starting tx tomorrow

[denigreg]

Hello all. I'm back. I am finally starting tx! Wish me luck and what kind of diet helps w/tx? I am so nervious. Help!

[babs824]

sorry few of us are medically trained enuf to give u good advice here. i have read that many many folks have a bad time at first and it levels off as u go along. i know the fever flu symptoms aches etc are quite common. if your doc is away maybe he has someone on call who may know about this altho the peg hotline nurse probably can make good suggestions. it sounds to me pretty normal from what i read altho i had no reaction at first. try to be calm and continue tylenol for pain only as directed and your riba unless told to stop. the xanax might relieve the anxiety. the riba made me very jumpy at first. be sure to drink water water and more water. best, babs

[denigreg]

Not doin good. took shot 11am and pills a little after 12pm thurs. took tylenol little bit later. slept on and off all afternoon. temp up to 100. went to son's family night at school. almost killed me. came home freaked out on my husband long story. called pegasys nurse told me to take xanax and not to take pills that nite. calmed down. slept on and of all nite. took pills at 8am fri fever again by afternoon up to 101. severe back pain. called dr because couldn't get fever down w/tylenol. he told me not to take pills. and they don't work that way? asked if something else was going on. cause i also had a cough. he told me to call my reg doc mon/tues if not better and to call him on tues. WTF? Help!! I feel so confused. hard to breathe my lower back and legs hurt and also my lower belly. now what? today is sat and i only did shot thurs and 1 set of pills fri pills now still feeling really sick can't call doc till tues or call and get a dif doc on call. did this ever happen to any0ne else?

[frijole]

Congrartulations on your decision to treat.  The anxiety level will drop remarkably after that first shot.  Until you know what your reactions will be, I suggest taking a tylenol about 1/2 hour before each shot.  After about 3 weeks, I stopped doing that because I never had the flu-like symptoms many talk about here.

Good luck
frijole

[screaming48]

Yay for starting! Hang tough and good luck

[Trish77]

Congrats on starting treatment!!  You've already gotten plenty of good advice and lots of support so I will wish you well and just tell you to get copies of all your lab tests, take this a day at a time and roll with it.  If you're struggling, post ... there will be support.  Good for you for taking charge of your health - all the best, Deni.  

Trish

[Jillybean65]

Hey tomorrow is today...how are you doing?

[Diane12855]

Make sure you don't take your Riba on an empty stomach. I did at first in the evening and it didn't seem to be causing problems, then one day it hurt, and it did from that point on till I finished my 48 weeks.

I had the opposite problem from most people... I couldn't let my stomach get empty or I'd be really sick. I gained 15 pounds during tx, but I've already lost 12 in 2 months since finishing, so if I were you, I wouldn't worry about my weight, unless it gets too low. The main thing is to get through it as comfortably as possible.

I found that the shots in my abdomen didn't hurt, but the ones in my thigh did, and they bruised worse.

Remember the water... it really helped. Just listen to your body, and don't try to push yourself too much.

Diane

[babs824]

hi and good luck. things are most scary at first. as for food lots of good advice. on this site. if u keep reading the threads here u will see even more. i would give u several pieces of advice that others have suggested.;
  lots of water
  fat with riba for absorbtion
  small frequent snacks in stead of large meals
  try healthy food like avocado, eggs, peanut butter, nuts, fish like salmon etc
  if this is a turn off eat foods u can tolerate. mine was dairy based smoothies(no powered supplements)
( i liked full fat yogurt and ice cream but was concerned about cholesterol.)
  if u lose alot of weight try to increase calories by frequent meals unless u wish to lose.
   Best of Luck, babs

[Interfurgen]

HEY!! great to hear the news ! eating was hard for me because of brain fog and thinking that i could drop a few Lb's . Summer is starting and it always brings the foods . water I work in it all day and just don't drink it as i should. try favoring it. you may also find it tuff to drink water .Everyone is right in telling you water water , water!! GOOD LUCK!!!  We will be waiting to hear your ups an downs.

