Week 12 - Monday
We went to the hospital this morning for my monthly appointment with Mynurse, to collect my medications and to have my viral load & PCR RNA blood test - plus the other 8 phials of blood for other tests! We talked about my progress and my concerns.
I reported I easily get short of breath - and Mynurse pointed out my haemoglobins are low, so I am clinically anaemic. I asked if I exercise more will this help? No, I will just be more out-of-breath. Should I take vitamin supplements like iron if I’m anaemic? No, the interactions between the vitamins and the interferon becomes complicated - especially iron. So what can I do about being anaemic? Nothing, short of stopping the ribavirin. (This is not an option!!) Actually Mynurse pointed out it is only because of the drugs I am anaemic and this will continue (with her monitoring it closely) until I stop the medication. So, I am anaemic and will continue to be short of breath - no need for any intervention unless I get chest pains (which I don’t - it’s a much milder response than that).
I also said I think I am now getting into a routine with the treatment - except I can’t really predict the “off days” other than to say I get two or three every week. Several weeks ago, I didn’t think I would be able to say there were any patterns at all!
We also discussed the Week 12 Viral Load test and went over our arrangements for me to hear the results in about two weeks. It is my impression that Mynurse is quietly confident that the results will be good - not that she said much to communicate this - she’s too professional!
It was a good meeting with enough banter and joking for me to realise I am feeling in good spirits - no matter how much moaning I may do at times.
I collected another printout of my blood tests which I will post onto this blog when I work out the technicalities of uploading a table! I will also call Mynurse tomorrow to find out the results of the routine blood tests that were done today and add these to the results.
Many thanks to everyone who has taken the trouble to wish me luck with the critical Week 12 testing!! I appreciate the support and your good wishes.
January 31st, 2005 at 11:28 pm
Just come from Jonathans blog and it seems congratulations are in order everywhere.
You sound really positive and I am so glad it is looking good for the results of the critical week 12.
Very bizarre about the anaemia and vitamin uptake.
I routinely take a multi vitamin supplement and I am wondering now whether I should still continue to do this.
But the body still has to cope with processing the vitamins that are in food, so I can`t see the difference.
I will check it out with paulsnurse tomorrow when I start my treatment.
Do you still manage to drink the required 8 pints of water a day?
Well done Ron, you are exactly 12 weeks ahead of me and you really have blazed a pioneering trail for me to follow.
Thanks mate,
Paul.
February 1st, 2005 at 9:39 am
Hi there Ron,
From my educated lay person view on vitamins. High iron levels can be detrimental to the liver which coupled with interferon can add undue stress. I also asked my nurse about iron and continue to take a mutlivitamin with iron daily, on top of this I supplement with very high doses of antioxidants.
Good luck today with the testing.
Jonathan
February 4th, 2005 at 7:07 pm
Vitamins are not bad for you, they are very beneficial for you to take but most of the time you acquire them from your diet. The reason your nurse may of said no to the extra iron is not because of any contraindication with both medications. Maybe what she was trying to inform you that your aneamia is a side effect of the Ribs and not an iron deficiency.
Secondly exercise is good gor you as it can help with your fatigue but do not over do it as you may become more breathless. But one can exerice on treatment. Your body will let you know if you are over doing it. Have a talk with your nurse and clarify what she meant. Have a talk with your nurse at your next visit.
Good luck with your PCR.
a CONCERN FRIEND
February 5th, 2005 at 3:37 am
I am just in Week 4 and have a little shortness of breath, but have otherwise had very few side-effects. Makes me wonder if the drugs are doing anything at all!
Just had my Week 4 blood work done today and hope to see liver enzymes go down toward normal.
Ron, I pray your viral load is diminished and that the treatment is doing its stuff!
Incidentally, I take Centrum Silver (the old folks multivitamin that lacks iron). The main problem with iron is the possibility of hemochromatosis, I think it is called, which is a buildup of excessive iron in the liver and can cause mental issues, such as forgetfulness, etc.
Grace and peace,
Buzz
P.S.
I was only going to read your blog on the corresponding week of treatment for me, but I couldn’t resist!
Ron writes: Thanks for your thoughts and prayers Buzz. Glad your coming back for a read - I try to keep up with your blog and always find it interesting - and you are so busy at the same time!! Talk soon Ron