HEP-C TRIPLE TREATMENT

How sick does this treatment make you? I am a 47 year old female. I am going to start treatment in about 3 wks. My treatment drugs are incevik,peg-interferon and ribavirin. I need to work for the insurance. Will I be able to work? My job is working in an elementary school as an aide. Is this chemo and radiation? Pleas help with my questions I am so scared.

[Hawk370]

I started the same treatment about 2 weeks ago and so far it hasn't been to bad.  The only side I am currenty having is fatigue which is pretty bad the first day after shot and gets better each day of the week.  Each person reacts differentely but most are able to continue with their work and lives. Some times it is good to let your co workers know that you will be on treatment and what some of the side affects are.   There is no radiation envolved and even though the treatment is considered as a type of chemo it is nothing like cancer chemo.  You will give yourself one shot a week and take a whole lot of pills. It is important to take care of yourself, follow your doctor's directions and take one day at a time.  This is my third time to do treatment and a good attitude and support are important.

[pooh55811]

First, welcome to the forum. Your fears are not unusual. I think we all experienced them when we found out we had Hep C and as we were getting ready for treatment. It is scarey.

It is very difficult to answer your question about how sick does the treatment make you because everyone reacts differently and the side effects vary from person to person and also vary in intensity.

Personally, I am on Interferon, Ribavirin, and Incivek. I am 65 years old. I am in my 7th week of treament. I think my side effects have been relatively mild, except for the rectal pain, but they have all been manageable with mostly over the counter medications like Tylenol, Benadryl, hemorrhoid cream and supp., lotion, hydrocortisone cream, drinking lots of water. I was rather spaced out the first couple of days after starting the meds. You may want to have a plan in place that you could be off for a few days or at least a couple days after starting treatment. You also may want to check into the details of your sick time, leave possibilities, disability ins., continuing your insurance if you cannot work, flexible time, and so forth. You may not need any of it, but it would be good to know before hand in case you do.

You will also have to keep to a very rigid every 8 hour Incivek dosing schedule and eat the high fat meal that goes with it.

There are many people on this forum who have continued to work. It is just going to depend on which side effects you get and how severe they are. Hopefully, you will have mild side effects.

You do not have radiation with Hep C treatment. The interferon is an injection which you will give yourself (after being told how to do it). The other two medications are in pill form.

I wish you luck.

[del63000]

What does the high fat diet consist of? Do you have to eat this before or after meds? I've known for 6 yrs that I have hep-c and now my liver is showing damage. How long have you known? Thank you for your input. Hope to chat again soon. Good Luck to you.

[del63000]

What are fatigue symptoms? Is this only on injection days ?

[pooh55811]

you need to take the Incivek every 8 hours and you need to take the Incivek within 30 minutes after the high fat meal or snack (at least 20 grams of fat).

I eat something solid every time I take the Incivek. Sometimes it is bread with lots of butter, sometimes eggs, sometimes meat, but always something solid. I also eat the 20 grams of fat along with the solid food.

The 20 grams of fat can be found in the following foods:
2 ounces cheddar or havarti cheese
about 7 ounces of Greek yogurt
1 medium avocado
mayonaise (I think 2 Tbsp. but you would need to check)
butter (I think 2 Tbsp.)
1 cup eggnog
2 bratwursts

And many other things. You just have to read the labels to see how much fat is in the food.

I was recently diagnosed, July 2011, and just started treatment on Sept. 26th. So far, so good. I hope it continues.

[pooh55811]

Fatigue symptoms amount to just feeling really, really tired with no energy. I do get fatigue, especially the first couple of days after the injection. I can do things, but I don't have much energy and I feel very tired after I have been up and about a long time. As the week wears on, the fatigue lessens, but it is still there.

Another reason people get fatigued is if their hemoglobins drop (a possible side effect). Anemia will make a person feel quite tired.

[Lifenet62]

Hey del, I am 49 yr old female, genotype 1a, and was diagnosed in Feb 2011 with Hep C after a barrage of tests becauseI was feeling like crap since a near fatal car wreck in 2009.  It is believed I have had Hep C all my life.  My mother had non A non B Hep back in the 50's, before I was born.  She was never able to give blood, so my father donated for our family..

