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Jim - Procrit
Howdy Jim,
My hemo as of Sept 4th was 9.6. So now he wants me on Procrit. Doc asked if I was fatigued or out of breath and I am not - just "occassionally" out of breath. I don't feel like I need procrit at all and what concerns me is 9.6 was sept 4th and maybe my hemo is back up now - who knows.......And even if I did run out and get a blood test today , it still takes a week or so to get it back....I just hate doing another drug if I may not need it and especially if my level might now be above 10 and the kicker is that if I didn't email them, I wouldn't have known it was 9.6 cause no one contacted me.
But anyhow I did the interferon last night and was told to do the procrit on Saturday. I have needles that are 1ml 27 g1/2.....is that size the right size to use? I lost the instructions but I know the internet has them too or I can probably find it in a MH search......it just concerns me about doing procrit if in fact my hemo went back up and really might not need it....
Any advice or opinion you have would be appreciated. If I need anything its an AD, but trying to avoid that too. This 2nd tx is not as much fun as the first one. I'm on week 23 and going for 48 plus taper.
Thanks,
MO
My hemo as of Sept 4th was 9.6. So now he wants me on Procrit. Doc asked if I was fatigued or out of breath and I am not - just "occassionally" out of breath. I don't feel like I need procrit at all and what concerns me is 9.6 was sept 4th and maybe my hemo is back up now - who knows.......And even if I did run out and get a blood test today , it still takes a week or so to get it back....I just hate doing another drug if I may not need it and especially if my level might now be above 10 and the kicker is that if I didn't email them, I wouldn't have known it was 9.6 cause no one contacted me.
But anyhow I did the interferon last night and was told to do the procrit on Saturday. I have needles that are 1ml 27 g1/2.....is that size the right size to use? I lost the instructions but I know the internet has them too or I can probably find it in a MH search......it just concerns me about doing procrit if in fact my hemo went back up and really might not need it....
Any advice or opinion you have would be appreciated. If I need anything its an AD, but trying to avoid that too. This 2nd tx is not as much fun as the first one. I'm on week 23 and going for 48 plus taper.
Thanks,
MO
Hi Jim, my hemo has been sticking in around 10 and then it had gone up to 10.5 and back and forth type of thing...at this time, the first tx, it went down to 9.6 but I was almost there so I never went on procrit.....I am sort of leaning now towards not doing it or maybe going to my PCP Monday and get tested....I know its not good to go too low, I don't want a heart attack, but procrit can also cause strokes and heart attacks if your hemo goes too high - as you know - so really, not knowing a true baseline is what bothers me. And as you said my body may be adjusting...The in and out of depression is what is the hardest for me - not the physical sx. I know the Interferon affects the serotonin and I have probably not recovered as far as that from my first round, so this second round is draining me more, but again I hate meds so I am trying to avoid AD's. Coping skills are at an all time low, but I guess thats to be expected with this poison in my system. Thanks again Jim. Your answer gave me things to think about and discuss with the doc.
Smaylea,
Thanks for the info. Good, incase I do have to go on it, those needles are OK.
Yeah 8.5, I can see why you had to go on it. I would definitely go on it too if it was that. My problem is I never really feel anemic - which is good in one sense but in a way its not good cause I don't want to over do anything not realizing its low. And the weird thing is when I am in bed trying to fall asleep is when I sometimes feel breathy. I don't understand why that would happen.
But thanks for letting me know those needles are fine.
Take care,
MO
Smaylea,
Thanks for the info. Good, incase I do have to go on it, those needles are OK.
Yeah 8.5, I can see why you had to go on it. I would definitely go on it too if it was that. My problem is I never really feel anemic - which is good in one sense but in a way its not good cause I don't want to over do anything not realizing its low. And the weird thing is when I am in bed trying to fall asleep is when I sometimes feel breathy. I don't understand why that would happen.
But thanks for letting me know those needles are fine.
Take care,
MO
Yes, the 27, g1/2 is fine. It's what my doc gave me and it does not hurt. I've been on Procrit for about 7 wks and its not a problem (though I did not want to take more meds at all and resisted). HGB dropped to 8.5 then back up to 9.5 after reducing riba for 3 days. The Procrit has kept me at 9.5. Honestly, I can't tell a big difference but the main thing is to be stable and not dropping.
Well, howdy right back, ghost :)
Gee, that's a hard call at hgb 9.6, given you have minimal side effects, and you are about mid-tx where your body may be adjusting to lower hgb levels.
Without plotting all your hgb numbers, I still doubt that it will go up much as time goes on.
Did your doc say he was recommending Procrit because of guidelines, or because he felt you were on a downcurve (speaking of plotting your hgb numbers) and perhaps putting your tx at risk by letting things go too far and then ending up having to reduce the riba? And remember, it takes Procrit 2-4 weeks to kick in.
If it's simply because of guidelines, that's one thing. If he can make a case of medical/tx nececessity risk/reward, then that's another. So, I'd have a talk with him and hear him out on his reasoning.
I hear you on not wanting any unecessary meds, but on the other hand it's important that you protect your health and riba dosage.
As for the needle size, I can't remember off hand, but they were about the same size as the Peg needles and 27 gauge does ring a bell. That said, I think some have used even smaller needles. Why don't you ask the NP AND your drug provider pharmacist for a consensus. They should be able to get you something in the correct needle-size range.
Good hearing from you and sorry round 2 isn't a lot of fun.
-- Jim
Gee, that's a hard call at hgb 9.6, given you have minimal side effects, and you are about mid-tx where your body may be adjusting to lower hgb levels.
Without plotting all your hgb numbers, I still doubt that it will go up much as time goes on.
Did your doc say he was recommending Procrit because of guidelines, or because he felt you were on a downcurve (speaking of plotting your hgb numbers) and perhaps putting your tx at risk by letting things go too far and then ending up having to reduce the riba? And remember, it takes Procrit 2-4 weeks to kick in.
If it's simply because of guidelines, that's one thing. If he can make a case of medical/tx nececessity risk/reward, then that's another. So, I'd have a talk with him and hear him out on his reasoning.
I hear you on not wanting any unecessary meds, but on the other hand it's important that you protect your health and riba dosage.
As for the needle size, I can't remember off hand, but they were about the same size as the Peg needles and 27 gauge does ring a bell. That said, I think some have used even smaller needles. Why don't you ask the NP AND your drug provider pharmacist for a consensus. They should be able to get you something in the correct needle-size range.
Good hearing from you and sorry round 2 isn't a lot of fun.
-- Jim
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