Anemia Update

[BoceprevirGal]

Hi Folks, so, my HGB went from 10.0 at 4 weeks, to 9.9. at 6 weeks, and I am feeling progressively more like I cant get a deep breath, a suffocating feeling, very claustrophobic!  My Doc prescribed the Procrit, my specialty pharmacy does carry it ( My Doc had said they didn't...??/), and they will get prior authorization for it, justlike they did, for the other meds, so all should go well, but all this may take until next Tuesday (I go to the Doc every Tuesday, it's a clinic, only open tues, and weds...grrr)
   Soooo...I'mm not real worried, cuz the HGB is dropping gradually, but does anybody have any suggestion, on how to get a DEEP breath, or any other techniques, that help with hemolytic anemia? I also heard that Procrit takes awhile to kick in, so I am trying to stay calm, not panic, etc...

[orphanedhawk]

My doctor had me doing weekly cbcs to check my blood levels. This is a good thing. I had to take nuepogen which was based on my anc.
Once my levels were stable, he switched me from weekly to monthly labs.
If your levels have been stable, there is no reason not to do them less often.

[80mecheng]

My doctor has had me doing CBC blood draws weekly for about 2 months.  I told him I feel like a pin cushion.  I have another Thursday and then finish the medicine in a week and may tell him no more weekly tests.

[BoceprevirGal]

My Docotr always seems so busy it's a clinic. She only said she ws gonna start me on Procrit, becuz I had dropped to 9.9, but I go to this clinic once a week, so they may be planning on doing that, although, thus far, they are testing my blood every other week, which is freaking me out. Somuch can change in a 14 day period, and I am on Victrelis, these PI's are not even FDA approved for a year yet. We are the trail-blazers...sigh

[BoceprevirGal]

Yeah, my insurance company okayedit, but my doctor seems to be dragging her feet, about faxing them the prescription, I was actually practically stalking her at her office today, but all I did was manage to write her a note...grrr!
   Ya know...you are right about the thought of the blood transfusion being scarey! I remember, when I had my first son, at age 21 yrs, back in 1982, after the birth, I lost a ton of blood, and they wante to give me a transfusion, and I REFUSED it! I had read about three cases of this "Cancer" that was being spread via blood transfusions, and the newspapers were refering to the HIV virus, which simply came out of nowhere!
  I do get my Flu vaccinations though..ahhh

[80mecheng]

For what it's worth, I had similar response (tough time getting my breath, extreme fatigue just going from my car to the office or store) when I got below 10 at week 18.  I am on 3X with Vic.  When hmg hit 9.2 and was starting to drop fairly quickly doctor suggested a transfusion which I told him was not my first choice if it could be avoided...what else do we not know about.  After a 2 week battle with the insurance company mostly over paper work started Procrit but in 7 weeks hmg climbed from 9.2 to 10.2.  Feel better but hate the shot, it hurts and makes me nauseated for 3 days.  I'm done in 9 days so just hanging in there.  Best of luck.

[working dog]

i was just saying your pulse will most likely go up so you don't get freaked out when it does...i took my bp and pulse at times throughout tx just for my own info...after 5 weeks of tx i could feel almost exactly what my hgb was...anemia can be tough...although once you get use to your hgb it does get easier...my hgb was much easier to take after the incivek...with just the riba/interferon low hgb was more tolerable...hang in there and keep up on the blood work...billy