had no side effects.  I'd be more concerned about the side effects from NOT using when it can help than those from using it, truth be told. :)

[justme53]

I was also worried about starting Procrit after reading the list of sx, but some forum members here reassured me and I felt so much better in about 1 1/2 weeks. No bone pain for me either. Sometimes it stings going in, but that's a minor payback for the good it does.   Good luck!

[Lindaz]

Hi Snadge

I was told that if my hb dropped any lower then I would be given Procrit.  I too, like you, was concerned that I might have to have to take it but I've heard the benefits of taking it outweigh the side effects.  A friend who is taking it told me her legs ache from the procrit and that was really only the side effect she was having.

All the best with this Snadge
Linda x

[IMstacie]

I've been taking procrit on and off thru out the entire tx.  I'm surprised you will be getting it as your hb is 10.9.  Low but sustainable.  Are you steadily dropping?  I was having a hard time getting my hb over 8.6 with the procrit. Of course, I'm a female and our norm is a little lower than males.   I can tell it's higher now, I think it finally kicked in after 5 weeks.  

I hate the shot and It takes awhile to work but no sides and I really do feel better.

[snadge]

my Hb was 9.4, since week 8 ive been on 800mg riba and its now week 40 and my Hb has just rose from 10.2 at week 32 to 10.9 at week 39

- so as you can see from week 8 (9.4) to week 32 (10.2) its been low and very slow to climb even on the lower dose

[mikesimon]

I had severe bone pain in my legs. I was taking 2 injections per week - 40,000 each. I haven't seen many people here complain about bone pain so, apparently, it is an uncommon side effect of Procrit/Epogen. But, it was excruciatingly painful for me - I could barely100 feet.
Good luck,
Mike

[nygirl7]

Usually the docs don't give you Procrit until you drop under 10.  Taking Procrit is definitely preferable to dose reducing which can hurt your chances at getting SVR.  

I took Procrit for 69 of my 72 weeks without any problems.  Without it I could not have completed treatment.  I was very grateful to get it and would tell you to be the same.  There is nothing to be worried about and it can make all the difference in the world.  It can/will take from 2 - 6 weeks to work......and then sometimes you need to play with the dosage to get it right.  It's worth it.  Believe us.