TX Plans

[CARUU]

I got my scripts for tx yesterday. I've been advised to get an eye exam, order the medicine a week to 10 days before I plan to start and make an appt. with the nurse for a 1 hour orientation that will include being taught how to give myself the injections. Because of a prior commitment to a big project, I won't start until after 10/12. Probably the following Friday night. Also got my second hepb vaccination yesterday.  Thanks to everyone here for helping me get this far.
Questions:
Do most do tx on Fridays?  
If I start on a Friday and decide later to move it to Thursday, is this easy to do?
My doc says the side are not flat and usually peak 24-48 hrs. after injection.  Correct?
I think all of the waiting and anticipation is driving me nuts.  I've been doing this since mid-July and I'm ready to get the show on the road!  Thanks, caruu

[cmurphy]

Well the time is finally approaching.  The waiting is so frustrating.  I do my shots on Wed nights.  I decided to do them then because I figured that Thur and Fri could be bad.  So, I wanted to have the worst days when my husband would be at work and so that not all of our free time (weekends) would be horrible.  I am fortunate in that I am able to work about 20 hours at the office, bring some work home, and take the rest as sick time.

Good luck with tx and we'll be here for you.

[OkieJim]

For me I shoot-up on Friday and on Saturday night it starts and goes into Sunday afternoon. Changing days is not bad or hard just make sure you consult your Dr. before doing it.  For me the sides have been manageable. I do #3 this Friday night and get my first bloodwork Friday morning.  You can do it.  We will be here for you when you need somewhere to whine.  God bless you.

[OkieJim]

Oh I forgot the most important piece. Start learning to drink water regularly all day. Slow down in the afternoon to you can sleep thru the night. If you start now and stay active it won't be quite so bad. My second shot was worse than my first. Each of us has a different experience.

[myrtles]

I too do my shot on Friday nights.  The first one wasn't that bad for me.  I did sleep alot that first weekend but not too bad.  I thought if the whole year is like this, cool...I can do this.  Then the second shot came...it wasn't like the first at all.  I have had some bad times with the second but bounced back pretty quick.  The first week I didn't eat much and this week it seems like my appetite has come back a little faster.  There are other sides too but you'll probably have a good time of it.  Everyone is different but the same.  Ya know?  I haven't heard of anyone who hasn't had any sides.

You can do it.  It seems like the waiting is the worst.  Take care of yourself in the next couple of weeks.  It is a good idea to start hydrating yourself with lots of water.  That is a big key in this tx.  It helps, believe me.

Yes, we will all be here for you.  We'll be asking for you on your first weekend.  Let us know how things are going.  Don't be too scared of the first stick. I still have to hold my breath and just stick it in but I will get better and so will you!!

Myrt

[OkieJim]

I'm sooooo glad to see you again.  Sorry about the bad times. I posted on another thread a little note looking for you.  My wife bought me some ginger snaps I told her you mentioned and see got some for me.  YaHooooooo! Fridays almost here again. Time is starting to fly by now.  I go for my first bloodwork Friday morning.  Thinking of you and yours alot. God be with you and everyone here.

[myrtles]

Hey OkieJim, look at tigerdream thread.  I have some questions for everyone.  I need some adivse.

[Tosser]

I, like Cmurphy, do my shot on Wed. night, also in hopes that my weekends won't be ruined. I'm on # 11 tonight, but my plans with the sides aren't working like I thought they would. The past several weeks, Thursdays and Fridays have been my best days, and the sides get more severe as the week progresses. Like OkieJim said each of us seem to have a different experience.
One of my friends, after listening to me whine a while, asked,.."So when you start feeling a little better, you have to take more medicine"?
I replied,.."Yeah, that's how I can tell it's time again".

There are some great posts back a few weeks ago, from some of the seniors here, that gave very good suggestions on how to prepare yourself for your shot each time. I will say, I remember the anticipation being much worse than the shot itself. Well, I wish you good luck. Remember your not alone, so keep your chin up, and don't hesitate to ask questions about what you may be going through. I'm confident most of the folks here have seen nearly everything, or know where to tell you to find and answer. During any rough time you might have, keep in mind the goal is to get to the end of treatment. Your reward...one dead Dragon.
Tosser

[Galen]

I do #48 this Saturday.  I have done Sat from the start because I am off on Sun and Mon.  I don't have any particualar schedule for feeling bad or not so bad.  It varies from day to day, sometimes hour to hour.  Everyone has their own experiences and none exactly the same.  I've never gotten really sick from the shot alone, just feel crudy and headache a few hours later.  I found the shot peaked at about 48 hours later.

[whybabe]

Dear Caruu:  The waiting was the hardest for me.  I did my shots on friday nights. Doc would not allow me to change my shot night once I got going.  However, he indicated I had about a 12 hour window in which to do it in. Meaning, instead of always friday night at 9:00pm, I could do it friday morning. I always took a little ibuprofin about an hour before my shot and I know that helped with the sides.  Alot of peolpe use tylenol, but doc indicated that ibuprofin has shown to be (possiably) an antiviral agent, so I thought I would kick the dragons butt anyway I could.

