What to expect?

[linthomas]

Hi everyone, well it's still me the soon to be kidney transplant patient. I hope. Picked up Pegassist yesterday, Those are some big needles, just wondering what to expect next wk, will be taking Procrit the day before and I already take Xanax, so I'm just wondering if the sides may be worse because of the renal disease, I'm pretty stable as far as medically. Just getting nervous about starting. Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Linda

[hiya24]

Hi Linda. Just want to say congratulations on getting started. It is an important step and your are courageous for making it. For me, it was a tough decision mainly because of the great unknown of the sx and how I would tolerate it all. The first shot was a little scary but I did it myself in my docs office with her and a nurse watching. She told me I did a good job and that helped a lot. I drove myself home and although mentally felt different knowing it was the start of treatment, physically I felt fine.  The second was less scary but nerve racking since I was solo (hubby and kids in the house but not in the same room) but it went fine. Now I'm going for #32 tonight and like all these things, it has become a normal part of my Friday routine.  I use the Redipen (PegIntron) which is pretty easy and have been injection in one of four quadrants of my abdomen, rotate the position every week. Saturday has seemed to be the toughest getting going and I usually have a headache and am more grouchy (on Prozac which has helped-some depression set in after about 3-4 months for me).

Everyone's advice has been spot on, water is a biggie and I sometimes mix in some juice, Gatorade or vitamin water for variety to stay well hydrated. These drugs are nasty (they need to be to do their job) but keeping the byproducts well flushed seems to help and makes me feel like I am helping by body.

Best of luck and hang in there. I hope it goes well.

[friole]

The very best of luck to you.  Is today Friday your shot day?  I weathered the first month or so just fine.  I hope you do well too.  Just take that tylenol and drink plenty of water - just like others have said.  I am wondering about the "very large needles" -- since they gave me the wrong kind for my first shot.  Are you on the prefilled syringes, or did you get the vial and a syringe.  You should have a 27 or 29 gauge 1/2 inch needle for the Peg, if you are doing the vial and syringe.  The pharmacy gave me a 22 gauge the first week and it was way too big.

Polejumper -- hope you are back to jumping those poles.  Sounds like you had H** but at least it is behind you now.  Congratulations

[polejumper]

Hi kido,my names george and had a liver transplantin apr./02,and put on peg/rib,a year later as virus was still very active.My experience was very different to the stories I been reading from your responders,as I when through HELL,and back.Sick is a mild term to what I went through,evry side effect that was listed on the literature I received was that x10,scarry,though the drugs would kill me before finishing,lost 30lbs..got 3 transfusing(7units).The only thing that keep me going was the end goal of possible cure?And I guess someone up there likes me as my tests came back negative and have been that way for 2yrs.So I beat the odds and won the lottery of life.So no mater what your experience is think positve we're all rooting for u good luck.

[jmjm530]

I think everyone stresses out before the first shot. I remember deciding to take it during the week because I potentially didn't want to end up in the hospital on a weekend when my doctors were all playing golf. LOL.

Truth is I never experienced anything dramatic right after my shot and therefore stopped taking tylenol after shot 2. When the sides did hit(fatigue/mild flu-like symptons) sometimes they were worse the day after the shot, and sometimes two or three days later. It seems to change week by week. I found taking the injections in my abdomen (more fat) seemed to help the sides but nothing scientific here. Also, drink lots of water (half your body weight in ounces at least for normal kidney function) but I'm sure you've heard that before.

Hopefully, your low Procrit will take care of any potential anemia. Forgot if they're giving you a low dose of Ribavirin? If so, nausea is a common sympton but tends to go away after a while. Most of us can expect a host of skin problems but you probably won't be on treatment that long for this to come into play. Lots of other potential sides, but again, you're probably not going to be on treatment very long so you should just sail through.

Did you and your docs decide when you're getting your first PCR? I think you can get down to the number you're looking for in a few weeks and then get on with the transplant.

Good luck. The first shot is usuually not a big deal, but everyone does react differently, so having someone else around, or on call, seems like a good idea.

Let us know how things go.

-- Jim

[linthomas]

Thanks for answering, yes Tylenol is okay, I also have Ultram and Gabitril too. On top of everything else I have that fiba thing in my bones, can't spell it, it's mostly in my back. I swear sometimes I think I have to take a pill for everything, about 20 different meds. Thanks again  for answering, every little bit makes me feel better, take care Linda

[MichaelT]

I'd expect flu-like symptoms. Regular interferon (not pegylated) would kick-in after a few hours, with the pegylated stuff, there seems to be a bigger delay before it hits. I don't know how long, but I'm sure someone here can give you an idea.

Hopefully you won't have problems! Can you take Tylenol or something else to deal with some discomfort if you experience any?

God bless!  -Michael