Interferon- missing doses after completing 1 yr treatment
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Interferon- missing doses after completing 1 yr treatment

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Interferon- missing doses after completing 1 yr treatment

  • Post
    • May 7, 2016 at 11:50 am
    EkinIstanbul
    Participant

    Hello friends, 

    My 1 year interferon treatment will be completed in 6 weeks. (stage3 melanoma) We have given breaks  in between every 2-3 weeks because of the low blood levels- side effects of interferon. Has anyone experienced this, do your doctors add the missing doses after 1 yr treatment and advise to continue a couple of more months to complete the full 1 yr? Many thanks and take care.. 

Viewing 5 reply threads
  • Replies
      • May 7, 2016 at 2:46 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      The 1 year time frame is somewhat arbitrary.  No, there is no need to extend your time to make up all the doses.  Many people don't even make it the full year because of side effects.  You've put in the time!

      • May 7, 2016 at 2:46 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      The 1 year time frame is somewhat arbitrary.  No, there is no need to extend your time to make up all the doses.  Many people don't even make it the full year because of side effects.  You've put in the time!

        • May 8, 2016 at 4:58 pm
        EkinIstanbul
        Participant

        Thank you! Its been almost 1 year but as I mentioned we couldnt do all the planned doses. One of my doctors said that the European protocol (especially if you lower doses because of the side effects during the treatment) they extend the treatment and complete all the missing doses for the previous year, but yess It's been a very tough year and I am not sure if I can take this a couple of more months. thanks fpr sharing your insight! All the best

        • May 8, 2016 at 4:58 pm
        EkinIstanbul
        Participant

        Thank you! Its been almost 1 year but as I mentioned we couldnt do all the planned doses. One of my doctors said that the European protocol (especially if you lower doses because of the side effects during the treatment) they extend the treatment and complete all the missing doses for the previous year, but yess It's been a very tough year and I am not sure if I can take this a couple of more months. thanks fpr sharing your insight! All the best

        • May 8, 2016 at 4:58 pm
        EkinIstanbul
        Participant

        Thank you! Its been almost 1 year but as I mentioned we couldnt do all the planned doses. One of my doctors said that the European protocol (especially if you lower doses because of the side effects during the treatment) they extend the treatment and complete all the missing doses for the previous year, but yess It's been a very tough year and I am not sure if I can take this a couple of more months. thanks fpr sharing your insight! All the best

      • May 7, 2016 at 2:46 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      The 1 year time frame is somewhat arbitrary.  No, there is no need to extend your time to make up all the doses.  Many people don't even make it the full year because of side effects.  You've put in the time!

      • May 8, 2016 at 3:01 am
      WithinMySkin
      Participant
      Interferon is a tough one, isn’t it? I was on Sylatron for about 3 months before I progressed (another in-transit met) and my liver enzymes skyrocketed. My oncologist said at the beginning of the treatment to aim for a year, and then go from there…the year is a guideline. The research studdies on the peginterferon were meant to be a 5 year treatment, but the average length of treatment was a year and a half due to side effects. If you’ve made it this far, you’ve done an amazing job!
      • May 8, 2016 at 3:01 am
      WithinMySkin
      Participant
      Interferon is a tough one, isn’t it? I was on Sylatron for about 3 months before I progressed (another in-transit met) and my liver enzymes skyrocketed. My oncologist said at the beginning of the treatment to aim for a year, and then go from there…the year is a guideline. The research studdies on the peginterferon were meant to be a 5 year treatment, but the average length of treatment was a year and a half due to side effects. If you’ve made it this far, you’ve done an amazing job!
        • May 8, 2016 at 5:04 pm
        EkinIstanbul
        Participant

        I use Intron Alpha pen -( 3x10mu)- yess it was a very difficult time for me, experienced most of the side effects- fatigue, depression, loss of apetite and brain fog-  still my blood levels (wbc and ne) are very low and I apply only 2 doses most of the weeks. I think I will not be able to continue to extend the treatment after 1 yr is finished- still 6 weeks to go!! Thanks for sharing your perspective and good luck! Best, Ekin

        • May 8, 2016 at 5:04 pm
        EkinIstanbul
        Participant

        I use Intron Alpha pen -( 3x10mu)- yess it was a very difficult time for me, experienced most of the side effects- fatigue, depression, loss of apetite and brain fog-  still my blood levels (wbc and ne) are very low and I apply only 2 doses most of the weeks. I think I will not be able to continue to extend the treatment after 1 yr is finished- still 6 weeks to go!! Thanks for sharing your perspective and good luck! Best, Ekin

        • May 8, 2016 at 5:04 pm
        EkinIstanbul
        Participant

        I use Intron Alpha pen -( 3x10mu)- yess it was a very difficult time for me, experienced most of the side effects- fatigue, depression, loss of apetite and brain fog-  still my blood levels (wbc and ne) are very low and I apply only 2 doses most of the weeks. I think I will not be able to continue to extend the treatment after 1 yr is finished- still 6 weeks to go!! Thanks for sharing your perspective and good luck! Best, Ekin

      • May 8, 2016 at 3:01 am
      WithinMySkin
      Participant
      Interferon is a tough one, isn’t it? I was on Sylatron for about 3 months before I progressed (another in-transit met) and my liver enzymes skyrocketed. My oncologist said at the beginning of the treatment to aim for a year, and then go from there…the year is a guideline. The research studdies on the peginterferon were meant to be a 5 year treatment, but the average length of treatment was a year and a half due to side effects. If you’ve made it this far, you’ve done an amazing job!
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