Guest guest Posted November 20, 1999 Report Share Posted November 20, 1999 what is epogen? mayra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 1999 Report Share Posted November 20, 1999 In a message dated 11/20/99 9:55:28 PM Eastern Standard Time, DJIMBE17@... writes: << what is epogen? >> Epogen is erthrypoiten and it is used to make the marrow produce more red blood cells. In a trial by Bell, M.D., it worked wonders and proved that symptoms are entirely reversible, but the patient's hemotocrit went too high. Dr. Klimas is now trying lower doses in a trial. She hasn't yet reported on results. Gail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 6, 2002 Report Share Posted September 6, 2002 HI Gene, yes, I was on Epogen (40,000 units wkly) for10 of the 13 months I was on combo. My Hematocrit and Hemaglobin never was good from the 3rd week into Combo. The Epogen helped to keep them from falling dangerously low, which is what happened the first time . They both bottomed out at 3 wks. I felt really lousy. I also had to stop Combo a few times until they got the dose of Epo right. My WBC, while low throughout, never got too low and my absolute nuets were okay...so no Nupogen. I went to a Hematologist for the injections, tho I know someone on chemo for cancer that has a visting nurse come in wkly to do the shot. You can also do it yourself if they give you thinner needles than the spikes they gave me! HOpe this helps you feel a bit better...believe me tho', it is not like the commercials on TV!! LOL! And if you really look at what those folks are so happy about, it's the ability to 'send a fax' (o WOW!) and go to the market once a wk to buy some veggies.......Haha..but it IS better than having your numbers hit bottom. Good luck, luv gee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 6, 2002 Report Share Posted September 6, 2002 HI Gene, yes, I was on Epogen (40,000 units wkly) for10 of the 13 months I was on combo. My Hematocrit and Hemaglobin never was good from the 3rd week into Combo. The Epogen helped to keep them from falling dangerously low, which is what happened the first time . They both bottomed out at 3 wks. I felt really lousy. I also had to stop Combo a few times until they got the dose of Epo right. My WBC, while low throughout, never got too low and my absolute nuets were okay...so no Nupogen. I went to a Hematologist for the injections, tho I know someone on chemo for cancer that has a visting nurse come in wkly to do the shot. You can also do it yourself if they give you thinner needles than the spikes they gave me! HOpe this helps you feel a bit better...believe me tho', it is not like the commercials on TV!! LOL! And if you really look at what those folks are so happy about, it's the ability to 'send a fax' (o WOW!) and go to the market once a wk to buy some veggies.......Haha..but it IS better than having your numbers hit bottom. Good luck, luv gee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 6, 2002 Report Share Posted September 6, 2002 Gee, Thanks for the info about Epogen. I've been giving myself the Neupogen injections, and I'll be giving myself the Epogen injections when the medication is shipped. I'm always somewhat fatigued, but bearably so, till my red blood count started dropping. What a difference. Really tired now. I imagine the Epogen will help. I've only been on the Neupogen for a month now. Hasn't helped yet. Numbers keep dropping, but they raised my dose from 1cc to 1.6cc, so we'll see what that does. I'm around a lot of colds and flu in our salon, especially at this time of the year when the children start back to school and bring everything home to their parents. But I want to stay on treatment as long as possible. Had to stop twice before because of white blood count and platelets. I mailed an article about Neumega (a platelet growth factor) to the PA at the Omaha VA. She said the article was two years old and the Neumega never panned out. Thanks again for answering my post about the Epogen. Hope you're well. Your friend, Gene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 6, 2002 Report Share Posted September 6, 2002 Gee, Thanks for the info about Epogen. I've been giving myself the Neupogen injections, and I'll be giving myself the Epogen injections when the medication is shipped. I'm always somewhat fatigued, but bearably so, till my red blood count started dropping. What a difference. Really tired now. I imagine the Epogen will help. I've only been on the Neupogen for a month now. Hasn't helped yet. Numbers keep dropping, but they raised my dose from 1cc to 1.6cc, so we'll see what that does. I'm around a lot of colds and flu in our salon, especially at this time of the year when the children start back to school and bring everything home to their parents. But I want to stay on treatment as long as possible. Had to stop twice before because of white blood count and platelets. I mailed an article about Neumega (a platelet growth factor) to the PA at the Omaha VA. She said the article was two years old and the Neumega never panned out. Thanks again for answering my post about the Epogen. Hope you're well. Your friend, Gene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 6, 2002 Report Share Posted September 6, 2002 HI Gene, yes, you'll definitely have less fatigue with the Epo. Also any dizziness from your counts dropping, or short of breath symptoms should improve. I am doing well, thanks. As of 9 months post tx I was still undectable. It is now 1 yr and need another PCR. All that seems to be left is some fatigue, nerve damage and still the old joint pain. But I'm working on that! Take care, hang in there, gee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 6, 2002 Report Share Posted September 6, 2002 HI Gene, yes, you'll definitely have less fatigue with the Epo. Also any dizziness from your counts dropping, or short of breath symptoms should improve. I am doing well, thanks. As of 9 