I am flying to Spain for a little holiday tomorrow, just me and my toddler, and I am once again in agony due to my Interferon. It’s causing neck pain this week (I constantly get pain in joints).
I’m so fed up I’m genuinely considering not injecting before I go tomorrow. I inject weekly 135mg.
Has anyone ever skipped a dose?
this is probably not the answer you want to hear but it’s wise not to change anything without checking with Haem or Haem nurse
I had an upset stomach, and my Haematologist told me to miss my next injection, but if it settled to take it 4- 5 days later. I agree with previous reply to talk to your consultant, they're usually very understanding and helpful. I'm sure together you'll come up with something to help you enjoy your holiday. I was surprised, but paracetamol did help with my aching joint pains.
Have a fab holiday 😎
Lx
Skipping a dose os OK in some circumstances as is reducing a dose; however, it is a decision you would need to make collaboratively with your MPN care team. If I recall correctly, you are on a fairly high dose (135mcg). Perhaps a lower dose would be acceptable. though less effective if you need 135mcg to achieve treatment target.
Managing the adverse effects of treatment does get tiresome at times. Venting about the frustration is necessary at times. Hopefully, you will find some more effective ways to manage the AEs while mainatining your treatment plan. I have experienced this with both Pegasys and Besremi. The IFNs cause itching and occasional rashes. A daily dose of cetirizine manages this nicely. When my LFTs elevated to 3x/ULN, my Integrative Medicine doc prescribed a milk thistle extract. This returned to LFTs to almost normal (acceptable).
Wishing you all the best and happy travels.
I skipped a weekly 90 mcg dose as if I was going from weekly to biweekly. My Hematology doctor approved, said it would be an interesting test if my numbers held or not. Strangely enough upon return from travel, my first blood tests showed platelets had gone down and an decrease in liver enzymes that were already good beforehand. This after two weeks of fairly grueling adventures, high altitude and high air temps in the northern Rocky Mountains. She said that may be a sign I am finally approaching a stable state, perhaps a dose reduction or decrease in frequency may be in my future. However, the second tests after returning home were an ahah moment. My platelets had gone up 250k and two of three liver enzymes were up by 5 and 7 points. Not earth shattering but my life had been dramatically easier for nearly 2 full weeks back at home yet numbers that had been good were now worse. My doctor just smiled--I had also gotten a flu vaccine 3 days prior to the blood tests. My upper arm was swollen, red and felt tender and hot. Platelets and liver were reacting to the vaccine 'injury'. So, once again I am reminded how important it is to look at trends, taking vaccines can be hazardous, and skipping an injection was not the end of the world. As already noted by others, please do check with your care team in advance. Stay safe!
Due to the shortage of peg in the UK and especially shortage my local hospital that issue my meds, I have just been rationed to 1 injection every other week (135mcg dose). This takes me below the dose of 90mcg weekly that didn't work for me after a year so I am very worried about it). My local hospital did this with NO consultation with me first, just sent instruction to the pharmacy. I couldn't even get hold of them to ask questions. Luckily my main care is currently at Guys and so I now have extra appointments with them to check bloods to monitor any possible adverse effects of doing this and do venesections when required. I feel safe in their hands. I have only just started to respond and now worried I will go backwards. It will be interesting to see. So in answer to your question, it may be ok to miss a dose but as others have said it is always best to consult with your haemo. Whatever happens I hope that you have a wonderful holiday!!
I have skipped a dose 90mcg fortnightly ! No adverse effects. Dosed myself as soon as I could thereafter. Mind you, we’re all different .
Hi there, I have skipped just for one day. For example if I was flying on the same day as it is my injection day I would skip weather day before flights or day after flights. This was approved by my MPN doc. Wishing you well.
have you tried consulting MPN as I moved to monthly instead of weekly & no joint pain . 👌
Always best check with your haematologist but if they say you can skip a week it would be interesting to see if your neck pain goes away. I had to stop peg and neck pain disappeared, even disappeared when I reduced the dose. Good luck
Not sure what to do, or if I should be worrying.
I have bone biopsy tomorrow
Just been told I am anemic
don’t know how I should feel 
My just diagnosed 3 weeks ago
