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Interferon treatment side effects

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Posted 10/15/2006 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
:-)  Hello everyone, My name is Kristeena and my fiancee has Hep C, and Cirrhosos, and is going to start the Interferon shots in 3 weeks.  The doctor only gives him a 40% chance of it working, so we are posting this message to see what other people have gone through.  He will be receiving 1 shot a week for 1 year.  We want to know what other people think of the response chances and also the side effects.  Will he be very sick?  What are we about to go through?  Please, any information at all will be greatly appreciated.  We have no idea what we are to expect as we do not know of anyone with this disease.  -Very scared, Kristeena
Posted 10/15/2006 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
hello kristeena,welcome!
Im not sure what genotype your fiance has,and i couldnt tell you about the chances of it working,but i am a caretaker to my hubby,rick,,,he was on interferon for 7 mths,,due to hep b. it didnt work for him,so he has been started on baraclude,which is only for hep b,not c. During the time he was on interferon,and even afterwards,,,he lost his appetite,threw up alot the first few mths,got dehydrated very easily,,and was very depressed. but I have to say,NOT everyone has horrible experiences,though its not pleasant for anyone to go through. my advice would be,for him to drink plenty of fluids,mainly water or gatorade(the electrylytes,spelling?, go down alot when on these treatments),,be prepared to rest for at least the first day after shots(dont make big plans),,get out of the house and socialize,,dont become isolated,,if he starts to lose his appetite,eat light meals,maybe even try ensure,boost,,ect,,anything to keep his energy level up. and if he starts to feel depression,contact the dr about possible antidepressents,,the important thing is,to learn as much as possible,and do NOT be afraid to ask you dr for answers or help,,,,,and if you dont trust the dr,find another one,,,its also important to have a family dr who is knowledgeable about his condition to help co ordinate with the GI dr,,,i just have touched on a few things but i hope this helps some,im sure others will have some suggestions too,,,i hope you keep returning here for support and to keep us updated on his situation,,,,good luck and my thoughts are with both of you
Posted 10/19/2006 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
I am pretty sure he is 1a as that is the type for HepC to go for one year of treatments.

 

Posted 10/24/2006 4:45 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome, Kristeena. When I was diagnosed in '93, they wouldn't give treatment to anyone with cirrhosis. I guess the thinking on that has changed. Has anyone mentioned a transplant? How is your fiance's liver function/liver enzymes?

Connie
Posted 10/24/2006 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
They say his liver is really bad, but I don't know how enzymes are.  Getting closer to the first date of treatment-very nervous
Posted 10/25/2006 7:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hope eh doesn't suffer too much during the treatment. You can count on support here at HealingWell during the tough times. There is always someone to listen.

Good luck.
Marg
Posted 10/25/2006 11:07 AM (GMT 0)
kristeena,
i totally understand you being nervous,your fiance is going to need you to be strong for him and thats sometimes a heavy load to carry,,just take one treatment at a time and before you know it,the year will pass,,,he may not have as hard of time as some on the treatments,so maybe just prepare for the worst,but expect the best? definately ask the dr about his enzyme level,,as well as make sure to get copies of all his tests. then YOU have something to compare with during the treatment process. make sure they keep an eye on his thyroid,kidney function,ect,,,,about once a month they should be doing bloodwork on him. my husbands first GI did NOT run bloodwork like he shouldve,,,actually said,,,,keep on the interferon for 6 more mths,,,,,ill see you at the end of that 6 mths,,,,,which was NOT acceptable to us,he changed to a new GI,,who is very attentive to us and doesnt seem to want to rush out of the room...any time you need a shoulder to lean on,someone will be here on HW,,we care and we ALL know what your feeling...take care of yourself during all this too.
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