Start Tx on Nov.07

[kickboxingmom]

I also posted on other forum. Can I ask a few questions?Thank you ahead of time.
Caremark delivered my meds package yesterday.Dr. Appt., Nov. 07, 3:30 p.m.Caremark called Thurs. morning and said,Caremark would not cover Ribavirin so they will give me the generic: Ribashere.Then the paperwork says, generic name : Ribavirin.2 tablets in the am, 3 in the pm.200 mg.That's 1000 mg a day.I weigh 103 lbs.Bottle reads Ribashere.

Peg-Intron Redipen Generic Name: Peginterferon Alpha-2b.Inject 0.4mL (64MCG) once weekly.
Dr. is going to show me how to inject and all the other stuff I need to know on the 7th.My husband is on Humira for the past 3 yrs.so shots, no problem?????

The box the Redipen came in reads,
PegInterferon alfa-2b
PegIntron
Redipen
80 mcg/ 0.5mL
Does this dosage and medications sound correct ?
Should I ask about pre-dosing Riba ?
Thanks Again,
Tammy

[zazza]

Come on, Medhelp, I thought you had fixed the problem with the greater than, smaller than symbols.

OK, Kickboxingmom, here we go again:

"I think I finally figured out your riba dosage. Ribasphere is apparently dosed like Copegus, which means 1000 mg for less than 75 kg, and 1200 mg for more than 75 kg. Usually Rebetol is given with PegIntron, and this confused me, because Rebetol is dosed 800 mg for less than 65 kg, 1000 mg for 65-85 kg, 1200 mg for 86-105 kg, and 1400 mg for more than 105 kg. Ribasphere, Copegus and Rebetol are all the same drug, just different names, different manufacturers and different weight based dosages."

[zazza]

I think I finally figured out your riba dosage. Ribasphere is apparently dosed like Copegus, which means 1000 mg for 75 kg. Usually Rebetol is given with PegIntron, and this confused me, because Rebetol is dosed 800 mg for 105 kg, Ribasphere, Copegus and Rebetol are all the same drug, just different names, different manufacturers and different weight based dosages.

[kickboxingmom]

Girl your in my prayers every morning.You and Aunt Norma.Hope you are holding on.Nick would want you to be happy.Thank You for your nice words.
God Bless,
Tammy

[kickboxingmom]

Thank you and I will do the 3 early not later.Pep me up- woo hoo.Husband is exp., not me with injecting his humira for crohn's.Thank you for the additional info.I feel I can be my own advocate at my appt.Before I decided to tx with him I ask about rescue drugs.He said, yes I'm giving you my 24/7 telephone #.
Thanks Again,
Tammy

[nygirl7]

PS I wanted to say if you do have experience already giving injections you might not want the redi-pen. That will be for you to decide but you can get it where you use a regular old needle and not that big thing.

[nygirl7]

I too would definitely set the dial at .5 - I'm a little surprised at how much riba he is giving you for your weight (they wanted to give me 800 and I was 5'7 120pounds but I begged for 1,000 which is what you will be on (I wanted more, I'm crazy!) my advice would be to take the 3 in the am and 2 at night.  The riba can make you speedy especially at first it can make a difference to help you sleep if you take the major portion earlier rather than later and it won't matter..riba builds up to a certain serum level in your body and it stays that same level.

The riba will cause the anemia not the interferon so if the doc is really concerned with that - at your weight you should be on the 800 not the 1,000.  Make sure you are getting frequent and regular cbc tests to monitor the hemoglobin though just in case so he could get you started on Procrit if you need.  Ask him if he is willing to do that.  Procrit has enabled MANY of us in here who would not have been able to continue onwards due to the hemo drop to finish treatment.  It can be a crucial factor in treatment, so asking him now will help.

Good luck. The redipen is bulky but it's REALLY easy to use - just remember to follow along with the directions when you start just in case someone interrupts you...that happened to me a few times and messed me up. By the end you'll be doing it in your sleep. Really.