Splenomegaly after taking Pegasys

[Emmyroos]

I cannot find answers to so many things related to MPNs online. I really appreciate having this community.

Just a quick question for any of you Pegasys folks out there. I started Peg about 8 weeks ago now, 90mg weekly, and I have developed significant abdominal discomfort right around the location of the spleen. I know Pegasys reduces spleen size, but does it by chance increase the size temporarily at initiation of treatment?

I didn't have splenomegaly before, just wondering why I feel like I do after taking Pegasys. Not having an enlarged spleen was the one thing I had going for me! lol

Thank you friends!

[hunter5582]

I have never heard of PEG causing splenomegaly. It can, however, cause abdominal pain. It is one o the known adverse effects.online.epocrates.com/drugs/...

Suggest you let your are team now what you are experiencing.

[Emmyroos in reply to hunter5582]

Thank you. I was unable to find anything related to that also. I'm just trying to adjust to this peg! The side effects can be so similar to the symptoms of the disease. It's hard to differentiate the two. I think you answered my last pegasys question before about joint pain also. Again another symptom I did not have before pegasys. Thanks again!

[hunter5582 in reply to Emmyroos]

Are you able to consider a swatch to Besremi? You may tolerate it better.

[Emmyroos in reply to hunter5582]

I have my first Dr appt this week since starting peg. I'll get a better idea if it has started working on my sky-high platelet count, and I'm hoping to get a better feel on these side effects/ symptoms. I'm okay with the side effects, if that's what they are as long it isn't the disease progressing! The Pegasys has really helped my other symptoms a lot already, numbness and fatigue much better! So I'm all onboard here. I can totally put up with side effects of the drug as long as it's working it's magic! ✨

[hunter5582 in reply to Emmyroos]

Glad to hear that it is working. PEG is doing a good job for me too with no side effects at all. Some people are able to tolerate the ropegylated interferon (Besremi) better due to its slower releasing formulation. sounds like you have a good n=handle on this. All the best going forward.

[Emmyroos in reply to hunter5582]

Glad to hear peg is working well for you. I've heard great things and am determined to give it the best chance. I'd love to try Besremi - I was unaware it was available in the US now. Maybe I will ask about it tomorrow at my appt. Thank you for your input. It is appreciated!

[hunter5582 in reply to Emmyroos]

Besremi is slated for FDA approval in mid-November. Fingers crossed!

[Wyebird in reply to Emmyroos]

Good luck with Peg, I’m hit and miss with it at the moment

[Emmyroos in reply to Wyebird]

A bit the same here. It's been hard to predict but for the past 3 weeks I've felt consistently better all around. So I think I'm just starting to settle into this dose. I'm only on week 8 since starting Pegasys. I hasn't improved my blood numbers at all but I sure have been feeling MUCH better. I've even managed to start running again recently. I haven't felt good enough to do that since I had my baby. Good Luck - I hope the peg works out for you and works wonders!