2nd Besremi shot

[EPguy]

I did it couple days ago. It remains at 50mcg as I am transitioning off HU. I did at home so no experts were watching.

I had none of the mild flu like symptoms that resulted from shot #1. While that effect shows the INF working as my Dr confirmed I guess that not having it on the 2nd shot is a good sign for tolerance.

I tried pre cooling the shot area as suggested by Wyebird. It reduced the discomfort of the cold liquid and allowed less warming up of the syringe. I figure less temperature cycling on the syringe stuff should be preferred.

Last month was an "off" one for me, I get extended good and worse periods, good ones tend to be shorter than "off" ones. I hope to see some slow improvements as the INF takes hold.

My 3rd dose will be back at Dr office. I'll get my bloods at that point. I think it may increase to100mcg then.

[Hopetohelp]

Interesting to hear how you are getting on. New drugs always of special interest. Thanks for sharing and may the improvements continue

[ggrana]

I started Besremi mid January same as you at 50 because I’m on 1500mg of hydrox a day. I just did my first 100 mcg and my numbers haven’t changed as of yet. I have stubborn platelet count of over a million on all meds that I take. I pray Besremi will be my fix in the future. Good luck to you as well! This is an exciting journey that we’ve been waiting for that seems promising. No side effects for me either as of yet . I just wish it was in a pen form that would be easier to inject .

[EPguy in reply to ggrana]

That is a lot of HU. Are you still on the full HU dose?

Members here have gotten better results on INF, here's hoping you get that too. We need to wait at least several months to find out.

I have a near perfect hem response on 500 HU but the long term benefit of INF, and hope for lower symptoms, is my reason to switch.

It is quite hard to dose the 50 from the huge Bes syringe. But my Dr confirms that it does not need to be that precise. The PEG syringe is smaller and easier to measure a dose from discussions we've had here.

[hunter5582]

Glad to hear you are finding what works for you. I have been warming up the syringe as recommended. I can barely feel the injection and I get no injection site reaction at all.

I have been hearing that some docs are not following the 2-week monitoring CBCs recommended during the dose titration phase. My docs are and in fact want to do the CMP every two weeks too.

Here is the clinicans guide that PharmaEssentia provides to the docs

besremihcp.com/pdf/BESREMI-...

All the best on the Besremi journey.

[Elizka in reply to hunter5582]

I let the syringe sit for about 30 minutes after I take out of the refrigerator.

Is that what you mean by "warm up"? My doctor wanted a CBC weekly, but I talked him into every two weeks. He kept my CMP tests to every three months, but I don't think that is enough. Maybe I should push for more frequency as anything scary would show up in the CMP.

Thoughts?

[EPguy in reply to Elizka]

Agree we should get more frequent CMP since this area is a specific concern in INF.

[hunter5582 in reply to Elizka]

Letting the Besremi sit out is what I mean. That is why Biologics gives you a timer in the welcome pack. The cute fuzzy socks are another matter. I inquired about both when the Biologics nurse called to follow up on how I am doing.

CBC every two weeks is the recommendation. CMP is a bit more of a judgement call. We did every two weeks at first when I started PEG too. I will roll with the very two weeks on the CMP since I have to go get the CBC anyway. I am not particularly worried about the Kidney/liver AEs since they were not a problem on PEG.

Here is the clinician's guide again in case you want to reference it.

besremihcp.com/pdf/BESREMI-...

[Elizka in reply to hunter5582]

Always a wealth of information. Thank you

[EPguy in reply to hunter5582]

My Dr may be allowing 4 weeks since I am on such a small starting dose and have good CBC and CMP numbers to start. I will ask more at the next visit.

I am using the contents for more than one dose per Dr guidance, so I figure fewer temp cycles are better, although I'm not aware of a risk there. I let it stay at room temp for just under 15 minutes. My 1st try on my own was stressful.

Same here on the inj site, no reaction at all.

[ggrana]

Yes I’m still on the full dose of HU , my mpn specialist said I should stay that way untilmy numbers go down. Thanks for your response and again , good luck and God bless!

[Elizka]

Good to hear second dose went well. I etched up my dose to 70 mcg for the 3rd Besremi shot. I think I'll do 100 mcg or 90 for the fourth (I don't use any other meds). No symptoms or issues so far.

[Bluetop]

I hope, as the interferon begins to take over from HU you will get more good periods.