low HGB?

[taccs4]

My HGB was at 10.8 last Friday and was 10.7 on the Thursday before. Today I have noticed that it is has been harder to catch my breath. However, since I had my labs checked a week ago, do you think I am just being paranoid? Can hgb levels fall quickly? Sometimes I think reading about symptoms may make me worry a little more than necessary. I am supposed to have my labs checked again on Sep. 7. Should I wait it out or do you think it is worth making a call to the doc office?

[roostermom]

I am on week 8 and I am at 9.1 and will be starting procrit. I can hardly stay awake.

[nygirl7]

Mine went from 15+ to 9 in ten days. That is anemia.  10.7 is not but you'll have to keep an eye on it it's not just how low it goes but how fast it gets there.

[working dog]

mine went from 14.5 to 8.3 in three weeks..no time for my body to adjust...i'm on procrit now but got on too late..i had to reduce my riba for a while...last i checked it was 9.1 and going up...i feel like its much higher now...keep getting blood work to keep an eye on this...you can have a heart attack if it dips fast and you over do it...good luck...billy

[taccs4]

I started 7 weeks ago yesterday and my hgb was 13.4 at start. It was in the 12 range at my 2 week labs, and then 10.7 at my 4 week.

[hrsepwrguy]

What was your hgb prior to starting and when did you start ?

[taccs4]

Thanks for the responses. It is always nice to hear a voice of reason and have someone "talk me off the ledge" so to speak. I will huff, puff, and wait it out. ;) Hopefully the hgb will go up or at least remain the same.

[SunShineGirlie]

the last time I treated it took 7 months for my hemoglobin to drop that drastic.  My Doc said it is such a cannon blast with these new PI's the body is having difficulty holding it's own.  I think it is my age, I am too dang old for all this LOL

[SunShineGirlie]

I love those little birds.  We have a feeder on our deck and 3 of the hummingbirds play around it.  They are so cute to watch.  A few weeks ago one of them landed on the rim of my coffee cup.  I sit out there with my iPhone trying to get pics but they are so quick it is almost impossible.

[Mary4now]

Oh I feel for you, that low hgb can knock you down,  I could hardly walk up 5 stairs, pace yourself, and take it easy.
I'm watching the hummingbirds fight over a yard full of food and feeders, how funny, they are sooo cute, I envy their energy.
Mary

[hrsepwrguy]

I was just wondering if it took awhile for the riba build up and start knocking it back, sounds like it does.

[SunShineGirlie]

I am just finishing up week 3

[hrsepwrguy]

How long ago did you start ?

[SunShineGirlie]

yes hemoglobin can take a nose dive - mine was 15 a week ago and yesterday it was 13 - my doc will let it get as low as 9 before they intervene with either Procrit or lowering the Ribavirin dose, depending the individual case and how the patient feels

[hrsepwrguy]

I am in a study that is triple therapy with incivek, they are studying concentration controlled ribavirin dosing and absolute hg decline is 1 of the things that they are looking at cloely

[hrsepwrguy]

My study docs said they would not intervene until I got below 10 and possibly pull me out if I got as low as 8.5, but I am in a study and that is there protocol. I will be allowed rescue drugs at 10 though. I started at 15.4 and am only 3 days in so I won't even have a clue how fast I'm dropping until next week.

[Anne1717]

Yes, they can fall and different doctors jump in at different points.  You would be breathless.  I personally would wait.  Mine was very low for the last few months of treatment  - 10.5 and the in the 9's.  You do feel like you are dying- but don't worry - you won't.    Just make sure you rest and don't over do.  

Anne