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side effects of peg interferon treatment
I will be starting treatment on thursday and i am quite nervous about the side effects. Can anyon let me know what to expect?
For me, I thought I experienced the side effects a lot less than what other people did. After every injection it made me have flu like symptoms & headaches. It helped to take asprin or whatever works for heahaches.
The first few months of treatment I experienced chills, muscle aches, & fatigue. I also had trouble sleeping. These side effects gradually started to go away as I continued treatment. As it went on I actually started to feel better around week 35-40, believe it or not. I always dreaded the day after the injection. Other than that, it didn't bother me too much.
The first few months of treatment I experienced chills, muscle aches, & fatigue. I also had trouble sleeping. These side effects gradually started to go away as I continued treatment. As it went on I actually started to feel better around week 35-40, believe it or not. I always dreaded the day after the injection. Other than that, it didn't bother me too much.
How could I forget "flu like symptoms"? I wouldn't describe this as "having the flu" but rather more like feeling a flu coming on with body aches, feeling cold and tired. This typically happens around the time of your shot but again, not all shots will be the same. Some people don't experience ANY shot symptoms starting treatment. NSAID's like Advil or Alleve will help with this. If your body is like clockwork, you can take these ahead of the shot to prevent them. Warm baths are also good for body aches and tend to give you some down time.
I should note that these symptoms are often multiplied by anemia. Should you get anemic, then these "flu like symptoms" will tend to make a couple days miserable. That's really why people do shots on Fridays, so that they can have the weekend to veg through them rather than trying to work through this period.
I should note that these symptoms are often multiplied by anemia. Should you get anemic, then these "flu like symptoms" will tend to make a couple days miserable. That's really why people do shots on Fridays, so that they can have the weekend to veg through them rather than trying to work through this period.
Most of the side effects that you will experience will be a nuisance. The following fall into this category:
- headaches - hydrate and take advil or alleve
- skin rashes - simple moisturizing creams or hydrocortisone creams will do the trick
- mouth ulcers - lysine mouthwash or topical paste
- either constipation or diarrhea with an upset stomach - you may need to schedule your meals, watch what you eat, take prilosac, etc.
- emotional spells of anger, depression. Be on the lookout for these because they can be subtle but can affect your relationships. Some people have a better time coping with these than others. Some go on anti-depression meds while on treatment.
The major one that most people experience is anemia. This one can be mild and you'll feel lethargic and sleepy or it can be pretty harsh and you'll feel knocked out, get out of breath, have dizzy spells and so on. If it onsets quickly, this can be a problem because it takes time to treat. There are shots you can take to increase your hemoglobin levels. This will allow you to continue with normal dosage through treatment and not feel like crap all the time.
Experiences vary quite a bit though. Some people don't experience common effects while others may have strange autoimmune issues from the interferon for example.
The fear of side effects should not keep you from treating yourself. Make sure you're comfortable with the doc or clinic treating you because you won't have time for their crap while on treatment. Address issues promptly because some people let their skin rash get out of hand for example and this can become a serious problem as your immune system will be slower to react on treatment. Stay on top of your progress and manage your treatment since YOU are your best advocate. Many people only find treatment challenging at certain times, beginning, middle or end. It varies by person, so don't expect the next month to be the same as the last one, but go get treated.
- headaches - hydrate and take advil or alleve
- skin rashes - simple moisturizing creams or hydrocortisone creams will do the trick
- mouth ulcers - lysine mouthwash or topical paste
- either constipation or diarrhea with an upset stomach - you may need to schedule your meals, watch what you eat, take prilosac, etc.
- emotional spells of anger, depression. Be on the lookout for these because they can be subtle but can affect your relationships. Some people have a better time coping with these than others. Some go on anti-depression meds while on treatment.
The major one that most people experience is anemia. This one can be mild and you'll feel lethargic and sleepy or it can be pretty harsh and you'll feel knocked out, get out of breath, have dizzy spells and so on. If it onsets quickly, this can be a problem because it takes time to treat. There are shots you can take to increase your hemoglobin levels. This will allow you to continue with normal dosage through treatment and not feel like crap all the time.
Experiences vary quite a bit though. Some people don't experience common effects while others may have strange autoimmune issues from the interferon for example.
The fear of side effects should not keep you from treating yourself. Make sure you're comfortable with the doc or clinic treating you because you won't have time for their crap while on treatment. Address issues promptly because some people let their skin rash get out of hand for example and this can become a serious problem as your immune system will be slower to react on treatment. Stay on top of your progress and manage your treatment since YOU are your best advocate. Many people only find treatment challenging at certain times, beginning, middle or end. It varies by person, so don't expect the next month to be the same as the last one, but go get treated.
if possible and if you can afford it, take a vacation to a nice, quiet area like the Bahamas or St. Thomas (where there's a lot of Americans). There was a write-up in a magazine I once read, where a cancer victim underwent chemo, but he did it at a resort, and the results were that he was much healthier and much less sick than doing it in an enclosed room in his house or in a hospital ward.
