Hep C Discussion Forum

LadyAlaise · Senior Member

RE: Whoa, Neupogen!

cheery chatter · Veteran Member

Thanks Greg and James,

Just had a call from my doctors office, they said the bloodwork they did after the 2 pint transfusion didn't improve that much so I have to go in and do more blood work. At least now I know why I am feeling so rotten right now.

Greg we are safe here, still under weather watches, Joplin, Missouri lost 89 people last night. James you are too funny I had my first one before this one in 1979. I can barely remember that I had one......ha

I hope everyone is having a great day, just hangin in there with the rest of you.

xoxoxooxoxoxo

James10500 · Guru

Can't recall how I felt after my transfusion I was very young...haha.

Seriously I hope you feel better soon !

Take care,

James

Greg · Guru

Hi cheery,

I'm not sure what to expect after a transfusion sorry not much help am I, hopefully someone will have an answer for you, if you have any concerns call your medical team if possible.

Hope all is ok with that tornado watch, stay safe.

Hugs,
Greg

cheery chatter · Veteran Member

Hi everyone,

I am just wondering if you have a blood transfusion should you expect to feel better right away? I can't seem to stay awake today the day after the transfusion. I did take my interferon shot last night and then my neupogen about an hour ago, but I have slept off and on all day. Very sleepy, very tired.

Is this normal?

Thnx, Oh and thought I would let you know we are under a tornado watch.EEEEEK, not really born and raised here, not scared at all.......Just grew up with them. Used to sleep in our clothes with our galoshes by our beds.... ha

Cinnamon Girl · Guru

Good to hear from you again Cheery, but I`m so sorry to hear about your dear cat. I know what it`s like, after I lost my last one I vowed I wouldn`t go through all that again but of course I have another one now, from the cat`s protection people. All of us animal lovers get so attached to our pets.

Lovely little grandson, he must bring you so much joy. smile

Glad to hear your medical team are taking care of you, that`s so good to hear.

All the best to you, love from Jill xxx

Greg · Guru

Hi cheery,

So your back in the pink, well done. I got the idea of burning the boxes from Ty, he's already done his dance, I can't wait, might throw a cartwheel in as well. Dylan looks like he enjoys the face painting.
Hugs,
Greg

-- Edited by Greg on Saturday 21st of May 2011 05:01:34 AM

-- Edited by Greg on Saturday 21st of May 2011 05:06:23 AM

cheery chatter · Veteran Member

Hey Greg,

Thats a super idea about keeping the boxes and burning them and dancing around the fire. I really like that, makes me wish I had saved mine. Altho I must admit I get my meds in the mail and they come in those really cute ice chests so I have saved those just for fun, maybe I will burn them......lol

And yes this is my new medical team, I feel so fortunate to have them. They really keep a close eye and she is seeing me every week because of what happened with my bloodwork with the previous doctor. So you may be right soon there will be a cartwheel night......hahaha

-- Edited by cheery chatter on Saturday 21st of May 2011 04:01:39 AM

cheery chatter · Veteran Member

Hey you guys and gals,

Thanks for your kindness regarding TopCat, I miss him terribly. I got 2 pints of blood today and actually have a little pink in my skin....lol I did look so drained. It took 6 hours to get 2 pints. Now tomorrow I must start the neupogen. I am scared to give myself the shot, that is so silly isn't it. It is the part where they told me to pull back on the plunger and make sure there is no blood in it, that just terrifies me. I give myself my other shots so I have to put my big girl panties on and get to it.....lol

I am sharing a pic of my grandson Dylan from a few months ago. I got some of the new markers that wash off and are non toxic and i drew on his face and then he drew on mine. It makes me laugh, hope it will put a smile on your face too.

Have a great weekend..... xoxoxoxoxoxo

ty · Guru

Hi Cheery,

I am so sorry to hear about your dear cat. I know exactly how attached a person can get to a furry member of the family. I am always comforted by the Rainbow Bridge. That's the place where all our pets play with their friends while they wait to see us again. When we die they are there to greet us and lead us into heaven.

You are in my thoughts, ty

James10500 · Guru

Cherry sorry about your cat, tough to lose a buddy. I still miss my cat who I found on the streets of Los Angeles or he found me. I look at his pic everyday, it's on my fridge. My point is they are great friends, and it's tough to deal with even when not on tx, I can only imagine how that would magnify the loss.

I'm very sorry,

James

Kirstin · Senior Member

I am sorry about your cat cheery cry , I dont know what I would do without my babies (3 chihuahua's). They are my saving grace at the moment..

Greg · Guru

Hi cheery,

Sorry to hear about your dear cat, I can understand, we have four here and they are so much a part of our lives. Congratulations on shot 17 that's a new box. I'm doing 16 tonight and keeping all my empty boxes so when I finish I can burn them and do a dance around the fire lol.

It's good that the doctor has jumped on your low blood levels, is this your new medical team?. My doctor is keeping an eye on my levels as well, but mine have stabilized and will not need a top up. You'll be back to your old self in no time and doing cartwheels soon enough. lol

Thinking of you,

Greg

cheery chatter · Veteran Member

Hi everyone, I hope you are all hanging in there.

I have been felling sorry for myself so forgive me for not being there for you all. You all are always in my thoughts. Welcome to all the new members too.

I took shot 17 last weekend. I haven't been on lately because my cat passed away, the one I bottle fed from 1 day old, he was 3, not that old and I was inconsolable. So I have been hiding away........ got bloodwork today and start neupogen and my dr. said it was ok to do them the same night.

