HGB keeps falling..they keep reducing ribavarin

[sherritaylor12]

To: Do you think this small does of riba will work for me or will I have to discontinue treatment because my hgb keeps dropping..nothig is helping
Well, they called yesterday and my hgb went down again from 10.2 to 9.  They have cut my riba again, I am only on 600 mg (1in the morning & 2 at night) now, I am not a small woman 5' 7.5" and 165 lbs.  I am very worried about this dose reduction stopping my progress (still <25 since week 2) I am on shot nine and no change in vl so far they will not alow procrit because of the study  (same one as Mary4now and researchmonkey .   I feel awful, but am trying to make the best of it since we are out of town visiting with old friends that are   here in Texas from FL and Cal and have done us a wonderful favor by putting a new hardwood floor in our classic 1978 Airstream.  How can you be down  when you have great friends like that.  How dangerous is hgb 9.  I am dragging around and trying to keep my chin up but know I will have to cut my visit short and go home to bed. All good thoughts in my direction are appreciated.
Thanks to all.  Sherri

[researchmonkey326]

I hope you feel better soon and that maybe some of the more knowledgeable members here can give you some advice.  Watching you and Mary (I think there are another few in our study as well) and hearing what you are going through is inspiring to me since I have not had these severe symptoms up to this point and knowing that you both are keeping on - well, it stops me from complaining so much about my sx which are still manageable.  I hope that your treatment will continue without interruption.  Hang in there and know that you have people thinking about you.
Debra

[spectda]

I am sorry to hear that your dose is being reduced again and that you are suffering the effects of the low hgb, it's really tough to endure. Try to do as little as possible make sure your family and friends understand that you need to seriously limit your activity. This is not a time to be stoic.

Normally hgb at 9 is uncomfortable but not dangerous, Age, heart problems, high blood pressure  or other health issues can effect how safe low hgb is for you.  Have you asked your treating doctor about this? You can always go to see your GP or a cardiologist if you are not comfortable with his advice.  

Dave

[uncledudeness]

I'm on week 17 and currently UND. my HGB has dropped steadily since i started tx. it's currently at 8.7, and i'm on 80,000 units of Procrit a week. they cut my riba to 600 and my INF to 135. your size is very important when taking riba. 600 might not be a problem in the short term. riba will stay in your system for a while, and a week or two drop is not a big deal.
you need to take it easy and not exert yourself. at 8.7, i can still function semi normally. i'm not running any marathons, but i am still working. just so you know, the Procrit isn't doing much for me. i have been on it for 9 weeks. although i don't know what my HGB would have been if i didn't take it. so hang in there and stay on tx. that is the most important thing.

are you going for weekly CBC's? i have been since i started Procrit.

eat right, drink a lot of water, get a lot of rest and most importantly stay positive...

you will beat this.