how many times per week is injection necessary

[cindyhamm]

Hi,sorry to bother you guys again but I just got off a website (although the data was from 2002) that said you have to inject yourself with the interferon/riblavin treatment 3 times a week.  Is this true?  I was under the impression that its only once a week.  I'm concerned cause although i'm  on SSD, i do have a part time job at home maybe working 5-6 nights a month on a hotline for those who are lonely, have problems, and are in pre-crisis or crisis mental health issues.  I really need this job and i like it; i've been doing it for a year.  Will someone please tell me if what i read is true or if you onlyu need the injection once a week.  thanks so much,again.  cindyh

[cindyhamm]

I'm not feeling well today, had work lastg night, didn't get much sleep.  i had lots of stomach discomfort yesterday and my stomach looks pregnant.  from what i  understand that is due to liver inflammation.  THANK all of you for your responses, I feel more at ease now.  You guys sure are brave; just going through this treatment, you'd have to be brave and determined.
Iknow so many people with hep c who still "use" and would never consider treatment.  I hope it's ok that I kind of wrote you a group thank you.  Againk, I'm not really feeling well, I think i'm gonna go lie down for a bit.  Thank you all.  I'm sure i'll "see" you here again.  This forum and you very kind p;eople are  really helping me to cope.  Cindy

[Rockerforlife]

and if you are on peg-intron,its just a pen with a small tiny needle about 1/4 in long,like a thumb tack only super thin...its all pre-loaded,all ya do do push the top,piece of cake

[Rockerforlife]

The shots are painless,you just poke in to your beely fat,no worries.

[Marcia2202]

I also felt a little uncomfortable before I started treating. Very soon shot time became my favorite part of treatment.... Psycho, isn't it. But I was actually looking forward to doing the shots.

[sunshines76]

Cindy,

don't worry about the shots - they really don't hurt at all. I am on daily injections of infergen and the trick is to poke quickly and then inject slowly. Then you don't feel a thing at all. Also, I always choose a different site for a new injection, and look for areas where I still have some "fat deposits" :)

[susan400]

If you're using the original Intron-A it is 3 times a week. However, there are newer versions called Pegulated interferons (Pegasys or Peg-Intron), which only need to be injected once a week.  There is also Infergen, which is most often a daily injection.

Susan400

[cindyhamm]

That's what I was hoping.  The site was from the American Liver Association or something that sounded very reliable but the info was from the year 2002.  Thanks for posting your  comment to me.   I'm terrified of needles and like an idiot watched someone inject themselves with interferon last night.  Boy,did that scare me.  My husband (not officially married; just lived w/leach other the pat 24 yrs but i call lhim my husband), anyway he said  when the time comes, he'll inject me.  I had alot of stomach distress yesterday,hopefully today  will be better. Hope yoou have a very happy holiday!    CINDY

[cindyhamm]

THank you!!! I'm really scared but im gonna do this.  It's a do or die situation.  THanks for responding and Happy Memorial Day. I hope its a good one for you.  Cindy

[spectda]

The information you were reading was before they had the long acting interferon. People used to inject three times a week.

[charm27]

Once a week for the injection and daily for the pills...(Pegasys and Riba )


Take care
Charm


Infergen  I think might be injected more than daily but Im not sure.