Could I be responding?

Hi All,

I have been on tx for 2 weeks and actually feel better and less sluggish.  Could this mean I am responding?  Also does the interferon start to work on the first shot...hope it knocks it out quick with a low VL of 178,000.


robert
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[RobBetz]

type 1b also

[bluepeng]

hi.  i've read on janis site or somewhere that people can actually feel better on interferon.  Enjoy it.

[sunspot]

After starting tx, I no longer had a need for daytime naps. Also a constant liver pain changed to occasional pain.  Good luck to you.

[rifleman]

I believe I read on Dr. Ben Cecil's site that interferon worked geometrically, and that the first shot killed the most viruses.  The interferon & Riba will kill the virus and prevent it from making copies of itself.  The liver gets a major break, and that is probably enough to make one feel real good.  Also the knowledge that you are fighting the virus instead of living with it counts for something.  I feel better myself, except the pegintron makes me feel light headed for a couple days after the shot & the ribavarin gives me a bit of a buzz. . . sort of like the initial feelings of psychedelic mushrooms and the "energy" taste in the mouth.  
Funny that one unexpected sx was that I have no urge whatsoever to smoke, & I have smoked for 25 years.  People have offered me cigarettes and my reply was simply no thanks.  I don't feel any urges to drink, either.  That one is a litle easier than smoking, b/c I feel it would be pretty dumb to drink and possibly screw up tx.
DJL

[snook_man]

Het Robert, I know Scott(Revenire) has a link to an article that explains how interferon works. The first shot is thought to attack the Virus in the blood, and so on.
I hope Rev sees this so he can post. I know its on Miles website, though.

Hey, take it while you can. I didn't have sx's for weeks. First shot pretty much just gave me aches, then few weeks later like stomach acid, and headaches. Then for weeks nothing. Didn't start getting noticable fatigue and anxiety till later, like week 28 on.. But hey, week 36 for me now. I also got HCV at birth, so for 27 years now I have lived with this ****. Been undetectable since week 12!! Hey, if you can, ask Dr for PCR at week 4. It will give you heads up on what's going on..

[layla]

I also felt better after I started tx.I had a lot of energy and overall felt good and had no sx. The RN at my hep docs office said he has heard that from some people and he attributes it to feeling empowered because you were doing something about the disease.I don't know if I agree with him but that is what he told me when I told him I felt better. It lasted about 3 months. I'm glad youare feeling good. LL

[RobBetz]

thanks so much for that awesome information...I only felt achy after the first shot ( no extreme reaction)...could that mean I am not responding.....Its only gotta kill 178,000 of the virus.....thx again....thoughts pls

robert
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[Bill1954]

That's by far the most informative lay interpretation I've read regarding Tx pharmacology. If you get a moment, could you help me out with 'Miles Keaton Andrew'? Sounds familiar, but I can't place the name.
Bill

[jmjm530]

Miles is a very bright, well-read and funny guy who has been through a lot in tx. However, he does tend to mix his personal theories with established facts, so it's not surprising your nurse agreed with most but not all.

As far as the virus being knocked down 90-95% on the first shot, that has been shown in clinical studies.

If you want to read Miles Keston's blog, it's here: http://www.mkandrew.com/

Just keep in mind that Miles has experimented considerably on his own body and while some of his theories are enticing, many of them are just that -- theories. Personally, I enjoyed his blog very much.

[scruffy]

Excellent info Rev. And for the record Mile's novel "Final Arrangements" is a fun read. At least I'm enjoying it. frank

[scruffy]

I would guess that your reaction to the first shot was not extreme because of a low viral load. You are probably responding normally and well. Count your blessings and cross your fingers-then relax. frank

[cigaso]

After reading his blog, I found we grew up in the same area. I was sure we crossed paths, but he didn't remember. I found his blog to be humerous and very informative. I've got to read his book.