months post tx I was still undectable. It is now 1 yr and need another PCR. All that seems to be left is some fatigue, nerve damage and still the old joint pain. But I'm working on that! Take care, hang in there, gee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2002 Report Share Posted September 9, 2002 congrats Gee glad you are still undectable after 9 months its simply wonderful hope that it stays that way for you Suzy _________________________________________________________________ MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos: http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2002 Report Share Posted September 12, 2002 Hi Gene, I injected 300 mcg. a week for about 7 months of my treatment. I was the only way my red cell count would stay in a normal range. It gave me no side effects. Good luck, Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2002 Report Share Posted September 12, 2002 Hi Gene, I injected 300 mcg. a week for about 7 months of my treatment. I was the only way my red cell count would stay in a normal range. It gave me no side effects. Good luck, Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2002 Report Share Posted September 12, 2002 I wrote about taking Epogen. I made a mistake and said I was taking 300 mcg. a week. That was an error. I guess I mixed it up with the neupogen dose. I was on 10,000 units a week. It did the trick. Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2002 Report Share Posted September 12, 2002 I wrote about taking Epogen. I made a mistake and said I was taking 300 mcg. a week. That was an error. I guess I mixed it up with the neupogen dose. I was on 10,000 units a week. It did the trick. Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2002 Report Share Posted September 12, 2002 Terry, Thanks for the response about Epogen. Yes, my dose is also 40,000 units. I've taken one so far. The literature says it's well tolerated. Actually, I thought it would say Epogen on the vial, but it's Procrit. I'll bet I'm going to feel less tired soon. Now, that Neupogen is another animal. I feel like someone broke both my wrists. Ouch! The side effects aren't nice ones. And so far, it hasn't helped. My absolute neutrophil count was 800, the next week it was 600, the next week it was 400, and this week it was 309. My dose was upped from 300 micrograms to 480, so I'm hoping that will help. I was told to lower my peg dose from .5 to .4 until my white blood count comes up. I look at it this way.....at least I get to stay on 80% of the dose. lol I don't mind being tired, but I don't like this crankiness. My daughter turned 16 yesterday. We've always been close. She's feeling a lot of peer pressure at school, and it's taking a toll on our relationship. Well, we had a long heart to heart tonight, and I feel much better about things, and I think tomorrow and from now on are going to be brighter again. It's wonderful what communication can do for a family. Thanks again for the response about the egogen. I appreciate it. Hope you're well. Your friend, Gene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2002 Report Share Posted September 12, 2002 Terry, Thanks for the response about Epogen. Yes, my dose is also 40,000 units. I've taken one so far. The literature says it's well tolerated. Actually, I thought it would say Epogen on the vial, but it's Procrit. I'll bet I'm going to feel less tired soon. Now, that Neupogen is another animal. I feel like someone broke both my wrists. Ouch! The side effects aren't nice ones. And so far, it hasn't helped. My absolute neutrophil count was 800, the next week it was 600, the next week it was 400, and this week it was 309. My dose was upped from 300 micrograms to 480, so I'm hoping that will help. I was told to lower my peg dose from .5 to .4 until my white blood count comes up. I look at it this way.....at least I get to stay on 80% of the dose. lol I don't mind being tired, but I don't like this crankiness. My daughter turned 16 yesterday. We've always been close. She's feeling a lot of peer pressure at school, and it's taking a toll on our relationship. Well, we had a long heart to heart tonight, and I feel much better about things, and I think tomorrow and from now on are going to be brighter again. It's wonderful what communication can do for a family. Thanks again for the response about the egogen. I appreciate it. Hope you're well. Your friend, Gene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2002 Report Share Posted September 13, 2002 Hi Gene, You are right about the neupogen. It gave me aches and pains and violent headaches, and more fatigue. I was at times on as much as 900 mcg. a week, and a half of the normal dose of pegasys. I was finally taken off of the ribavirin completely, and finished that way, on half pegasys. I was negative at six months, and will have a viral load test in three more months. I feel better, but not good. Still have headaches, though not as bad, and in the afternoon the fatigue comes back. I know recovery will be gradual, but I am impatient. I hope the time goes by fast for you. I will keep all of you in my prayers. Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2002 Report Share Posted September 13, 2002 Hi Gene, You are right about the neupogen. It gave me aches and pains and violent headaches, and more fatigue. I was at times on as much as 900 mcg. a week, and a half of the normal dose of pegasys. I was finally taken off of the ribavirin completely, and finished that way, on half pegasys. I was negative at six months, and will have a viral load test in three more months. I feel better, but not good. Still have headaches, though not as bad, and in the afternoon the fatigue comes back. I know recovery will be gradual, but I am impatient. I hope the time goes by fast for you. I will keep all of you in my prayers. Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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