Finishing 2nd week in trial

I'm at the end of the first two weeks of a Phase II Gilead trial.  My first shot gave me the expected flu-like symptoms and two day headache.  The 2nd shot barely fazed me.  Along with the INF, of course I am on Riba and then the two test drugs (or not, depending which arm I am assigned to).  I am so suprisingly well that I keep thinking that the bomb is going to drop on me all at once.  In fact, I worked about 10 hours yesterday, most of them on my feet as I am an event planner and got up this morning and swam 1/2 mi.  I feel so incredibly lucky at this point- only real side effect has been anxiety/edginess/irritability which I am managing with low doses of Xanax.  I know everyone reacts differently but can I expect this to get worse?  Is two weeks long enough to judge whether or not I will have major side effects?  

[Anne1717]

Hi !! Glad to hear you are doing so well.  From what I have read, everyone is different and some experience little  side effects while others are tortured.  My experience is that the side effects fluctuate.  I am in week 7 and I started off with severe headaches and nausea.  Those are gone but have been replaced by severe bone pain and fatigue - and a somewhat annoying rash.  My understanding is that the side effects from the INF subside, but the Riba sides get worse.  

My best and hopefully you will continue to do well !!

Anne

[blondie717]

I would hope it improves and think positive. I had 1 day of sore mouth a few days of deep bone pain , a rash for aprox 1.5 months that was a 1 on a scale to ten. and all that went away. never flu symptom's never a headache. so im in wk 24 with no sx. knock on wood. hopefully your will go away too. Seem's a few in bms trial feel great. I think Mary4now might be in your trial., Good luck to you. and if it gets worse there are things to aid you. Blondie

[R Glass]

“can I expect this to get worse?  Is two weeks long enough to judge whether or not I will have major side effects?”  
Sorry, but no one can answer that. All you can do is drink lots of water, take care of your self, and keep your fingers crossed. Hopefully you will be one of the fortunate ones that have little to no side effects and on to SVR.

[runningbrit]

Hello - I am in the same trial as you in Hopkins.   I am not doing so well.   I am 61 and a group ex instructor/personal trainer.   I got the "flu like symptoms" 36 hours after interferon - needed an exorcist!!   I am trying to work out.   Mostly mild flu like symptoms but this morning when I got up to make some porridge I started sweating and nearly passed out.   It is only day 6.   I am glad you are doing well.  Keep us posted.   Lynda

[crossroadsec]

The fatigue flu n dizzy stuff can be the pits. I found once I finished Incivik, the symptoms fluctuate. Incivik was hard core 100%. my observation is that it can depend on your liver condition, adherence to dietary n water intake etc.
Its kind of like waking up every day n not being able to count on ur body. I'm always grateful for the good days. The tough days serve as persistence training. Lol. Hang in there n discuss SE w Dr.
Feel better,
Karen :)

[runningbrit]

Hello all, I posted but don't know where it went!!    I am 10 weeks into Gilead Trial GS 5885 with SOC and with or without GS 9451.    Tested week one and two and was <25 at both weeks, UND at 4.   Big problem is anemia which went from 13.5 to 8.5 in 4 weeks.   Reduced dose of SOC.   Back up to 9.7 and then down to 9.3 at 8 weeks.   Have not got 10 week labs yet.  Terrible neck pain and muscle pain popping up in different places.   The usual "mild" flu like symptoms (HAH!), apathy, no energy, cry sometimes from the pain.  Try to force myself to get out.   Please keep posting on your results.  
Lynda