Third shot

[Catll]

I had my third shot on May 31st.
(1b, VL = 1mil, 35y.o., HCV for 31y. liver damage 1-2)

No sides so far. Food tastes as food, memory is getting a little better, no depressions, no headaches, I was able to work FT. First week my weight went down form 128 to 123. This week I am 124.

[GoofyDad]

That drop in LFTs looks good from here - seems like it's working in high gear!

[jmjm530]

Good to hear you're handling treatment so well. You didn't mention any blood tests like CBDs (hemoglobin, WBC, etc) which you should have had by now. In any event, ask your doctor for a week 4 viral load test which is being recommended by more and more good liver specialists. It's the only way you will know if the treatment drugs are working. The test should be taken the day before your fifth injection. Preferably you want as sensitive a test as possible. One readily available sensitive test is "Heptimax" by Quest Diagnostics. LabCorp also has a sensitive quantitative viral load test.

All the best,

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

"CBDs" in second sentence should be "CBCs"

[Myown]

Hey Cat, glad to hear that you aren't getting any sx. I am a geno 2b- 21/24 and I only felt the first shot. I cleared early on but I had the same concern as you have. I thought the meds might have expired or something cause I didn't feel anything. I still feel fine physically, but I do at times feel depressed, mood swings and that type of sx. Yesterday I felt fine and today so far is a good day, no depression or anything. Everyone is different. Alot of times the people that post are the ones that are having bad sx and need answers and the people that aren't having any sx don't always post, so alot of us go into tx thinking the worst is going to happen cause of what we read on forum and when we don't experience horrible sx we think the meds might not be working.
You'll be fine. I hope you continue to remain sx free.
Wish you the best!

btw I like all the info that you have been contributing to the forum.

[anafromtexas]

Cat:  I'm right behind you beginning week two.  My sides first week minimal except for loss of appetite and no spicy foods and a little tired, but work full time.  
Jim:  Question.  I took my first week labs on Friday afternoon and do shot Friday night.  Should I try to move those labs to Thursdays?

[GrandmaA]

I do my labs on Fri. a.m. and shot Fri. afternoon.

[jmjm530]

I was talking specifically about viral load testing not normal labs such as liver enzymes and CBC's (hemoglobin, wbc, etc). With normal labs, not sure if it makes all that much difference which day you have the blood drawn.

With viral load testing (sometimes called "PCR" or "TMA" testing) best to have blood drawn either the day before your injection or the day or your injection but before the injection. So having your blood drawn on Friday prior to your Friday night injection is fine both for normal blood tests as well as for viral load testing. If you plan on having a week 4 viral load test -- and I suggest you ask your doctor for one -- then you would have blood drawn for that test either on the day before your fifth injection or the day of your fifth injection but before the injection.

Hope this helps.

-- Jim

[illo]

Consider it a win and take it!  They're working!

[Lilla]

the only side effect which was noticeable at first was I ran a low grade fever for about 2 days after 1st shot; Tylenol took care of fever. I've had no bad muscle aches or pains.  Occasionally I experience a headache, but not often.  I am a 2b, treating for 24 weeks and Monday will be #18.    After about 4 to 5 weeks I started getting side effects but they were manageable.     My white and red blood cell count were low (but not a rapid drop).   Because of low hemo and RBC, I feel light headed and dizzy.   I have little energy.    While I feel my side effects have been minimal in comparison to some people, they still are bothersome to me, but not dibilitating.    Best word to describe would be  "annoying".   I remind myself   "this is temporary".   good luck with your treatment.   A positive outlook and frame of mind is crucial (not always easy)-- at least it was for me.

[cathi1]

Glad your feeling good with no sides. I have a question, how come you are only taking half of calcium? Is it harmful in larger doses?

[Myown]

forgot to mention that I am losing alot of hair lately and I am anemic, but haven't had to use rescue drugs. I cut back one riba at week 20 and I don't feel as breathy as of late, but even the breathiness thing-wasn't like I was gasping for air, just noticed I could feel my lungs and started to breath a little heavy if I walked too far or walked up any hills or slight inclines, but no biggy- wasn't scary or anything, just different from how I usually feel.

[jools57]

I'm glad you are having no sides...i know we can psych ourselves out when we read about all the possibilities...hearing about everyones different experiences with tx is encouraging, and lets us all know we are not alone in this...

blessings

[Catll]

Thank you for your support!
I do understand that 1b is very difficult to treat and would like to rely on Meds, I would be considered very lucky if could manage clear at 12 weeks. (at the same time I might be in none/slow responder group by statistics it is 49-51% of cases)

RN told me that I do have drop in WBC to 2.1 (but they do expect this

[EspritLibre1]

wishing you both well with tx... took shot 11 last night... I got a little nauseated for the first time yesterday (ALL day).. but other than that just extreme FATIGUE... muscle/bone pain started right away within first wk but nothing bad enuf to take pain relief, and that's subsiding... hope things go well for all of us and we can get hep C behind us...be well...