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Peg-intron and Ribavirin

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Posted 7/11/2006 10:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

   I'm new here, my name is Tom. I did a search on this site for Peg- intron and Ribavirin. Nothing came up. I started treatment with these 2 meds yesterday. Anybody here use these ? If so, did it make you sick?

                 Thanks for any help, Tom

 

Posted 7/13/2006 1:31 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Tom,

Thats what I take.  I haven't got sick yet. Just ache and really tired.  I have 4 more shots. The doc might want to change you to pegasys if you do get sick. They are about the same, just some people do better on one or the other.

Any questions please ask.

eileen


Post Edited ("I") : 7/12/2006 7:38:13 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/13/2006 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome tomj44,

My fiance went through 48 weeks of treatment with pegasys and ribavirin. He generally didn't feel too bad, just achy and tired for a couple of days after the shot. As time went on, he did seem to tolerate it less well, and spent a lot of time in bed. There's a cough associated with the ribavirin, and there is a tendency toward anemia - Mark had several transfusions during treatment.

As I understand it, everyone (obviously) responds differently. Rumor has it that if you drink a lot of water, it helps with the nausea that some people get.
Posted 7/13/2006 5:40 AM (GMT 0)
my hubby has been on pegintron for 7 mths now,and hes gotten weaker as time goes on. he throws up alot and doesnt eat much. unfortunatly it didnt lower his viral count at 6 mths at all,so we are in the process of asking about other treatments for him,he has hep b btw,,,,,,alot different then c as there is no cure,only a remission like state and loweing viral count,good luck
Posted 7/21/2006 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
welcome tom,i,am doing the same tx as you.48wks.iam on wk7.honestly i haven,t felt that great but do feel better when i,am up out of bed  even when i,d rather not be.i,ve had rashes,mouth sores which they have a mouth wash for.my big problem is that i feel like i have the bed spins all the time.they just put me on meds for that.try to eat and drink water even if you don,t want to.you,ll feel better.alot of times you can feel sick because you need to eat or drink .gingle ale is my friend.i,am also on procriet for low blood-cells thats a big reason for me feeling lousy .one thing i do find is that my doctors are very supportive.theres meds for the sides that are troublesome. they work closely with me.checking my cbc weekly. good luck to you tom    clily
Posted 7/26/2006 5:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Tom, I have gone through 48 weeks of Pegasys & Ribavirin combo and HCV became undetectable. After 6 months low levels were detected. I am Geno 1, chronic HCV, 3rd stage with early signs of cirhosis. I make myself eat and drink 6- 16 once waters a day. I am now in my 3rd week of TX with Peg-intron & Ribavirin. I do not get nauzea but I get headaches and neck and shoulder muscular pain. Swimming has helped me greatly. I swim laps to build my endurance and to keep my mind positive. I also have my church praying for me.
I take a chewable vitamin c and a b-12/b6 tablet daily.
The worst time is the day after the injections but they are not as bad as the first injection. Allow your body to rest but as soon as you can I would recommend some form of exercise. The water is refreshing.
Bless you Tom
Aquaman
Posted 10/4/2006 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hi. I just joined this site and I thought I'd drop in on this topic. Last year I did 5 months of Pegetron therapy. (I'm in Canada) That's Interferon and Ribavirin. Got very ill. White count, red count both dropped to dangerous levels. The usual 48 week tx had to be cut at 22 weeks. However, my PCR test revealed no detection of HCV virus after 12 weeks, and now 6 months after having had the treatment cut, I am still undetectable. My specialist is Cameron Ghent in London Ontario. He assures me that I have joined the ranks of those who have a 3-4% chance of re-occurance.

I had Hepatitis C for nearly 35 years. I contracted it through IV drug use. This is just my experience, but perhaps it will give someone some measure of hope. If it worked for me, it just could work for you.

God Bless,

Kate
Posted 10/4/2006 10:42 AM (GMT 0)
welcome kate:) thanks so much for sharing your story..Im so happy for you that the treatment worked! You must be very relieved! Enjoy life to the fullest and take care.
Posted 10/10/2006 6:57 AM (GMT 0)

Hi I started interferion in February and seem to have run the gambet of effects however now with 3 months left to go I'm finding the weakness, anemia and deppression almost too much to bare. I don't really know what I'm looking for. I guess some kind of encouragement as i'm starting to feel hopeless and alone.

Steve

Posted 10/10/2006 2:50 PM (GMT 0)
steve,
hang in there,,your almost done! are you on antidepressents? if not maybe you could talk to your dr about getting something,,,,drink plenty of fluids,,,gatorade maybe,,to keep you electrolytes up...if your having trouble eating,maybe try ensure to keep your strength up as much as possible,,,,you can do this steve!!!! ill be keeping you in my prayers...
Posted 10/10/2006 3:42 PM (GMT 0)

Hey Wheredidigo,

Thank you so much for the words of encouragement. It really does help. I know I can do it but it sometimes gets overwhelming. I guess it's a bit unsettling when you don't recognize your own body and personality. But I promise I will hang in there. On the plus side my liver enzimes are showing great promise and all my bloodwork seems to point to success. Again thanks for the support. That is just what I needed. Funny that I am asking for support and I'm going into the social work field. Hmmm

Thanks again  Steve

Posted 10/10/2006 11:30 PM (GMT 0)
Everyone needs support and encouragement sometimes Steve,especially with what your going through,,its a ROUGH treatment program and you are a brave man...im glad you promise to finish it! if you need anything,especially just a listening ear,,just ask :) we are all here for each other on this site and i hope you keep returning. take care and get plenty of rest.
Posted 10/13/2006 7:24 AM (GMT 0)
Steve,

The treatment is very rough. Anyone who chooses to brave it deserves a gold medal. Don't add any other meds to the mix.

I was there and administered the shots, watched how sick they made the man to whom I committed my life.

God Bless everyone who has this courage.

Posted 10/13/2006 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
im not sure why you told Steve not to add other meds ,,,,but my husband could not have endured this treatment without antidepressents,,,and his drs agreed,,,,the key is FINISHING the treatment to overcome the hep,,,,everyone is different dj,please keep that in mind :) Steve,talk to your dr about your feelings and let him help you figure out what is best for YOU! please keep us updated ,Steve,,,,we care :hugs:
Posted 10/13/2006 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
btw,aquaman,thats great advice,to keep active,,,my husband was not very motivated,and i think that helped contribute to his depression and the side affects might have been worse for him due to his mental state of mind. good luck and keep us informed about how your doing:)
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