Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

back on treatment

hi evryone,
as most of you know, i was on tx last month and was forced off due to horrific sides. i went back to the doctor monday to discuss goin back on soon. to my surprise, she asked how i was feelin, wich is much better, aside from the mild liver pain off and on and the fatigue back.  she said ok, i will see ya in a week, and sent the nurse in to discuss tx dates. the nurse came in with a needle full of interferon and gave me my first shot. she also had another nurse she was training and during the injection, she gave me a huge air bubble in my arm the size of a ping pong ball. she was chattin away and i think she added air. i was shocked i was back on tx so soon. i wanted to go back on quick, but thought it would be in a week or later. i asked her if i could do the shot solo, or gradually go back on the riba startin with 400mg. she said no, but instead of keepin me on the 1000mg a day like before, she lowered me to 800 a day. i also asked her to give me somethin for the horrible upset stomach i was havin. she prescribed ZOFRAN, used for chemo patients. thank GOD she did cause you know what, that night  i was a lil queezy, but the next day it all started again. the horrid, horrid upset stomach. the zofran so far is a miracle drug for upset stomach's.  so far so good. i been drinkin alot of crystal light and cran rasberry juice. do you think its just as good as water?  do you think since i wasundectable naturally since infection and only had a viral load since 2002 max, its a very god chance theres no damage? i hope your all healthy and doin good!
GODBLESS
MRBILL
22 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
look pal, i am taking control, thats why the nurse was reported, the DINGBAT!!! mind your own damn business and it wont bother you when someone discusses a problem they had. let me inject your arm with a syringe loaded with air. when your arm swells up like mine did, we will then see how pissed you get! just becuase we are disussing problems we have or had, it doesnt mean we are not adressing them. i sat here a while back like a jerk, when someone else made a rude remark. well no more,if you dont like what you read, and you cannot respond in a polite manner,dont say anything at all. especially when it had nothing to do with you and it wasnt doing any harm. in the past, i would have sat here and took your rude remark, but with the riba i am on, i aint taking no ****! have a nice day!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Instead of calling the medical professionals dumb, stupid, dingbats...why don't you guys take control. Would you take your car to a dumb, stupid, dingbat.... ask why about everything or you may just end up dead. Every one makes mistakes. Why on this green earth would you see a "stupid" dr anyway? I saw 4 primary care doctors and 2 GI doctors before I found ones who I believe are competent and have more than 5 minutes to spare.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
all 3 shots last month was in my arm as well.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Im so glad to hear that you are back trying tx again. I think we originally started about the same time. I rotate my injections from my right abdominal area; then my right thigh; then my left thigh; then my left abdominal area; then repeat. Never in my arm. I really hope it works out for you this time.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
That "nurse" sounds like she is causing a lot of mistakes with your care, you can write a letter to the office manager or the director of nursing at that clinic, &/or the Dr she works under.  Include every freaking boo boo !  Did she shoot you in the arm previous times?  I dont know if thats really wrong, but if it goes into the fatty layer I wouldnt think it matters where its at...but Im not familiar with interferon shots except for what I learned from Pegasys video, and here. They said inject it in the thigh (outer), or abdomen, in the fatty layer. I have heard someone had their wife shoot um in the arm.  Anyhow, I agree with what someone said above, get the meds from that nurse, you inject it next time in front of her, and read up what it says on Pegasys.com just so you will know more than her!  I didnt use to have black & blue marks from the shots but lately I sure am getting um, havent changed anything, just seems to be bruising more easily at the shot site.  Best to ya Bill,  OHC67
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey, did they give you all your previous shots in your arm, too? Maybe that had something to do with all the problems you had. You need to go to the PEGASYS WEBSITE and study up so you'll know when dingbat is messin' up! How come you're not doing your own shots, anyway? I've done every one of mine, the nurse just watched the first one to make sure I did it right, it's a piece of cake, nothing to it. Stay strong and kill that damn dragon this time; like they said in The Waterboy, "YOU CAN DO IT!!!"
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey,
From my personal experience, if I take Riba WITH food or shortly after, I get upset stomach. I usually take Riba 30-45 min after the meal. Plus I drink only spring water and imported mineral water.

