starting today

[CARUU]

I'm launching into tx today!  I started the riba this a.m. and will do my first shot tonight.  I spent 1.5 hr. with the nurse yesterday getting "trained" on what to expect and how to do the shot.  I hope I do better on my own than I did during practice.  I was a little nervous and also in a hurry to get on to another meeting.  The Roche kit with all of the info, water bottle, gel pack, etc. is nice, but didn't really need another brief-case:-)
Thanks to all, have a good weekend. caruu

[MajNeni]

The fatigue really hits more if you get a big drop in your red blood cell count.  That is one of the things they will monitor you for with the blood tests (CBC).  Most people will drop about 3 points on the Hemoglobin - this is because of the nasty effect of ribavirin on red blood cells.  If you are lucky, your hemoglobin will still be near normal, and you'll function just fine.  If you do get into more anemia, your doctor can help you with Procrit/Epoetin alpha shots, which help put more red blood cells into circulation (so you can stay on the tx meds.)  I was fine for the first week, even went skiing; the anemia/huge fatigue hit the second week, and after that I started Procrit; been on it ever since.  Good luck!
Maj Neni

[Petey7]

Sorry to hear you are feeling more tired today. I have been wondering if it would hit me delayed after a good weekend but so far so good. Even played golf today and no problems at all. Made sure to drink plenty of water all day. I guess I may have a rougher time next weekend after shot number two. I am taking 1000 of the Copegas. How much are you taking? Hang in there.

[CARUU]

Hey, I think I must have had a delayed reaction to the tx.  It's Monday and I'm soooo tired I don't want to move.  I'm supposed to be working from home today, but haven't gotten much done.  I'll have to make up for it now that I'm up and moving around more.  Is this common?  If I'm going to get my sx on the 3rd day, maybe I should inject on Thursday's.  I'll see what happens this week.  Is it OK to change the injection day? Thanks, caruu

[CCgirl]

You are all so awesome and such an inspiration, thank goodness I found this site, and I pray I do as well as all of you on Tuesday for my first injection.. God Bless you All

[DonL]

Congrats to caruu and petey7. I had my first shot last week, second one this past Friday. The night before #1 I woke at 4AM pretty scared at what was going to happen. I have a business and 6 employees and if I am too messed up to work, then all 7 of us are in it deep.

Fortunately, there were no sides to speak up. I drink about 13 glasses of water a day, take Tylenol or Ibuprofan once or twice a day when I need it. I am waiting for the tiredness and fog that are the next things to worry about, but I am feeling confident that somehow I will make it through. I have been keeping a journal and sending email to a group of friends covering the stuff (mental and history) that this treatment is bringing up. It helps me--you might try it.

The people in this newsgroup are incredibly supportive and kind. The night before my first shot, when I couldn't sleep I read the posts for about an hour. It calmed tremendously.

Good luck to you and to all of us.

[OkieJim]

Yes that is what happened to me. The second shot but it was not that bad either. The lightheaded will be here for some time. Don't work hard. The lightheaded will turn to uttohhh pass out. You need to get much rest. The more the better. Glad you had the right attitude though I think that is a big help.

[Petey7]

Well, it's now the second morning after first shot night and still no side affects other than a slight light headedness about an hour after taking the morning pills. Has anyone had the flulike side affects hit later than 2 days after the shot? I am figuring maybe the second shot will hit me with it. Best of luck to all the other "start ups."

[jonihs]

I pray everyday that by the end of Nov., I will Be BBQin w/ you. Should have been sooner, but my shrink rescheduled for Dec 9, so we are trying to find another that can see me sooner. My G.I. wants to work closely w/ G.P. and shrink, so that can't be all bad.   Best of luck, energy and no nausea!!!Joni

[Sunzoom]

I am on Pegesus and for me i do my shot friday night and it doesnt really "hit me" till Sat night, I have been waking up on sat. night with a bad headache.

