Procrit immunity

[jt57]

My labs have my doc concerned.  my hgb keeps dropping, yet I am on procrit and have been.  Now on wk 22.  labs this week, hgb has dropped to 7.6.  My dr is concerned that I may have built up an immunity to the procrit.  Also, he wants to drop the ribavirin again.  I was on 1000 mg.  my weight dropped to 120.  he dropped it to 800 mg a couple of weeks ago.  now i am at 116, and because of my hgb, he wants to drop to 600 mg. HELP!  I don't want to stop tx.  I was clear at 4 wks and have stayed that way.  Can anybody shed any light on this?

Jean

[spectda]

Hi Jean-
It's good to hear your on the right track now. let us know when you get your results.

I don't know why your b12 would be so high, maybe someone with more knowledge will comment.  Interestingly enough B12 helps fight the anemia, It doesn't seem to be working for you, although perhaps the high level is your body's way of fighting back.

http://www.lef.org/protocols/infections/hepatitis_c_01.htm

Protecting against ribavirin-induced anemia. Hemolytic anemia can result from the use of ribavirin in about 10 percent of cases. Folic acid and vitamin B12 (as methylcobalamin) may protect against ribavirin-induced anemia. The methylation-enhancing effects of both folic acid and vitamin B12 will also improve the liver-protecting effectiveness of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) (Bottiglieri T et al 1994; Swain RA et al 1997). Serum ferritin levels are closely monitored during interferon and ribavirin therapy to ensure that iron levels stay within the normal range. Iron supplements are to be taken only under direction of a healthcare provider.

Here is a study correlating b12 with response to treatment. Hope it works this way for you.

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/2009icr/ddw/docs/060509_b.html

Vitamin B12 Levels May Help Predict Response to Interferon-based Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20196801

Serum B12 levels predict response to treatment with interferon and ribavirin in patients with chronic HCV infection

It's really tough dealing with the issues you have dealt with on top of the normal hardships of tx. You keep plugging away, even if you feel you had no choice. i really hope you get the well deserved svr.

I hope you get some answers soon,  Dave  

[jt57]

thanks, but I don't think I'm amazing.  just have no choice.  Had the retic test, waiting for the results, which should be tomorrow.  but for now, no procrit.....i know I will tank really fast.  this is really frustrating.  btw, my b12 was 1500!  never been high.  always normal.  think this means anything?

Jean

[nygirl7]

got lab results yesterday hgb 10.2 wbc 2.8 hgb 8, 4 weeks on procit, had blood work today, tested neg for hep c at 4 weeks i am new at this so forgive, 9 weeks on tx geno2   "

it sounds like you are doing great and I bet you are feeling so much better now that your hemo is up from 8.  Once mine went up to about that level I was able to function again. It sure feels much better going up rather than down doesn't it?  When you first go down to ten it's miserable but up to 10 feels OK.  Just make sure you don't go over 12 I believe that is the cut off point and why we worked so hard to keep mine at about 10.5.

GOOD LUCK keep up the good work.

[jt57]

I could not get that link to pull anything up.  (The last one you sent).

Jean

[jt57]

no, i do not know what my fasting blood sugar is.  Should I find out?


Jean

[CoWriter]

"nice to know anemia and interferon could be repsponsible for my high ferritin, even though my doc says he has never seen anyones this high??"

--------------------

Here's a good article on causes of high ferritin you can show your doctor....

http://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?pid=s1130-01082009000100004&script=sci_arttext
.

BTW, do you know what you fasting blood sugar is?

Co