gen1b & thalassemia b-

just started peg & cop last thurs. its not so bad except i'm outta prozac &         docwon'tgive me more!!! wierd rite? depression creeps... so really my questionis does anyone have thal here and hasve they actuallycleared virus? doc gaveme a23% chance of clearing.but i took it anyway.

[FlGuy]

Thalassemia is a challenge. The riba impacts hemoglobin.  The answer could be pre-emptive procrit (epo) or transfusions as needed.  Good luck.

[maxygirl]

did they say why you can't take prozac?

[FlGuy]

There was a person who posted here who has Thal and  managed to drag himself through 24 weeks (Geno 2) and then relapsed.  He had a real struggle, requiring at least a couple of transfusions.  There was a Riba pro-drug (viradimine, I think - not sure) that was supposed to have the anti-viral effects of riba without the hemolytic anemia.  It was a few years ago that it was in trial but (if I recall correctly) it was not effective. If you intend on giving treatment a try you might want to get the hep doctor togeter with a hemotologist to see if they can work out a plan.  For those oldtimers here, I'm referring to Beagle Bailey.

[rucafox]

i do have a hemotologist, take vinofur(sp?) every once in a while... um... the relapse thing doesn't sound so nice... and um... it wasn't the doc himself that said no mo9re prozac, it was actually his nurse/secretary who said if I NEED prozac i probably shouldn't be taking this therapy in the first place. I hung up on her, and called this psycho place in town, thinking I can probably get some there. I can feel it creeping in. my whole point of view is... different. wierd.

[nygirl7]

As FLguy said we had a member who really did drag himself through treatment literally - I can't remember seeing almost anyone who worked harder than he did to complete it.  It was a real chore and he did require transfusions so you will definitely need to be monitoring your thal and hemo closely.

During treatment due to the nature of the medications many doctors have us go on antidepressents BEFORE we start treatment even if we have never been on them before.  Anyone with a history of depression needs to be even more closely monitored because one of the big problems with interferon is the ability for it to CAUSE severe drastic depression.

Therefore, it makes absolutely no sense in this world whatsoever for a nurse to cut your meds off.  NONE.  Plus - you aren't supposed to stop them cold turkey you are supposed to taper down anyway!

I would get on the phone and insist to speak with the doctor immediately.  Not the nurse.  Not the nurse practitioner but the DOCTOR.  I would not stop until I got him if I had to call every two hours until I did.

Something isn't right here and you need to take the steps to remedy it if you are to stay on treatment.

[jonney4141]

I agree 100% with ny, something is not right or it sounds like they do not know what they are doing? (pretty scary), i am going thru an instance like this and wondering if i may need to change docs. you have to fight with these people or they just leave you sitting in the dust. did they give you an explanation?

[rucafox]

dayum i think i'll do that rite now. its a diff doc than the perscriber tho, butto me it still didnt seem very prof of her.

[Bill1954]

If a medical professional orders changes to your meds, it’s for a reason. Ask what that reason is (specifically), and discuss your options.

Bill

[newleaf09]

If you are already prone to depression, there's a pretty good chance that the interferon will cause that side effect while on TX.  There are a number of other SSRI type antidepressants available.  It's best if your doctor knows every med you are on.  Try to get them to work with you.  

[Lindaz]

I have nearly completed 24 weeks of treatment.  I am 2b with Thalassemia M.  I was told that more than likely, I would be given rescue drugs but have managed to deal with low hb levels with no rescue drugs or transfussions.....   Everyone is different I suppose and what happens to me may not happen to you.  I am use to dealing with low levels of hb as I imagine you would be too at times.  I have had to go for extra blood tests and at one stage I was going weekly for a few months.  They will keep an eye on you whilst you treat.  

I wish you all the best.