reducing dose of interferon

i am gutter that at week 4 i have to cut my dose of interferon to 135 due to bone marrow being too low...i have done so but feel so depressed as see that it is now unlikely that i will clear the virus tho the consultant says my liver is responding v well. i am v thin and this is what they are using...how can i get them to change their mind and put it up again or is it now too late

[sfwandwow]

just keep praying and have faith..U will get better..Think positive.

[zazza]

If you want to, post your blood cell counts here, and we will help you look at how low they actually are. Also, what is your weight? Maybe 135 mcg interferon is not that bad for your weight? I myself take PegIntron 120 mcg and weigh 165 lbs. I know that Pegasys is given at a fixed dose of 180 mcg, but if you are very thin, then perhaps 135 mcg is enough?

[txinaus]

I am at week 41 and I have had to reduce the interferon and the ribavirin due to low body weight and the accompanying health issues several times now.

So far I am still virus free and my LFT's are excellent :-D

There is the possibility that if you do not reduce to take care of yourself now, then you may eventually have to cease treatment altogether :(  That makes those four weeks of hell you have probably been through not worth it imo.

As my doc explained it to me.. Pegasys is not weight based and they have a standard dose which is set for anyone whether they be 40kg's (~ 90 Lbs) or 90Kg ( ~200 Lbs)

If you are in the lower weight ranges then the standard dose is VERY strong and could be causing more damage than it is fixing.

.As she so eloquently put it when I was originally protesting the reduction -
"There is no point in being virus free if you are already in your coffin" :/

Without some figures from your blood tests it is hard for anyone here to come up with any real advice for you and I am not trying to 'side' with the docs here, just add my 2 cents in :) - but please dont be discouraged, I am sure that the 135mg is gonna kick butt just as hard as the 180 :-D