I live in a very small town and my little hospital is having blood brought in in the morning from the red cross because I also need a blood transfusion, 2 pints of blood, that is probably not a lot but I definitely don't feel like waltzing or doing cartwheels right now........ ha haha

But like I said way to go to everyone, hang in there. Never give up, never surrender......xoxoxoxoxoxo

-- Edited by cheery chatter on Friday 20th of May 2011 12:20:28 AM

winter68 · Member

Hi Randy It's a 2009 kaw klx 250s dual sport. I also have a Buell street bike a couple quads. The dual sport is very nice u can run up in mountains ride the forest service roads it's great.

James10500 · Guru

Good luck. Well the Neup is working, now you just need to dial it in. I bet you won't catch a spring cold !

James

Greg · Guru

Hi Winter,

Good luck with the blood test hope all goes well, thats great that you have a doctor thats on top of things and your not a wimp, your doing it tough and your fighting the fight and we're all in your corner urging you on.

Good luck and take care,
Greg

Hep Me · Senior Member

Hi Winter, I'm not calling anyone a wimp that is going through this tx biz. It sounds like you have a doc that is staying up on things - that's cool.

What kind of bike is that in the pic? I thought about getting an on/off road bike some day. Or maybe a four wheeler but there are limits as to where they can be driven in my state. I have time to think about it as I doubt Id have the strength to ride either much right now.

Take care,

Randy

winter68 · Member

Well my white blood work went up to 18! Dr said whoa that is way, way too high. So now I am giving myself the shot x3 week. Going for another blood draw tonight. The Dr keeps having to adjust me. What a whimp huh, evileye

BJ · Guru

Gidday Winter,

Yeh' go for it, good luck with the blood tests and don't worry about how often it's required if you can get it, particularly if someone is keeping an eye on what you are going through.

It's great that you can get what ever necessary to ensure you receive the optimum interferon dose.

Cheers,

Brendan.

Cinnamon Girl · Guru

Good luck with your test on wednesday Winter.

Love from Jill xxx

James10500 · Guru

Good to hear you are on it and you are getting relief ! It will be interesting to hear what your blood values will be.

greenqueen · Guru

Hi Winter,

Your medical team must think you need to take it daily and I hope you get good results on Wednesday

Love Steff xx

winter68 · Member

I take Neupogen every day now is that too much? Sounds like some of you only x2 a week. I will do a cbc on next wednesday.

EB · Member

Well, the neupogen worked well, and the sx were not too bad. I felt some pain in my legs, but tylenol helped. After shot 3, my WBC was 1.6 and my ANC was .42. They popped back up and I've only had to take neupogen every other week. That seems to keep me stable around WBC 3.0. Still low, but not a danger according to by doc. It's a little annoying having to have blood draw each week, but at least everything is back on track. Are you still taking neupogen?

Take care!

Erin

Samby · Member

EB wrote:
I think he is just in a hurry to get me started on the neupogen and back on interferon since I missed a week.
Erin

Well, it's not like it takes a long time to work. Look at my numbers after only a couple of days. I hope that you have a similar response. I look forward to your update. What were your low numbers, anyway?

I'm doing my second Neupogen shot Sunday night, with another CBC on Wednesday. Pegasus shot number 14 last night. 10 to go. I wish I could just go into a coma for ten weeks and have somebody give me my weekly shots.

EB · Member

Oh sorry! I didn't mean to make it sound like I was taking them at the same time smile

My doc had me take neupogen this morning and then interferon tonight. I think he is just in a hurry to get me started on the neupogen and back on interferon since I missed a week. I am also taking a reduced dose of interferon this week (only 90mcg) so that may also be why it's okay for me to take both today.

Thanks!
Erin

Samby · Member

Don't take the two shots together. The package insert for Neupogen states to wait at least 24 hours before or after a chemo shot, such as interferon.

EB · Member

Hi Samby. You're not alone... I'm starting neupogen today.

My WBC and ANC tanked after two weeks of treatment. I had taken my third injection before the doctor received my labs, so I took another plunge in week 3. I had to skip my fourth injection, which I was not happy about, but now I'm back on track taking shot 4 today along with a neupogen injection. My doctor thinks I will need to take it for the duration of treatment since the interferon seemed to have such a rapid and severe impact on my white blood cells. I'm glad to hear your sides from the neupogen were not to bad. I was a little worried about adding to the fun mix of sx.

Good luck with the remainder of your treatment, and hopefully you will be off the neupogen in a few more weeks! Definitely let me know how it goes. My doctor said this is pretty uncommon, so I'm definitely interested in hearing about someone else's experience.

Take care!

Erin

greenqueen · Guru

Hi Samby,

Looking good!

All the best with the remainder of your shots

Love Steff xx

Samby · Member

By mid-course of treatment, week 12, my white cells and absolute neutrophils (ANC) were crashing. My case nurse has been wanting a CBC almost weekly to keep an eye on it, as she was concerned. After last week's testing, she put me on Neupogen to stimulate my granulocyte production. I had my first shot last Sunday. (It's a similar volume and needle to the interferon shots.)

Normal Values:
WBC 4.0-10.5
ANC 1.8-8.3

CBC 1/28/2011
WBC 1.6
ANC .39

Neupogen shot 1/30/2011

CBC 2/2/2011
WBC 3.4
ANC 2.18!!!

She says to do another shot next week, and then we'll skip a week or two to see how long the numbers stay up.

I've got 11 Pegasys shots to go. I might get through this with just a couple or three more Neupogen shots. It's given me a little bit of bone ache in my legs and pelvis, but it responds well to acetaminophen. This bump in my ANC, along with being undetected since my first PCR at week 4 is inspiring.

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