low red & white blookd cell count.....

Can anyone give me info on  two drugs?  I was just given Neulasta the other day and then in two weeks I will be given Aranesp.  I am pretty sure that I will be injected 2x a month for both. what are the side affects and how long do I have to do this?  I am going to take my 5th shot of pegintron tonight.  I feel like this is going to be a long, bumpy road. (48 weeks)
Also, I found out today that my Ribavirin is being reduced bc of the new meds.  from 5 pills a day to 4 pills a day....does this affect my weeks of treatment??

[FlGuy]

Neulasta is a peglated version of Neupogen which is also know as filgrastim.  It's used to stimulate production of neutrophils, a component of whilte blood cells.  It can be taken less often than regular 'ol Neupogen.  I found it rougher than Neupgen in that it had some side effects, mainly bone pain.  I found Neupogen to be side-less.

Aranesp is Darbepoetin Alfa which is like Procrit (epo).  It is also taken less often than Procrit. I found it very effective and hemo doc was able to modulate the doses/frequent to keep hemoglobin (red cells) within a target range.  

Both are very expensise, when compared to Neupogen and Procrit even if you factor in the less frequent use.   So, check your insurance coverage.

For me, the right combination was Neupogen for neutrophils and Aranesp for the red stuff.

[Trinity4]

After Neup injections I get fever and bone aches.  Wish it was side-less for me.
Trin

[FlGuy]

It might have been that I used Neulasta before Neupogen and that Neulasta was just pretty nasty and Neup seemed milder by comparison.  But, as we read here - folks is different.

[Trinity4]

Very true.  I wasn't concerned about sx when doc put me on Neup because many said they really didn't have any from it.  About the 3rd injection and it put the whammy on me.  You know me, I don't usually complain but damn I hate Neup.  I take Tylenol and try to sleep if off and the next day it's Ok but Wed s-ucks big time.  Expect the unexpected is my creed.
Trin

[Trinity4]

Very true.  I wasn't concerned about sx when doc put me on Neup because many said they really didn't have any from it.  About the 3rd injection and it put the whammy on me.  You know me, I don't usually complain but damn I hate Neup.  I take Tylenol and try to sleep if off and the next day it's Ok but Wed s-ucks big time.  Expect the unexpected is my creed.
Trin