2 days prior to first shot

Iam reday for these nasty satan critter to get out of here.. LOL.. Iam looking forward to this tx.. cant wait to get it on with and start living better..

[sfwandwow]

I mean Ready LOL

[Terrylee8]

Wishing you an easy ride.

[Xenigma]

I am starting today, just took first Riba (about an hour ago)
& tonight I will do the first shot.  We'll be riding together
Good luck!
enigma

[FloridaMouse]

Good luck to you both.  Remember, if may be an easy journey, it may be a hard journey.  But ... the hardest part ... the anticipation of waiting to get the show on the road is over.  No matter how hard it gets it is a good thing and it can be done.

Here's wishing you both and tolerable journey.

Mouse
genotype 1a, Stage 3, Grade 3
Finished 48 weeks of tx on 4/13/07
Hoping for SVR on September 20, 2007

[FlGuy]

Before you start you should make sure that you have several items covered.
Have the meds on hand, Peg and Riba
Understand how to get refills so you don't have interruptions
Know how/when to take the meds
Knowledgeable 'coaching' for the first peg shot.
Understand the schedule (where, when) to get your blood work done.
The frequency and schedule for PCR's
Understand that once you start, important to stay on the med schedule.  Every Peg/Riba on time
Know doc's plan if 'rescue drugs' are needed.  At what levels.

The more prepared you are, the better it will be.

[nygirl7]

The best advice I got was from Jim...he said he always took out the instructions, each and every time and followed along with them.  I can't tell you - the first time I thought I knew better well the phone rang and then one of my kids came into the room and I lost my place and completely messed up the operation. A waste of a shot! Of the precious critter killing medicine!


Good luck to both you and Xenigma - I hope you are some of the lucky ones and have an easy go of it.  Remember to take the two tylenol!!!  

PS Every word FLGuy said above is 100% great advice. It's just so crucial we take all the meds right on time and don't forget any.  If you can, try and buy one of the pillbox things that has an am/pm slot so you don't forget.  After a while you'll be totally used to doing it (I always took my pills with breakfast and then dinner time so it made it easier for me to not forget) but in the beginning when you are under the effect of the peg well...it gets easy to get confused and the pill box will show you where you are.

Good luck!

[debnevada]

deb, true. (by the way i sent an email to you yesterday....)  There were a couple of times where i didn't know i was about to "miss" a dose until i checked my am / pm pillbox.  

[Xenigma]

I have the Riba pack so AM and PM are already labeled.
I have Xanax for irritability and nervousness, Lexapro which I haven't filled yet for depression if needed, (I don't handle AD's too well) and Norco for pain if tylenol isn't enough to make me comfortable. Any other "rescue drugs" my Dr. will take care of for me if needed.
Thanks all for your good wishes.
What were the other meds we should have on hand - just in case...
Gold Bond (cream? ointment?) with red top for itchies and bumps.
Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash, there were some other OTC meds to have on hand for different
sides should they crop up but I don't remember what they were, if anyone knows (and has time) could you list what they are please  :-)
TY in advance...
enigma

[Xenigma]

Oh, I also have 2 months of Peg and Riba.
Had to make sure I had enough just in case
of a problem with insurance.

[FloridaMouse]

Nioxin hair care products and Eucerin lotions were my best pals.  Later I thought about taking stock in Head & Shoulders and Walgreen's brand hydrocortisone. (both for the Riba Rash)

Mouse
genotype 1a, Stage 3, Grade 3
Finished 48 weeks of tx on 4/13/07
Hoping for SVR on September 20, 2007

[nygirl7]

Don't buy anything BEFORE you know you need it *unless it's on a big sale* cause you just might be one of the big fat lucky lucky ducks that never has those problems!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I sure hope for your case you are.  The "add-ons" as I call them - the extra OTC meds that we can need get REALLY expensive! (But then I include wigs and spray tanning in there too because my vampire like existence and complexion didn't help much hahahaha).  ;)