Treatment Stopped

[Rosebud41]

Yesterday, I was to take my third  injection of Pegasus, but my doctor's nurse called to tell me to end the medication because my neutrophile count had dropped dramatically.

I was shocked in that I had only minor physical side effects!

Has anyone heard of this kind of experience?

I feel just devastated.  Later in the day when I talked to the doctor he indicated I had what seemed to be a rather low count before I started treatment and the meds just took it too low. He's says he will be sending me to a hematologist.

I've made another appointment with a well known hepatologist in the area.
I was dealing with this pretty good until this occurred.

What do you think?

[Rosebud41]

Correction to previous comment from Rosebud 41

My doctor arranged for the hemtologist visit next week and the neupogen that I am now taking.

He called the hepatologist that I had made my appointment with and then
called me to say the hepatologist said he had never seen such a dramatic drop.
And that with my numbers the expert said he didn't even know of any trials I could participate in
I thought that was that was fishy...
I like to gasto who got this started but I don't think he was prepared for such an aggressive patient or anything more than an text book case.  

[Rosebud41]

TeeVee36

Thank You a Million times over.

I kind of suspected my doctor was shocked and unprepared for the problem that arose.

I can't tell you how glad I am you answered. It gives some hope for another day.

I could not understand why he didn't suggest what you mentioned.

After talking to a hematologist he did put me on Neupogen but did not allow me to continue with the Pegasys.
I'm going to see a hepatologist on Thursday.  My present doctor called the hematologist that I made the apppointment with and then he called me yesterday to say the doctor stated he had never seen a case with such a dramatic drop. I was not to pleased about that and I didn't understand his motive.

My family said I was reading too much into the call, but I felt really awful after the call.





























My family says maybe looking to closing at the situation, but I really felt his call
served no purpose but maybe to explain or support his actions.

So, your information is extemely helpful. I couldn't understand if they did it for cancer patients why it was not suggested for Hepatitis C.

You have given at least some hope for today.  After his call I fell into a real funk because it appeared to be the end of the road for me.  Thank you from every cell in my being.

At least for this day I don't feel as it all my options are up.

[TeeVee36]

After my first injection and at my first appt after that injection, my PA said my labs were really crazy and gave me an injection of Neupogen and a prescription for it.  I have only 9 shots left and have been taking the Neupogen 3 times a week for the entire tx.  They almost took me to 4 times a week.  Even with 3 weekly injections of Neopogen my WBC and ANC's are still low.  I guess without the Neupogen they would be non-existent.
Unfortunately I don't have any labs here with me they are all at work in a folder so I could tell you what my numbers are.  I do know that the lowest my WBC count was is 1.8 and my ANC's high 400's.  With the 3 Neup shots a week my WBC's stay around 2 something and my ANC stay in the high 500's which is still low for both.  I am surprised that they didn't want to start you on Neopogen.  It sounds like your doctor wasn't equiped to deal with treating HCV and you really should see a Hep doctor.  

Good luck to you and if you can get a hold of your numbers (WBC/ANC) please let us know.

TV

[Rosebud41]

I don't remember. I believe it was very low.
I've seem the article you referred to. I found it today after my problem started.

I was wondering if I could be treated to keep it up during treatment rather than just stopping.

[zazza]

How low is low? What are your neutrophil counts during treatment? What were they before treatment? Here is some good information:

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/hepC/Neutropenia.html

The article is called "Neutropenia during combination therapy of interferon alfa and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C". Read it!