First Shot!

Hi all. I did my first shot of peg-intron at 3:00 in the nurses office. I am in the IDEAL stidy which is to measure the effectiveness of pegasys vs 2 different doses of peg-intron. Well I'm doing the peg-intron and Ribavirin so I don't know what dosage I'm on. It is either 1.0 or 1.5. I know that I put .7 ml of h2o in the bottle and only inject .28. I have to save the rest and take it in to prove compliance. Anyone familiar with the mix on this stuff? The nurse said that I may experience side effects in ~2-3 hours. I feel anxious and hyper. Is that the medication or my mind. I know that there are a lot of people here who just started. Let's check in and see how we are all doing k? Wish me luck all. I am single with 2 kids and I work full time and overtime. I need all the support I can get. I love this site. It has provided so much info and people here are supportive and kind (with exception of a few flare-ups - entertaining). How is everyone else doing??

[indyjo]

damn - i hit it twice - don't yell at me

[Califia]

Pssst, indyjo, I'm stage whispering, not yelling.  Welcome!  (Besides, there are gremlins in this machine, I'm convinced of it.  Another one of life's darling little pranks.)    Can't comment on yr dosage, but have been through 1st shot night--and it was totally uneventful, except that I was giddy with relief.   Then the next evening came around and the fireworks finally began.    It seems there is no typical experience.  Prepare for the worst, as they say, but expect the best.   Even though you're clearly a woman of steel, I hope you have people who can cover for you when you need to rest.    This is really the time to ask for help if--wrong--WHEN you need it.   The very best of luck to you.

[cao]

Congratulations & best of luck this weekend.  If you are lucky enough to feel relatively good after your first shot -- enjoy it!

[GreatBird]

Don't sweat the double click. It happens. I hope things go well for you this weekend. How many weeks of this are you doing?

[genedog]

shot 3 still fine best of luck to you

[barryd]

i did shot 4/48, i have only had one bad weekend and that was from the first shot, i have had nothing else since that except for some sneezing fits and being a little tired, best of luck stick with the forum and you should be fine

[Lynne5477]

After my first shot (same time of day as yours) my dr said to take tylenol every 4 hours til bedtime.  Didn't feel any need for it and just forgot.  Woke up in middle of night with severe chill and fever.  Took 2 tylenol and was fine shortly thereafter.
  Everyone's sx are different.  If you are like most of us, you'll have good wks and not-so-good wks.  Good luck to you during tx and I hope you have little or NO sx from this first shot.
   We are all here for you and rooting for you.

[indyjo]

Thank you all!!
So far so good. Thank you for your comments. Maybe I'll be lucky. Wait and see I guess.
and thanks for the comment on tylenol. Going to take some now. Week 1/48. Can't believe it.

[wrench]

Just did shot 3/48 tonight. sx's seem to hit worst mon evening and then for the rest of the week the afternoons/evening/nite I start to feel tired and fluish. It's good to know there are so many of us starting tx so close to eachother.

scott

[honey1616]

Looks like everyone is off to a good start in wiping out this disease!  Indy,,,Drink lots of water LOL  As if you didn't know!

Barry,,,if sneezing is your worst sx so far....I'm jealous LOL Good Luck and hope the sx's stay nil!!

Scott,,,My first couple of months were probably the worse as far as feeling fluish alot and then that seemed to level out. Glad to hear you already have 3 shots under your belt!

[layla]

I hope all goes well for you. I didn't have sx for a couple months. It's different for everyone and I hope the sx's are mild to nothing for you. LL

[Califia]

I see the Helen Reddy song Derail posted today had a strong effect on you! :)

[mikesimon]

I just want to wish you good luck with the sides as well as your response to the tx. Mike

[Oreos]

Congrats Indyjo and Newbies just starting tx!  For me, the hardest part was getting started.  I'm a 1A (hopefully WAS) and just finished 48/48.  Had various sides from one time to another, but not too bad overall. Here are a few things which worked for me:

