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
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.
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
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
How long ago did you start ?
I am just finishing up week 3
I was just wondering if it took awhile for the riba build up and start knocking it back, sounds like it does.
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
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.
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
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.
What was your hgb prior to starting and when did you start ?
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.
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
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.
I am on week 8 and I am at 9.1 and will be starting procrit. I can hardly stay awake.