Starting Treatment on Friday Scared about Side Effects

[hvnbnd4]

Hi there gang. I am 45 f, with two boys 13 and 14. My hubby is a RN who is in the Army and living away from home.  I am going to stay with him for the first 3 weeks of tx.  I am going to take my first pills Friday morning and my first shot Friday night. OH JOY, cant wait.  NOW for the question.  I have this funky phobia called emetopobia=fear of vomiting. oh great.. I havent thrown up since I was 8 yrs old, so, I am freaked out that the first listed side effects are nausea and vomiting on the pills and are also listed as effects on the shots.. HONESTLY how many of you have puked or felt like puking while taking these drugs..please be honest with me.. I have zophran I can take before the shot to help with that. I have genotype 3-A and my load is 280k.. counts are all normal and biopsy shows minimal to slight damage.  Thanks guys. will let you know how it goes..GERI

[meki]

Hi beach goer - nice to meet ya -- this is a way old post... FYI... LOL!

But welcome to the gang!

Great attitude will help you though the toughest points!

Myown --- LOL - I dunno - I'm a 3a and had awful sides... I think it's just what each body can handle... Cause I feel like a total wimp compared to some folks....

Hugs guys!

Meki

[Myown]

I never pueked, not once. There is a good chance you won't either. Not that this is ALWAYS the way it goes, but it seems the geno 1's have the hardest or most sx.

Wish you the best!!

[beachgoer]

last friday morning i did my 1st shot (pegasys and copegus).  and i have been fine.  i just drink lots of water and i try to eat every two hours. i do my shot on fridays and i take my pills 9am and 9 pm. and all i do is eat a couple peanut butter crakers then take my pills.  i eat lunch a little bit then at 3 i snack, then about 5or 6 i eat a lite supper, then at 8:30 i eat a couple of peanut butter crackers and take my pills and go to bed...  i have been able to work all weekend.. i'm hoping this keep up..  but i haven't felt this good in a couple of years
. oh yea i do have a positive attitude  1st shot of 48 shots...long way to go though
ya all take care

[snook_man]

How you doin?? Yep, it was a rough drive, and was definately happy to get home. I have been stuck in the truck with my old man for two days, talking politics, so I guess it rubbed off on here. Best wishes to you, Snook

[derail]

where you singing happy trails to you all the way home?       good to see you back on the forum  best of the best   daryl

[snook_man]

I would ask Dr about dosage?? Pegysus is usually more effective to people who weigh around 165 or so? Also the riba is way TOO low. Call and ask what your Dr is basing his info on, and tell hime that your research states you should be on higher dose. I weigh 172lbs, was rx'ed 120 peg 2b, and 800riba. Left that Dr, and now new one wants, same peg, or 180 pegysus, and 100mg of riba. What geno are you??


Hello to everyone: Just got back from a nice little trip across the south. My father and I flew into Dallas, saturday at 5:00 am. Picked up a beautiful custom pickup that he purchased, and drove it back to Miami. 1400 miles!! Saw alot of things, Texas, Louisiana, Missisippi, Alabama, and northern Florida. Really going to look into property upstate, in the panhandle. Somewhere around panama city, Destin, or niceville. It was beautiful!!!! Feel sorry for anyone in eastern Texas, and Louisiana, as we drove through some serious RAIN!!! We saw like 10 or so cars, slide off the road, two cars flip over, and a tractor trailer, jack knife!! Boy am I glad to be home!!! Best wishes to all.

[hvnbnd4]

well l got brave and started tx today.. I took a zofran at 3:30pm and took my shot at 4:pm it is now 10:pm and I am fine, I feel nothing...I took two tylonol pm before also..drank almost 130 oz of water today.  I took my prometazine at 7:30pm and took both pills 400mg of ribo at 8pm tonight..still nothing..I am really hoping that the Topamax I take will control the pain...wouldnt that be great if there is something out there that may help people with the painful side effects?  I will let ya'll know how I am tomorrow..Thanks again..so far so good. I am even a bit hungry..bye for tonight off to bed..geri

[jonihs]

Yes 400mg. does seem like a very small dose. I would question your Dr. immediately. The lowest dose recomended is 800mg. which I took only because my weight starting treatment was 125. I even questioned that but was told by RN and experienced people here that because of my weight it was correct dosage. But the more you weigh the dosage should be higher.  Joni

[hvnbnd4]

Thanks for all your comments. This has helped. I looked and I am going to be taking the Pegasys, which sounds like the good one.  Yeah..!!! I am to take 180 of it weekly. And he only has me taking 400mg of the ribo twice a day, which sounds like a small dose compared to others on here. I weigh 272lbs and am female. Does this seem like a small dose to you guys?  Anyway, I am doing Atkins right now, which, I am going to modifiy to ad more carbs for now, since, the doctor doesnt want my carb count too low.  More fruits and veggies, but, I already am drinking about 150 oz of water per day for about 4-6 weeks now. So, I have a good start.  Dont you guys pee a lot?  Ha ha. I am scared, but, yes, I do have prometheizine too for the nausea for the pills.  The zofran is to take before the shot weekly.  I can use the suppositories before I take the capsules daily. I will start out taking 1 capsule in the morning and night and see how that is then up it to 2 the next day.  I will probably do fine. I usually dont have reactions to meds, and I have been on a lot over the years for my depression.  I am on Topamax for bipolar right now.  I will let you know next week how it goes. Thanks again GERI