1. Keep you eye on the PRIZE and never look back.
2. Lean on loving, supportive friends, family and this forum. (I wouldn't be this far without you guys!)
3. Drink TONS of water. Makes a huge difference.
4. Take it easy on yourself. Get comfy clothes for around the house, go for walks (I like yoga classes), and spoil yourself with massages, etc.  And the TV remote?  It's YOURS.
5. I'm a woos when it comes to sides, so I track them carefully and work with my GI to manage them.
6. Find a GI/Hepatologist who will work with you and cares.
7. Keep a folder with all your test results and med receipts. Comes in handy when your visiting other Drs or dealing with insurance companies.
8. Learn, learn, learn as much as you can and ask lots of questions. The more informed you are, the better you can manage.
9. Enjoy life. These meds can slow us down, but there are still plenty of things to enjoy.
10. Make a contact list including friends, Dr's, emergency #'s, etc. Very handy.
11. Keep a sense of HUMOR. Laughter works wonders : )

Peace be with you.
Oreo

[Ranger123]

ijust did 48/48, the time flow by ,it will be over befor you know it good luck.

[scruffy]

LOVE IT! You folks are rock& rollin today!!

[Astrolady]

I did my 2nd shot last night, I'm also a single parent and work full time, fortunately my kids are adults now (and have their own cars) my daughter (18) still lives with me, I was able to work 40 hours last week but I noticed I made a lot of stupid mistakes that I don't usually make, this week seemed extremely long and I was very tired.  I tried to give myself enough time to sleep every night and I didn't really have enough energy to post on this forum although I did read other people posts.  I feel a little achy in my neck and back like a low grade flu, and a mild sore throat.  I'm drinking a lot of water, I haven't had anything worse then that so far.

Question, I'm coughing up a lot of mucous, has anyone else had that???

[scruffy]

You know what they say, "when you reach the end of your rope-tie a knot and hang on!" No matter how life appears now it will look better with the tx done. Hang on.

[Astrolady]

Thank you Chev, your post made me smile and teary at the same time. The people on this board have been a god send to me, and I'm going to make a committment to post more often.  Last week when the nurse was showing me how to inject myself she told me that she was another patient who's really struggling, maybe she's a slow responder.  My first thought was to tell her about this forum, when I go back to the dr I'll give the nurse the web address to pass on to her. I know you're right about dairy too, I love cheese... but.

[Jim55]

Hey, Indyjo.
I've been where you are. Take it easy and take all the things that you hear; with a grain of salt. I was 1a and cleared in a few weeks. Things will get bad, And then they'll get worse. You can do it though, you can beat this thing! Stay of right mind and all will be well with you.

God Bless

[scruffy]

Good news and bad news Astrolady. I had the back&muscle pain bad in early weeks of tx but it went away. My stupidness, however, became much stupider. Seriously, I could'nt make rational decisions and lost confidence.(did I mention depression?) Rest a lot,drink water and come here often. I'll repeat, come here often.

Chevy-Hey-Hey,post 6 mo PCR in mid-November, Did'nt get a post 3 mo. I wait and worry. Actually, sometimes I forget to worry. Drug free is a true thrill! Rock on!

[lackalustre]

you folks starting treatment:  DRINK A LOT OF WATER!!!  LIKE A GALLON A DAY!!

[RUNNINGWOLF]

Welcome to those just starting tx just hang in there,,,congrats to those who've completed their course,,pray for SVR forever,,,
I am 1A and 34/48,,,,was feeling very bad for a while then my slow and conservative Doc finally gave me  a shot of EPO on 24 Oct,,,,really helped and was god timing cause within a week my Dad died, i lost 2 first cousins, and had 2 friends die of overdose,,,have been so depressed dont even want to get online go anywhere batheor eat,,,but i am working through it gotta keep on keepin on,,,am feeling better mentally and coming here and reading all this good rappin goin on has really helped me tonite,,,THANKS TO ALL YOU GREAT AND WONDERFUL, SPECIAL PEOPLE.
mY BLOOD COUNT CAME BACK UP so I haven't gotten anymore EPO,,,,I've GOT to start drinking more water again am getting rash and itching,, last time on tx my dr gave me some good rx cream that really helped,,,this DR i have now has a protocol for everything,,,says oatmeal baths before rx,,,the thought just makes me vibrate with itching, so im gonna go get rx from FP,,, thanks for being here and being YOU!!!!!!!