I would imagine it’s because his mind was on being on the beach with BBQ parties, the fresh smell of the ocean, the warm sun caressing his skin, the water caressing his toes as he laid on the beach towel. At night, you can go see bands play and so on. I’m thinking of packing my bag as I write this. I’m strongly considering doing this on my next treatment attempt. It’s a shame I can’t drink Pińa Coladas...
Just a thought....
Magnum
I would imagine it’s because his mind was on being on the beach with BBQ parties, the fresh smell of the ocean, the warm sun caressing his skin, the water caressing his toes as he laid on the beach towel. At night, you can go see bands play and so on. I’m thinking of packing my bag as I write this. I’m strongly considering doing this on my next treatment attempt. It’s a shame I can’t drink Pińa Coladas...
Just a thought....
Magnum
I started my treatment early February. So far, I haven't had any major side effects- just the "norm."
*I had a fever once- but I took tylenol, and it went away after I woke up from a nap.
*The first week, my mouth was so dry but that's nothing a little water (or a lot of water in my case) won't cure.
*I don't have a problem with insomnia- however, I do have a problem getting up some mornings. (Not normal for me).
*Skin rashes- they come and go- I do apply cream and it helps.
*Hair Loss- yes, I did freak out initially I have to admit- HOWEVER I've learned to move on.
*Slight depression- my first week, I felt like "why me?" A good cry did help me whenever I felt in the dumps- but so did shopping. =)
Overall- Despite the side effects, treatment is worth it if it works!
*I had a fever once- but I took tylenol, and it went away after I woke up from a nap.
*The first week, my mouth was so dry but that's nothing a little water (or a lot of water in my case) won't cure.
*I don't have a problem with insomnia- however, I do have a problem getting up some mornings. (Not normal for me).
*Skin rashes- they come and go- I do apply cream and it helps.
*Hair Loss- yes, I did freak out initially I have to admit- HOWEVER I've learned to move on.
*Slight depression- my first week, I felt like "why me?" A good cry did help me whenever I felt in the dumps- but so did shopping. =)
Overall- Despite the side effects, treatment is worth it if it works!
After the first 4-5 weeks you'll be tired. You'll be dehydrated and drink a lot of water. You might have a flu-like shot reaction or you might not (I never did). A few months in you may have a messed up mood or maybe not. If you do, they can prescribe an antiidepressant, which can smooth out the problem. You just have to try it. You'll get through it one step at a time, like many before you and many more to come. It will be all right.
All I heard was bad things about treatment but so far feeling a bit like flu and achy and a bit moody. I have been able to do what I need. Don't let all the bad stories scare you even if you do feel somewhat bad it will be worth it if you respond to treatment and get well. Hang in there!
1 Comments
Yes it was very bad for me, if someone said a second de effect they had, that didn't g away. That's me. 10 years later my symptoms area have wore and after so many years have wrecked Havlicek on my body and my organs bones, skin and brain it's been a nightmare, I live daily searching for some sort of help with experienced doctors how to treat these chronic illnesses have. And other people o talk to that are like me. I was 45 when I was diagnosed with hep c geno 1- the biopsy showed no damage to my liver and low low viral load.i completed 48 weeks spending the last 6 months of treatment bedbound. I turned 57 Jan/2017 I still in bed all day so tired still can't sleep depression for the charts he pain of the junkie into muscles and bones never stop. Brain fog, aniexty paranoia, social isolation, physical changes, sleep apnea, chronic fatigue, IBS, PTSD, psoriatic arthritis osteoarthritis spine degeneration, bone density loss. Losing bone in jaw so losing teeth.psoriasis,sadness, crying outburst,headaches, migraines. Flu like symptoms continuously. Hysterectomy
Adela, extreme sensitivity to hot and cold. Extreme sweating neuropathy, fibermyalgia loss for of balance. IBS
Constipation. Allergies,sensitivity to everything. That's all I can think of right now. But you can see going to the dr where they discuss a symptom or two. I look like I'm crazy, but I have diagnosis for all of it. Before taking the interferon, I made 6 figures in outside sales traveling several states, I had worked with my co from the age of 34-45, went from going full stream ahead to laying in my beg in unbelievable pain, burning sensation in my bones, my skin so sensitive. What's the worse cause I actually found another dr I liked and understood better, nobody anywhere ever said there's a 1% chance your have lasting side effects or you'll have over a dozen that will last years up to maybe the rest of your life. No one told me anything about long lasting side effects at all. Said I might not feel good during treatment, flu like symptoms hair loss maybe weight loss, nothing that seemed too bad. What's the worst from what I read now, I didn't need treatment then I should have waited for something new I had no liver damage send my viral load was barely 100,000.
