starting today

[CARUU]

I'm launching into tx today!  I started the riba this a.m. and will do my first shot tonight.  I spent 1.5 hr. with the nurse yesterday getting "trained" on what to expect and how to do the shot.  I hope I do better on my own than I did during practice.  I was a little nervous and also in a hurry to get on to another meeting.  The Roche kit with all of the info, water bottle, gel pack, etc. is nice, but didn't really need another brief-case:-)
Thanks to all, have a good weekend. caruu

[Petey7]

I am headed out the door in 5 minutes to have my own 90 minute introduction the the fabulous world of Pegasys. I imagine I will be taking my first shot this evening, but then my imagination has been running wild for several months while I contemplated taking this enormous step, so who knows what's really in store. I think the whole business of "everybody reacts differently" is one of the main reasons why people tend to be so anxious leading up to starting treatment. At least when I went through Chemotherapy for cancer I had an idea what was in store since I had seen others close to me go through it. This time it sounds like we are leaving oursleves open for almost any side affect known to man. What makes it especially different is that I KNEW the cancer would kill me if I didn't treat it. Well, I'm off to the doc.

[myrtles]

I am sure you guys will do wonderful!!  Sometimes everything leading up to "the moment" is worse than the moment itself.  I'll be praying that you handle your first dragon slaying weekend ok.  Take it easy on yourself this weekend.  Don't forget the water.  Find your comfy jammies and the remote and kick back.

God bless you both!!

[MichaelT]

Things will go well, you'll see! You will quickly become subQ shot experts!

I would at least expect flu-like symptoms and be prepared to take the Tylenol or Advil or whatever the doc recommends to cope with them.

For me, the chills that hit were horrible. Believe it or not, Tylenol knocked 'em outta me. Fortunately the chills never made a repeat visit. I'm glad the kids didn't see me in my winter coat, knit hat, and wool socks buried under a mound of blankets - they would figured the old man finally flipped and took a trip deep into Ya-ya land!

It is tough to relax, but try! You will do great.  God bless.  -Michael

[raheem]

I found the first month to be uneventful. I became tired about 4 weeks into tx.  Don't worry about it-see how it goes!

[DownThisRoad]

I knew that today was your first day. I am thinking about you today, and this whole weekend.  
You will be fine with the first shot.  After a few of them and you get comfortable with the procedure, you will not have hesitation with doing this.
My first shot and that whole week was uneventful as far as sides go.  More towards the 3rd and 4th week and injections, I started to feel achy and really tired.
Don't push yourself too hard with your job and too much work until you see how this medicine effects you.  Give yourself, body and mind a good chance to accept this medicine and allow yourself some down time, if needed.  It is so very important not to push ourselves too hard and if you need to, you can take a day or two and use it just for yourself.

Congratulations on getting started with your treatment.  You've made your first step!  You'll be fine, we are all here for support and offer you comfort.

[OkieJim]

Congratulations,
Welcome aboard the HepTrain. It a long strange trip. You will do just fine. The first couple were really scarry for me. I was shacky about giving myself a shot. It gets real easy after awhile.  Be careful you can get tired real fast before you know it. It tried to hard thinking I was OK. Rest, drink gatorade, eat healthy. We are all here for you. I do #7 tonight.

[layla]

I hope you both have side free starts to your tx. I was lucky and didn't have sides until the 2nd month. Everyone has some but they can be mild. Gotta go do my shotm too. Drink a lot of water! LL

[ral]

You guys will do just great, you made the right choice. Believe me we were all nervous. But we got to do what we gotta do.

Stick with us onsite and we will all hold each others hands.

Bob

[oldhippiechick67]

Hey there how ya all doin?  Happy Friday huh?!  I got good news and bad today, I am "neg" for the virus, my doc finally had the goodness to call.  But my blood is falling falling, so I need neupogen and procrit, and GET THIS....he doesnt know how to prescribe it!  so he is sending me to a hematologist/oncologist who Rx's it all the time...so next Wed I can get in and get the orders for it.  I feel bad having to waste more $$ on insurance but oh well, life isnt cheap or easy!  
Good luck to you new starters!! Hope it isnt too bad for ya, as you know we all survived it, and many with good results...so keep on trucking and its good having you folks to talk with, I sure appreciate and enjoy knowing you all!  OHC/Auggie

[myrtles]

Well congrats on the "neg" for the virus.  That's good huh?  Anything that has neg and virus in the same sentance can't be bad huh?

