Hep C Discussion Forum

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Chatbox
Please log in to join the chat!
Hep C Discussion Forum -> On Treatment -> Anemia and riba reduction week 4 peg/riba/sovaldi
Post Info TOPIC: Anemia and riba reduction week 4 peg/riba/sovaldi
Gracie


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 618
Date:
RE: Anemia and riba reduction week 4 peg/riba/sovaldi
Permalink  
 

I like it! Ms. Maytag... Perhaps I'll have a future in basketball when this is all done. Who would have thought riba rage would teach us a new life skill. And you can be a Master Chef specializing in potato's. Or flakes... Or both ... Lol.

__________________
  1. Gracie

1A. Previously treated non responder Rebetron in 2000 And Incevik in 2014 with a breakthrough at week 12. Fibroscan 15.5. VL 6,000,000. Finished 24 weeks harvoni on Dec. 19, 2015. SVR. Latest Fibroscan 8.8.
Tig


Admin

Status: Offline
Posts: 9284
Date:
Permalink  
 

Hey Gracie,

You have to watch out for those laundry/pantry rooms. They have it in for us Riba warriors, lol! Something about them makes things go flying, ha, ha!!! They call me Potato Head. What do we call you, Ms. Maytag? biggrin

Tig



__________________

Tig

68yo GT1A - 5 Mil - A2/F3 - (1996) Intron A - Non Responder, (2013) Peg/Riba/Vic SOT:05/23/13 EOT:12/04/13 SVR 9+ years!

Hep C FAQ   Lab Ref. Ranges  HCV Resistance

Signature Line Set Up/Abbreviations   Payment Assistance

 
Gracie


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 618
Date:
Permalink  
 

I have had a touch of the RIBA rage (visualize my laundry flying across the room when they don't fit in the drawer right). And the tears were my constant companion for the first couple of weeks. I had a RIBA reduction as well, and things seem to even out. All the stuff I've read says that RIBA reduction for the triple therapies has no effect on SVR, and my hepologist assures me the same. You could try an anti depressant to even you out, or just embrace the rage like I have and use it for an excuse when I don't feel like cooking, doing laundry, getting up to let the dogs out etc.... I just have to give my hubby the "look" and he's up quicker than an incevik user heading to the washroom when a cramp comes on .... Ok... Maybe some bad humour there...lol.... But you get my drift. Undetected makes it all worthwhile!

__________________
  1. Gracie

1A. Previously treated non responder Rebetron in 2000 And Incevik in 2014 with a breakthrough at week 12. Fibroscan 15.5. VL 6,000,000. Finished 24 weeks harvoni on Dec. 19, 2015. SVR. Latest Fibroscan 8.8.
Rybronco


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 79
Date:
Permalink  
 

Roxie,

Awesome to hear your UND!!!  Keep rockin!!

I am hoping to get news like that soon!!! I want it soo bad I can taste it!

Rockon!



__________________

49 yo. G1a prior tx 2005 with peginf and RIBA 12 weeks dc due to side effects. vl 7.8mm Current tx Sovaldi/Olysio 12 weeks started 2-21-2014,  UND at 4 weeks, EOT+12 SVR
Enavigo3891


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 154
Date:
Permalink  
 

Hey Roxie!! Congrats on the UND! Welcome to the club!! 

I feel you on that riba rage too ... I started week 5 of treatment today and I've noticed some "moments" ... I'm usually a pretty laid back individual but there have been moments lately, especially on the phone at work with customers where I've noticed I get a little up tight (some of my co-workers actually pointed it out today - they don't know I'm on treatment so they're asking, "whoah, bad day today?")  But as others have mentioned, you can totally "see" it.

Just keep on truckin!



__________________

Born HepC + in 1983 ... diagnosed @ age 13 ... GT2 ... 12 wks of Sovaldi/Riba from 2/11/14 to 5/5/14  #ribazombie

1/30/14 - Starting VL 1,922,967 * 3/11/14 - UND @ 4 wks * 7/29/14 - SVR12 * 11/6/14 - SVR24 * May 2015 - SVR52 * MAY 2016 - STILL UND * FEB 2018 - STILL UND

 
Scruffy


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 500
Date:
Permalink  
 

Wohooo!!!!!!!!!!!

