Well I did IT...So far So Good

[hvnbnd4]

Well I got brave and did it. Yesterday at 4pm I took my first shot. 180 of pegsys alpha 2-a..then at 8pm last night I took 200mg of riba and at 9pm I took the other 200mg.  I used the zofran before the shot and a promethezine before the pills.  So far I have had no reactions at all. A little redness at the site.  I did take a tylnol pm too. I woke today and went to the "Y" worked out, did the tread mill, and swam a few laps.  I took both my morning pills 400mg together at 8am.  So, I am taking 800 mg per day.  Is this still too small a dose for my weight? I am 270 female, and my v load is 280K, with no elevations in my liver panels at all. and only slight damage without any scarring.  Maybe doc feels I dont need a higher dose.  I have only had Hep for 11 years.  He is on vacation until the 6th. So, I have to wait anyway.  Atleast I feel good. I could go up to another 200mg maybe.  I will wait and ask him tho. Thanks for the info.. Geri floating from the water....

[hph5477]

I just did 37/48 and nurse just called and said my hemeglobin had dropped to 9.1 and she wants me to reduce my Riba.  I'm only taking 800 mg daily.  I lost Erin as my doc when she relocated up north and now have to see the NP who is not a proponent of additional meds to raise blood counts.  Anyway, she doesn't want to prescribe procrit b/c she says I'm so close to end of tx.
   Just wondering what you folks think of this.  I have an appt scheduled for this Wednesday; at which time I will be discussing this with her and plan to go in fully armed with my info.

[cuteus]

I got Procrit before it dropped below 10.2, I personally think she should Rx booster,it is quite low. some say the riba has done most of its work by now, I don't know...though.

[honey1616]

Hey,,,mine got down to that also at one during tx.  Ask if your dr will give you another week and do some more labs to see if comes up before making a decision.  Mine came up and I never had to worry about it.  I didn't want to cut the meds and I certaintly don't think you want to being at the finish line.

[hph5477]

The funny thing is that I have been feeling better and seem to have more energy than before.  In fact, have been riding my bike more and further distances and feeling really good doing it.  Personally, I don't see how I could still have the energy if it really dropped that low.  It had been hanging in between 10.3 and 10.8 just about the whole of tx.

[cuteus]

that is odd! have you changed your diet? maybe you can get another cbc in a week like Honey suggested?
weird.

[Fubarcat]

My doc just put me on Procrit with my Hgb being at 9.8.  I didn't want to take it, but it kicked in yesterday and I feel 100% better than I have felt in 24 weeks!  Why does being so close to the end of your treatment make any difference as to whether she starts you on Procrit?  I would either wait one week and re-do labs, or get on Procrit rather than decrease meds at this point.  But - that's just my opinion.