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When do to VL test during week 4/12
One basic question. When we say VL test during week 4 or 12 of tx, when exactly is it done during the week? I take Pegasys shot on Saturdays. My nurse says the test can be done on Monday, that is, 2 days after taking 4th/12th injection. I have a feeling I have to wait till Friday before taking next injection. Appreciate inputs regarding standard practice here.
Just another note: I would not have it drawn any earlier than necessary (so don't follow the nurse's advice as that is too early). I think the earliest I would have it drawn would be as Can-do suggested, the Friday before your fifth inj. (but only if you cannot get it drawn the Saturday morning of your fifth inj.).
I don't know if you are doing SOC or if you have a PI (Incivek or Vic.) added to your treatment. Besides the fact that the VL should be drawn as close to or on the same day as the 5th inj., keep in mind that if you are on Incivek your length of treatment will be determined by the results of the 4 week VL test. With Incivek if you are detected at 4 weeks you will do 48 weeks of treatment as opposed to 24 weeks if you had been undetected at 4 weeks. Those few days may make a difference in the VL result.
I don't know if you are doing SOC or if you have a PI (Incivek or Vic.) added to your treatment. Besides the fact that the VL should be drawn as close to or on the same day as the 5th inj., keep in mind that if you are on Incivek your length of treatment will be determined by the results of the 4 week VL test. With Incivek if you are detected at 4 weeks you will do 48 weeks of treatment as opposed to 24 weeks if you had been undetected at 4 weeks. Those few days may make a difference in the VL result.
I agree with the above two posters. The VL should be drawn 4 weeks after the first injection. For me that is on a Monday. For my 4 week VL I had my lab drawn in the am and took my fifth injection (which was 4 weeks after I started the regimen) that evening.
My case manager has always been very picky about which week I am in. She says one has not had 4 weeks of meds until the fifth inj. One has not had 8 weeks of meds until the ninth inj., etc. Tomorrow I will do my 24th injection and I will have my 24 week labs drawn a week from tomorrow (Monday morning on the same day I do my 25th injection).
My case manager has always been very picky about which week I am in. She says one has not had 4 weeks of meds until the fifth inj. One has not had 8 weeks of meds until the ninth inj., etc. Tomorrow I will do my 24th injection and I will have my 24 week labs drawn a week from tomorrow (Monday morning on the same day I do my 25th injection).
"I have a feeling I have to wait till Friday before taking next injection"
If by that you mean waiting an extra wk to take the injection don't do that take the injection at your normal time.
As can-do said the fri before your 5th inj would be best.
If by that you mean waiting an extra wk to take the injection don't do that take the injection at your normal time.
As can-do said the fri before your 5th inj would be best.
Also the way your nurse is saying is short changing you almost a week of taking the other meds which would be closer to only 3 full weeks instead of 4
Myself i would want to take it at the end of 4 weeks and right before my 5th shot. In your case why not on friday the day before your 5th shot?
Best to you
Best to you
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