[hvnbnd4]

OH onemore thing I forgot to ad. The topamax I take also is a good med for pain.  I havent had a migrane for over 7 weeks now, it has all but eliminated my fibromyalgia too.  It is made for siezures, but, the docs are now using it for bipolar, migranes, and pain too.  So, it does have some funky sides effects tho, talk about wierd, it makes your preceptions off, so you see wierd things, kinda like flash backs, or a strange kinda old high.  I fell a lot at first cuz the ground seemed higher than normal..LOL. Made me a bit manic too.  But, if the pain is gone that is great. So, I am hoping it continues on through the hep tx, too. thanks again geri

[layla]

I did not have any sx the first few months in fact I felt better than before tx. Then I got them off and on but was able to work full time. I did have nausea after I ate or drank but discovered it mas much better if I ate in very small doses just more often This helped allot. It did only last for a few weeks, kind of like all my sx's. I am on extended tx and I am having problems now but some are due to other heaalth issues. I take it one day at a time. I still work full time and exercise, though not for long and nothing very hard. I don't take anything other than tx but did have a sleep aide ambian off and on. For me I found other drugs intensified my sx and I was better without them. But it is different for everyone that is just my story. I wish you the best and no or low sides. LL

[layla]

I weigh 125 at 5'5" and took 1000, 5 pills daily. If you look at the info that comes with the peg the recommended dose is listed. Geno 1 is 1000 up to 165 lbs then it is 1200. I think geno 2 is 800 and 1000 but you can read it on the pw or at the pegasys website. I was initially put on 800 and then read the info and called my doc to get an increase after a month into tx. I didn't clear at 12 week (I did have a 2 log drop)and think this had something to do with it but who knows. That is why I am doing extended tx. Check it out. LL

[cindee]

Hi again, When I read of your doesage, I must say I have to agree with others that have posted...your dose seems too low. I would definately contact your doctor about that and ask questions. I weighed 160 and I was on 1250 mg of rebatol a day. 2-150mg in the am and 3-250 mg @ nite. I did my shot of pegasys on Friday nites. So please contact him and ask about your doseage it seems low to me also. But again, weare not doctors here....he will have the answer for you. Best wishes and let us know. BTW I only threw up 2 X's during tx. But it wasn't on the first day of tx. It was later on. I cold have had a virus non-related to hep c., who knows? We do tend to blame all our bad feelings on the tx, but sometimes it's not tx related. Love @ prayers, Cindee

[GulfCoast]

Hello to everyone, this really is a great site. It helped me out tremendously. I'm the type that's rarely ever sick in the past
so the diagnosis was like a kick to the stomach.

Anyway,I started treatment Friday night and was kinda freaked about sx. My heart goes out to you hvnbnd4, it's really a lot of mental stress the first time.

I'm on 1200 mg Copegus & 180 Pegasys.The Copegus the first day made me feel a liitle light headed and floaty. Not a bad feelin at all. I took my first shot at 8:00 PM. I was really aprehensive since I hate needles but honestly I didn't even feel it go in. I took a Tylenol PM and had no problem sleeping.

I woke up a little light-headed, ate and took a walk. My wife and I went shopping for a couple of hours and I started getting tired. That afternoon I felt pretty achey and sore but a hot bath and a couple of motrin helped.

Today was much better, we went to several flea markets just to stay busy and do a lot of walking and I the only thing I'm feeling is the Copegus "float". Drinking lots of water did seem to help.

I know it's different for everyone and I hope for all the best in your (& everyone's else) treatment. God  Bless.

[secondtime]

I too had and occasionally still have nausea. Mr dr. prescribed medicine called "prochlorperazine 10 mg tablets", they work very fast to stop the nausea.. this may be the generic name but they have helped me thru my 1st treatment and now my Maintenace dosing. good luck and stay well

[Amerabrit]

Hi there,
You will be ok, we've all gone through "first night" and come through it ok:).  I have a wicked aversion to throwing up; I cry and believe I will choke (I am 48 yrs old:).  I did throw up the first night, cold sweats and headache.  I never threw up again after that though!  The first month was the hardest for me as my body adjusted to the meds; fatigue, dry skin, headache and waves of nausea that would pass after a minute or two; nothing to really complain about though, just feeling "out of sorts" a lot.  I just did shot # 21/48 and I am doing fine, I needed Procrit which helped me a lot.  I work every day and ride my horses and have felt no need for ADs.  I am on PegIntron and compared to a lot of people here my sx are definitely manageable; I cleared at 12 wks, too (1B).
Best of luck to you..
Don't forget to buy the pill cases; one for morning dose and one for afternoon doses, they really helped me a lot:).

