Aa
Taking treatment out of town.
I would like to be part of the IDEAL clinical trail. It compares different interferon treatments. The study is for those that have never had interferon treatment before. I wonder if anyone has an opinion on whether they think a 5 hour drive is to much to make with the potential side effects that I might incur? The treatment is free. The doctors group doing the trail have an office where I live, which is 350 miles away in the other end of the state. Point being, although I have to make the long drive roughly every month, I could possibly be checked locally, on my dime, if I was having a problem with sides that needed immediate attention. Bottom line, do think can handle driving 5 hours while on the treatment? Potentially the treatment involves 1.5 times normal dose. Do you usually get the first shot at the doctor's when starting treatment?
If you can get into the program then I would try it.
While the sides are different for each of us, you will never know till you try.
I live in Tennessee and had to drive to Michigan every other month for my doctor appointments (9 1/2 hour drive, most of the time alone)also did extensive travelling through out tx, flying,driving 12 hours to son's house, and continuing to work 30 hours or more a week, although some weeks were harder than others I tried to make sure that I planned most of my trips on the better days (ex. did shot on Sat night so tried not to drive on Sun, flying was okay but still left me achier than normal)
Good luck to you. Kim
While the sides are different for each of us, you will never know till you try.
I live in Tennessee and had to drive to Michigan every other month for my doctor appointments (9 1/2 hour drive, most of the time alone)also did extensive travelling through out tx, flying,driving 12 hours to son's house, and continuing to work 30 hours or more a week, although some weeks were harder than others I tried to make sure that I planned most of my trips on the better days (ex. did shot on Sat night so tried not to drive on Sun, flying was okay but still left me achier than normal)
Good luck to you. Kim
LOL! Do whatever you have to do. If you need to crawl, do it. LOL! Beg your friends to drive you ...of course, you will need to offer them free food!
If you can afford to test on your own...no problem.
best wishes....
Shebee
Oh, hubby worked over 90 hours plus during first tx...
and survived (ok, not so great! LOL)
If you can afford to test on your own...no problem.
best wishes....
Shebee
Oh, hubby worked over 90 hours plus during first tx...
and survived (ok, not so great! LOL)
As long as you can count on someone taking over for you when you're not up for it on a particular day, then make the commitment. Otherwise, it sounds very hard. And not just for you, but for other drivers. There's so much horrendous driving out there these days--everyone is stressed out and underslept -- and it would be a shame to contribute to the lack of safety on the roads by driving under the influence. I'm mostly on top of it, but there are days when I won't go anywhere near the car because I'm too spacey and out of it.
Dear Golf,
Looking back at my own experience with this Tx I must admit that the second half (of 24 wks) was more difficult than the first. However, as has been stated many times in the past, we all react differently & I personally would travel with a companion just to be treated. As bad as the Tx is......the disease is much worse, therefore I would make every effort to be cured.
BTW, how's the weather in Fl now?
Good Luck,
Ben....aka PKid
I only have a couple concerns in you driving this distance alone.
1) Try to get someone to make the trip with you; at least the first couple times til you see how you are reacting to the meds.
2) If the sx are too much or you don't feel driving the distance is really safe at the moment, please make sure there is somewhere you can check in and possibly stay the night.
Remember, everyone reacts differently so there is no way to tell what/how your body will feel until you actually start the meds. And, each week may be a little different.
Good luck with your decision.
1) Try to get someone to make the trip with you; at least the first couple times til you see how you are reacting to the meds.
2) If the sx are too much or you don't feel driving the distance is really safe at the moment, please make sure there is somewhere you can check in and possibly stay the night.
Remember, everyone reacts differently so there is no way to tell what/how your body will feel until you actually start the meds. And, each week may be a little different.
Good luck with your decision.
I did 72 weeks of full tx and I am a sales rep covering 13 states. I drove all over and also flew. I also had my thyroid burn out while on tx. The driving was not a problem for me at all. LL
OH golf, I admire your question. Yes, I really do.
Having been through 56 weeks of treatment with shot of Pegasys, 1,200 mg riba and 1 injection of Procrit every week there would be NO way that I could drive (myself) or depend on driving myself 5 hours for anything. Well, on a good week I could have done it no not really I couldn't have done it. On a not so good week, the thought would be too much pressure and frankly just scary thinking that I had to drive even out of my driveway. When I was feeling so very very ill, I was doing good to make it down my stairs....that's walking not driving; being incharge of a motorized vehicle. No I can't imagine that.
Think really hard with this one. Getting checked with your bloodwork every week tends to be draining when you aren't feeling well. Call them and find out their criteria and let them know that you DO need this treatment but the drive thing is really not comprehendible for you. They will probably agree if they know anything about the side effects of this treatment; mentally and/or physically.
No, I couldn't imagine driving 5 hours or having to drive 5 hours highway or anywhere else while I was doing the treatment and the treatment drugs. Can you arrange for someone to drive you and I mean really have someone who will be dependable and take you there each and everytime it is a scheduled visit?
~dtr.
Having been through 56 weeks of treatment with shot of Pegasys, 1,200 mg riba and 1 injection of Procrit every week there would be NO way that I could drive (myself) or depend on driving myself 5 hours for anything. Well, on a good week I could have done it no not really I couldn't have done it. On a not so good week, the thought would be too much pressure and frankly just scary thinking that I had to drive even out of my driveway. When I was feeling so very very ill, I was doing good to make it down my stairs....that's walking not driving; being incharge of a motorized vehicle. No I can't imagine that.
Think really hard with this one. Getting checked with your bloodwork every week tends to be draining when you aren't feeling well. Call them and find out their criteria and let them know that you DO need this treatment but the drive thing is really not comprehendible for you. They will probably agree if they know anything about the side effects of this treatment; mentally and/or physically.
No, I couldn't imagine driving 5 hours or having to drive 5 hours highway or anywhere else while I was doing the treatment and the treatment drugs. Can you arrange for someone to drive you and I mean really have someone who will be dependable and take you there each and everytime it is a scheduled visit?
~dtr.
There is no way to predict the outcome the meds might have on you, only time can tell that. From what I have seen from others, is you should be fine.. If it gets rough, arrange for someone to travel with you.
As far as the IDEAL study, there are three different arms to the study, so how do you know what arm you would recieve, unless your DR has prselected for you. The GI center where I am going, also is in the study, and the different doses are bringing different results. My Dr told me that the higher full dose peg 2b was getting the better SVR rates..
Man, if everything is free, buckle up and enjoy the ride.. Nothing like free medicine, as this tx is very expensive.. Best of luck
As far as the IDEAL study, there are three different arms to the study, so how do you know what arm you would recieve, unless your DR has prselected for you. The GI center where I am going, also is in the study, and the different doses are bringing different results. My Dr told me that the higher full dose peg 2b was getting the better SVR rates..
Man, if everything is free, buckle up and enjoy the ride.. Nothing like free medicine, as this tx is very expensive.. Best of luck
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