Treating Side Effects?

I'm due to start combo treatment of Incivek (Telaprevir), Ribavirin, Interferon. I teach college three times a week, driving to campus 2 hours each way. I'm not sure of the jargon, but is "rescue drug" the term being used to describe drugs that can alleviate side effects? In any case, any suggestions regarding what treatments for side effects might work best? For now, I'm thinking about fatigue and nausea though I understand that rash and other problems might arise.

One other thing: Should I join other forums in addition to this one? If so, any recommendations?

My thanks to everyone participating in this group; illness often nurtures human kindness - one of the positive side effects of disease. My warmest wishes to my fellow travelers.

[JAY0914]

hey Steve welcome to forum ...a great place for info and people that have gone thru this...im in week 7 of Telap trial....rescue drugs (procit) for hemo  (neopogen) for white blood cell...this are given when those levels drop low to keep you in the game and treating....and will make you feel better if your levels drop too low..my sides have been minimal for first 4 weeks but have gotten tougher lately...everyone is different...some people have no sides..(lucky ones).....i work a stressful job and have maintained not missing any days yet...do i feel normal ? no your putting potent chemicals in your body...its doable...not fun...but its better  then dying with end stage liver disease...just got to be positve and and take it one day at a time and keep your eye on the golden egg...have you had a biopsy to know if you have any damage?

[nygirl7]

Jay said it all but welcome to the group.  You'll find out here no question is too small or stupid to ask - we've heard it all before :)

[screaming48]

Hey wanted to welcome you to the group. Ask anything you need to, most on here will be able to help. I am new also so am still learning.

[flcyclist]

Don't be overwhelmed by reading about all the terrible sx from trt.  There's so much variation in response, worrying about it will just put you through addtional stress.  Take it a day at a time.  Fatigue is common, so your energy level might be down a bit, but it might not even be noticable to others.  Drinking a lot of water helps to offset the sx.

Make sure you get your results from the CBC's and PCR's so you understand what changes are occuring.  Your doc will track this, but you also want to watch things closely if your levels go down and rescue drugs might be necessary.  

You will have a ton of questions.  The level of experience and support from this forum is far beyond my expections, so I have little need to go elsewhere for information.  

Best of luck with trt and welcome to the forum.

[elpasolady]

Welcome! I, too am due to start treatment soon ( the same as yourself)  and am new to this forum.  The forum is great for support and information, as well as story sharing.
In regards to your question, your Dr. should set up a time and place with  a nurse educator before you start treatment.  In my case, this is a requirement.  My appt. is tonight, Wed. June 29th.  
The educator ( in a class format, I believe) will cover everything that has to do with your treatment, the meds you will be taking, the potential side effects,  and what you can do to best eliminate  or take control of the side effects. They also train you how to administer t he drugs.  If your Dr. has not yet mentioned this, my advice would be to inquire about this yourself.
Good luck and keep in touch.  I am glad to be sharing my journey with others who are going through the same thing who TRULY understand.
God Bless!

[aj7538]

I HAVE BEEN READING POSTS FOR WEEKS NOW, AND CANNOT BELIEVE HOW SUPPORTIVE AND HELPFUL EVERYONE IS...I HAVE NOT STARTED TX YET, BUT AM SCHEDULED TO DO IN LATE JULY EARLY AUG...I HAVE BEEN AGONIZING OVER SIDE EFFECTS BECAUSE I TOO NEED TO WORK....BUT I SEE THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO WERE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THEIR WORK SCHEDULE..AND THAT MAKES ME FEEL VERY HOPEFUL....I WAS WONDERING IF MAYBE VITAMIN B SHOTS COULD OFFSET SOME OF THE FATIGUE....ALSO, DOES ANYONE KNOW IF YOU ARE MORE AFFECTED BY TX, IF YOU ARE NOT USE TO TAKING ANY MEDS...I HAVE NOT TAKEN ANY MED. IN OVER 23 YRS...SO I AM SO CONCERNED ABOUT ANY DRUG.....I AM GRATEFUL FOR ANY AND ALL INFO....THANK YOU SO MUCH AJ

[elpasolady]

I can sympathize with you as I am having the same kind of side effects anxiety.  I am due to start treatment in July as well.  And, not only am I learning on this forum all about the treatment side effects, I am also learning about the post treatment, long term side effects. Frankly, that bothers me much more. I need more research on that.
As far as you not taking any meds now and having the meds effect you more because of that ( I don't take any meds either expect for supplements that help my liver) my feeling is this.  The fact that we don't take any meds means that we are pretty healthy.  I have been told that the healthier a person is when they undergo this tx, the better chance of not having severe side effects.  I go into this with high hopes that is true, and that would be my suggestion for the attitude you could take.  The bottom line is that to kill this virus , we need the drugs.....like it or not!

I wish you all the best!

[cctex]

I am going to start treatment any minute now - have been jumping thru hoops trying to get all paperwork done with Ins, Pharmacies & Doc to get it started. This is my third time trying to rid virus. I am concerned about the rash I keep hearing about. Does anyone have anything to share that helped them?  And the anemia? Can we eat certain things to boost ourselves before/or during the treatment?  

[his3707]

get a good coristeroid for the rash.  I really need the prescription strength.  I am on procrit for anemia and something started to kick in on saturday but now im in the dumps again.  hoping next week will be much better.  Get a good prescription for nausea!   I would have a very hard time driving 4 hours a day three days a week right now.  Much less trying to teach a class.  But that is me and there is just no tellin how you will react.   It would be wise to have a back up plan.  I am still trying to work at wish I wasnt most times.  But as I have said before, the pro to that is I am forced to get up and do something, which make time go by quicker.  Good wishes to you on your treatment