Aa
procrit
I am starting procrit tomorrow - I have dropped from 13+ to 10.1 in 4 weeks -- so dizzy and sick -- anyone have any suggestions for first shot and time it took to start feeling better?
As stated above, it varies for each individual. Also as PI says, it could be anywhere between 2 to 6 wks to notice full effect. You may start to see some increase prior, but will need to monitor and find out where it levels out to have a better idea what is your response time.
Because of the lag in response, it is better to learn this early on rather than wait until severe anemia level is reached. While many doctors wait until low HGB levels (less than 10), most doctors who treat HCV that know what their doing realize that the rate of decrease is more important than the actual level. This is primarily because of the lead time required to administer Epogen Alpha as rescue med to stave of severe anemia.
Those who aren't as knowledgable may balk because of FDA warnings a few years ago about increased risk for cardio problems associated with Epogen Alpha usage. But from what I've learned, the FDA warnings were targeted more at those using it to dope themselves up (such as bikers in races like Tour de France) and not for those taking it for medical purposes, such as a anemia rescue med for chemo patients.
Whatever you do, try to avoid any cut in TX med dosage. I made the mistake of following my first doctors order to do so in my TX and it may have been the cause of my TX to fail, despite finding a highly qualified HCV TX doctor to complete my TX with after my first one wanted to throw in the towel.
I say this because PI for Riba suggest cutting dosage if HGB falls below 10.5, but as I said those docotors who know how to properly treat HCV also know that anemia is the one common side effect which is handled by using Epo as rescue med.
Because of the lag in response, it is better to learn this early on rather than wait until severe anemia level is reached. While many doctors wait until low HGB levels (less than 10), most doctors who treat HCV that know what their doing realize that the rate of decrease is more important than the actual level. This is primarily because of the lead time required to administer Epogen Alpha as rescue med to stave of severe anemia.
Those who aren't as knowledgable may balk because of FDA warnings a few years ago about increased risk for cardio problems associated with Epogen Alpha usage. But from what I've learned, the FDA warnings were targeted more at those using it to dope themselves up (such as bikers in races like Tour de France) and not for those taking it for medical purposes, such as a anemia rescue med for chemo patients.
Whatever you do, try to avoid any cut in TX med dosage. I made the mistake of following my first doctors order to do so in my TX and it may have been the cause of my TX to fail, despite finding a highly qualified HCV TX doctor to complete my TX with after my first one wanted to throw in the towel.
I say this because PI for Riba suggest cutting dosage if HGB falls below 10.5, but as I said those docotors who know how to properly treat HCV also know that anemia is the one common side effect which is handled by using Epo as rescue med.
It depends on the individual and to what degree the meds are affecting you. I started to feel better and my HGB rose within two weeks of my first injection.
Procrit stings a little when you inject it. If you hold the vial and warm it in your hands it won't be as bad. It takes a couple of weeks before you feel better. You have to grow more red blood cells and that takes 3 to 4 weeks and then you start to feel better.
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