Pneumonia while on tx

[cbw36]

So I'm on shot 21. I've had the dreaded tx cough for months now, all normal xrays though. Yeaterday, had to go to ER for shortness of breath, chills, fever. My WBC count which has been running under 5k is now 14 k. I feel awful. ER doc said it was early pneumonia and gave me a z pack .
I don't know what to do about the next shot. Should I hold off, or reduce dose, or just take it and hope it doesn't make pneumonia worse.
By the way I am on Vic too and was und after 2 weeks with Vic. What would you all do?
Do you think that if I inject 135mcg instead of 180  it will be jeapordizing RVR. Then again, if I get sicker, I'm afraid that could jeopardize RVR also.
Any advice?

[cbw36]

Thanks for the replies everyone. On one hand I would like to call MD and see why he says, but then I am also afraid that if he hears I'm in the ER he might say to stop tx. I only have 7 more weeks to go.  

[working dog]

i don't know much about low wbc although about 10 years ago my x had to either stop tx or reduce the interferon...she reduced the interferon by quite a bit for most of her tx...she svr and is doing fine years later....billy

[pcds]

can do is correct in that er docs know nothing about this tx.  I'm a little concerned about z pack being enough for pneumonia.  Your treating MD should have someone available on week ends give a call.

[flcyclist]

As mentioned above, this is something to discuss with your doctor.  No one here should be dosing recommendations unless they are qualified.  But, just a few thoughts to share when you discuss with your doctor.  

You mention that your wbc is currently 14K which is above the reference range and a sign of active infection.  Although interferon usually causes the WBC and ANC to crash in many people, you have something else going on.  Pneumonia is something to be very careful with since it can become very serious if not corrected.   I don't know if other forum members have experienced anything like this, but your treating doctor should know asap.  Best of luck resolving this.

http://www.annalsofhepatology.com/PDF/vol7n1/Hp081-15.pdf

[can-do-man]

Before i did anything i would call my doctor, not sure an ER doctor knows much about the side effects of these meds, and the ones you mentioned are side effects........ As for being so bold to say a "A reduction won't hurt you", again that should be left up to your treating doctor........... Good luck

[pcds]

No one will give to dose recommendations.  I get instructions each week on my dose.  When my WBC got very low I did dose reduce to 135 injection and even 90 for 2 weeks.  Let me phrase it this way.  A reduction won't hurt you.  But a call to a doc on call (week end) would be a good idea.