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.

[Lindsaylise33]

Thanks for your comments yes you sound so positive that's what I like.
I'd like to be a friend if I may and keep in touch and go this journey of new treatment w the incivek talking to strong postive people.
I started this around Oct 4,2011 so I'm barely on my second wk of treatment and it's going ok.The most side effects are at nightime.I have to put up w these horrible red bumps and rashes in all different spots but the doctor says it's ok.
Good Luck to you anna and everyone here!If you or anyone would like to chat and go through this treatment together please email me at ***@****  my name is Lindsay Lisa Thankyou.

[coo19]

Sorry I haven't replied sooner, as I told HDCoop my computer went caput took 2 weeks to get it fixed. I am taking shot 9 today and usually don't feel too bad anymore, Sundays tend to be my lowest energy day but Saturdays have never gotten to me except the first 3 weeks. I take my shots on Friday mornings and am fine now so that's really nice. As far as the discomfort in unmentionable places I TOTALLY understand! It's probably the most annoying and embarassing side effect of them all. What I have found works good is Aveeno body wash every day, it has oatmeal and is very gentle. Walmart has their brand generic and its about 4 bucks cheaper and works just as good. Although I still get the occassional issue that can't be helped with anything most the time this works. Another thing that I have noticed helps is diet, avoid any greasy foods and of all things don't eat a lot of processed foods, try to buy fresh meats, veges and fruit. Every time I have eaten processed stuff I end up on the potty a lot. Of course the more natural foods are better for you anyway and keep meats limited and try to stick to white meat it digest easier, of course having a steak or burger sometimes is not bad as long as it's not greasy or seasoned heavy. Corn and Peanut Butter are hard to digest and can give you probelms to. I have been very lucky and not had the issue of anemia, in fact my level only dropped from 12 before starting treatment to 11 on my 4 week blood work. I do know the shorntness of breath can be a pain, I have that and it doesn't help that I'm a smoker and don't exercise enough and have allergy problems, which living in Kentucky doesn't help that at all. It's one of the worst states for allergy sufferers. I do hope you get feeling better, it does help having things to keep you busy and just get a lot of sleep at night. I have a 4 yr old so I'm busy with her and my home mostly. I don't work. I hope you get the undetecable news soon, it feels awesome to hear and makes you think at least I'm not going through all this for nothing. Best of luck to you, please keep me posted!

Rachel

[coo19]

Well with her being 4 its hard for her to get the details obviously. She has seen me taking medication and giving the shots and what I have told her is Mommy is sick but this medicine will make me all better. She's kind of used to me taking medicine because I have epilepsy and she's seen a seizure before and is familiar with that cause we had to explain that to her a year ago when she saw it. I do not tell her I have a virus or anything cause she will just ask what is that and why and why and why like most 4 year olds do. Of course I keep the Incivek and Ribo in the top of my closet even though they are sealed good and the pegasys she knows to not touch under any circumstance. I do involve her in doctor visits mainly because I have no one to watch her so she is used to me going there and getting the blood work and stuff. She's a curious child but seems to understand when I say Mommy is sick I guess because like all children she's been sick and knows meds help her get better. I have found too much detail just turns into me trying to explain way too much and it confuses her so I keep it simple so she can understand it. What's really cute is she says a prayer at dinner and at the end she says "and baby jesus help mommy" It's absolutely adorable! Best advice I can give on that is keep it simple so they can understand and so you won't end up in a long series of What and Why's from them.

Rachel

[shanro]

what have you told your daughter, if anything, about your treatment?

[coo19]

Sorry I haven't replied in a couple weeks, stupid computer crashed and didn't have the means to fix it right away but it is working again now thank god. You don't realize how dependant you become on these until you don't have one!

Anyway I've gotten some great news since my last login. My viral load is undetectable as well! I wasn't told my original viral load until I found that out but apparently it was only 158,000 because I caught the virus so early (only had it about 1 year). They said I am doing optimal and could possibly finish early. Tomorrow is my 8 week check up so hopefully I will find out more then. I also, like you, started feeling better around the 4th week. It seemed the 3rd week was my worst and the last couple weeks I have been doing very well. Only had a couple days my energy was low but wasn't feeling bad overall just tired.In fact this morning I purchased tickets to see Bob Segar in November! YAY love that man! Also my daughter turns 4 Oct 20th so I have arranged to have her a big birthday party at a place called Puzzles Fun Dome. I know she's young and probably won't remember it but as long as she has fun that's what matters. It will also be the first time since her father and I divorced in a year and a half that we will be at the same place. Decided to invite him and his family because I know that would be so important to her. I know it's hard and she can't understand why we are never in the same place but it was a nasty divorce and were court ordered to not have contact until July this year and we divorced June 2010 so it's been a mess needless to say. But life goes on and I want her birthday to be very special and now that I've felt better for a few weeks I can start getting back to things I enjoy doing. It's nice to be able to planning things again. I'm even volunteering at her school now. Hope tomorrow they may tell me I can get off treatment earlier but even if not I won't be to upset it would just be nice. I will now be able to keep this updated and will let you know what they say. I am so glad to hear you have gotten that news as well and glad you are starting to feel better. If you do like I did after week 4 each week gets better and better. Always praying for you! Keep in touch and I will talk to you soon!

[coo19]

I to have a 4 year old daughter and had to get help, I haven't worked since 2009 due to some other health issues but I was in college and had to put that on hold until I finish treatment so I understand completely how your feeling. Best of luck to you!

Rachel