How fast do labs recover post treatment?

Hey all! Does anybody know how fast labs recover after finishing txing? I'm trying to get a ballpark figure here to "guesstimate" when I may be able to work a 12 or 24 hour shift again (I'm a Paramedic)...Thanks...   ~Melinda

[FlGuy]

You should see CBC improvement within two weeks.  Since you will probably take riba for another week after last Peg, the inital improvement (mine were) in WBC values.  Since riba sticks around longer, the red stuff take a little more time.  You should feel a bit better when the time comes for meds and you don't have any to take.

In a post a few days ago I think you said you were going to tx for 23 weeks.  Why the odd number?

[medicmommy]

Hiya! Thanks for the info! Hmmm...Must have been a typo..I seem to have a lot of them.. (TG for spell check!) LOL...Nope. I'm doing the 24 weeks for 3a...(3 1/2 weeks to go!!!Yay!) Currently the labs are low but stable at HGB 10.1, HCT 30 and ANC at 720...I don't feel too bad, just get pooped easy...And the ANC will have to be at 1500 ish before I start getting MRSA hacked on me again! :) -Yannow? Take care!        ~Melinda

[FlGuy]

The ANCs seem to bounce back pretty quickly. Since Peg dissapates in less than a week the depression on marrow leaves and the production of ANCs pick up rapidly.  At least that's how it was 'splained to me by the hemo doc.  Blood tests showed it too.

Less than 4 left, that's good.  Almost done!

[Bobby1952]

  I am a 3A and treated for 24 weeks also. It took me about 2 months to feel better.  3 weeks after finishing tx I was in the hospital with Pluerisy. Everyone is different, You will know when you are back to normal.  

Bobby

[pKinCA]

Hi!!

I would say it took me about a month to feel somewhat normal, but my tx was extreme too...

How anxious are you to get back on the job?  Can you schedule for one month after ending tx and then go back to work earlier than that if you're ready?  Or later, if you're not?

pK

[desrt]

I felt normal and all my labs were normal at one month post - but I never strayed far from normal range while txing and only did 23 weeks. It was one year post that I started having hypertension, insomnia, and blood sugar issues. Keep your rebound weight gain down, watch your diet, and exercise and you may be able to avoid those things.

[medicmommy]

Yup...got it planned to be one month post txing until I go back to work...It seems reasonable that I'll get close to normal (well, as much as possible for me!) by then...I have a feeling the guys are going to be treating me like something that will break for a while...(Grrr) sigh...But, I am getting the "itch" to get back in the swing of things...I'm most concerned about being in poor shape right now...5 months of little exercise and weight bearing activity has me worried I won't be able to hold my end up...(Before txing, I could pick up 275 lbs without batting an eye...(I'm 5'6" and about 170 lbs) Now, I find a 3/4 full water pitcher a challenge...LOL) Yes, if I have to, I can delay my return for up to another 6 months...I may divorce my husband though, if that happens...:) -Just kidding...the walls are closing in a bit...         ~Melinda

[medicmommy]

Thanks you guys! I really appreciate your input and relating your experiences on this subject...                                                                  ~Melinda

[alagirl]

It took me about three months to get my energy back and I have lots of energy now.  I have some issues still that cause me to feel bad and I need to get those worked out, BUT I have a lot of energy.

[moahunter]

I am feeling much much better almost 6 months after treatment, my hair is back to normal now, for example, and I have a lot of energy. You start improving a few weeks after finisihing treatment.Emotionally though, I feel like I am only really "feeling" normal over the last coulple of months. I still think about treatment a lot though, I guess that's not going to go away for a while.