I bet the side effects aren't that bad now :) hehehe. Surprizing how much that undetectable does for the side effects. On your way to SVR.

@Tig you can use anything I post.



__________________

Geno 1a null responder 2004 inter/riba   finished incivek,peg/riba 48 weeks May 17th 2014. undetect weeks 4-12-32.  EOT+7 undetect. EOT+24 SVR!!!!! EOT+!YEAR SVR!!!!
Cinnamon Girl


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 5629
Date:
Permalink  
 

Great result, Roxie, congrats to you!  smile

The recommended ribavirin dosing protocol for treatment with Sovaldi is that it should be reduced if your Hb level drops below 10, and then to reduce it to 600 mg per day, so you should be fine on 800 mg.  Ideally you want to stay on as high a dose as possible, although it must feel good to have some immediate relief!

Most of us here know all about riba rage and how scary it can be to feel out of control, you`re not alone!  Do your best to avoid stressful situations and take time out for extra relaxation, be kind to yourself!



__________________

Jill 

(71 yo, lives in UK)

Was Gen 3a, 

24wks Peg Ifn/Riba, Sep 2010 - Mch 2011

UND @ Wk.4, UND @ EOT, 

SVR Nov 2011 --> Still UND @ EOT + 4 yrs.

 

 
Tig


Admin

Status: Offline
Posts: 9284
Date:
Permalink  
 

WOOT, WOOT!!!! Excellent news Roxie, congratulations!! Now it's on to SVR biggrin

Tig



__________________

Tig

68yo GT1A - 5 Mil - A2/F3 - (1996) Intron A - Non Responder, (2013) Peg/Riba/Vic SOT:05/23/13 EOT:12/04/13 SVR 9+ years!

Hep C FAQ   Lab Ref. Ranges  HCV Resistance

Signature Line Set Up/Abbreviations   Payment Assistance

 
OldenSlow


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 380
Date:
Permalink  
 

Yes!!! That is so nice to hear, Roxie! Great, great news. ;)



__________________

66 y/o male - Geno 1b - F4 cirrhotic dx 2001 - 16 wk treatment w/ Sovaldi/Olysio/Riba - Und @ EOT+24 SVR

 
Roxie


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 27
Date:
Permalink  
 

And now the tears become happy tears!!! My 4 week virus level was undetectable.

Thank you all for helping me through the rough times.

__________________

GT 1a / VL 6.5 million / age 64 / prior tx 1996 interferon

2/14/14 began Peg/Inf, Ribavin, Sovaldi for 12 weeks 

finished treatment 5/8/14  undetectable @ 4 wks, EOT & 12 wks
Tig


Admin

Status: Offline
Posts: 9284
Date:
Permalink  
 

Scruffy wrote:

Hello Roxie

I'm on week 40 of triple tx (incivek for 12 weeks). As far as the riba rage goes you have to remember your pre-tx self and "see" the difference between the tx you and pre tx. Its like a storm at sea. Although the weather on the surface is deadly the ocean depths are still calm. 

 Hey Scruffy,

Just wanted to tell you that describing the rage symptoms in this manner is spot on man! That is the best, most accurate description and recommendation that I've seen. I may have to use that with your permission! Thanks for your wise and caring contributions here. They do make a positive difference!

Tig



__________________

Tig

68yo GT1A - 5 Mil - A2/F3 - (1996) Intron A - Non Responder, (2013) Peg/Riba/Vic SOT:05/23/13 EOT:12/04/13 SVR 9+ years!

Hep C FAQ   Lab Ref. Ranges  HCV Resistance

Signature Line Set Up/Abbreviations   Payment Assistance

 
Scruffy


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 500
Date:
Permalink  
 

Hello Roxie

I'm on week 40 of triple tx (incivek for 12 weeks). As far as the riba rage goes you have to remember your pre-tx self and "see" the difference between the tx you and pre tx. Its like a storm at sea. Although the weather on the surface is deadly the ocean depths are still calm. 



