Hepatitis C Support Group
Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease which can cause liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person's blood. Many people with HCV infection have no symptoms and are unaware of the need to seek treatment. Hepatitis C infects an estimated 150-200 million people worldwide.
Working on raising my HGB has been a challenge, because I dont get weekly blood tests...it wasn't offered to me, by my Doctor. I think I may be getting the Fast Food version of Triple Tx: my clinic is only open 2 days a week, due to budget cuts. Ihave my meds delivered to my house, and take care of the Inf and Procrit shots myself now.
To update and summarize my Situation: I had hemolytic anemia by 8 weeks (HGB 9.4) and began 40,000 units of procrit, weekly,in an attempt to rescue my HGB.
At 12 weeks my HGB was 9.3. At 18 weeks it had slipped to 9.1, so my Doctor had me reduce my ribaviran, at 19 weeks, from1,200 mgs, to 800 mgs. After a week of this, I feel better, and my cheeks have more pink in them. I only have 8 more shots to go, after tommorows' Interferon shot, woot!
I still dont feel comfortable, with the riba-reduction though, even though there are studies out there, showing that riba reduction doesn't affect SVR chances, and I did wait until I had 19 weeks in, at full dosage.
I took my Procrit a day early this week. I am also thinking, since I reduced for a week, to 800 mgs riba, and do feel better, that I might go ack up to 1000 mgs riba this week.
What do you people think? Has anybody here done 28 weeks, of Triple, with Victrelis, and riba-reduced, and then failed to achieve SVR, and thinkit may have been due to riba reduction? I'd love to hear all of your opinions on this subject.
I just really didnb't want to fall into the 8's, wuth my HGB. I have my kids home, all summer, and have to entertain them, dueing the day, and it is proving to be a hard summer already~
To update and summarize my Situation: I had hemolytic anemia by 8 weeks (HGB 9.4) and began 40,000 units of procrit, weekly,in an attempt to rescue my HGB.
At 12 weeks my HGB was 9.3. At 18 weeks it had slipped to 9.1, so my Doctor had me reduce my ribaviran, at 19 weeks, from1,200 mgs, to 800 mgs. After a week of this, I feel better, and my cheeks have more pink in them. I only have 8 more shots to go, after tommorows' Interferon shot, woot!
I still dont feel comfortable, with the riba-reduction though, even though there are studies out there, showing that riba reduction doesn't affect SVR chances, and I did wait until I had 19 weeks in, at full dosage.
I took my Procrit a day early this week. I am also thinking, since I reduced for a week, to 800 mgs riba, and do feel better, that I might go ack up to 1000 mgs riba this week.
What do you people think? Has anybody here done 28 weeks, of Triple, with Victrelis, and riba-reduced, and then failed to achieve SVR, and thinkit may have been due to riba reduction? I'd love to hear all of your opinions on this subject.
I just really didnb't want to fall into the 8's, wuth my HGB. I have my kids home, all summer, and have to entertain them, dueing the day, and it is proving to be a hard summer already~
I rarely get to see my Doctor, to ask her questions, when I go in to appts, I just see her Medical Assistant.
not the drugs.
Your clinic has done everything in a manner that is standard procedure. I got my meds delivered to my home too. Lots of us do.
I do my own inf, and have for 36 shots. On procrit since week 3. Hgb from 9-11 since Nov, cannot get it up. In tens now and wbc are low 2's.
I get procrit at hospt, but many DS mbrs shoot their own procrit just like you.
The riba reduction was correct and its ok. My riba was reduced to 600 for 6 weeks 800 for two or three and been at 1000 since.
Stay in the now. Why get ahead of yourself?? Tomorrow isn't even here yet, love. It doesn't even exist. Right now is it.
You are undie and almost done... Be positive.... And if nothing else, believe!!!!
Ck, big hugs. Jibs
Reducing on your own without instruction from Dr..... WRONG!!
Call the hotline asap, and the nurse will call you back.
Tell then whats up and they WILL guide you.
They sure did help me, and I got to teach my doc a thing orctwo that he did not know =) win win.
Please please do not adjust ANY of your meds on your own.
But, in order for my Doctor to adjust the meds properly, I think I would need labs, at least every two weeks, and she doesn't do that.
I had an 18 week lab, and the next one will be at 24 weeks, I'm pretty sure, I will ask, tommorow.
The way I know if my HGB is low, is how winded I am, going up stairs.
But tonight I feel good, and thank you all for your responses : )
Sweet dreams young lady
Please do not try and doctor yourself.I know it's hard to know what the heck to do because it doesn't sound like you have much support from your doctor. Alot of us feel like we are just stumbling around trying to take care of ourselves due to lackluster support from the medical pros.
I think if you can't contact your doc and get some answers, then the hotline suggestion is a great way to go. I know several people here have used it and are very satisfied with the results.
Also, I agree with NZ. Doing tx and kids??! YOU MUST be a super woman!
Hang in there. You're doing great!
i was told not to take my Procrit for two days after Peg shot due to it not working right if you do.