Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

First Shot 4 Days Ago Felt Fine - But No So Much Anymore

I did my first shot last Thurs and felt pretty good othen than some minor aches but no fever or chills.  Felt very good on Friday and throughout the weekend, but am feeling like you know what today. I've got chills, fever, nausea, etc.  I called the triage nurse for somthing for nausea and to ask if taking ibuprophen is okay as I've been taking it at least 3-5 pills a day.  I know this is probably too much, but the aches are killing me.  The reason for the post is I thought the sx got better following the days after the shot and not worse.  Has this ever happened to anyone else? Geez, what will be like when I have to take the shot again on Thrus?  Or, am I feeling the effects of the riba?  Oh ya, I couldn't sleep last night and took a Tylenol PM at 11pm.  Big mistake!  I could barely get off the couch this morning until around 10am.  Hope you all are well.
18 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
One patient posted that after his shot on Fri. he feel worse on Tues.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Day 4-5 were my bad days for much of treatment. However, some weeks were different in that regard. It probably has to do with the pegalayted (time release) formulation, which peg you're taking, where you inject, what week you're on, and maybe even sun spot activity, who knows :) My doc said it best -- every shot is different.

Hope you feel better soon.

-- Jim
Helpful - 0
119874 tn?1189755829
sorry you're feeling lousy.

I always felt worse about 3-4 days after each shot.  I was fine the first couple of days.  And some weeks I couldn't tell any difference at all.  

Jim's right about the sunspots.  There is no standard week on this TX.  Lots of people report the first weeks are the worst so you may well do better in later weeks.

Prevention and rescue meds are key to survival.  You're right to contact your doctor's office for help.  The magic words are:  "I think I'm going to have to quit TX if we can't do something about (fill in the blank--this nausea, this insomnia, this pain...).

Hang in there.  Algie
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Gma
How are you doing? How is treatment going?


sunshine

it hits everyone differently. the only predicable thing about this treatment is it's unpredictability!
Could be the Riba has had a chance to start building up in your system, could be a delayed reaction to the shot, who knows.
Hang in there.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you guys, thank you guys, thank you guys.  I really needed some attention today and you've provided it. One question for jmjm - you said where you inject.  Where you being funny like if I did it in the bathroom or the bedroom :) or do you mean where in the body?  If there's a place that will keep me from feeling like this next week I will do it.  Thanks
Helpful - 0
96938 tn?1189799858
In another thread you said you froze and ruined the peg.  Did it interrupt your med schedule - were you able to take next shot on schedule?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You have to remember that with treatment there really can't be a "norm" because everybody's body is different.

It is highly unusual though - is there any chance you just got a serious bug?  It's starting to be that time of year unfortunately :(

I have never taken anything for the nausea...I don't really know what is honestly not going to affect the course of treatment or not and I'm a chicken that it might.  I lost 20 pounds in the first few months (but have since gainned it back).

As for ibuprofen it sounds like you are taking an AWFUL LOT and that isn't good. The doctor told me to take two tylenols on treatment night to help avoid the fever but other than that take as little as possible. And he preferred tylenol over ibuprofen - said something about ibuprofen changes your body chemistry and it's not good to do that on treatment.

I hope you are feeling better.  When in doubt it's best to take as little meds as possible...they all filter down through our livers after all.
Helpful - 0
96938 tn?1189799858
At what time do you take your evening riba?  If you are able, move it closer to just after your meal time.  The effects of the riba can cause some sleeplessnes.  Sometimes the sx's are a spin of the wheel, your body is getting used to them.  I found that after a few weeks the way you feel is a little more predictable. Not necessarily better, just more expected.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm taking the riba right after my dinner. Is it the riba that makes you feel achy and your stomach upset or the interferon? Which keeps you from sleeping at night? Is there a usual timeframe when your body gets somewhat use to the drugs? It's good to hear from you. I remember all the discussions we had prior to me starting tx. Boy was I feeling braver then. The only good thing that I take solace in is that I must be killing some of the virus or I don't think I would be feeling this lousy.


Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
He's right I take mine at 7am and 7pm with my meals (cause you ;should take it with food) but when it was really reacting on me that way in the beginning until I got used to it...I tried to take them earlier in the day  (5am/5pm).

The ambien and antiD helped me alot though so it wasn't a problem for very long except...the sleep issue we have.
Helpful - 0
96938 tn?1189799858
I always blamed the intestinal discomfort, nausea, sleeplessnes on the riba and everything else on the peg.  No matter really, they are salsa dance partners when it comes to tx any way.  Not just killing some of those buggers, you're wacking them by the tens of thousands - day and night.  The way you feel is the collateral damage from the battles inside.
Helpful - 0
85135 tn?1227289772

Jim said.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
That was really funny!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
What do you think about taking the riba right at bedtime when I'm really sleepy so that the sides of it maybe won't kick in until later when I'm asleep.  I think this is what NYGirl was telling me to do once my body gets more use to the medicine. I like your visual of the war inside me. It does feel good to know that I'm on the attack and hopefully I'll win (just like all of you!).
Helpful - 0
96938 tn?1189799858
I'm a creature of habit and when I started tx I was determined to adhere to the schedule I had established thinking that the most important thing was stay on schedule - I never altered. But it was also thick-headed reason I avoided Ambien for too long.  If you take riba later to get to sleep and then have sleep interrupted  at O' dark thrity in the morning - you haven't gained much. Stop stimulant food/drinks (coffee, tea, soda, sugar etc) earlier in the day. Consider a sleep aid when you really need it.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have found that if I take my night riba about 5pm (before dinner) then I have no sleep issues.  I buy the Smoothies and drink that before a Riba or eat a slice of cheese or a boiled egg.  Sat I forgot and took it at 9:30....so much for sleeping in a timely manner.  I was awake most of the night.  I take my morning Riba before I leave for work just like I do the night Riba.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I agree with nygirl about the ibuprofen. My doc said not to take it, use tylenol only and sparingly. He said the ibuprofen is worse for the liver, which surpsrised me. I always heard to avoid tylenol. I do hope you feel better ;-)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm on shot 32 and throughout my treatment I have felt really good the day after my shot.  Kind of like a shot of speed or something.  I take my shot on Friday and never really get sick til Saturday night, sometimes Sunday night.  The nurse told me I would get sick a couple hours after my first shot.  I kept waiting and waiting but it didn't come til the end of the next day.  Don't worry, the sickness usually only lasts a day or two and then you will feel somewhat "normal" again.  Whatever that is these days.  Each person reacts differently.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community

Top Hepatitis Answerers
317787 tn?1473358451
DC
683231 tn?1467323017
Auburn, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Answer a few simple questions about your Hep C treatment journey.

Those who qualify may receive up to $100 for their time.
Explore More In Our Hep C Learning Center
image description
Learn about this treatable virus.
image description
Getting tested for this viral infection.
image description
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
image description
4 steps to getting on therapy.
image description
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
image description
How the drugs might affect you.
image description
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
Popular Resources
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.