why would my hgb still tank after 3 full days

with out riba and more then a week after incivek??? it was 7.5 yesterday and today feels worse....thanks...billy

[lynda607]

Don't you think it's time to consult with a hematologist.  Apparently your doctor isn't doing much for you.

[flcyclist]

Iron won't help the hemolytic anemia caused by the Ribavirin. As Debbie stated, you've only been off of Riba a few days, so you shouldn't expect a quick rebound of the Hgb due to it's long half life.   If you're prescribed Procrit and you don't have enough iron stores, the Procrit apparently won't work.  Your doctor can check for iron deficiency, so discuss this further with him/her.

Read further info from http://www.procrit.com/

"Lack or Loss of Hemoglobin Response to PROCRIT®
•For lack or loss of hemoglobin response to PROCRIT®, initiate a search for causative factors (e.g., iron deficiency, infection, inflammation, bleeding). If typical causes of lack or loss of hemoglobin response are excluded, evaluate for PRCA. In the absence of PRCA, follow dosing recommendations for management of patients with an insufficient hemoglobin response to PROCRIT® therapy.

Pure Red Cell Aplasia
•Cases of PRCA and of severe anemia, with or without other cytopenias that arise following the development of neutralizing antibodies to erythropoietin have been reported in patients treated with PROCRIT®. This has been reported predominantly in patients with CKD receiving ESAs by subcutaneous administration. PRCA has also been reported in patients receiving ESAs for anemia related to hepatitis C treatment (an indication for which PROCRIT® is not approved).

•If severe anemia and low reticulocyte count develop during treatment with PROCRIT®, withhold PROCRIT® and evaluate patients for neutralizing antibodies to erythropoietin. Contact Janssen Biotech, Inc. (1-800-457-6399) to perform assays for binding and neutralizing antibodies. Permanently discontinue PROCRIT® in patients who develop PRCA following treatment with PROCRIT® or other erythropoietin protein drugs. Do not switch patients to other ESAs."

[working dog]

i just checked with my doctor..my iron is fine....i'm getting a transfusion....billy

[redsurfer]

good .. i wish i would have done a transfusion when i was at 7.5 ..im using procrit which is not working very well im only @ 8.7 aftr 6 weeks of procrit....hope you feel better soon.. let us know how you feel ...i might see if i can get a transfusion in a few days if i dont get better ...