13 week, 1 week post Incivek.

[DougV]

Life exist post fat!

Within four days after stopping Incivek two things occurred.  Anorectal discomfort resolved.  That alone made life a bit nicer.  Second thing was as result of ditching the fat requirements of Incivek.  Dropped probably 900+ calories per day.  Weight already down five pounds and fatigue much improved.  Cannot say all impact of treatment is gone, but I feel one heck of a lot better.

See hematologist tomorrow.  Gave labs late Thursday to make sure they would be back.  It will be interesting to see if ditching Incivek has any impact on hemoglobin.  I have mixed feelings.  If hgb has continued to fall then infusion time soon which has the advantage of being an instant feel good solution.  If it is stable than we wait. 

On way or the other there is a dramatic improvement in quality of life post incivek.  The last 12 weeks will almost certainly be easier than the first 12 .

Doug

[willy]

Great to see this Doug.  I had kind of wondered if the anemia might back off a skitch.

It also makes you think that Incivek was a better choice for you than Boceprevir/Victrelis for the same anemia issue.  I believe that in spite of one less riba pill per day the (I think) than Incivek, the Victrelis still caused more anemia.  between the 2 drus people almost had to choose the risk of rash (and the much understated analrectal issues) of Invivek versus the anemia issues which may accompany Victrelis.  I also will be interested ......after a year or two has gone by what the SVR rates and discontinuation rates will be for the 2 drug triple therapy treatments.

Anyway.....it looks like more good news for you.  Stay the course, and I'm glad that things are improving.

willy

[MissyMouse]

Doug,

I'm so happy for you you.  You're going to join the SVR Missy Club!


Mouse

[DougV]

It will be interesting to see what, if any, impact dropping Incivek is going to do.  Oddly my hgb rates have declined at a slower rate than my two dual therapy treatments.  Monday will give me another weeks data so we'll see.

Six weeks post will tell if I made the correct choice for me.  The lure of 24 weeks was way too much to resist.  Having preplanned for anemia it has been an academic issue watching it go down but not and important one.

My current number one complaint is I am cold.  And I mean I am always cold.  I wear sweat pants and sweat shirts to school.  To yall northerner's that may sound normal but remember I live in the South and our highs are still in the 90's.

For me the best scenario is I am at 8.0 and the hematologist is ready to infuse.  I might can switch clinical days to give me Tuesday open for blood, and I'd be good for four more weeks at current rate of decline.  One more infusion after that, if needed, might just get me through. 

I am still taking the position there will be no reduction of IFN or Riba.  I don't care that maybe it isn't as important as it once was.  All I know is I reduced both times I relapsed and I will not reduce again this time.  If I relapse it won't be because of dose reduction! 

I am a bit nervous, my semester at school hangs in balance tomorrow.  I have to get a release for clinical.  And if she wants to infuse I have to figure out how and where to juggle that in.  If I can get by this week everything should work out well. 

Oh well, still all in all better than I had anticipated.

Doug

[DougV]

Saw hematologist today.  Hgb now 8.2 so stopped by hospital for type and cross, tomorrow morning two units PRBC with IV push of Lasix for dessert.  I confess to looking forward to it, well not the lasix part, it is a long ride home.

WBC low but stable.

Got release to do clinical at hospital, they are letting me switch clinical days this week to accomodate infusion.

On platelets they are down to 43 now.  My personal worst.  so rather than worry about it, or infuse platelet, she gave me a prescription for prednisone, 100 10mg tabs.  She worries about bleed below 40, so if I show any sign of bleeding, no mattee how minor, call and start taking prednisone on a four day tapered dose.  Repeat as needed until treatment done.

No dose reduction and no procrit, just good old fashion blood.

Doug

[MissyMouse]

I f'n hate prednisone .... now would be a good time for Wheezie to go on a girlie vacation.   With prednisone you will feel the nasties happening.  You start to feel like your wrapped really tight and are going to explode.  But get those platelets back up young man!


Mouse

[Jazzdenova]

I am starting triple therapy sometime soon too Doug. Got all the meds and am up in Iowa City for a "training" class today. Repost your list of do's and donts.