4 Week Results

[2mlbb]

The viral load was not ordered in the blood draw. Had to do it over today. Meds Cannot be re upped for next batch until the numbers are known. Next shot, which I do NOT have is Thursday night. Meds need to be ordered after results are known. Just a tad disappointed.....AGAIN

[2mlbb]

I am not really sure how your system works but in my system, the doctor has to submit the EXACT report that they want for the lab to run. Duh...on a 4 week report a viral load is most important. It would not hurt to ask your team, in my opinion..

[BoceprevirGal]

Well, I hope you are feeling okay besides all this stressfull stuff, etc, you are on Incivek, right?
   Your post really made me think, because now I dont remember seeing a 8 wk VL on my 8 wk labs, and I am wondering myself, if they forgot to "check that box".
   When I go next week, for my 12 week VL, do I have to remind the Nurse, to check the VL box, because I dont feel like it should have to be my responsibility, but with something this important, I definitely will remind them, and also the Doctor~
  
  

[2mlbb]

Thank you..That is what the hep c doc told me. Should I have gotten my info from my local post master? HA...Ridiculous....

[BoceprevirGal]

No, it wont hurt you to continue the meds, at all, for a few days. And most likeley, everything will be fine, concerning your VL.
   What WILL hurt you, is discontinueing the meds, because then you will have a tolerance to the protease inhibitor you are taking, which could ruin your chances of clearing this virus.
   Congrats on getting those meds, you fought hard for them, your ganna be fine, just hang in there, and take them- they arent gonna stop the treatment, because of what's in the vl report,(more than likely, anyway) you are just feeling the stress~

[2mlbb]

Okay...Update Time. Yesterday, Thursday, I commuted to the city to pick up meds. The report was to be issued to my doc that afternoon. Had phone appt. to get my news and if the viral numbers were good, I would get my meds of which I only had 1 of the 3 left. I waited in my car in the parking garage of the pharmacy for my call from my new doc as was being transferred into a new persons care. Call came right on time, we both met via the phone and was told there were NO viral numbers for me. They were still in the system being analyzed. WHAT?????? I was told if my numbers were really good we could continue treatment.If they had not budged, I would be pulled off the meds....She decided to release the meds and hope for the best. Was told that the results would arrive to her office last night and that a nurse would call me in the morning with the results. A few days of taking the drugs if I was not to continue would not hurt me. Go ahead with the schedule..She did not realize that she had to contact the pharmacy herself for the drugs to be released to me. Had I not told her that I would have gotten to the pharmacy and been denied the pickup as they needed her verification that my test had passed. SO STRESSFUL!!! Thankfully I had my hands on all of my meds. Eventually got back home, sorted everything, took all 3 meds including shot and laid there for hours trying to get back into and stay in grateful mode....Went to acupuncture this morning, ran my company, blah, blah, blah and my after lunch called to see what the viral load numbers were as no call had come in. After much ado was informed that the viral load numbers are in the system and will be available NEXT WEDNESDAY. I have a call into my family doctor of over 30 years who referred me into this program and the claims department of my health care provider. At 5:22pm on Friday, that is the update. I am seeking the best news in this situation. I was reminded that extra days of taking the meds would not hurt me.  I'm thinking, why take even ONE more dose of anything if I don't need to and they are going to stop the treatment for some reason that would be in that viral load report.

[Ironpony]

No problem..I have been there, I understand!

Willbb: thanks as always. I can't remember anything right now!!!

[2mlbb]

Great to know....Thank you

[Idyllic]

Incivek helped me and I received my meds within 48 hours. I was not completely out yet so I thought that was impressive. They do confirm your info with your doctor's office but they stay on the ball until they get results.

[2mlbb]

Awesome link....Special thanks....

[2mlbb]

Thank you so much for your thoughtful posts. :)

[willbb]

2mlbb and IP:

What happens if I miss a dose (Pegasys)?

Use the medicine as soon as you remember the missed dose, then go back to your regular schedule on the day your next dose is due. If you are more than 2 days late in using your injection, call your doctor for instructions. Do not use extra medicine to make up a missed dose

.http://www.rxlist.com/pegasys-drug/patient-avoid-while-taking.htm

[Ironpony]

Good luck. Those 72 hours buys you some time if it even takes that long. I'm hoping you'll have some mailed to you or the pharmacy immediately.

Laura

[2mlbb]

I have a scheduled phone call in a little more than an hour from now with hep doc I think that I will leave it as is until after that call with the doc. Hopefully there will be the other starts from the test on the report to know...This will work out someway. Thank you all so much for your suggestions and help. More to be revealed...

[2mlbb]

I think that I have read the window is 72 hours....Thank you so much.

[2mlbb]

Hi There,

Incivek is what I am taking...Thank you

[Ironpony]

I was wondering if you were on incivek or bocep. Those are the important drugs you definitely cannot delay. With Peg I know you can at least wait a day. I think someone told me up to 3 when I missed my dose..but I can't remember. someone Will chime in I'm sure.

[Idyllic]

It sounds like your doctor's office made a mistake that will not happen again once you get your complete set of lab requests. I received all my forms on my first day as well so I could go to one of the LabCorps by my house. Once you get that squared away you will be good to go.

Calling for Pegasys might be a good idea if your doctor confirms your script. I had to do the same thing with Peg Redipen once but my Rx was not the reason I was in a jam. They confirmed my prescription with my doctor's office and FedEx'd one pen overnight.

I am starting wonder if any of what we are suggesting will work since you technically do not have your Rx and won't until the doctor evaluates your results.

Once again, someone correct me if I am mistaken

[willbb]

Hi 2mlbb
What IP was asking    are you on a protease inhibitor . I believe you are Inci. If so when exactly was your 4 weeks finished and  if the doctor has not ordered any viral load  tests you should call Vertex  and let them know your doctor is prescribing the drug to you and is negligent on ordering the proper tsting as per their protocol

The VL tests are of extreme importance with the advent of these meds,to garner how long you need to treat as well as if you have to stop.

I will post the Incivek number in a minute

Best ..Will

[Ironpony]

Thanks Pooh. I'm typing from my phone which makes it hard to look up stuff to share.
Yeah they were ready to overnight me something as long as I was registered.
We definitely need to raise awareness of this issue. It's happening way too much.

[2mlbb]

You are not getting me riled up. I am already past that. I have a copy of the next 3 draws. None of them requested viral load.

[2mlbb]

What does that mean please?

[pooh55811]

I think Ironpony has a good suggestion. Call Genetech and see if they will overnight a box of Pegasys or a dose to you. Hope this is the correct number.

1-877-PEGASYS       (734-2797).

[Idyllic]

The logistics are unfortunate however the way it sounds if you do nothing the time line still could be considerably drawn out. I think it's OK if you take your Interferon later. Not sure how much later.

Either way I would get on the horn. It might alleviate the stress if anything.