Side Effects

I am sure you folks have been thru this topic....but since I have just found you......please give me your input.

I went thru 9 months of treatment the first time, on the Gulf Coast, and never met another soul with Hep C, and now my second time thru, I am on the Treasure Coast and still know no one.

Of course the anemia leaves me exhaused.  I do work, but not full time, or I would never make it thru the day. The dizziness, fuzziness.

Joint aches, extreme. A cough, getting worse, metallic like.  Ringing in the ears.

I would really like to hear others side effects.....it is so good to have others with Hep C to communicate with, I don't feel so alone.  Thank you.

[whoaisme]

Hello, and welcome. I am sorry to hear that you have Hep C but I'm glad you found this board. You will find very helpful, knowledgeable and experienced people here. I do not have Hep C but my husband does. He was diagnosed in 02 and did the Pegysus combo treatment for 16 weeks.  He was a non-responder and now is on daily infergen and riba. (He is a 1a stage 4) He has loads of symtoms (symptoms), which started prior to his diagnosis, which in fact probably drove him to the doc in the first place. Before treatment he suffered from extreme fatigue and joint pain, during treatment..you name it! Everything from headaches "flu like symptoms..fever, sweats, aches", crackling in his ears, itchy skin rash, upset stomach, anemia..blah blah the list goes on. The good news is that many doctors will treat most of the side effects. May I also suggest calling your local hospital, or checking the American Liver Foundation (online) to find a support group in your area. It can be so much easier to fight this fight when you know you are not alone! My thoughts are with you. Hang in there.

[snook_man]

Hello, fellow sunshine stater!! I am down below you in Miami.. There is quite a few of us, from Florida here.. Welcome.
Can't really comment on the sides, as I only did one week, and was pulled off meds. My next round will be starting in the next week or so.. I wish you the best, and feel confident that you ARE not alone.. Their are alot of knowledgable people here that can help you through.. Keep up the fight!!!

[Lynne5477]

Sx are different for everyone as I'm sure you have read.  Mine  were pretty mild for most of 48 wks.  However, the first 2 wks were rough for me.  I lost 6 lbs the first 10 days and then had to make myself eat.  I also got migraines until my dr prescribed Imitrex.  I'm not sure I could have continued if all the wkends had been bad but by the 3rd wkend, things started looking up and I was doing much better.  Once I got rid of the headaches and the nausea (which I think the headaches caused), I seemed to do very well.....just extremely fatigued.
   The more fatigued I felt in the AM, I more I would make myself get up and take a walk or do something b/c I seemed to feel better afterward.  I did run slight fevers now and then, and I just took tylenol and a nap.
    I also kept a food journal to make sure I was getting enough food to maintain my weight.  I didn't want to continue losing lbs.
    Please keep in mind that you could experience all or most of the sx but usually not all at the same time.  It's very doable for most people.  You may very easily have good wks and then a bad one will sneak in on you from nowhere from time to time.
    Good luck with your tx and may you experience very little sx.

[LvdByGod]

HI Malyce, glad your now with us...it would be so hard to do this alone...so welcome friend!!!sorry to hear you have "IT".

i have the "exact" same sides you do,plus some extras...i can totally relate...(my other sides are very similar to Chevy's), so you have a partner here who understands...hope this run kills them invaders!!! i'm on my second run now too...i'm a type 3a, grade 3/4,stage 3/4, bridging fibrosis,fatty liver, viral load at beginning of first tx was 500,000 now is 2,ooo,starting second run... what are your biopsy results and viral load?

hope you visit alot!!! i'll be looking forward to it...

your pain pal, sandi

[Malyce]

Thanks to everyone who posted......guess we are all in the same rut.

I am not too good with the lab tests....mine are rather scattered, having my prelim work all done in St Louis....in 2002, tried to give blood after 9.11.....that is how I found out. Have probably had for over 25 years. Then transfered to Florida.....not lucky with Doctors, they haven't helped me much to understand or how to deal with everything going on.

The biopsy 2002 then was minimal activity hepatitis, microvewsicular steatosis and focal bridging fibrosis, stage III fibrosis.

Which is the  viral load? Is that HCV RNA H ? If so is 90040.

I have no depression probs, a wonderfully supportive hubby, it is really the anemia that I hate the most.....feeling tired is just not me.

What do you folks take for the sides?  I am not much for pain stuff, occasionally take Aleve....doesn't help much.

Thanks again to everyone.

[Astrolady]

Hi Everyone,  I'll start my first tx this Friday Pegasys & Copegus, I'm a little nervous about the sx especially after reading post of everyone who has gone before me.  My doctor suggested starting on a Friday so I can have the whole weekend to feel lousy.  Anyway I'm going to try and stay positive.  Snook man I didn't understand your post.  Did you start tx then stop??  I'm getting my hair colored Saturday -- I understand your hair doesn't start falling out until approx 4 months, so I figure I'm safe for now.  Malyce I also feel alone in my immediate circle with this disease, but I'm so greatful I found this forum the people here are wonderful, they're both informed and supportive.

[deve8r]

Check out a local beauty supply places. There are shampoos for chemotherapy patients. I didn't learn about until after my treatments but it's kept a lot of other people in my local support group from losing so much hair.