[latrobe]

sounds like you have a great team of medics working with you...you're gonna be so glad to have the help and the understandoing and knowledge about all this. great good f

[CARUU]

Thanks to all for the encouragement.  I took my first shot at about 9pm.  I slept later than usual and dreamed that I felt worse than I actually do.  Must be a symptom of all the stress and fear leading up to this.  I'm feeling fine now and will just have to see how it goes.  My doc says my WBC and RBC will drop and will need to be watched closely.  For the first 4 weeks I'll get blood drawn on Wednesdays and I'm not supposed to take the injection until I hear from the nurse every Friday that it's OK.  Then I go into the office every Monday for a nurse visit where they weigh me, ask about my emotional state, and go over blood work in more detail.  This is like having another job!  I'm glad I live close to the doc's office and that they are diligent with this tx.  Have a good weekend. caruu

[OkieJim]

See you guys it was OK huh!. Remember to drink fluids now and stay relaxed don't try to over work yourself. By next week you will understand better. It's not bad just tireing(sp). What I liked the best was my DR. said eat lotsa red meat. Yes!! Any way keep us informed on your progress. Did #7 last night. Still level no new sides to deal with yet.

[Petey7]

Took first shot at 8:00 last night and so far so good. No flulike symptoms yet. Kinda like waiting for the first shoe to drop. Thanks for all the encouragement.

[LvdByGod]

2ND SHOT TONIGHT. I PRAY FOR MERCY ON MY BODY. PLEASE GOD HELP US ALL BEAT THIS BEAST SEEKING TO DEVOUR US. MAY WE WIPE HIM OUT FOR GOOD. THAT WE MAY SERVE YOU BETTER. AMEN

[oldhippiechick67]

DTR - I go to a GI doc. If I had known what to look for I would've done more thorough shopping around!

Willing - he didnt have the ANC, it is still in the lab.  I did read your other post and thanks so much for your input, info, wisdom, and support.  I will use that report for backup! Thx!

Thanks all for cheering for my Negative status,  Yeaaaaaaa!
My hubby took me and daughter out for dinner at a very nice restaurant...it was super!   Hugs, OHC/auggie

[willing]

Congratulations on becoming a responder! You don't mention your ANC but may want to talk to the hematologist about this <a href="http://hepatology2.aasldjournals.org/scripts/om.dll/serve?action=searchDB&searchDBfor=art&artType=letter&id=ajhep50122"> study</a>. It looks like the traditional threshold of 750 as a "low" neutrophil count requiring neupogen or dose reduction may be inappropriate for combo tx.  (I also posted some comments on your tests on the 10/16 "12 weeks.." thread). Best wishes with this new hassle..

[ral]

Great news hippiechick.

Bob

[cindee]

Hey go way down to date 10/7/03
I FEEL SO ALONE I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO
Read this, a friend gave it to me and I read it everyday! Hope it helps.....and hope you feel better. Prayers are with/ you and all of us here. ~Cindee~

[Tim in Tenn]

Doing my second shot tonight.Had no problems with the first and praying the same for you both.My tx nurse entered the room with a giant bottle of tylenol and gave me 2 before she even started talking.She said up to 2000mg per day.2 just before shot and 2 four hours later.Musta helped cause I didnt feel a thing from the shot.Good luck!

[DownThisRoad]

So sorry for the extra drama you face with your doctors office and blood work results.  Whew, you finally heard something back and you've got the virus on the run.

What type of doctor do you go to for your treatment and care.  Hepatologist, GI or primary doc?

[Space Coast]

My doctor never showed me how to do the shots, I just read the directions and let it rip! If you do them in the stomach, don't do them to close together!

[myrtles]

Well congrats on the "neg" for the virus.  That's good huh?  Anything that has neg and virus in the same sentance can't be bad huh?

I am sorry to hear about the neupogen and procrit though.  But at least once you get started on it you will not have to lower your dosage or stop tx.

I know you'll be better soon.  Let us know how it is going ok?

You all have a great weekend and God bless!!

[oldhippiechick67]

Hey there how ya all doin?  Happy Friday huh?!  I got good news and bad today, I am "neg" for the virus, my doc finally had the goodness to call.  But my blood is falling falling, so I need neupogen and procrit, and GET THIS....he doesnt know how to prescribe it!  so he is sending me to a hematologist/oncologist who Rx's it all the time...so next Wed I can get in and get the orders for it.  I feel bad having to waste more $$ on insurance but oh well, life isnt cheap or easy!  
Good luck to you new starters!! Hope it isnt too bad for ya, as you know we all survived it, and many with good results...so keep on trucking and its good having you folks to talk with, I sure appreciate and enjoy knowing you all!  OHC/Auggie

[ral]

You guys will do just great, you made the right choice. Believe me we were all nervous. But we got to do what we gotta do.

Stick with us onsite and we will all hold each others hands.

Bob