[oldhippiechick67]

Welcome to this site and treatment!  I had a bit of nausea, but never vomited on tx.  The nausea didnt even start till the 6th week. And it didnt occur all that often.  They say drink lots and lots of water, for me the tx made me very thirsty so that part was easy.  Also try to take your Ribavirin with food if you notice your stomach gets upset from it. The Zofran is very expensive, so I would try the ginger snaps, or ginger ale first, and if you still are nauseated then try the zofran.  Like Cindee said, everyone is different with their symptoms...you may very well not have that.  If you havent puked since you were 8, then your stomach is probably pretty strong. When I was around that age and had to puke, it was terrifying...although it isnt a pleasant experience, I have puked since, and lived to tell about it...kidding.  Hope you do okay in that department.
PS - There are other, less expensive anti-vomiting pills available if $$ is a concern.
The first shot usually is the worst, were you can get fever, aches, pains, muscle cramps, etc.  Luckily that only happens once to many many of us.  Some dont.  Best of luck to ya, and if you need any good links just ask and we will post our fav's for u.

[cindee]

Hey and welcome! You are about to start a new quest in your life! I did have a rough time on tx., but I never gave up! I did 100% of 48wks of combo....riba @ pegasys. The treatment(tx) is do-able, or so many people won't be on it!

I unfortantely relapsed. I am hep c geno 1A. My last bx a couple of wks ago showed wonderful signs!!!! Stage 1....Grade 0-1, meaning I have very little if any damage to my liver. Oh yeah it also showed no scarring....!!!!!! And that's a great thing. I thought I'd NEVER do tx again, but I am "eating" those words....I start a clinical trial in the near future! I will not give up until I am hep c free!

REMEMBER>>>>>>>>EVERYBODY IS DIFFERENT!!!!!!! But I think everybody has a lot of the same feelings before starting tx. Drink LOTS OF WATER !!!!!! It will help to make the sx easier.

Also eat lots of yogurt it will keep down the yeast problems. Be sure to get on an anti-depressant if you aren't already. I also used plastic utensils to eat with to keep the metal taste out of my mouth. I also ate fruit and veggies that were canned, but cans were lined in white lining.

We used a fan in the kitchen to pull out the smells of cooking foods. I invested in a heated throw..it was great to help w/ muscle pains, my father-in-law gave me a HOMEDICS heated/vibrating chair insert. You can find them @ wal-mart for about 20.00.

When I became fatigued I found a large basket to put items in that I used...eyeglasses,TV remote,books,magazines,tissue,ink pen and pad...just to keep together to carry from room to room...even the cordless phone. That way you won't have to be walking from rm to rm hunting things.

I also found that when I was feeling sick @ my stomach, my food would taste better if it was cooled before I ate it.

I used alph-keri bath oil and would put it in my bath water as well as when I stood up, I would pour it in my hands and rub over intire body and pat to dry. This helped w/ the itching.

I found  hairsray ICON @ local beauty supply...it was alcohol free. It was okay, but my hair did feel stiff and sticky.

I learned to say NO, when I didn't feel good and friends @ family wanted to visit. NO was NEVER in my vocabulary before! LOL

I also learned that I couldn't make plans for weddings, parties, family gatherings etc. Sometimes I just wasn't up to it or I didn't want to be around a lot of noise!!!!!

REST REST REST!!!!

Then somedays I would get an energy surge...I would tend to over do it @ then I would PAY..the next day or so. So get plenty of rest and PLENTY of water.

I saved a few of cola bottles and washed them out. I would keep one by my side, so I didn't have to make so many trips to the kitchen. I drank right from those huge bottles!!! I'm sure it was a sight to see!!!! LOL I would keep one in the freezor, and another in the frig. to keep them cold and icy.

BUT always REMEMBER EVERYBODY IS DIFFERENT ON TX. Some people glide right thru tx and are able to work and everything. I wish you the best while on tx and I wish you little to no side effects.

You can do it!!!!

And time will fly by. You'll be done before you know it!!!!! You will be in my prayers. Lots o love, Cindee

[britgirl]

I bought loads of ginger capsules etc before starting tx.....and I still have them! I didn't even get slight nausea. Unfortunately, I didn't lose even a pound of weight either. (FYI I was on Pegasys)

[honey1616]

Hi Geri,,,Welcome aboard! LOL  I have had some nausea during treatment but only got sick the first month and actually it was more due to a headache then anything.  Alot of people use ginger or ginger cookies  and it seems to help settle the stomach.  Hopefully,,,you won't have any problems and light sides!  Good Luck and let us know how you are doing!

[jonihs]

I did 24 weeks and never threw up once. I had very slight nausea a few times but not near as bad as I feared. Others have reported they get very sick. If you are taking Peg-intron you can probably expect worse sides than Pegasys. Hoping you have very light sides and your tx. leads to SVR.   Joni