Somebody help I start Sunday.

[pirates poison]

Hey!
I have just gotten the Dx and am scared to death.  I have all the tests and start Tx Sunday.  I am a 2b, VL 4580000, Stage 1. and will be starting on Pegasys and Rib on Sunday.  Anybody got anything for me.  I will be on 1200 of Rib.daily and the pegasys. I weigh 143 #.  I am married with no children.  I kinda sound like I am lookin for someone but I just want some help and encouragement.  I have been reading posts and thought I should just come here!  SCARED TO DEATH!!!!  I need help and suggestions!

[Mister beagle bailey]

Hi and welcome to the forum.  For me and many the worse shot was the first.  Before doing your shot take something for a fever and flu like symptoms, it helps.  Drink plenty of water and remember to take some form of good fat with your riba, like nuts or a complete meal.
I'm a 2B, 4 weeks post tx and was on 800 of riba.  Why are you on so much riba, do you know?

Beagle

[jmjm530]

Just to elaborate a little -- from most of the experiences I read here, treatment seems manageable. Manageable in that most are able to keep on working and go on with family life while often at a slower pace. Then there're those that can't, and for them the journey is more difficult. You know the ole' expression, "take it one step at a time" -- when treating you might consider taking it one shot at a time. And if things start to get hard, one ribavirin dose at a time. I found it easier like that and then one day it's all over.

-- Jim

[roaming]

I think you will do fine. I can't say how the sx will be because they are all different for all people. Just to let you know I am not treating but my husband is. His first week wasn't to bad but it didn't not get better. I am hoping he is one of those that that the beginning worse that the second half. He is a 1a, so he will be going for 48 weeks. He has had the flu. The aches, pains and fatique. He is grumpy and waiting for it to be over but so far doable as MS. NY will tell you. There are people here who have no problems. Some worse than my husband. As I have learned it is all individual. No sure way to answer you. Hoping all is well with you.

[Morgaina]

you are ready to treat so worry less and look at this portion of your life as "anything is possible". Be prepared to survive through the worst and celebrate every good day.Its a piece of your life, just another job to do, just what comes next. It's amazing the pride you cn have when looking back. It can be tough but it can also go pretty smooth. If it's a smooth one share all the positives. Good luck, keep the faith in your strong durable body , your so much tougher than fear lets you know!!

[bobbyullc]

"there is nothing to fear but fear itself"(well kinda).
there are 10s of thousands of us treating and i know of none who died? choose not to be scared.
you may feel sick or nothing, the luck of the draw.
with a stage 1 if you do not clear or you get too sick you can try again in a few years when new and easier drugs will hopefully be available.
with geno 2b your chance is about 90% to clear and you tx is only 24 weeks. i would kill for your situation(well maybe just maim).
you do seem to be taking to much riba. i take 1000mg at 140lbs.
check it with your dr. as the riba is the worst on sides i think.
relax,
bobby

[way]

Don't be scared. Most say the first is the worst,and mine was.I didn't pre-medicate...  
My first shot was really the only one that effected me, 3 1/2 hour after the shot I got chills and body aches for a few hours and then some nausea.

My second shot I took 800mg of ibuprofen and didn't even notice it! I watched tv all night long and then went to bed, still waiting for something to happen. I just did shot6 and every shot has been easy since that first. Oh I get a little tired the next day,and about 48hrs after the shot sometime I get some flu-like symptoms,but I take ibuprofen and it goes away.

Remember to drink alot of water at least 70-80 oz's for your weight and put some extra blankets next to your bed, in case you get those shivers. I would pre-medicate about a hour or so after doing the shot.
Let us know how it went.

[friole]

Congratulations on your treatment decision.  I too am treating with Grade 1, Stage 1.  I feel that the anxiety from dx to the first shot is worse that everything you will experience thereafter.  Your mind has proably prepared you for all alternatives.  Personally, I never experienced the symptoms some get from the shots.  For about the first 8 weeks, while my body adjusted to the meds, I had incredible energy the day after the shot.  Not so now.  I lost about 10# during my first 4 weeks.  Lost more later, but gained that back.