WATER is SOOOOO important, but you need more than just water.  Try clear juices, they stay in your system longer and adds needed calories.  Cranberry worked the best for me.  I was up to two gallons of fluids a day.  However, I did have to dilute the cranberry with water cause the acid hurt my stomach.  Speaking of the stomach, I found it to be the best place for the injection site.  I tried the arm and it hurt and was brusied for two wks.  Top of the legs worked ok, but still hurt for a few days afterwards and huge red spots (normal).  My stomach didn't hurt and never any pain afterwards, and very little redness. Just stay away from the navel, I think because of the intestines???  Keep a positive mind set and kick the dragons butt!  God Bless!
Deb

[layla]

I remember the anticipation of startin tx. It was definately worse than the actual start for me since I didn't have sides at all for the first 2 months. I have been pretty lucky so far. They did finally creep up on me but they are often mild and I think I am used to some of them. I have only had a few bad weeks. I'm on my 8th month of pegasys and do my shot on Friday night. I always feel best on the weekends. Pegasys and pegintron are released differently in the body. Pegintron is released quickly, 24 to 48 hours after the shot so the sides start quicker where pegasys is releases slowly peaking about 4 or 5 days later. There are some articles on this. I got an eye exam too and it's a good thing now if you've read the recent posts. I do hope you have an easy time when you start. LL

[layla]

How long will you be on tx for?

[doll face]

The first time I did tx was on Fridays, it seems to be easiest  for most people because of work. I needed Sat & Sun to recoup then. Now I am on Pegasys and do my shots on Sunday nights I work weekends and now take Mon & Tuesdays off. I am usually down all day Monday but feel pretty good on Tues. I did have to change my shot day during 2001 due to the meds not arriving on time (9/11) but doctors had me go back to original day slowly It took me three weeks to get back to normal day. You need to figure out what day would be best for your schedule, but remember you MIGHT need a day or two after your shot to recoup. But make sure if you only remember one thing from all of our replies is make sure you drink PLENTY OF FLUIDS. Good Luck and God bless                 Kim

[imblessed]

I do my tx on Sundays and take Mon. & Tues. off. I try to take my shot around 5:00pm. It kicks in around 6 to 7 hrs. later so Im already in bed. I stay pretty fatigued for those two days but have adjusted my schedule at work so as not to overdo{yea right} I am only on week 4 and sides havent been too bad although the headaches are the worst. If I take a tylonol pm before going to bed the headaches arent as bad. I made the mistake of not taking one on shot night and thought my head was going to split in two the next two days.
  Hang in there as far as starting tx goes. I remember those weeks before I actually started. Playing with my insurance co. calling drs. office, worried,worried,worried. Try to relax and it will be here before you know it. We all react differently to tx. So far I really have been truley blessed.

[Jim55]

I did my shots on Friday nights so the worst would be over by Monday. I could always depend on the sides to start 14 hours after the shot. You can go back a day but it is not so wise to go forward a day unless you work it a few hours at a time.

Get Well

[petespin]

I am in the middle of week #24, and I just had my blood drawn today for the big pcr (the day of destiny, as the nurse put it).  I am in a clinical study, and I had to start on a monday, therefore, shot day is monday.

On good weeks, I feel pretty good by the weekend; it usually hits me around wednesday.  lately, they've been a bit unpredictable.  last week, monday was the bad day.  The week before, it was thursday.  There are some chronic ones that bug me most of the time (e.g. some depression, dry skin, dry mouth, fatigue, fatigue, and more fatigue).  Yet there are weeks where I feel almost normal (cause for celebration!).

Sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug.  Celebrate those windshield days, and the bug days...as my mother says, it's OK to have a good cry about things.  Tylenol (in small doses) does wonders, as does lots of water.

[CARUU]

Once again, you all have come through with tons of experience, knowledge and caring.  I truly thank you!  It really is making a difference in being able to handle this strange stiuation I have found myself in.  

Layla, I will be on tx for 24 weeks.  I'm 2a, 140,000 IU/ml, F, 52, transfusion in 1979.  My doc says I have a good chance for svr.  My prescriptions are for Pegasys-180 ug and Ribavirin 200 mg 2 po BID.  Also, started Paxil 4 weeks ago (10 mg/day).  I'm not real clear on the dosages yet, but I'm sure I'll learn more from the nurse.

Blessings to all of you. caruu

[susan400]

I am already on daily shots, so it's hard for me to comment on this one, but I take my Peg-Intron shots on Sat. afternoon.  On 7 days a week I also take 9 mu of regular interferon.  I'm Interferon woman hear me roar!!  Susan400

[pearse]

Hi, I had to wait 3 months on a list before i started so i know how you feel. Everyone has given you good advice. I agree with Galen, my sides came and went all the time. Sometimes i had none,other times it was bad! I do my shot on thurs nite now,#51.I always have my sweatpants, clicker,and water ready. My wife buys me wheatthins to munch on. By sat i feel ok. Hang in there and go for it.

[willing]

like a lion:  that's a lotta IFN! Keep up the fight. Best wishes.

[MajNeni]

Hi, Susan,
Do you glow from all that INF?  I truly hope that this heavy INF load will kick the sh-t out of all the hep virus that has dared to hang around.  Best, Maj Neni