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Posted 5/1/2006 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
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?

Bever eyes

Posted 5/1/2006 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Bever,
I would be happy too.
are you doing the rib-a -pak with it?

I can tell you what I went through they say everyone experiences different side effects. 
eileen

Post Edited ("I") : 5/2/2006 3:50:58 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/2/2006 4:26 PM (GMT 0)

I really don't know. I will be starting on the 16th. All I know is it is interferon and ribvirian. ( sorry about the spelling, if it's wrong)

Bever

Posted 5/2/2006 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
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'll start with that
eileen

Post Edited ("I") : 5/2/2006 11:36:23 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/2/2006 5:43 PM (GMT 0)

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?

Bever

Posted 5/2/2006 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
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.

Post Edited ("I") : 5/2/2006 3:03:15 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/2/2006 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
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.

eileen
Posted 5/2/2006 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much. I really appreciate you answering all my questions. I'm sure I'll come up with more. I always like to prepare for the worst.

Bever

Posted 5/2/2006 6:39 PM (GMT 0)
you're very welcome.

:) we can do it!!!!!
Posted 5/3/2006 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Bever just wanted to say good luck with the treatments & hang in there. You can do it!My thoughts & prayers are with you. later...
Posted 5/3/2006 2:43 AM (GMT 0)
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
Posted 5/5/2006 1:15 PM (GMT 0)

Hello Everyone.

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.

Bever

Posted 5/5/2006 1:23 PM (GMT 0)
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....
Posted 5/5/2006 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks lerie.

I was sure that would be the answer. Just wanted to hear it from another.

Bever

Posted 5/6/2006 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
hello all,

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.

hugs eileen

Posted 5/6/2006 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
most drs will NOT give you treatments if you drink,,,,and down the line your treatment options will be greatly limited too. good luck
trish
Posted 5/7/2006 4:30 AM (GMT 0)

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.   :-)

Posted 5/7/2006 6:31 PM (GMT 0)

Bever,

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.

Good Luck,

Posted 5/7/2006 6:38 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks Marvin

I hope that I am as lucky as you in 48 weeks.

Bever

Posted 5/8/2006 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
Bever,

Chin up...and if you need to talk...email me...I've been there.

Have a nice day.
Posted 5/15/2006 9:19 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck with your first treatment Bever. I hope everything goes well and you have the same fortune as Marvin.
Marg
Posted 5/15/2006 12:03 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your well wishes!

26 hours to go until my first shot.  I'm pretty nervous.

bever

Posted 5/15/2006 12:10 PM (GMT 0)

You'll do fine.....Remember to take the tylenol an hour before and then every 4-6 hours after if needed.  What day are you doing your shot.  I do mine on Friday nights by Sunday afternoon I'm doing ok. And, try to take it easy the day of the shot. I should listen to myself on that..... yeah

take care and let us know how you did....

hugs, eileen

Posted 5/15/2006 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
Bever,

Hang in there, email me if you like...Hold on tight, let's kick some ass...

Marvin
Posted 5/15/2006 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
bever,good luck with the first shot. Keep goin with the treatments and im sure it will pay off,,,i know it will be rough on ya,but you can do this!!!!
trish
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