An Anemia Question

[GP7852]

I am very excited to finally get accepted into a trial after being bounced from 2 of them due to my history.This trial is grazoprevir,elbasvir along with my old friend ribavirin.My question is this-I have gotten anemia each time I took peg interferon and ribavirin.Once by themselves and another time with incivek.I am scared that I could get bounced from this trial because of becoming anemic.Does the ribavirin without the peg interferon possibly lower my chances of getting anemic.Does anybody have any experience of having been anemic in the past from treatments and went on to a new treatment that included ribo but no peg and didn't have any anemic problems?
                                                                          
                                         Thanks ahead for your response     Glen

[GP7852]

Thanks for that good news Sue.I feel more assured after hearing that.
                                                        Glen

[sue4hula]

I've treated 4 times with Ribavirin as per of the cocktail.  I became anemic with the first three which all included Interferon.  The last time, I did Harvoni and Ribavirin for 6 months and did not become anemic.  I hope you have the same outcome with this trial.  Both anemia free and better yet, virus free!

[GP7852]

I certainly will Marc-The doc explained to me that its usually 2 drugs attacking the virus on most treatments but this will be 3 different meds hitting it from every angle.So far this study has been hitting 1000 without any relapses.I sure hope I have the same results.I will write on here about my progress when I get the results of my 1st bloodwork.

                                         Good Luck   Glen

[virt111]

Hey, that's great news that you got accepted into the trial, Glen. As Surfside said, keep us posted on your progress.

Wishing you the best,

Marc

[GP7852]

You can count on it Sue.I owe you a lot-your a terrific lady.I will be in touch after I start treatment.
                                    Thank you   Glen

[SurfsideGal]

I couldn't be more thrilled for you, Glen. Please stay in touch and let me know how it is going.  You have our prayers for an SVR.

[GP7852]

Thank you so much for all your help Surfer.After getting bumped from my docs trial(they just wanted people who only did Harvoni and nothing else and relapsed)and then U of Penn bumped me cause Giliad told them only non cirrhotics.I found the exact study that Jules Levin recommended at clinical trials,gov and my timing was perfect.I was the 1st one they screened.Its in Hillsborough township which is over a 2 hour drive.They asked me if there would be a problem with the distance.I told them I would crawl if I had to.
                                   God Bless    Glen

[SurfsideGal]

Me!!! Ribavirin will lower your hemoglobin a bit, but likely not nearly as much as when used with interferon. My hemoglobin actually dropped to 7.0 at one point in interferon treatment but I never got below 11 with Viekira Pak. My fingers and toes are crossed for you that all goes well. So excited that you have another chance.