Besremi - CBC and CMP after the 7th dose kept at 200mcg

[Pat032018]

Just want to share my Besremi experience for anything to be learned from it.

Above picture shows my CBC after the 7th dose (results of 5/25/2022; 1st dose results was 2/18/2022).

HISTORY: Diagnosed with PV 4 years ago; JAK2 positive with very low erythropoeitin; I am now 64 years old; Only phlebotomy and aspirin for 4 years until Besremi in Feb 2022. Most concerning before Besremi was platelets of 1100. Allele Burden was 70% before Besremi. Currently, other than low-dose aspirin, Centrum 50+ men's vitamins, and garlic suppement plus raw 2 cloves of crushed garlic every other day; I have no other medication. I have been wearing CPAP mask for sleep apnea since year 2000.

BESREMI EXPERIENCE: Very good so far. After the the 7th dose of 200 mcg (1st at 100, 2nd and 3rd at150, and 4th, 5th, and 6th at 200), Platelets down to 424, WBC and HGB in (near) normal range coming from a high number. HCT was on a downtrend normal at 43.3. Pruritus had been absent since the 2nd dose of Besremi.

BESREMI SIDE EFFECTS: First 48 hours after injection, a flu-like symptoms but manageable and no medication required. Also, a couple of extra toilet trips/per day for vowel movement more than usual (nothing serious). These are minor burden compared to the hematological changes that I thought were all for the better.

OTHER CONCERNS: Low MCH, MCHC and MCV. My research points to low iron stores as the reason for these non-normal values. After the 7th dose, liver enzyme activity as measured by ALT and AST were slightly elevated. Hematologist advised to keep Besremi dose at current level; and will monitor liver activity.

CMP chart is shown as the first reply (as I did not find a place to attach it in the original posting).

[Pat032018]

Below is the CMP which did not have a place on the previous post.

CMP after the 7th Besremi dose at 200mcg. Yellow highlighted (slightly) elevated ALT/AST.

[Susana7]

Thanks for sharing, very encouraging results! I am on Pegasys interferon for PV, also with good outcomes. I hope this good trend continues.

[Pat032018 in reply to Susana7]

Thanks Susana. I hope you have good results from Peg!

[GardNerd]

This is great news — both the results and the manageable side effects. I’m trying hard to get on Besremi — if only my insurance company would cooperate!

[Pat032018 in reply to GardNerd]

My hematologist did all the justification to Besremi. The main point is Besremi is the only FDA approved treatment for PV. Good luck to all of us!

[Pat032018]

My hematologist and I are "somewhat" concern in the increase in ALT for liver enzyme activity meaning potential damage to liver. However, it is at a not so significant level right now. Maybe I will decrease the dose to 150 (from 200) mcg, I am hoping that is just "one-off" test results.

[hunter5582]

Results are looking good. Please keep posting your experiences so we can compare notes.

[Pat032018 in reply to hunter5582]

Thanks Hunter. Will do.