ET JAK2 Now Starting Peg Via IV?: First... - MPN Voice

MPN Voice

10,438 members14,387 posts

ET JAK2 Now Starting Peg Via IV?

Mishie14 profile image
13 Replies

First Hydroxyurea and horrible severe side effects overwhelmed me. Switched to Anagrelide with less intense side effects on low dose but upon dose increase triggered serious heart and liver effects. Stopped Anagrelide in December, have been off of ET drug since then. Side effects have gone away, including liver enzymes that climbed to 12X normal took 7 weeks to return to normal ranges. I have been feeling great but still have high platelets to contend with. Next step is to start Peg at 45 this week and then every two weeks for 6 weeks. Have anti-nausea and pain drugs lined up. The twist is the doctor ordered IV vs syringe injections so hospital called me to schedule an outpatient appointment . I am not sure about this. Anyone had Peg via IV? What was your experience? Thank you for info sharing.

***UPDATE*** My doctor had the order right all along and I am so thankful knowing that--it was the outpatient lab that got it wrong while setting up the appointment. As several noted, the first injection is usually for 'how to' education and having medical professionals engaged in case of adverse reaction. The lab supervisor called with an apology and confirmed the appointment correction. Also as some of you have noted, speak up and question what you don't understand. The professionals do make mistakes. This is a safe group to ask for help and encouragement. I very much appreciate having your support. It makes a positive difference along the MPN journey. 🙂

Written by
Mishie14 profile image
Mishie14
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
13 Replies
hunter5582 profile image
hunter5582

I have never heard of Pegasys being administered by IV. I do not see that it is available in that form anywhere. I would call to check on this to ensure there was not an error. If the doctor did order this, then I would want a very clear explanation of why a medication intended for subcutaneous injecting is being given in a different way.

It may be that there was some confusion in the message. The first time you take PEG it is a good idea to get instructions and take it in a medically supervised setting. This is precisely what I did.

Please do let us know what you learn.

Mishie14 profile image
Mishie14 in reply to hunter5582

thank you for confirming my suspicion. I await a return call from doctor. I did find one reference online med site that there is a powdered version of peg that is mixed with something at the infusion clinic for IV. It did not specify for what purpose, however. Granted this Medicine is used to treat several conditions so perhaps something other than ET is the intended use. My insurance pre-approval states subcutaneous form so there’s a disconnect. Appreciate your helping hand.

hunter5582 profile image
hunter5582 in reply to Mishie14

This sounds like a miscommunication. Your insurance would be very specific about what form of PEG they authorized. Please let us know how it turns out.

Grum1 profile image
Grum1

I would be concerned with this order!

Weasel2020 profile image
Weasel2020

Please just be cautious. My mom was on hydroxyuria ...and she had side effects, terrible...but she tolerated them because she felt it necessary.....1 year after she started the hydroxyuria, her oncologist doubled the dose...even though her bloodwork looked amazing (she had CML)....9 months later, at the age of 66 - she was dead. I'm certain that her oncologist made an error in her dosage (because 2 months before her death, she oncologist referred her to a new oncologist and was to be seen within 48 hours).....she never saw or spoke to my mother again after realizing her error. My mom loved her doctor....so, research, and ask a lot of questions....my mom never had the courage to speak up and ask questions...and she died for it. good luck to you xo

Mishie14 profile image
Mishie14 in reply to Weasel2020

Oh my, what a heartbreaking story. So sorry for your loss. I appreciate your sharing and reminding others about the perils of MPN. Remembering you and your mother in thoughts and prayers. Bless you.

Oscarsboy profile image
Oscarsboy in reply to Weasel2020

Oh my goodness that is just dreadful, am so very sorry to hear what happened to your mum. It is a great reminder to us all to be very cautious if we instictively feel something is not right.

Wyebird profile image
Wyebird in reply to Weasel2020

that’s really upsetting so sorry for your loss

Kilmichael profile image
Kilmichael in reply to Weasel2020

so sorry for your loss… and how awful for your dear departed Mum. Yes.. we can all be to timid to question treatment side effects… Thank you for sharing .. it will help us all 🙏🏽

AndyT profile image
AndyT

I’ve never heard of Peg being administered IV - always by subcutaneous injection. Definitely worth querying what they have planned and why.

Threelions profile image
Threelions

Not heard of IV for Peg administration. It’s been a brilliant drug for me personally. Great results with very manageable & short term side effects. Good luck👍

Hopetohelp profile image
Hopetohelp

Never heard of that. You are wise to question. Could the hospital visit be for the nurse to show you how to do the injection? Definitely sounds like a communication error to me. Please let us know how you get on

Wyebird profile image
Wyebird

mine come fully loaded to 90. I think if on a lesser dose you squirt it out until the correct reading. All you have to do it attach the needle to the syringe.

Not sure about IV

I love my Peg. Good luck.

You may also like...

ET+JAK2 and about to start Hydroxycarbamide

Hi everyone, I have had ET for over 10 years and my platelets have never gone above 600. My recent...

Ladies, contraception and ET JAK2

and I can’t take Brufen anyway due to having IBS. So now I have a diagnosis of ET, I’m on 75mg...

Change of diagnosis, previously ET - Now Post ET Myleofibrosis JAK2 Negative, CAL R positive

many of which I have learnt to ask through this forum and MPN voice website. I have also been...

ET JAK2+ is it invasive?

checked with my husband and he confirmed that we did have a joint policy, so I had decided to put...

Hydroxy or Interferon for ET Jak2?

a lot initially in just a few weeks to 660. My last blood test 3 weeks ago platelets had only...