Henry - HCV TX and Anemia

[Guest guest]

Hi Henry, don in ks here.

Stress is not good for you, my friend.

Please try to relax some if you can.

We will try to help you with info and/or support.

A lot of folks are asleep right now, so it might be a little bit before everyone replies that can.

Me, Im a nightowl it seems. :-)

People on ribavirin can develop anemia rapidly, and may experience symptoms such as severe chest pain or shortness of breath.

If anemia remains untreated, people often need to take a lower dose of ribavirin or discontinue the therapy altogether, which can affect how well their hepatitis C treatment works.

Anemia is an expected side effect of treatment with interferon and ribavirin. <------

You say that you are taking the Procrit along with your HCV TX, right?.

I am wondering what your treatment doctor has told you about this problem.

Have they discussed with you lowering the Riba dose?

How often do you see your treatment doctor?

Do you have a TX support nurse that you can talk to?

You may just have to be less active too.

Everybody reacts to the meds differently.

Some folks have mentioned that they dont even get out of bed during TX.

Are you eating a good diet?

Are you drinking plenty of fluids?

Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid, are supposed to help Tx related anemia.

http://www.hepfi.org/nnac/pdf/hepc_anemia.pdf

A multi-B might be good to try.

Dont be taking massive doses, and consult with your doctor.

Here is what I have in the HCV Links Library about this topic so far.

Click this link.

/links/009___HCV_and_Anemia_001254083573/

I hope some of this info helps Henry.

I would hate to see you have to stop TX again.

love

don in ks

From: Henry Moreno <henry_moreno01@...>Subject: [ ] Me again and Do I have problems!!!! Date: Friday, June 18, 2010, 1:52 AM

Gentlepeople,

Anyone that has gone thru HEPC treatment is a much better person physically and mentally stronger than most, my hat is off to you!!

Back in January I started my Hep-C treatement Ribovarian and PegasInterferon. In the first six weeks my viral load was nil I was happy as a clam!

But then the hell began major anxiety attacks and panic attacks in the first months and they had to put me on Celexa and Klonpin which I am currently

taking. Thank God for big favors!

Now I have major blood issue, anemia! In March my Hemoglobin HGB dropped like a rock to 9.2., range should be between 13.0 to 17.0. Walking out to pick

up the mail because a very difficult task I would get so dizzy I'd almost fall down especially if I had to bend over to pick up something I had dropped

and previously I was running two miles. With the low HGB I was lucky to walk 20 yards, gasping for air and sitting down everytime I saw a bench.

not to mention the large water container I had to carry and drink.

So the doctor stopped the treatment and put me on three subcutanous injections every other day of procrit and a healthy diet of

iron supplements that was good for the blood but bad because the Hep C loves iron like kids like ice cream. A month later I could run

two miles no problem. I think Landis the famous cross-country bicyclest was disqualifyied because he was using procrit. Does wonders

for the circulaton of oxygen in your blood. Once it starts working but takes a month to start working.

So in April the doctor said I had to restart the hep-c treatment all over again and Procrit as if I was at day one for the next year.. I said Ok I will do anything to get this dragon out of my body.

Now my HGB is at an all time LOW 7.2 I am tolerating it well I can walk but cannot run. Labored breathing but better than it was previously and I don't bend over I know what

will happen major dizziness. I do not want to stop the treatment but this has gotten really serious to say the least. Has anyone experienced these same symthoms and or issues???? Anemia!

Help help I am at my wits end?????

Henry