Nobody gave me a chouc. I wasust pushed into chemo, just kept setting appointments and test, then all the sudden I'm on short term disability from work and in bed on interferon that was 10-31-2005 today s 5-17-2017 and I'm 57 years old and I've not been outside except dr appt each month , this time since September.we got to get together, this medicine was devastating and now they using interferon on chronic fatigue syndrome and interferon causes fatigue syndrome. Something's gotta be wrong. Somehow we need to get all f us together. They already have law suits against that harvoni not sure spelling/ when did they have time for long trials?
Adela, extreme sensitivity to hot and cold. Extreme sweating neuropathy, fibermyalgia loss for of balance. IBS
Constipation. Allergies,sensitivity to everything. That's all I can think of right now. But you can see going to the dr where they discuss a symptom or two. I look like I'm crazy, but I have diagnosis for all of it. Before taking the interferon, I made 6 figures in outside sales traveling several states, I had worked with my co from the age of 34-45, went from going full stream ahead to laying in my beg in unbelievable pain, burning sensation in my bones, my skin so sensitive. What's the worse cause I actually found another dr I liked and understood better, nobody anywhere ever said there's a 1% chance your have lasting side effects or you'll have over a dozen that will last years up to maybe the rest of your life. No one told me anything about long lasting side effects at all. Said I might not feel good during treatment, flu like symptoms hair loss maybe weight loss, nothing that seemed too bad. What's the worst from what I read now, I didn't need treatment then I should have waited for something new I had no liver damage send my viral load was barely 100,000.
Nobody gave me a chouc. I wasust pushed into chemo, just kept setting appointments and test, then all the sudden I'm on short term disability from work and in bed on interferon that was 10-31-2005 today s 5-17-2017 and I'm 57 years old and I've not been outside except dr appt each month , this time since September.we got to get together, this medicine was devastating and now they using interferon on chronic fatigue syndrome and interferon causes fatigue syndrome. Something's gotta be wrong. Somehow we need to get all f us together. They already have law suits against that harvoni not sure spelling/ when did they have time for long trials?
Drink lots of water. The meds are very dehydrating and many side effects are due to being dehydrated.
The short answer is - it's different for everyone.
Some will tell you the first shot is the worst.
Some will say they felt fine until week 5 or 6.
For me it was pretty much the same every week - do my shot on Friday and feel like I had a low grade flu until about noon Monday.
Try using the search engine at the top of the page to read old posts on a particular topic - but don't worry - there's generally more trauma and drama there than what you'll experience.
If you're feeling really bored read what the manufacturers say about their products:
http://www.rocheexchange.com/hepatology/productinformation/pegasys
http://www.pegintron.com/peg/application
but again, don't worry. These are worst case scenarios that few will ever experience. If you have an even half way decent Dr., he/she will be monitoring your bloodwork to see if you need any additional meds to keep your blood counts in line. Be sure you are scheduled for a viral load test at week 2 and/or 4 of treatment. It's important to see how you are responding to the meds.
A lot of people start on an anti-depressant before starting treatment. Many will never need them, but it's something to keep in mind if things start feeling overwhelming or you notice yourself getting irritated with friends/family/co-workers.
Take care of yourself and good luck with it.
Some will tell you the first shot is the worst.
Some will say they felt fine until week 5 or 6.
For me it was pretty much the same every week - do my shot on Friday and feel like I had a low grade flu until about noon Monday.
Try using the search engine at the top of the page to read old posts on a particular topic - but don't worry - there's generally more trauma and drama there than what you'll experience.
If you're feeling really bored read what the manufacturers say about their products:
http://www.rocheexchange.com/hepatology/productinformation/pegasys
http://www.pegintron.com/peg/application
but again, don't worry. These are worst case scenarios that few will ever experience. If you have an even half way decent Dr., he/she will be monitoring your bloodwork to see if you need any additional meds to keep your blood counts in line. Be sure you are scheduled for a viral load test at week 2 and/or 4 of treatment. It's important to see how you are responding to the meds.
A lot of people start on an anti-depressant before starting treatment. Many will never need them, but it's something to keep in mind if things start feeling overwhelming or you notice yourself getting irritated with friends/family/co-workers.
Take care of yourself and good luck with it.
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