__________________

Geno 1a null responder 2004 inter/riba   finished incivek,peg/riba 48 weeks May 17th 2014. undetect weeks 4-12-32.  EOT+7 undetect. EOT+24 SVR!!!!! EOT+!YEAR SVR!!!!
Roxie


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 27
Date:
Permalink  
 

Tig,

Thank you.

Breathing deeply,

Roxie

__________________

GT 1a / VL 6.5 million / age 64 / prior tx 1996 interferon

2/14/14 began Peg/Inf, Ribavin, Sovaldi for 12 weeks 

finished treatment 5/8/14  undetectable @ 4 wks, EOT & 12 wks
Tig


Admin

Status: Offline
Posts: 9284
Date:
Permalink  
 

Hi Roxie,

Your numbers are dropping and that's a good indication that your treatment is working. The usual rule of thumb seems to be to reduce Ribavirin dosage when your Hb drops below 10. You're right that many of us here dropped well below that and maintained our full dose of Riba for our entire treatment. Some doctors utilize different options, like rescue drugs and transfusions instead of reducing the Riba, but it's the doctors choice. I encourage you to talk with your doctor and determine his position on these differing options vs the Riba reduction he/she has ordered. However, 800mg should be adequate, but I wouldn't want to see additional reductions were it me.

Ribavirin does indeed cause rage and it comes and goes. I found that learning the things that trigger the rage and then avoid them worked best during treatment. If you can do that, you'll be far better off. It's not a pleasant part of treatment and it affects some worse than others, but it affects everyone in some degree. Try to find calming environments to escape to, turn off the television news and avoid angry, irritable people at all costs. Rent comedies to watch and enjoy a good laugh. It does wonders for reducing these unpleasant feelings. You are also always welcome to visit the forum and share your feelings. We understand exactly what you're going through! Hang in there, you're going to beat this thing!

Tig



__________________

Tig

68yo GT1A - 5 Mil - A2/F3 - (1996) Intron A - Non Responder, (2013) Peg/Riba/Vic SOT:05/23/13 EOT:12/04/13 SVR 9+ years!

Hep C FAQ   Lab Ref. Ranges  HCV Resistance

Signature Line Set Up/Abbreviations   Payment Assistance

 
Roxie


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 27
Date:
Permalink  
 

Last week right before my 4 week blood draw last Friday, my temper went off the charts, complete with enough rage for pounding blood pressure and my head feel like it would blow up.  Friday after the blood draw, I received a call from my doctor that I had anemia and should reduce my ribasphere to 800 mgs daily from 1200 mgs.  Within 24 hours, I felt more like myself.
 
I read some old threads to try and see what other folks are doing in this situation and I sense a resistance to reducing the ribavirin. I really want this treatment to work and my numbers don't look that severe in comparison to some other people's.  But I can't imagine how I would feel if it got much worse.
   
two week draw                            four week draw
  2/28/14                                       3/14/14
 
wbc        5.8                                  4.3
rbc         4.23                                3.63  (L)
hgb       12.5                                 10.8  (L)
hct   (L)  36%                                32%  (L)
 
Hoping to have viral load number tomorrow and I am scheduled to go back this coming Friday for another blood draw to see how riba reduction is affecting anemia.  If I have to stay at 800 mgs a day, do you think I will still beat this dragon?
 
The good news is my ALT/SGPT is within normal limits for the first time in decades!
 
 

 



__________________

GT 1a / VL 6.5 million / age 64 / prior tx 1996 interferon

2/14/14 began Peg/Inf, Ribavin, Sovaldi for 12 weeks 

finished treatment 5/8/14  undetectable @ 4 wks, EOT & 12 wks
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Hep C Discussion Forum -> On Treatment -> Anemia and riba reduction week 4 peg/riba/sovaldi
Legal Disclaimer:

THIS FORUM, IT'S OWNERS, ADMINISTRATORS, MODERATORS AND MEMBERS DO NOT AT ANY TIME GIVE MEDICAL ADVICE AND IN ALL CASES REFER ANYONE HERE TO SEEK APPROPRIATE MEDICAL ADVICE FROM THEIR DOCTOR.