Starting Treatment with Incivek

[coo19]

This coming Friday I will start taking Pegasys, Copegus and Incivek to treat chronic HCV and I was wondering if anyone has already started treatment using all 3 drugs and what they have experienced as far as side effects? I'm trying to get some idea of just how sick I will be over the next 6 months from this treatment but can not find anyone who has taken all 3 drugs. Incivek was just approved and there isn't much information available except what the pharmacuetical companys list and I would just like to hear it from someone who has taken the medications together and lived through the side effects.

[pooh55811]

I am on the triple med treatment with Incivek. I completed the Incivek 4 weeks ago and am on Inf. and Riba now for another 32 weeks.The first 12 weeks was no picnic and I had some side effects, but it was doable. Now that I am off Incivek, I feel better. I still have fatigue and malaise and aches and some nausea and no motivation. I am not doing much except being on the computer, watching educational DVDs, and doing a few errands. Plus I go to clasical music concerts about once a month. If I had it to do over again, I would stil take the meds. I want to be free of this virus before it harms me more.

If I were you, I would discuss your concerns with your MD and see how any problems will be handled if they come up. Your doc should be willing to treat any sides that come along (at least, the treatable sides). I know many sides really cannot be treated and I just put up with them, but sides like nausea, rash, rectal problems, and blood abnormalities can and should be treated, in my opinion.

You will get lots of support on the forum and many here have experienced side effects and have remedies that work.

[stormy456]

Hi-I'm sorry you had such a hard time with tx in the past.  My husband is on week 7 of triple tx, and the sfx have really not been terrible, he hasn't missed any work and had an especially good week this week.  Sfx seem to come and go.  Hoping that is the case for you.

[DollarSnake]

I went through the alpha 2 series Intf.&Rib. treatments in 2004. It was terrible!! My red blood cell bottemed out and was put on shots of epogen then, the white blood cell and they put me on nupogen. I was also put on paxil, celebrex, and ended up having panic attacks, where they put me on adavan. I could remember anything short term and had to put sticky notes on my arm. Breathing got tough, and the flu symptoms kept me in the house most of the time. I didn't have many good days at all. I'm concidering this new treatment but am really leary. I have a place to stay inside if  need to. Last time I had a hard time doing anything and it sucked!! I do need to do something cause the over-all symptoms are driving me crazy. I'm in pain with the joint aches, the headaches, the stomach problems0--ect....... I need some feedback y'all. I really want to get better but this stuff scare'e the s*** out of me. Mike D.

[HDCoop]

Hi, the word was good, still clear.  The doc apologized for the new nurse not giving me my results over the phone, said it wouldn't happen.  He told me if it was bad news, he would call me himself.   Wow that week was worse than waiting for the first 4 week result ;-)   Yesterday was my last dosage of Incivek :)   Hope this takes away the irritating sides so I don't need to buy any more tucks and Immodium ;-)   We're still talking about whether it will be 24 or 48 wks yet.   If I'm not doing too bad, I think I'll go for the full 48.  I was the first patient, at my Dr, to ask about this treatment.  Since my 4 week result was so good, he has start about a dozen more patients he said.   Well curious to see how things go after a couple of weeks of no Incivek....hope it's all good for all of us.   Keep up the good work and the good updates!

Coop

[coo19]

Hi, I really hope all turns out okay. I know my doctor told me after week 4 that the only time they will call me is if somethings wrong so I hope that's not the case with your doctor. I haven't been on the last couple weeks been very busy with my daughters 4th birthday on the 20th then halloween which she had 3 different trick or treats over the weekend. My town and her school do a lot of activities during the holidays. I just got off incivek last week and will have blood test today so I hope I am still undetectable. They have said I'm the optimal patient because I had it a short time and my viral load wasn't large at all. I'll keep you in my prayers and please make sure you keep me updated. I really hope they give you good news!

Rachel

[HDCoop]

Had a bad couple of weeks, so haven't even be online.  Got a call from my Dr. Friday, I have to go in for the results on my 8 week lab, this can't be good.  They told me over the phone that I was clear at my 4 week lab????????   Wish they would have just told me, now I have to wait a week to find out.  I wouldn't freak out any more on the phone then I will when I leave the doc's office ;-)    

Well I hope all you out there are still seeing good results and good luck to you just starting your treatments.  

Coop