I am going to be meeting with the Pegasys Nurse in a couple of weeks to start my treatments. I know that many of you have gone through it. Could someone please walk me through what happens from day one?
Yes, that's the same. What I did is anything I could do before I started treatment which really helped. Thats just me....I like to get things done. Make sure you have all your meds, I put a table next to my bed. I made sure I had a bigggg bottle of motrin. And, I learned a tip that day of the shot (take it easy.) The first one is no fun, but after that you're pretty ache. I take a motrin 1 hour before the shot. Then the shot is around 9pm (I go to bed early) from then on I take a motrin every 4-5 hours for the next 32 hours (about 6-8 motrin total) and I drink half of your body weight of water daily (according to my doc) so if you weight 150 lbs you would drink 75 ounces of water. that stops the itching and the cough and it makes you go to the bathroom a lot.....
I can't take ani inflammatorys because of my bleeding disorder. Do you think Tylonel would help.
How long after you take the shot do you start feeling awful? Is it the shot or the pills that are the worst? Did you find that you go through all the side effects or just a few? When do you start losing your hair, and how fast is it?
My doc said not to take tylenol because of the liver. I'm sure there is other stuff. I have heard thou of people taking tylenol. Motrin usually last 4-5 hours so with me taking it an hour before the shot I start feeling ache about 4-5 hours after the shot. Some times the flu- symptoms wake me up and I'm like oh its time to take another motrin. Now the first time it was chills, fever, and ache. Then the next week it was just ache. I'm going in my 11th week and my hair is just starting to thin in the front. I'm very conscious of this, so I went to a hair salon and bought nixion shampo which slows down the process. It's a little expensive.
The shot causes the side effects like depression, mood swings, hair thinning. The pills cause anemia and brain fog. that's why the doctor has blood work done monthly to watch your white blood count. Do you know any of your counts? (genotype, alt, ast, viral load)
I'm doing better than what I was. This is all new to me too. It is very scary. Any questions that I can help you with I will. I still work full time and have a full schedule at home and planning a big grad party for my daugh. Where I have trouble is cooking a full dinner and my legs are always ache...... I had a lot of dental work done and they think thats how I got this.
another thing is it took me awhile to get use to the anti's never took them before so I felt sick a little. The first few weeks I kept crackers by me ate like 3 and I would be fine. I've lost 12lbs so far.
bever,my hubby takes tylenol,but im sure your dr will tell you whats best,and he, like eileen,takes 2 an hour before his injections. he takes interferon but not the pill. We keep gatorade stocked up ,all kinds of flavors ,,he doesnt eat very well,,,,he didnt actually lose weight,just was run down too much...so in agreeing with eileen,drink drink drink,,,,anything with no caffeine and non alcoholic of course :) water and gatorade are the best,,you CAN do this! My husbands blood tests are getting better,,,,,,we find out in june whether his viral load is going down,,,hes going into his 5th month. He just started losing hair about 2 weeks ago,,,lots of it in the shower,,,,,we tease that its a good thing he had so much to begin with ,,,,lol good luck :) trish
It is a beautiful day in Toronto. I am hoping to get to my cottage in Muskoka. Which brings me to my question. Should I cut alcohol out completeley during treatment, or can I have a drink once in a while? Also, what about smoking cigs or other ? ( I am a proud non- smoker for 4 years)
I saw my mom suffer with cancer due to smoking. That smartened me up quickly.
Hi Bever, Sure is a beutifull day here in Toronto! Have fun at the cottage. With liver diseases all alcohol should be eliminated. It's better for the health overall if you don't smoke. My thoughts & prayers are with you. Safe trip to the cottage.later....
My doc told me I was done drinking for good......I use to drink about 20 years ago heavy but I had to quit. And it was so hard never went to AA but probably should of. I prayed my way to quitting......I would not drink at all during this treatment.
Certainly, do not drink alcohol at all while you are under treatment. It's best to give it up altogether, though. Your liver has already received damage, and alcohol would definitely make matters worse. You would be pushing yourself right into cirrhosis and/or liver failure. You are also better off not smoking anything.
There is not a lot that we, as patients, are able to do, or that is in our control. Drinking and smoking are definitely within our control and a good way to become active in your treatment.
I will not tell you all at this point. The one thing I will tell you from my personnal experience that the combination treatment of Pegaysis and reb works. I had a 12 million viral count of geno type one 3years ago after 48 weeks of treatment the count was 0 and has remained 0.