I am sorry to hear about the neupogen and procrit though.  But at least once you get started on it you will not have to lower your dosage or stop tx.

I know you'll be better soon.  Let us know how it is going ok?

You all have a great weekend and God bless!!

[Space Coast]

My doctor never showed me how to do the shots, I just read the directions and let it rip! If you do them in the stomach, don't do them to close together!

[DownThisRoad]

So sorry for the extra drama you face with your doctors office and blood work results.  Whew, you finally heard something back and you've got the virus on the run.

What type of doctor do you go to for your treatment and care.  Hepatologist, GI or primary doc?

[Tim in Tenn]

Doing my second shot tonight.Had no problems with the first and praying the same for you both.My tx nurse entered the room with a giant bottle of tylenol and gave me 2 before she even started talking.She said up to 2000mg per day.2 just before shot and 2 four hours later.Musta helped cause I didnt feel a thing from the shot.Good luck!

[cindee]

Hey go way down to date 10/7/03
I FEEL SO ALONE I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO
Read this, a friend gave it to me and I read it everyday! Hope it helps.....and hope you feel better. Prayers are with/ you and all of us here. ~Cindee~

[ral]

Great news hippiechick.

Bob

[willing]

Congratulations on becoming a responder! You don't mention your ANC but may want to talk to the hematologist about this <a href="http://hepatology2.aasldjournals.org/scripts/om.dll/serve?action=searchDB&searchDBfor=art&artType=letter&id=ajhep50122"> study</a>. It looks like the traditional threshold of 750 as a "low" neutrophil count requiring neupogen or dose reduction may be inappropriate for combo tx.  (I also posted some comments on your tests on the 10/16 "12 weeks.." thread). Best wishes with this new hassle..

[oldhippiechick67]

DTR - I go to a GI doc. If I had known what to look for I would've done more thorough shopping around!

Willing - he didnt have the ANC, it is still in the lab.  I did read your other post and thanks so much for your input, info, wisdom, and support.  I will use that report for backup! Thx!

Thanks all for cheering for my Negative status,  Yeaaaaaaa!
My hubby took me and daughter out for dinner at a very nice restaurant...it was super!   Hugs, OHC/auggie

[LvdByGod]

2ND SHOT TONIGHT. I PRAY FOR MERCY ON MY BODY. PLEASE GOD HELP US ALL BEAT THIS BEAST SEEKING TO DEVOUR US. MAY WE WIPE HIM OUT FOR GOOD. THAT WE MAY SERVE YOU BETTER. AMEN

[Petey7]

Took first shot at 8:00 last night and so far so good. No flulike symptoms yet. Kinda like waiting for the first shoe to drop. Thanks for all the encouragement.

[OkieJim]

See you guys it was OK huh!. Remember to drink fluids now and stay relaxed don't try to over work yourself. By next week you will understand better. It's not bad just tireing(sp). What I liked the best was my DR. said eat lotsa red meat. Yes!! Any way keep us informed on your progress. Did #7 last night. Still level no new sides to deal with yet.

[CARUU]

Thanks to all for the encouragement.  I took my first shot at about 9pm.  I slept later than usual and dreamed that I felt worse than I actually do.  Must be a symptom of all the stress and fear leading up to this.  I'm feeling fine now and will just have to see how it goes.  My doc says my WBC and RBC will drop and will need to be watched closely.  For the first 4 weeks I'll get blood drawn on Wednesdays and I'm not supposed to take the injection until I hear from the nurse every Friday that it's OK.  Then I go into the office every Monday for a nurse visit where they weigh me, ask about my emotional state, and go over blood work in more detail.  This is like having another job!  I'm glad I live close to the doc's office and that they are diligent with this tx.  Have a good weekend. caruu

[latrobe]

sounds like you have a great team of medics working with you...you're gonna be so glad to have the help and the understandoing and knowledge about all this. great good f

[Sunzoom]

I am on Pegesus and for me i do my shot friday night and it doesnt really "hit me" till Sat night, I have been waking up on sat. night with a bad headache.

[jonihs]

I pray everyday that by the end of Nov., I will Be BBQin w/ you. Should have been sooner, but my shrink rescheduled for Dec 9, so we are trying to find another that can see me sooner. My G.I. wants to work closely w/ G.P. and shrink, so that can't be all bad.   Best of luck, energy and no nausea!!!Joni