Starting Tx with Pegasys and Copegus

[LindyK]

I wanted to start my tx last night so I could be on a schedule to have my injection on Thursday nights.  Due to the holiday, the insurance co. did not approve the meds until today.  I have a couple of questions that will help me decide if I should wait until next week to start.

1.  If I started injection tonite (Friday), would I be able to move it back to Thursday next week?  If that is OK, would I only take two Copegus tonite and then 4 tomorrow.

2.  It is probable that I will have to have a root canal next week.  Also, I accidentally ripped off most of my big toenail yesterday (half of it is off the nail bed but the nail is still attached in the cuticle).  I am seeing my PCP on Monday and will see what he will do about that.  Either of these issues may involve taking an antibiotic - I'm just not sure.  Due to these issues - should I just wait anyway until next week to start.

Any comments are very appreciated!

Linda

[scubadiver30]

Hi there
My doc told me I could move up or down a day. I just started today also with 400 riba and I just did the 180 mg pegasys shot. Tomorro I will get the full riba dosage
I haven't felt anything yet. The procedure is quite simple really...Although you know how it goes...we start feeling sx 6 to 12 hours after the shot.

I don't think the root canal would be a good idea now..nto sure about that...Can you leave it for after tx?, or maybe you should postpone your first shot for wext week.

Well have a good weekend over there in Old Decatur :-)
scuba

[gauf]

Best to just wait until you recover from the other things. You want to keep a tight routine with these meds. Starting a week or 2 later won't make any difference. Good Luck

[Penelope1911]

Hi LindyK, I myself have always taken my shots on Thurs. nights. It works well for me. I was very unsure what would happen to me (re:sx), so I figured that while some folks said they don't feel them for up to 72 hrs. thursdays would be good. And it has worked out for me...if I was you, i would go ahead and wait until Thursday and take this week and LOVE IT...LOL. Just one more thing though, my sides have changed timing all throughout tx. but as I work upon the end of tx, now it seems that I feel poopie all the week after shot up until Wed. I think we just get wore down after awhile, I don't know. BUT...I have a feeling that you will be one that is blessed and have little or no sides!!!! HERES TO YOU!!!!! Hugs, Mkeela :)

[friole]

I don't think there is any problem going from 7 to 6 days on the Peg. -- just not the other way around.

On the root canal, I too think you ought to hold off on tx.  I found I didn't heal as well on tx.  My platelets were in range and fine, but maybe low for me.  Anyways, I am still carrying a couple of scars around from accidents I had on tx which I think would have healed had Inot been on tx.

Good luck if yu do start tonight and please post tomorrow to let us know how you feel
frijole

[LindyK]

scubadiver30 - wow we might be on the same schedule!  How long do you have to treat?  I have 24 weeks (thankful for that!)  Also was curious about the Old Decatur comment - clarify?  Oh, and thanks for sharing your first experience with me - makes me feel better!

Mkeela - Thank you for your positive encouragement, I also have the feeling that side effects won't be hard on me (or maybe it's just a lot of hoping :) - at any rate I feel good and strong right now and want to get started and hopefully back to work in a few weeks.

[LindyK]

How long do you think I would have to wait after the root canal, if I can't hold off on that, until I start treatment?  I am really anxious to start tx for a variety of reasons.

[Ih8hepC]

If i were you I'd get the root canal over with this week.  You don't want to put that off until after treatment as things could get worse.  I would just go ahead and start treatment next week.  I don't think you need a long recovery after a root canal and the drugs - especially the ribavirin- take a while to build up in your system and shouldn't have any effect on how you heal at this point.  However, if you were to wait until you were treating for a while and then you had to have the root canal as an emergency, you could have complications with bleeding and infection- low platelets, white blood cells - etc.
Whatever you decide, I wish you the best.

[cuteus]

if you have not started tx, I don't see where healing from a root canal would be a problem.  I did my shots on Tues, and went to work from the getgo.  No one can tell you if you will be able to work after your shot.  It is not the same for everyone.  I was able to go to work the day after the shot with no major sides.  I also had quite a lot of dental work done while on tx, that included extractions, root canals and bridges.  If your bloodwork is fine there should be no problem.  Consult Your dentist.

[friole]

I don't really know how long you should wait, but I too don't think you should put off the root canal.  Maybe just a week or so.  I can understand that you are anxious to treat.  I was too and at that point nothing could deter me. Does the oral surgeon know of your hep C?  Did youdiscuss this with him?  He may prefer you wait too.

[LindyK]

Thanks for all of your responses!  I think I am going to go ahead and start tonight.  If there has to be a root canal it will be done next week.  The dentist knows about the Hep C and starting treatment.  My blood work is great EVERYTHING in the normal range.  This really plays a lot into when I go back to work and if I can go back full time or part time.  I wanted a couple of weeks to see how the symptoms were - so thanks for all of your input.  Based on what I know about my body at this point I want to go ahead.  Will let you know tomorrow how it went.

Thanks again - all of you are terrific!

Linda

[scubadiver30]

Yes if you take your shot tonite, we'll be on the same schedule :)I'm also txing for 24 weeks since I'm 2b...
we can monitor each other :) cool
I commented about Old Decatur rd because it was the first place I lived at in Atlanta before I moved to Buford Higway...Remember?
that post from settecasi?

Well anyway, 3 hours from the shot and still don't fell anything... I sure hope it is like this for the rest of tx...
How naive can I be..

have a good weekend

[LindyK]

Oh yeah!  I remember now...sometimes I can't keep up with who's who with the screen names.  Now I live up by Lake Lanier.  The old neighborhoods in Decatur are pretty much the same but parts of Decatur and Dekalb County are very high crime areas now.

I have decided to start tonite.  Just took the Ribavirin.  Will do the injection in about 1/2 hour.  So we are on the same schedule - that is cool!  I am Genotype 3.

Hope you continue to feel OK - keep your fingers crossed for me!

Linda