Yesterday I started tx

[ccrider65]

What works for a headache thats safe to take. I was told Tylenol isn't good to take.

[ccrider65]

I don't have enough insurance to cover the new meds, there twice as much so I'm stuck in that respect.

[FlGuy]

The reason I asked is beacuse new HCV meds are expected to be approved by the FDA next month. It is likely, as displayed in drug trials, to be more effective (about 80% versus 50%) in half the time than today's Peginterferon and ribavirin.  So, I was wondering if there was some urgency to treat now and if your doctor was aware of impending alternatives.

[ccrider65]

All I was told is that I'm a G T 1-a not sure really what the differences are ? I didn't know anything until 1 1/2 months ago and it was a total shock. I had no symptoms. Started seeing a new doctor and since it had been years since I have been to a doctor she suggested full bloodwork being done. It went from the bloodwork to a different doctor who sent me in for an ultrasound on my liver. Next thing I was starting the treatment.

Is there a good or bad time to start this tx? Not sure why it would be a strange time to start?

[Junebug812]

Loss of appetite is fairly common on tx I believe. I've lost 15 lbs so far and am on week 19 of tx. I was skinny to begin with so losing 15 lbs wasn't a good thing. Have gotten some appetite back though so I expect I'll start gaining some weight now.

Best of luck and take extra good care of yourself.
June

[ccrider65]

Hi, thanks so much, for the response. I seem to have an extreme loss of appitite and wow thats a first for me lol !! Not sleeping well either, but the headaches are very mild now. How long have you been doing tx?

[ilovejody4ever]

hello i have been taking the same treatment now as u are at first i had the pounding head aches also. after a couple of weeks my body got adjusted. I wish you the best!

[FlGuy]

Unless you are genotype 3,  what a strange time to start treatment.  What were the conditions / doctor recommendations that caused to to begin treatment at this point??

[ccrider65]

Thanks for all the input, so far so good. Third day down and all is well.

[Trish77]

You've already gotten excellent advice on what to take for pain while on treatment, nothing to add on that - just wanted to say that I wish you success with managing the challenges of treatment.  As you've already found out, good information and support here.  Wish you good luck.

Trish

[HectorSF]

Who ever told you that Tylenol isn't good to take is misinformed, unless you have other conditions or diseases in addition to hepatitis C. Check with your doctor.

Acetaminophen the first-choice medication in the treatment of all headaches, whether migraines, tension headaches, or cluster headaches.
As with many medicines it is very important not to take an overdose or to take it for long periods of time. For a person with a healthy liver the maximum daily dose of acetaminophen is 4 g (4000 mg). Never take more than this amount in one day.

NSAIDs are a well known cause of liver dysfunction. Aspirin is intrinsically toxic to the liver. NSAIDs are safe when used properly and as prescribed by doctors; however, patients with cirrhosis and advanced liver disease should avoid NSAIDs since they can worsen liver function and cause kidney failure in theses patients.

For people with advanced liver disease (cirrhosis) Acetaminophen is the only OTC pain reliever that is to be taken. Usually the maximum dose is 2 g (2000 mg) or less.

As always, discuss any medication uses or changes with your healthcare provider.

Hectorsf

[Junebug812]

Actually, ibuprofen not to exceed 1800 mg per day now that I looked at the bottle. I do take 3 a day when I have bone pain and/or headaches. Hope I'm not doing anything wrong.

[Junebug812]

My doctor recently gave me a prescription for ibuprofen (600 mg tablets), not to exceed 1200 mg per day. I'm a little fuzzy about this issue though. Just letting you know what I was prescribed to help me get through the headaches.

[James10500]

My hepa told me ibuprofen was ok, I stayed under 800 mgs a day.

Good luck with treatment, many of us have done it or are doing it.  Welcome to the club.

[Bill1954]

Hi there, and good luck with your treatment outcome.

Who suggested you should avoid Tylenol (acetaminophen)? If your doctor said to avoid it then by all means don’t use it. If a friend told you it was toxic to the liver, it is; but only in large doses. Acetaminophen continues to be the most widely recommended OTC analgesic for patients with liver disease. Other drugs like aspirin and NSAID drugs can affect how your blood clots; something that can be an issue with liver illness anyway.

If in doubt, discuss this with your physician-

--Bill

[uncledudeness]

you can safely take up to 6000mg of Acetaminophen (Tylenol ) per day. i try to keep it under 2k per day. my HEPA told me it was ok  to take it. i also take sudafed for the flu-like symptoms.

ask your doctor first. do you have HCV?