I began triple tx of Incivek, Pegysys/Copegus on Friday Oct 21.  Today is day 19.  So far, very minimal sides, metallic taste in mouth, you get used to it, slight headache, tylenol does the trick.  Butt hurt on occassion, huggies fragrence free w aloe work great.....prep h or any of the walmart brand work great.  boudreaux butt paste like diaper rash a&d ointment works too.  I havent had to do that so far, thankfully.  Aveenoe or any good body lotion, unscented is best but try what you like first.  i moisturize while wet b4 before drying off.  2 benydryl + 2 tylenol = 2 tylenol pm.  use them for sleep/itch.

last nite was the first nite my back and hips ached.  i was ok this morning.  i still work, now work 4 days instead of 5.  i do my Pegysys interferon shots on friday nite so I have 3 days to relax.  The key here, and it is really difficult.....is to deliberately move slow.  pace yourself and do only what you can so not to exhaust yourself.  Yes, this is like chemo, actually it is chemo; but the administration is different.  what we take is what is given to lukemia patients, for our disease is so tough, we must go to the cellular and mollecular level into our bone marrow to kill this dragon.

I eat, the suggestions here have been great, Many people try to interpret the rules on exactly how this medicine is to be taken.  SOLID food is a must, I do not care what any one else tells you.  Yes, you can drink your fats in milk, but yogurt is a better option.  These drugs are pretty powerful, so ya might want some substance in that tummy o yours.

I have had some trouble sleeping as waking to pee is an issue.  I have since switched my riba dose from 10:30 pm to 2:30 pm and I only get up once now.

Many Dr's suggest 50% of body weight in water oz per day to be drank.  Genentech, the mfg of Pegysys recently changed those requirements to 8-10 8 oz glasses of water per day, no matter what your weight is.  The reason is that the thin folks weren't getting enough water and the thick folks were getting too much, washing away their electrolytes.  Replacing them is an option, but they do not recommend it, only to supplement the water.  The water is a requirement for the Ribavirin only.  The fat is a requirement for the Incivek only..  Ribavirin must be taken with food.  Keep your teeth clean, watch your toothbrushes for blood, wear soft cotton clothes, get your rest, forget about shaving your legs for a while and it will all be ok....Trust in your Higher Power, believe you can do this, have no fear, we are here in this together......no question is a silly question.
much friendly unconditional love from texas
jan

[del63000]

Thank you for all of your answers they were very helpful. What happens to the butt? Diarreah (diarrhea) or constipation? Have you lost or gained weight? Has anemia affected you? I have known for 6 yrs that I have hep-c. I am 5'5" and weigh 130. I work with special-ed kids K-5, this is very demanding, physically and mentally. I hope I can continue to work, I need the insurnace.My husband doesn't work he has been paraplegic for 21 yrs, so I also need to be able to help take care of him. I start my tx right after Thanksgiving. I hope to chat with you again soon.  Thank You and lots of luck. your friend Nancy

[Hawk370]

Sorry I havn't gotten back with you before, but I have been away from my computer.
You may find that diarreah (diarrhea) is a problem although I have not.  Some people including me get a burning or itching around the rectum.  So far mine has been minimal just after bowl movement.  
You may find that you need some kind of support system.  It sounds like you are a very busy lady and it may be hard for you to keep up.  If you have somebody who can help with your husband and house hold chores then you may be able to keep up with work.  Again everyone reacts differently and you may be able to do it all, but some fatigue seems to hit everyone.  Let your friends and family know that you may need help.

Good luck and hang in there

[wildestdream]

How else do you say it?  A high fat diet consist of fat.  Your doctor will direct you but I have to eat 20 grams of fat three times a day when I take my meds.  Anemia is consistant.  Forget keeping your job, prepare for it now in case.  I went through regular intereferon ribaviran no where near as bad but much longer.  I take meds now to keep me vomiiting before I take the medication because you CANNOT miss a dose.

[wildestdream]

You need to look up the treatment and read in depth.  There are too many questions and if you don't know what fatique symtoms (symptoms) are I worry about that.