Procrit Experience

[80mecheng]

I am 24 weeks into a 28 treatment with 3X (VIC) and at week 18 my Hmg dropped to 9.2 and was continuing to drop.  Doctor added Procrit (40,000 units/ml) in weekly shot.  HMG in 5 weeks of shots went from 9.2 to 9.9 but last week it was back down to 9.5 which surprised me.  Anyone else have this experience?  If it helps I am Geno type1, undetectable since week 8, 200 lbs.  

[80mecheng]

One last bump to see if others have seen Procrit "fail".

[80mecheng]

I'm bumping this thread to get additional input.  Little worried about the auto immune response listed as a rare side effect.  Additionally I have become very pale and weak again.  With 3.5 weeks to go I suppose a reduction in Riba may be the next step but I have fought to avoid it since I want to complete the full treatment.

[80mecheng]

Libzo2-Thanks for the response.  I have been very careful to make sure I get all of the vile loaded into the syringe up to 1ML as directed.  I guess I see what the results are for next weeks CBC, if it is still dropping I will be worried.

[libzo2]

First, Congrats on your advancement through your TX.  Many cannot even get that far.  I have two points to add regarding Procrit - I used the finer of the needles that had numerical markings of 1 thru 12.  Use the entire little procrit vial.  Don't do what I did - because I was instructed over the phone, I misunderstood and only drew enough procrit to get to .4 (for 40,000 units)on the needle leaving almost half the shot in the vial for my first 10 shots.  Secondly, my PA prescribed "Vitron-C" which is a very low dose iron and Vit C supplement to help the Procritt work.  At first I thought I was one of those that couldn't use procrit but after I realized my mistake and started using the whole vial and added 20,000 units to the 40,000, my Hmg slowly rose.  Most of my tx was a battle with anemia.  I hope you do better than I.  Keep up the good work.  You are getting there day by day.

[Sentinel13]

A main purpose of using Procrit or Epogen is to avoid a blood transfusion. It sounds like  the Procrit is doing that for you (although that may be little consolation if you still feel really anemic). You are welcome to look at my Epogen tracking table that I posted as a photo on my profile for a data point on the effect Epogen/Procrit had on someone else. Best Wishes, GB

[beeblessed]

Hi 80me (if I can call you that :)

Procrit works for some and not so much for others.  I had a really quick response and only needed 2 injections of it....but I also had a transfusion and dose reductions.  5 injections with you still under 10.0 sounds like a lot to me but hopefully one of the experts here will weigh in on this. I was told by friends to eat beets to help my blood.

Wishing you the best.  I'm on VIC too and on my last week of tx.
Bee