Starting Treatment on Wednesday and Feeling....

[flojohead]

I have been lurking here for a number of months and I am finally starting treatment this Wednesday.

I am feeling anxious and very scared.  I don't know what to expect and yet i know this is the right choice to make.

I'm hoping for no side effects, or at least minimal, but want to prepare for the worst.  

What do I have store for my first injection?

Thanks to all for all your support.

[Algernon]

I take shot #10 on Monday so I'm not far ahead of you.  Shot #1 did nothing to me--I kept waiting for it to hit.  In fact, the shots don't seem to bother me much.  The ribavirin seems to pack more of a whallop for me.  Everyone is different (that's the mantra, I'm afraid).

Just prepare well for your shot night.  Whatever makes you relax, laugh, feel loved--set it up.  I follow the same elaborate ritual every week and I think it helps me.  Be sure and take that Tylenol on shot night and drink lots of water.  You'll do great.  We're all here for you.

[mom4two]

I just took my first shot last night.  I have been scared about it for months.  I am glad it's over, the worst part was the worry.  I have had a headache and my knees hurt (joint pain) I'm really tired. So far that's all. I'm still concerned I have 47 weeks left, but all is well so far.
Good luck

[miss moneypenny]

Hi,

I just took shot 4 last night and wanted to let you know that, for me, the worst thing of all was the waiting and worrying before I started tx. I have not really had any bad reaction, feel a bit more easily tired, had a couple of headaches, but I think the relief of starting actually meant that I felt better than before. The fear of the unknown is really difficult to deal with, but keep positive, hopefully it will not be as bad as you are imagining.

As for the Riba, I do have moments of anxiety, which I think is caused by the pills, but I just talk myself out of it and remind myself why I am doing this, and I think about the others from this forum who are going through the same thing and it really helps to think I am not experiencing this alone.
On shot night I make sure I have my hot water bottle ready in my bed, I get a good movie, get the kids to bed as early as poss, get my painkillers ready and I'm set to go. I agree that it is important to drink plenty of water, I am a similar weight to you and I drink at least 2 litres a day, I think this helps bigtime.

Best of luck to you, really try and relax, and go squish that virus!! :-)

xx

[miss moneypenny]

OK, just realised that you didn't even mention your weight!!! Sorry, blame it on the riba!! (I am 130lbs and drink at least 2 litres of water.)

xx

[NYgirl]

Well we have all been EXACTLY where you are right now!  I hope you find out just like I did - the anxiety is MUCH WORSE than the actual effects.  In fact I was so nervous and anxious...that I took the shot and passed out overnight for about 14 hours straight - I wore myself down worrying myself to death.

Get the remote...a nice blanket...and a big glass of water (make sure you drink a LOT on shot night) and snuggle up with your significant other.  Make it a "date night" or something and trick yourself.  ;-)

Take two tylenol before the shot - just for insurance.

I bet you will be just FINE and you will be posting the next day going WOW WHAT was I such a wreck about?

(Remember if it was really THAT BAD none of us would be doing it right?)

BEST of luck.

[EJR]

i do mine on friday nites,like the flu for 72 hrs.Oh yeah i did #31 1.8 pegasys-1200mg riba...I drink close to a gal of h2o daily, helps alot seem to flush it out better and take 3 liquid advil on fri/sat/sun.