Delaying shot and effect on tx success.

[gazebo1]

I asked this earlier, but did not really get much information, so just asking again.  

I am being treated for early stage pneumonia with the 5-day Levaquin. CBC came back OK for now, but Doc may have me delay my next injection "for awhile". I do Understand that with my immunity lower the pneumonia is very serious, but what is the consequence of delaying the interferon? If they have me wait a few days, does that have much effect on treatment success? I will wait if told to, but just interested to know more information on not staying on the weekly schedule.

In my 5th week of PegIntron Riba combo and UND at week 2.

Thanks, G

[mremeet]

Oh yeah one other thing, I'm supposing your neutrophils are pretty low and that's what's contributing to the IFN driven infection risk?? If so, is there any way your doctor can put you on neupogen (or equivalent) to help build your infection fighting ANC's back up? I know it takes a while for it to kick in, and the pneumonia may not afford you the luxury of time right now. But maybe he can tide you over with antibiotics until the neupogen can do its thing? Just a thought, I'm no doctor, so for what it's worth.

[mremeet]

That's too bad you might have to postpone a shot, especially considering you went UND in a mere two weeks. That's really outstanding performance and it's a strong positive indicator that you're likely to get your SVR.

But if you have a life threatening condition and your doctor is advising against taking your next shot, what can you do? I would discuss it with him in detail and make sure he's not being overly conservative. If you have to stop, then you have to stop. But just make sure he understands the consequences of screwing up your fantastic RVR, make sure the shot interruption is truly warranted/justified and there's no reasonably safe way to avoid it. You're off to a rip roaring start, it would be a damn shame to take your foot off the virus at this point.

However, if you have to stop and the virus makes a breakthrough, all is not lost. Either you can pick right back up when you're ready and continue on, or you can take a break and recuperate from both the effects of treatment and your pneumonia. And then restart sometime in the future when you've got your house back in order. You've already demonstrated your virus and body respond strongly to IFN and riba, so odds are you'll perform in a similar (successful) fashion when you go at it again. Plus, in a way you're lucky because you're only 5 weeks into treatment. Imagine how crappy this situation would be if you were 5 months into treatment? You'd stand to lose an awful lot more, this way you're not fully vested and don't have nearly as much to lose.

Either way, best of luck with your health.

[MrsOckert]

Lung, skin and UTI infections can be quite common and can turn life threatening.  Clear up the pneumonia and then worry about HCV.  Taking the interferon isn't worth your life.

[NYgirl]

I agree.  While I'll be the first to tell you not to stop your meds under any circumstances...that goes totally without saying that something life threatening has to come first.  You need to use common sense when dealing with things.

If there is any way not to stop the meds then take them but if you just CANT...you cant.

But it is a tough thing.

[Tri-guy]

About 5 weeks into my first treatment I developed an intestinal infection and my doctor stopped my treatment immediately until all my blood counts returned to normal.  At first I thought it was a side effect of treatment and waited to long to get it checked out.  With a weakened immune system any infection can be serious business.  I waited awhile to start up again and was no longer UND so I had to start from the beginning.  If you

[chcnme]

Hi Gazebo. So sorry you're faced with this.  It's bound to be an awful feeling to think you may have to delay (or hold off a while). I don't know what the numbers or stats are on starting / stopping. From all I've read and heard, I'm sure at some point (if you have to stop and start and stop again) it lowers your odds of success, but at this stage I would tend to think it's premature to say it's going to lower your chance of success.  You might be off a week and be able to resume and then do just fine and ....not skip a beat, so to speak.  Has the doc said anything to you about being concerned about Hep C treatment and chronic lung disease?  Are they monitoring your CBC to gauge when you can resume after this bout of pneumonia, or are they watching your pulmonary status (repeat chest x-ray, etc?)