pegasys to peginterferon alfa-2b, nurse said give 0.7.5 is this correct?

I was changed from pegasys injections 180 mg to peginterferon alfa-2b free throught the drug company. The new peg is 120pg per 0.5 ml. The pegasys was in pre filled shots of 180 (no mixing) On the new meds it says " mix each vial with 0.7 ML of diluent, withdraw and inject 0.5 ML sub-Q weekly. Peg-intron 120mcg/0.5ml 1EA

I called the doctors office as the syringe was so different than the one I used before, how much to use and the box saying 120mcg was confusing for me, I had read all the information that came with the medication also. I talked to the nurse that told me first that I was on 120mg. I told her I was never told that, then she said she would call me back to tell me how much to take. I know this medication is weight based. She called me back and told me to draw up 0.7 and 1/2 for my shot. So that is what I did. I weigh 182 lbs

my question is , is that really the correct amount? Is there a site that I can look at for dosage calculation?

Thanks for any help you can offer.
Hope everyone is doing well
valerie

[Mister beagle bailey]

I'm on the peg and take 120mg. I mix the liquid with the powder(.7)and with draw the .6 , but then push out till you get to .5 left for the injection.  It helps to get the air bubbles out before you inject.  The .7 is only for mixing, the .5 is what you inject.
Hope this helps,

Bob

[simplehue]

Thanks that did help. I was told by the nurse to give myself 0.7 and half. thank you so much

[can-do-man]

Any news from nygirl?

[dyce]

The peg-intron is dosed by your weight. It goes with 1.5 mg of the peg. for every kilo gram you weigh.

Dyce

[illona]

today is the day:-)  number 3 shot? How do you feel?

[illona]

I got me blood result form 2 weeks .. My white cells went down a little.. But not a major problem my doc said. I got my Hep A vaccine today.. I thing I am uo to day with everything
illona

[GoofyDad]

I'm waiting to hear from her too.

[Dale_Ray]

Haven't seen her smiling face on the posts all day. This may be the day when she was seeing the doctor about the thyroid thing. Debbie where are you? DR

[FlGuy]

I think she wrote that the appt was Thurs pm.

[can-do-man]

Yeah thursday at 4;00 she said was her appt. Yeah goofs done i seen his post on eyes friday song.

[couchpotato]

I try not to take up much needed space here but always got a chuckle out of your postings. You're nuts!!! (in a good way, of course). Congrats on hitting the finishing line.

Mattie

[MrsOckert]

Her apt Thursday was with her primary and thought she would need a referral to a specialist for her thyroid.

She was going to be proactive and take today off work trying to get into the specialist today.

I hope all goes well for her.

[cajunlady]

Thanks for that up-date on NYGIRL.  I worry for her, she has had her share of obstacles and am hoping everything will be okay for her and they can straighten them out with medications.

Thanks Again, for the up-date.

cajun

[NYgirl]

Well I'm here.  It turns out that the doctor believes that I am one of the .4% of the universe that has gotten Graves Disease as a result of the Interferon.

Apparently the thyroid is out of commission and not producing whatever it is supposed to Any longer. Treatment could be medication but is more likely to be radiation and then surgery to remove it.

The one good thing is I guess I'll be able to eat whatever I want for eternity and not worry about gainning weight LOL  (trying to think of SOME good thing).

You know I am pissed I got UND on the same day I found out about this but given the choice I would do treatment again to kill these suckers. Given that I am a 2/2-3 right now THAT is the more immediate cause of concern. You can live without a thyroid as odd as that is since it runs everything pretty much.

You know me...I'll be ok.  I have to admit I'm tired of fighting I really am but in part I have to figure in my 40s now and this body is getting OLD and worn out. I've had to critical accidents in my life that almost killed me, broken more of my bones than not, been fighting this disease...so honestly - I am starting to feel about one of these Munchausen type people like I'm looking for attention or something LOL. I think people aren't going to believe me any more and be like oh yeah SURE something else is wrong LOL.

Shot day shot day yay put more poison in today ;-)  As long as it keeps me UND I'm gonna do it.

Thank you for thinking of me and caring.  I have to make an appt at nuclear medicine...I swear I am glowing already!

[dyce]

I'm feeling better today thank you. It's been a rough week , I caught the flu from my yongest daughter who contracted it at school. My 1 week cbc 's came back in normal range , so far so good. The 3rd shot tonite , I'll take mine at 6 pm. so it will be sleepy time when the sx's start. Good to hear your blood is holding up. This has been some trip for me so far , how bout you?

Happy St. Patricks Day,  Dyce

[MrsOckert]

Oh Deb - I am so sorry.  I swear I'd like to say something stupid like "if it's going to happen to anyone...", I do hope you know it's being said in a "God girl, what else can happen to you" sort of way.

Graves Disease???  I'll have to look that one up.  What's the prognosis for continuing treatment?  Does your doc have any problems with it?  What about you?  How do you feel about continuing?

Sheesh, Deb.  I am really really sorry.

