Neupogen?

[Greta2012]

Just got the call this morning that my doctor wants to put me on Neupogen for 4 weeks because my white blood cells are so low.  I'm so disappointed, I really wanted to be done shooting into myself!!  Anyone else out there on this drug?  I don't know a thing about it.

[Ironpony]

Hehe  must have been a good feeling to find out you had two shots instead of 3! ;)

I know any low numbers on bloodwork can be unsettling especially after going through such a long tx that can be unpleasant....

But try to look at it from another perspective....

THANKFULLY it happened at the end of treatment.......

With the end of treatment your bloods will stabilize......

You are undetected....since the 4th week!!!!!!!!!

With your bloods stabilizing I do not think you will need rescue drugs long, I know you sound just as sick of medication as I am..


Greta you have done fantastic and it has been a pleasure to treat with you :)

Feel better:)
Laura

[flcyclist]

"I'm so mentally ready to be done that this was unwelcome news!!"
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Only 2 more weeks of tx so try to hang in there.  It will be over before you know it.  Don't sweat the neupogen shots, not a big deal.  Your doctor is just trying to reduce your risk of infection.  Unfortunately, many doctors, including mine, don't keep up on the literature stating otherwise.  

[Greta2012]

Great links, thanks.  I did a search on this topic and everything that came up was so old, it's nice to read more recent posts.  I'm so mentally ready to be done that this was unwelcome news!!  and of course I hate needles :)
Laura, I do have 2 shots left (thought it was 3 until I checked!) so hopefully that will help.

[willbb]

oops Flcy and I are on the same page it seems.....as usual  :)

[Ironpony]

Hi Doll...i have no experiience with neupogen but did want to comment to ask if you 2 shots left from what I remember? If that is still the case being that you are a first time treater who RVR'd I would imagine being off tx will help stabilize your counts as well.
Hope your feeling okay:)

Best wishes
Laura

[willbb]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Some-clarification-if-someone-knows-or-doctor-has-explained/show/1656098?personal_page_id=1837989

[willbb]

Hi greta ..I started this discussion a few months back  as a result of the many hours of research I had done on the subject...Happy reading

Will

[flcyclist]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Some-clarification-if-someone-knows-or-doctor-has-explained/show/1656098?personal_page_id=1837989

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/neupogen/show/1485901

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Side-effects-of-neupogen-/show/1753528

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/ANC-Low/show/1690984

[Greta2012]

Will, I would definitely be interested in the link.  My ANC dropped below 500 so I am concerned.

[willbb]

Hey  D   whats shakin !!!

[flcyclist]

oops, hi will :)

[flcyclist]

Your white blood cell count has dropped as a result of interferon.  Some doctors recommend a dose reducing interferon, while others prefer neupogen to avoid a dose reduction.  Most doctors actually look at the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) which is a better measure of the risk of infection.  This number should be available on your CBC results and its good to monitor this throughout tx, along with your Hgb and platelets.  Do you know what your ANC is?

Many docs have a tendancy of overprescribing neupogen (in my opinion), with some having a threshold of 1.0, while other more experienced hepatologists won't prescribe unless under 0.5.   There is little correlation between a very low ANC and infections, but the doctors like to play it safe.  The main side effect of neupogen is the achy bone feeling, but I didn't feel much from the shots.  I was on it from week 8 to 48 and it kept me from any dose reductions.  But I agree, I wasn't thrilled to inject something else into my body.  Good luck to you.

[willbb]

The segment of the WBC that most treating  physician watch is the ANC (Absolute neutrophil count) ..This is the main defender against bacterial infection..

Below .5 raises a red flad with some ,however there is lilte evidence that even at that level there is much concern for patients treating HCV..  

Do you know what this level is.

Neupogen can come with its own set of side effects also...

best..
Will

p.s ..if you are interested I will link a thread were we discussed this drug and it.s use awhile back ...