WORRIED

[20percentbrian]

Well my name is Brian and i live in Chicago IL and was told Ihad HEP C over twenty yrs ago, with no symptons till recently,My sucess rate with Interferon is 20%,Because of the status of my liver.I have cirrosis and every few months it seems, An out break of vasculitius in my feet and legs occur ,I had to get as healthy as possible before any tratment takes place, Thyroid problems And was on steroids for a while for aforementioned problems,So its showtime and im a little freaked out,Any suggestions for weasing any sickness that may occur during this 12week trial???? Thanx To any who can help and My prayers to those who are on it.    

[20percentbrian]

For those who responded to my worries,And to all in this fight, I wish everyone a safe and joyfull Thanksgivng 20% Brian

[fretboard]

I think it's actually better to worry a little bit, but not too much.  Tx is a necessary evil for some of us and there is no way to predict what sx's you will go thu.  One thing for certain is you will not go thru every single sx possible, but more than likely you will at least have 3.  Before I get my asss in a sling with anyone reading this this is my opinion only.  Tx can be rough, but if it's too rough you will be stopped.  If you have sx's related to suicidal thoughts or thoughts of hurting somebody you will be taken off, trial site's don't take any chances.  Sx's of that nature are very seldom seen.  The most prevalent sx's I know about are the nasty headache if you get it and the chills and fever, how long it lasts is what varies, but I've heard almost everyone will deal with at least one of those.  I think after you've done your first shot and are a couple of weeks into it, then you will see that although we expect the worse, most of us realize that although tx will be grueling, it will be doable.  good luck  

[Gitfiddler]

I went thru tx almost 3yrs ago and I was so alone and scared, I knew nothing of the DZ itself or the tx. I went online and studied as much as I could and joined a support group. I confided with my family about what I may or may not go thru. I was still scared ********. I had to go for psychological screening, the ultrasound and the biopsy and had to worry about how to pay my the txs. Yea I watched the videos that the drug company sent me but that didn't help much either.
A few biggest things I can tell you is to drink loads of water and even if you didn't feel like it in the mornings get up and take a shower. Don't fret about how much you didn't get done, be happy with what you are able to do. When it comes to eating eat what you can stomach even if it is little bits several times a day. Fruit and yogurt went down eastier because of the sweetness. Lemon water with splenda thru a straw was easier to chug than plain H2O. I live in a state that doesn't believe in medical weed or the use of Marinol but a few tokes now and then kept the nausea down and had a tendency to make me want to eat something. That last advice I got from a priest in the HepC Neighborhood.It sure beat shoving phenergan suppositories up my butt. As for aches and pains Ibuprophen because acetaminophen destroys the liver. If something stronger is needed Vicoprophen( percs with ibuprophen instead of tylenol.) Don't let your thoughts cloud your judgement and let your Dr know if you are having suicidal, homicidal or thoughts of violence. These ARE very serious side effects. They caused me to have to stop txs. If you plan on having weekends take your injection in the middle of the week and if you work during the week take them on Friday evening,don't change your schedule once you have started. You hair may get brittle and break and you may lose some, keep it cropped as an alternative. Exercise even if it is light exercise, exercise. Be careful of the sun and ultraviolate rays. Live.

[CMcH]

Don't worry to much about it. For me the side effects came on slowly giving me time to get used to it and adapt. I have had Thyroid problems for years and they made a big deal about getting it under control before starting TX. I knew it would just go crazy on TX and it has. I now go to an Endocrinologist to closely monitor my levels and adjust my meds as needed. I have lab work almost every 2 weeks for multiple things. It sounds like you are going to be in a trial so you will have have good follow up.

[jankar]

Look at Gaufs journals - he has some interesting info on treatment/pre-treatment preparation.

I too think, fitness and diet to make sure you are as healthy as you can be when you begin.  Concentrate on that as rigorously as you can I think - particularly exercise.

[can-do-man]

Welcome to the site, i am also cirrhotic and treating for the second time. Best i can give you is take it one week at a time....... Wishing you the very best

cando

[lalapple]

determination is a must for tx. you have to understand that tx is not just a couple of days, it can last for half a year or a year or even longer depending on your genotype and tx status.  eat right, quit steroids if you're still on it, exercise, and sleep right.  i really don't know what else to say but good luck!  there is always hope.