P.S. As type 2, why would you take 1000mg of Riba?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Your docs office sounds like mine(worthless). I only use mine cause its my hmo and i have to go thru them. Thank god I have a clinic that handles my hep-c and is on the ball!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i personally wouldnt drink crystal lite.  its full of chemicals and not good for the liver.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It's good to hear you are back on tx and getting help for the stomach upset (in spite of the terrible experience with the injection).  Hang in there and keep us posted.  caruu
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Why in the heck did the nurse give you the shot in the arm???  NEVER heard anyone doing that.  It is way too much interferon for that site.  Peg injections should be in the fatty layer under the skin, subcutaneously, and is far easier to do in the thigh or abdomen (stay a couple inches away from the belly button)The dumb nurse probably didn't inject an air bubble, but hit a muscle.  That would cause a big swelling like that.
For detailed instructions on how to inject please go to

http://www.pegasys.com/pdf/self_inj_guide.pdf

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it, but most people already have this installed.  If not, it is a free download from www.adobe.com
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
yes i was kinda freeked out. when my arm swole up, i said, is this ok? she then turned to the nurse she was training and said, something like, thats why i dont like these type of needles. she said somethin about CCs. if she was paying attention instead of talking and looking at the nurse, it wouldnt have happened. she is the same nurse i had when i was on tx last month. the same nurse that told me my liver pains must be cuz i banged my ribs, even though i insisted i never banged my body at all. the same nurse that insisted my severe upset stomach for 2 weeks was the flu. the same nurse that said when i felt short of breath, said it was anxiety, even though prior to tx, i never felt that way.  she is a real dingbat. i am still on pegysus, and soon i will inject myself. at least i will pay attention to what i am doin. well thank you all so much for the support. today isnt too bad. again i credit this ZOFRAN so much. hope your all well.
GODBLESS
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
BTW, here is great site which lists all known mineral waters plus their ratings: http://mineralwaters.org/
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I sure hope things go better for you this time. LL
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i am a geno3A. i didnt know you shouldnt shoot interferon in the arm, but the nurse should have. i also didnt know crystal light was harmful to the liver. wow, i guess i wont be drinkin any of that no more.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It's nice to see you back on course, with a positive, more aggressive attitude about beating the dragon.  
That shot was so far from ok, and the info that person gives is so far from ok, that you ought to complain to the Dr!  Maybe in writing, so a response is required.
Good luck with tx this time.
Maj Neni
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Glad you are back on the Tx train. Man, next time you visit your doc, dont let anyone practice on you, tell them you are far to nervous to be a guinea pig.  Did she come at you with a big syringe?  you said needle.  I cant imagine them injecting air the size of a ping pong ball.  In defense of nurses, they should know enough to draw up just medicine and push out any air in the syringe before injecting you.  And the interferon should only be 1 cc  which is nowhere the size of a pingpong ball.  If you truly had a welt that big I would of questioned them as to what the hell is THIS?  Anyways, hope you have recovered from that scarey incident.  The cranberry jc isnt that bad for you, its spose to be good for the kidneys.  The Zofran is an awesome drug for upset stomach.  You should drink more water than Crystal Lite and juices but drink!! Drink away.
Milk they say causes acid in the stomach to increase, to digest it, so never mind that. You can still drink it but with a meal.  Take riba after food.  Ok, thats enough of my lecturing!  OHC
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I hope this time will be easier for you. What type of shot are you on Pegintron or Pegasys? Why are you getting the shots done there? That would scare the he#* out of me having that big air bubble. Will you be doing them at home eventually? Well I wish you all the best with tx. I would stick to water and gingerale also. and something light in your stomach. Thankfully that isn't a side for me, neither is losing weight, I think I have actually gained wait on tx. God bless we are here for you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Welcome back,
I know you can do it. I hope it is easier this time around. I'm doing OK. Ginger Snaps, and Ginger Ale have been helping my sour stomach.  Shot #5 Friday night. We are all here for you cheering you on. Bless you and good luck.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am praying for you sir. I hope this time around on tx is easier for you.

I always forget to drink my 1 gallon of water per day and have been drinking juices and Gatorade lately.

Take care,

Scott
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i just started the cranberry juice today, cuz they have a sale at shaw's buy one bottle get one free. no, i am not an employee giving them a plug,lol. thanks though, i didnt realize cranberry had acid. i wont buy anymore, thats fur sure.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i wonder if all that acidic stuff is helping or hindering your sides??? why not try some juices that arent acidic?? do you drink milk?? i was queezy and made sure i took all meds after eating. i dont think anything is as good as plain water for hydration. also i read a lot about not drinking caffeine..due to its diuretic effect....but if ya been drinkin coffee for years stoppin can cause some pretty good headaches....not somethin ya need when starting treatment  so i drink my usual coffee in the morning but make sure i get enough fluid during the rest of the day........... just be aware...iam am new....so i basically am talkin through my hat...ill let ya know how i am doin in a few weeks.....
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis B Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.