[Freebird]

Sorry to but in ,but I did 52 weeks and just got my call from dr. and I am six months past tx. and still clear ,It is all worth doing .

[scruffy]

Yippee ki i YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MajNeni]

Hello, Freebird, now you really are!  Fly with SVR!
Maj Neni

[Oreos]

Woo Hoo and Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[fsplink]

I was always and still am coughing up a lot of mucus. I'm 12 of 24. The doctor told me as long as it wasn't green or yellow it's okay. Now, wasn't that appetizeing?

[LvdByGod]

astrolady, the same happens to me with the mucus...esp when i lay down to sleep...sometimes it wakes me up cause i have to cough it out of my wind pipe...let's keep each other posted if we find out something on this...by the way this tx can lead to pneumonia so if it gets serious please contact the dr...

Chevy, you are my sweety!!! ever since "the post" that really hurt my feelings...i have wondered if i still fit in here...you and honey really cheered me up...thanks for the mention...i hope i can always be as loving as you chev,and honey, and several others here have always been to me...

tear,tear,sniff,sniff...:O) happy ones of course!!!

LUV, SANDI

[LvdByGod]

Awwwwwwwwe, see how sweet you are?...Blessings to you and many prayers!!!  thanks for letting me be me...warts and all...that's "unconditional love"...the highest form of love anyone can give...the Bible calls it Agape...that's God's type of love for us...

OH,i might have some "ok news" about my hepc diagnosis...but more tests are coming in...i'll let you know soon as i am sure...i don't want to say anything until i'm sure what's going on...per specialist...but i will say that perhaps there will be some hope for me to sit in that treasured bus seat someday with the sweetie pies here...

i know all that praying we did for each other has made a difference in the "odds" here at medhelp for us all...  Awsome huh?!!!


*we just can't give up...God says to perserver in prayer!

Hope your day's as sweet as you!!! :O)

Luv ya! sandi

[honey1616]

Sandi!!  What do you mean still fit in????  This is your home,,,and I will give you 50 lashes for not coming LOL  Hope all is well with you and the kittys and you would be so missed BY ME if you weren't here! Love ya!

[cuteus]

some of the mucous problems while on tx are due to the effect of the meds on the  mucosal lining throught our bodies, my doc stated that it affects anywhere there is a lining; airways, intestines, etc. Mine is helped by the narcotic I take for aches. It stops the nasal problems and the coughing and also the intestinal cramping.
It is something we have to put up with and find relief somehow. Ho hum.

[LvdByGod]

HI HONEY, thanks sweety,i just had a depressed couple weeks...i love all you guys too...no matter what!  i've been having a hard time since finding out i could be a nonresponder...i'm just so confused...it's so hard realizing i'll be on the medicine indeffinately, cause i don't function normally on it, physically or mentally it's been keeping me from "normal" living...so i'm sad cause i don't know how long i can go on this way...  i feel like i'm missing out on real life but, if i don't stay on tx it will progress faster.

i'm stage/grade 3 bridging an inch from cirrhosis, so i feel stuck...i also have splenomegally and portal hypertention with occasional bloating...so,i guess i took it hard to get the insult...see this board has been a huge support for me that i feel God gave me...i really did look at us as all family, so it was scarey to think that maybe several people would rather me not be here...so i concidered just staying away for awhile...

but, i couldn't keep myself away from you sweeties...and i totally forgave the person who gave the insult...i still love him and pray for his complete healing...to me nothing has changed in my attitude toward him...he is still very special to me...i really do think it was just a big misunderstanding...

CUTEUS, what medicine are you on that helps all those things feel better? i have the same physical probs too....thanks...