Valorie

[NYgirl]

It doesn't sound so dreadful and what I've seen says that patients who get it from Interferon (.4% - it can happen to general population women for no reason and resolve itself or something) tend to react better and have a better outcome.

Maybe I'll get lucky and the medication will be all that I need (although looking at the luck of my life I'm surprised they didn't just say we need to cut your whole neck off right now so your head is going to be sitting right on your shoulders LOL).

I guess the Interferon thought that it was killing the thyroid because it was bad...it's an autoimmune disease.

I am lucky because I have a heart murmur but have not experienced any heart racing or anything --- so maybe I'll end up fine.

At least I can use this for more sympathy (Muchausen Deb we can call me) :)

There is always a silver lining and...I can eat ALL the fudgicles and ice cream I WANT now :)  YAY

[can-do-man]

Glad you posted, was worried about ya, sorry for your news though. You have had a tough go of it kid. But something tells me you will make out just fine. Keep your chin up and a smile on that pretty face of yours. You know i give you a rough way to go but i do care alot for you. Best of luck to you.

[GoofyDad]

I am truly sorry that this has happened. What a major dissappointment. Let's be encouraged from the reports from folks like Forsee's brother.

One big fat bummer deluxe!

Nuclear medicine, huh? Are they planning of going for it right away, or can they wait?

BTW, I was listening to the Pres the other night. I think that's Nucuelar Medicine!

Best wishes to you. Remember, we can't control most of these things. The only thing we *can* control is how we react to them. Remembering that helps me anyway.

[simplehue]

I am so sorry nygirl, I wish I could think of something that would help in some way. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
I know your tired, but don't give up hope.

[silverangel]

You sound very positive! Keep it up, I'll be praying for you.
Silver

[dyce]

Happy St. Patty day to you. Ha , how you feelin this fine day? The new blood got ya munchin on the cornbeef? I bet you feel like superman now!

Dyce

[Mister beagle bailey]

Happy Patty's to you too.  I'm feeling great and still eating, I know it won't last so I'm trying to gain back some of  the 26 lbs. I lost.  How are you feeling?  Can't believe the breaks NY Girl keeps getting, thank God her spirits are still high.  That is so important on tx as we all know.  Are you doing #4 this week-end?

Bob

[cajunlady]

I too had the same problem with my first time dose.  I was confused and did not know what the final draw was for injection.  I then called my doctors office so I could get correct dosage; after back and forth confersation, the NP had, with someone in the office (don't know who), they determined I was to inject .07 and that was wrong for me.  Four weeks later, I find out from my "Be in Charge Nurse", that was a dose for a large man and was way to much for me.  I was only 135 lbs. When the doctor did get back with me, he changed that dose from .07 to .04, so if I were you I would check up on this asap. And the injection is weight based.

Good Luck

cajun  

[jmjm530]

NY said: There is always a silver lining and...I can eat ALL the fudgicles and ice cream I WANT now :) YAY
--------------------------------------------

I remember your concern about going gold-turkeyfudgicle post tx. So maybe, yes, there is a silver lining here. In fact, I know of a lot of women who would trade thyroid glands with you now just to be able to stay slim and eat all they want :) But seriously, a quick check showed that interferon-induced Graves disease has much better outcomes than the other kind. Try and speak to at least a couple of specialists before trying that neckadectomy thing.

-- Jim

[cajunlady]

So, so, sorry you are having more obstacles.  This is a site for you to look for info on graves disease. www.4woman.gov/faq/graves.htm    It gives a bit of info that helps.

You have Hyper/weight loss and I have Hypo/weight gain.  I have a goeiter in the middle of my throat with mine.  Won't do surgery on this unless it obstructs my air way or it is considered cosmetic.  I did want them to remove mine when I found out. Yours is caused by treatment, possibly and can have them removed without all the red tape.  Good Luck on that and keep us informed.

And, you go for all the ice cream and fudge pops you want.

cajun

[mikesimon]

I feel for you Girl. Sometimes it's damn tough to get a break and I sure hope you get a few soon. Mike

[dyce]

Bummer. I'm sure you'll come thru this with flying colors!

Dyce

[Mister beagle bailey]

There you are, have been looking for you since last night.  I'm so sorry but try not to worry.  My sister-in-law has had it since she was 19 and she is now 43.  Can't believe that .4% of those on treatment ca get it and your one of them.  Did he say if it could be gone when your done with tx?

Bob

[dyce]

Shot 3 tonite , matter of fact I just did it 1/2 hour ago. It still makes me nervious .

Dyce

[Mister beagle bailey]

How are you feeling? I foegot it was#3, I'm #12 Sun. and then the big PCR on Thurs. or Fri.  That has me nervous as h**l, sure hope the results are good.

Bob

[dyce]

I 'm sure your results will be good!! You've been compliant with the meds. and being a geno2 does'nt hurt either your odds are good. I can't wait to see your results!

Dyce

[Mister beagle bailey]

Thanks, did you find your paper work on the first clear PCR you had to figure your end date?

Bob