the riba makes you speedy, wiggy. the INF can make you tired or flulike.
the riba may be interfering with your sleep however, without you realizing it.
So if your blood wrk is OK you should try more rest r maybe a sleep aide to see how that effects yourenergy levels. Maybe, do not take your Riba any later than 5=6 hrs before bedtime, since the "concentration period" can keep you from falling asleep.
Riba is not the cause of fatigue. The side effects of peg and rib is anemia and neutropenia. Low RBC and low WBC. Anemia bigger cause of fatigue. If your neutrophil count is low you have very high risk of infections. Stay clean and away from people with colds etc.
The only issue I could see about spreading the dose out to much, is if you stop taking each dose with fat -- for exampe just downing a solo riba with water. Fat in theory will help the riba absorb better which logistically makes it easier to take the usual two doses, each with a meal.
-- Jim
im winding down with a taper off. 5 weeks left to zero dose.
ill make a post updating my situation when i get my labs back.
i hope you are doing better.
Ditton the being worried about a dose reduction - the riba plays a CRUCIAL part in the whole treatment process and if you don't have enough they WILL breakthrough again.
Check your labs and talk to your doctor. Ribavirin doesn't really cause the lethargy - in fact it has quite the opposite effect on people. Lethargy is a side effect of treatment and particularly the interferon but you could have anemia starting up and need to get on epogen or procrit fast - it can take up to six works to work so you want to be on it asap.
I agree with you about spreading them out. It is okay to do this as long as you keep the dose for the day the same. I would worry about reducing the Riba for a few days before week 12, or before you become UND. Also, I am not sure it would help much with sx, as the Riba stays in your system for quite awhile. Check those CBC's, perhaps rescue drugs are needed.
Linda
"i was on seven a day. "
Are you finished?...and if so...when? I haven't heard a peep outta you. Hope you are doin' well?
...and this is the 1rst I've heard about spreading out the riba for less sx. hmmmm. I have enough trouble remembering morning/evening....
you can take them any way you want. 3 riba at a time was noticably harder on me than spread out through the day. 2 at a time or one. some people cant feel the difference it but i sure could. i was on seven a day.
your treatment wont be compromised if you spread them out. just make sure your doc agrees with your daily dosage and if the full amount is too hard on you and you have to
reduce, then that could lower your chances for success. if i felt superbad i would sometimes reduce for a few days or a week but thats all.
Have you had a CBC to see if your HGB is low? You may have anemia which is common after a few weeks of tx. You can get procrit to help, if this is the case. Look at those labs and ask your Dr.
There's nothing wrong with taking six pills one at a time all day. My doctor recommended that when I was on treatment and did not like what three at a time did to me. The half life of ribavirin is so long that it does not make a difference.
Check with your doctor first please. I changed my dosage up a little bit and it put me in a world of hurt. Apparently, the Riba works with the Interferon and the Interferon breaks down molecularly and there is a perfect balance...if you haven't found out already.
Please call your doctor first and dont try to take shortcuts on your own like I did....trust me on this one.
How many ribavirin pills a day are you taking now?