I wish you much success in this journey.
frijole
58yof, 1a, PreTreat VL -1.52million IU/mL, clear since week 20, now on 53/56 (yea - 3 to go)

[jmjm530]

To tell you how scared I was of the first shot, I intentionally picked a Wednesday shot date (instead of Friday) so my doctor would be around should I get into real trouble.

That didn't happen and that's mostly the case. Like many, I had some flu symptons and chills but nothing dramatic. The sky didn't fall down. Same for my second shot.

This is not to say that treating is easy -- For some it is. For some it's extremely difficult. Most fall inbetween --  but it is to say that in most probablity you will get though your first shot just fine.

Beyond that all our experiences differ, as you probably know if you've been reading the posts here over the past few weeks.

All the best luck.

-- Jim

[beamishboy]

welcome,this is a great place for knowledge,support and courage....i'm 1b myself,been taking peg-intron/riba for 35 weeks...it's not fun,but it is 'Doable"... hang tough,don't stress and the best of Luck to you

[amirtracy]

Hi there and welcome. like mentioned above, it's not always easy but most can do it. you're young with good biopsy results. the waiting is the worst and you're on your way. come here for support and questions of ANY kind. someone's been there and done that. you'll be fine.   tracy/ 1b 40yr old female/ stage 2 grade 1/ week 21 of 48 / florida, usa.

[Stvski80085]

My first shot was a little rough.  The second shot on I haven't really noticed.  I take a tylenol and go to bed.  I sleep through whatever it was I was going to feel.  I am on 3/48 so I am early in this game.  So far so good though.  Don't worry to much and like Jmjm said you just have to take it one shot at a time.  Good luck.  I'm sure you will be fine but let us know.

Take care,

Steve

[Drarig]

Hi, Pirate, It's great you're starting to treat.  Best of luck to you.  As you stated, I was scared to start(for several years), but I finally started 20 weeks ago, & first shot was the worst, had flulike symptoms, etc.  Otherwise, it's not as bad as I thought it would be.  After everything I read & what my doc told me COULD happen, I had myself so worked up about starting tx (and that "first shot" that I developed some mild uper gastric problems & had to go on Nexium for awhile.  So I just wanted you to know not to get too freaked out about it like I was & maybe it won't be as bad as you're expecting to it be.  I hope it goes well for you & please don't be scared.

[copyman]

i most likely will be starting treatment soon and it is good to hear about the tx being "managable" for most, but what concerns me more is what i read about the post tx symtoms and the harm that is done to your body from tx. seems almost everyone has more things wrong with them then before tx. are we really beating this if we go svr then have several other things wrong with us, some things very serious and all affecting the quality of life. sounds like if you beat HCV you have 3 other things wrong with you to now live with. is this true for most? is there any data and/or percentages of what happens to people that treat with combo therapy in regards to "post" tx? thanks and god bless

[Rogirl]

I have completed 6/48--my sides are nausea and fatigue. I expected a lot more and was pleasantly surprised--I take it one shot at a time and feel very blessed what I experience is "doable" (nygirl word).
Keep an open mind. This is a great forum with lots of people who are at different stages.
Best of luck to you!

[emblok]

You WILL clear, you have nothing to fear. I've been lurking here for four years but never posted until now, I'm posting now because you sound just like me.
I'm 2B, had a 12,000,000 VL, TX with Pegasys and Copegus 800mg per day, for 24 weeks, cleared at 12 weeks, clear throuout treatment and clear two years post tx.
No bx, no Procrit. First shot felt like a bad flu, second shot was not as bad, after the third or fouth shot there were no side's other than a little fatigue.
I took all my shot's in the belly and never missed a dose.
Please stay with us and let us know how you'r doing

[OnAPrettyPoison]

Lots of good advice.  I found dread of treating was worse than the treating...good luck, you have a "good" genotype and the 24 weeks will be over before you know it!

[sfbaygirl]

Welcome to our forum! You will find alot of help and support here. I was noticing how much Riba you will be taking. I am about that weight and take 1000. I don't have the chart handy, someone will come along, but this sounds like alot of Riba if it is weight based.

The first shot is no fun for many. You may feel chills, fever and flu like symptoms. Maybe NOT! I had a relatively easy 2 weeks. Are you taking 180mg of Peg? If you get side effects (sx) they most likely will go away after a day or so.

Good luck. I am sure more of us will give you advise on that first shot!