calling doc today

thanks for all your info.. I am going to talk to my doc today If I can. Everyone I have spoken to, is or has taken 3 times a day.  Now how far apart are you taking these?  I take mine now at 8am and 8 pm.  so if I ad another dose when would l take these to keep it spread out enough? LIke midnight?  I was a bit achy yesterday. Didnt want to stay out too long either. but not terrible. Went to a small concert in the park last night.  Showed everyone my ever growing red circle where my injection site is..is it supposed to keep getting bigger?.. thanks again geri

[nolee]

You know, you shouldn't have an injection site inflammation if you are regularly switching sites. I was taking my in the arm muscle at first and left a horrible rash. Once i began switching sites around the abdomin (abdomen) area, I haven't had a rash since. I'm on week 15 (or 16 will have to count my empty sharps) of 24, geno 3A. On Peg/Intron Redipen and Riba 1200mgs @ day. I take mine Riba's first thing in the morning and around 9:00pm in the evenings.Hang in there! You'll get to be an old pro in no time. Neal

[Sioux]

I had red areas at the injection sites also a rash. The whole 48 weeks of tx. I rotated legs and areas each week. I had my procrit inections on my arms and also rotated.

[Amerabrit]

I found taking 3 pills am and 2 pills pm helped with the insomnia, also you might want to take the Riba earlier than 8pm for the same reason.  I take my shots on my inner thigh and so far no marks whatsoever, please remember the shots are subcutaneous not muscular.  Good luck!

[jonihs]

The trick w/ the injections is to take them out 20 or so minutes ahead of time if they are refrigerated so they are room temp. Then, what is most important is to leave the needle in for 1 min. after injection. That way there is no little drop that touches the skin. That is what causes the rash or irritation because the interferon breaks down skin cells. For me, my abdomen was the best place. 24 shots and I never got a rash or even red spot. The 1 shot I did in my thigh was uncomfortable for the rest of the night, but the ones I did in my abdomen were over as soon as I finished.  Good luck.

P.S. What is up w/ your Dr. that you didn't already know this???

[DownThisRoad]

I always injected in my upper thigh part of my legs. I never injected in my tummy.  I would always have a very slight red rash for a couple of weeks after injecting in the spot that injected last.  The rash would appear a couple of days after my injection.  I would switch places to inject and never try to inject in the same place twice. My rash was never itchy, bumpy or hot feeling.  Just a slight rash and about the size of 2 or 3 inch diameter.

I bruised myself just a couple of times during my 56 weeks that I injected the Pegasys.  Towards the end of my treatment meds, the red rash didn't seem to appear as much as in the beginning.  Maybe I just got use to it in the end and didn't pay much attention anyway.

I took 1,200mg riba daily. I would take 3 pills in the morning around 10 and then 3 pills in the evening around 7.  My stomach was usually upset allot during my treatment.  I never knew if it was from the meds, or my nerves with all the stuff going on with my meds.

Hang in there !!
~dtr.

[doll face]

I take 2 riba in the a and 3 at night. I always have a small red blotch after each injection (about the size of a quarter) for about 4-5 days afterwards. I used to switch between my stomach and upper thighs till I started the procrit, now I do my pegasys in the thighs and procrit in the stomach. I have never heard of anyone taking riba 3 times a day.

[hph5477]

I asked my PA early on about timing of taking the Riba b/c sometimes I would leave pills at home when we dined out and would have to take them later in the evening than usual.  She said it didn't matter.........I could even take them all at once but it was usually easier on the stomach/nausea if you split them up between AM and PM.
  Just choose whether you want the extra Riba in the AM or PM and stick with that thru rest of tx. Should be fine.

  Good luck with your remaining wks and I hope they are side-free for you.

[Fubarcat]

My injection site redness comes out about 5 days after the injection and then hangs around for about two weeks.  I usually have at least 2 red areas on my legs at any given time.  It used to bother me, but then I just figured they are my war wounds and I'm proud of them now!

[cindee]

Hey there! I took 2 pills @ 7am and 3 pills @ 7pm. I had previously stated that I was on 1250mg a day, but I was wrong about the doseage. I was actually taking 1200mg per day. And I did my shots on Fridays, @ 6pm. I always used my upper thighs, and I always had some redness and a little brusing. That's the way I kept up w/ where to inject the next shot. LOL I didn't leave my pegasys out before injecting...I would just hold it in my hands and roll it slowly back and forth to get it at body tempature. Never shake it! You'll be a pro before you know it! It will be like second nature to you in such a short time. Wishing you the best! Much love and prayers, But I must question your doctor,like Joni did...why didn't you already know this? You might want to check into a new doctor. I think hepatologist are the best, because all they study is Hep!!!! Just  my 2 cents worth. But w/ your weight and  low doseage and etc. I would definately be questioning him/her. You are in my prayers, Cindee