Interfergen

[virtualsuzyq]

Hello to all.  I am 1b and will start Pegasus/Copeg very soon.  I have seen Interfergen mentioned in my readings.  Some people take it every day.  Is this a more successful treatment than the interferon?  Is it available in Canada?  Thanks.

[iceboy]

Thanks for this michael. I can hardly wait to see my doctor to find out what she plans for me.

got the Biopsy date, 30th of august. tataraa. Wants me in for blod test before (guess thats for palatelet)

Jim, I did do some searching on the T- cell when you told us yesterday (day before!?) Seems to be quite complicated study. But you see, we care for you, not only demanding advice from you. (Im obviously in good spirit. I should go and do something)

[iceboy]

About 13 years ago I got blisters all over my body, especially on hands, neck, palms. They grouped and made scabs. It was thought to be allergy for something, never found out what. I was severely ill, and completely drained from energy. This lasted for a year. I have been looking at the blood tests from that time and there is nothing out of the ordinary except AST and ALT are just about over the limit and bilirubin over limit. on CBC I was (Am) low on Hemoglobin, % RBC and MCV, but that could be related to Mediterranean syndrome. (some type of sickle cell?)

Now it has started again, but at the back of my calf

[MichaelT]

PegIntron <i>should</i> be dosed at almost 2X a week. Pegasys is good to go at 1X a week. Infergen, and non-pegylated alpha-interferon should never be less than 1X daily. At least one study evaluated 2X dosing of Infergen - which actually makes sense for non-pegylated interferons - and was, if memory serves, quite effective.

-Michael

[jmjm530]

What kind of skin problems have started again?

Inteferon and/or ribavirin can often cause flare ups in pre-existing skin conditions, way beyond the more common "riba rash".

If you haven't already, now might be a good time to find a really good dermatologist to have in your back pocket if things flare on tx.

In my case, I've been doing some topical steroids plus 3X-week UVB Narrow Band light therapy for what appears to be (2nd biopsy pending) either psoriasis, Lichens Planus, cutaneous t-cell lymphoma, or a little bit of each. :)

People haved been pulled off treatment for severe skin reactions so early intervention is important.

-- Jim

[iceboy]

Thanks boys for the reply to my qestions on the older thread re interferon. I have sort of left it out until now to dig into these drugs. Wasn

[virtualsuzyq]

Very interesting comment.  I, too, wondered why Interfergen wasn't used first.