first shot and on my way

Well I finally took my first injection on friday and  2-3 hrs after the shot I began with the flu sx. This was hard and I am only now able to get up and move around. The worst thing for me is the excrusiating headache I have had and still have today but not as severe. I am afraid to take too much tylenol. I have taken it every 12 hrs since friday . I know it can be hard on your liver. One thing I am not happy with is that my doc is not going to check my viral load until week 12.  Why I don't know. Anyone else having severe headaches?  I hope that I feel good enough to go to work in am.
Thanks for listening.

[GreatBird]

You need to drink more water. That should help the headache. Really. They recommend 1/2 your bodyweight in ounces. So for me it's about 68 ounces of water a day. It helps with a lot of side effects. The medicine is *very* drying.

You need a 4 week PCR. There are greater minds on this board that can explain why but you need to see how you are responding before the 12 week mark.

[agatha56]

Thanks I am drinking quite alot of water. In fact I have even given up my morning coffee so I can drink more water. Also, what does PCR stand for.

[GreatBird]

PCR is your viral load test. (And if it isn't that's what I meant.)

I thought I was drinking lots of water but according to my trial nurse it wasn't. So I upped it and did feel better.

I haven't been able to drink coffee since I started tx. :)

[meakea]

As far as water intake, I have always been a big water drinker (it's my drink of choice over pop/soda, juice, etc) and ever since I started TX in September, I've been drinking at least a gallon of water a day.  I weight 120 lbs so I'm drinking twice what the "rule of thumb" is for water intake while on TX.  It works for me.

[jmjm530]

you have to nicely insist that you want a week 4 viral load test. A good one is called "heptimax" by quest diagnostics. If he won't do it, try and get it from another doctor, for example your primary care physician. Alternatively, if you have the time and resources, you could find another treatment Dr. who is more current with the protocols. Best Dr. should treat with are called hepatologists. They can usually be found at your larger, teaching hospitals.

[lalapple]

don't OD on tylenol.  get some rest and stay warm.  good luck!

[Tippyclubb]

I called Quest Diagnostics Friday to inquire about the PCR test and the cost is $330.  If you have insurance they should pick up most of it.  It would be worth having it done, to put your mind at ease.

[hepdestroyer]

my friend , I eventually gave myself 24 hours prior and 36 hours after weekly Interferon jab to gather and keep strength to cope . Be still as you can . water  etc . I found the Interferon jab side effect , relatively instant 4 to 12 hours ( flu etc) these have slowly diminished and I am told . However I am also on Ribavirin which has snuck up on me and made me anemic .

I , like you , will win . In fact I have been informed by the treatment clinic that my viral load is 0 .. zero .. gone . I have to finish the 24 week course though and this is the battlefield . talk to folks , keep your chin up , and go get it !! .. love from England .

[simbar24]

Hi - I just joined the forum after reading your post - I too started my shot #1 on Fri, Jan 23.  I've been drinking lots of water and going to sleep earlier than usual but so far so good.  Popping lots of advil at the first sign of headache - plus I hurt my back the week before I started treatment.  If you are interested, let's keep in touch with each other's progress, etc.

[agatha56]

Hi just read your note. Yes, let's keep in touch. Doing shot #2 tonite. Feeling fair.

[annieCinMD]

I just took my first shot this afternoon. I had to do it with the clinician or it would have been later. I thought I was going to be OK, because my one friend who went through this years ago and cleared on round 2, told me there was about a 4 hr. window before it hit. Well, it was more like 6 for me. I am wondering if it was because I ate so much today. I have been fattening up for the kill for the last several weeks. My friend lost like 30 lbs. and that would have put me at well under 100 lbs. Fortunately gaining weight is much easier than losing it, and I have a little cushion to play with now. LOL!  I suppose I should try to get a little school work done since I'm laying in bed with the laptop. Best to all,  A