1st shot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!do sx get worse as time goes on????

[cquest]

I just took my 1st shot Fri. afternoon/Riba right after. I felt fine up until about 10pm when the chills (my teeth were chattering), fever, aches, numbness in my fingers, peeing a lot started. I took more Tylenol and went to bed. Things must have settled down later on because I got hot from all the covers. I slept fine, I woke up fairly fine, slight headache which is not unusual for me. I am still feeling ok...question is, will things build up and get worse and worse as time goes on? My husband is concerned about the mental problems...poor thing must be fearing for life as he knows it...So will I get crankier as time goes on? If this is it, I will sail through this thing but if things get progressively worse, I would like to know. Any input?
Thanks!
Cin

[Leany]

The first shot can be rough , but you made it through. I had chills , hot flashes and slight temp the first time . Got up took another tylenol .  I also take Ibuprofen . I checked with my Dr. on both these issues. You would also need to do the same. Each person responds in their own way and your lab values are taken into consideration. I am on week 14 . I do know that there is a max amount of tylenol per day.
The sx have lessened as time went on . The worst sx seem to be the first few weeks. Call your Dr. and let him know how you are feeling . There are medication for sx..use them to help get you thru tx with as little discomfort as possible. No sense causing yourself anymore hassle then necessary.
I also got very edgy the first month or three :). No sleep for more that 2-3hr at a time for two months.  Spaced out , vague, mean ,out to lunch and out of sorts. I take a sleeper now and am feeling almost my normal self again. Sleep is a must!
              E

[Laika]

No, I would not say that symptoms get worse as time goes on.  I never even got the chills and fever with the first shot.  Fatigue is my biggest problem--I think you can pretty much count on being "tireder" than usual during treatment.  Aside from the fatigue, I had some problems with anxiety in the beginning.  I had a few weeks of serious lightheadedness that were pretty freaky, but it went away.  I had sporadic nose bleeds and itching, but I've had prior sinus surgery and a very mild case of psoriasis.

The worst is in the beginning:  the anxiety of not knowing how it will be.  After you've woken up to one weird symptom after another for a month or so, you'll adapt to the roller coaster.  Most of the symptoms are just irritating...once you realize they come and go and are not going to pile up, one upon the other and be there day after day, then you can accept it a little better.

Tell hubby if he's so worried about your mental state, he should take some Xanax or something!  haha.  If YOU are worried about your degree of anxiety or depression (any history of it?), then get your dr to prescribe an antidepressant.

Laika

[Tonyz]

<font size="2" color="#3399cc">Welcome  To TX

  Several of the SX for the first few shots, like the chills and some of the others should abide over the next couple of weeks.
I think you will find that different time periods during TX will bring about different types SX...At lease thats the way is was for me.
Now remember that each person reacts differently to TX so your SX could be totally different then mine..........</font>


<font size="2" color="#660033cc">Blessings.

                     TonyZ</font>

[mauka]

I had exacly the same chills and a little fever on the fist shot. Last night was my 10th shot and the first was the "worst". After the first I didn't take tylenol or nothing else.
No chills, no shaking, fever...nothing. All I have is low red blood cell that makes me feel a bit weak all the times and if they drop more I may take Procrit.

WElcome to the club!

[friole]

At least it is over.  I am sorry you had the chills.  Maybe try to do it later in the evening - that might help.  I take my shot at 8:30 (during the least favorite of my "sci-fi Friday threesome (Stargate, Stargate Atlantis, and Battleship Gallactica)and still - #4 - haven't had sides from the Peg shot. I do feel I am getting sides from the Riba but those will be dealt with.

I have been feeling pretty hyper the day after shot day.  Wonder if you are experiencing that today.  I don't know about the mental sx.  I think all our spouses are watching us with a wary eye.  Mine doesn't like change, and it will be very different for him if I lose my  independent spirit.  He goes to see his dad at the independent living place on Friday evening and has no desire to see me "do the deed."
Kathy

[Leany]

No problem . I appreciate the reply. It sounds like you are doing pretty good this morning.
I agree with you that this tx we are undergoing is serious bussiness. However , the people around us love us and want to be supportive. They have no clue what it is like .
On the way home from work last night ( a 1 hr drive) I tried to formulate in mind an accurate description of some sx of this med (that I experience.) I failed. So . I guess if I cant fully express how I am feeling on this medication . How in the world can I expect anyone not on it truly understand.
The important part is that you do what needs to be done to get yourself thru tx and beat this thing.
        E
sorry if the spelling is off