[fullmoon1]

This is a great site for information and support.  I began treatment last week and was also very nervous and anxious.  The first shot was a little tough, but I've had few side effects since that time.  Drink water, drink water, drink water, it definitely helps.  I also take my meds with something light on the stomach.  Good luck with treatment, you can do this!

[changling]

Good luck to you. You have a great chance of beating this monster. Type 3 responds well to treatment. We are all here for you whenever you need support.

[fretboard]

Good for you!  I suggest you use this forum extensively if you need to.  You can say just about anything on here and get a response so don't be a stranger.  Good luck!!  

[NorthIdaho54]

I always ate a soda cracker with butter on it when I took my riba, seemed to settle my stomach and the butter supplied some fat for the absorption.

I called it my "Breakfast of Champions"!

You will do just fine, take care and keep in touch.  - Rhonda

[ShortLaura]

I just started TX today also.  The last few days were kinda anxious. (ya think?) But I am feeling alot mellower right now.
Tonite I will take the 1st IFN injection. Already took the Riba.  Will start BOC in 4 weeks.
What new med are you getting?  Best wishes to you.

[spectda]

Best of luck to you. As james said a little fat with the ribavirin should help with absorption.
-Dave

[Junebug812]

I'm geno 3 as well and just found out yesterday that I am still UND, one week after tx ended. Geno 3 responds well to tx as you probably know, so you have that going for you.

As for diet, I had a plan but in the end, I just had to listen to my body. Some weeks I just didn't want to eat much (I lost weight), other weeks I wanted to eat but my taste buds were funky so everything tasted odd. I found fruit smoothies to be something I consistently liked.

Good luck to you. It's ok to be nervous. Remember, this is truly a journey and you are taking the first step.

June

[paen53]

Good for you, Deni!!

Those of us that have been thru tx felt much as you do anticipating your first shot. LOL, it took me forever to finally poke the needle in after hovering for what seemed like an eternity! :-) The others have given sound advice, but I want to stress the importance of staying hydrated. It really does help to keep alot of the sx at bay - or at least minimalized.

Remember, you're not alone. Onward to health!  Pam

[denigreg]

Thank you for all the wonderful  comments/advise! I'm ready to kick some virus butt!!! Hope to clear this nasty virus. Had it since 1983. geno 3. stage 3 bridging fibrosis. Doc said he is treating 10 people right now and I am the only one w/geno 3. He said we can do this hopefully in 24 weeks. Here we go!! So freaked out. I need to get better to be here for my 6 year old son and 26 year old daughter. I also need lots of support. MY hubby is not very good at comforting me nor is my daughter. So I'll be posting alot. Thanks again for the well wishes. Love and health to all. Deni

[flcyclist]

drink - oops, not dry

[flcyclist]

Welcome back and best of luck thru tx.  Everyone is nervous and anxious with the beginning of trt, since no one knows how you'll respond.  Just take it one day at a time and do your best to maintain your normal life and activities.  Make adjustments as needed.  

Even more important than a good diet is to dry plenty of water.  Lots of water helps to offset some of the sides of peg.  This of course means a few more trips to the bathroom. lol.

Best of luck to you.

[meakea]

I remember oh so well the feeling I had when I started treatment...so many mixed emotions....but once I got that first shot over with I felt mentally relieved to know I was "finally" on treatment.  I wish you a smooth ride.  

As far as what to eat, in addition to the great advice you have already been given, I would like to say that you will most likely find that you will eat whatever your body will allow you to eat.  My appetite changed a lot while on treatment and some of the foods I typically loved turned into foods that gagged me and foods that I never had an interest in turned into things I craved.  If nausea becomes one of your side effects, eat whatever you can manage to get down and don't worry about whether or not it's "healthy food."  Even if you don't feel like eating make sure you do.

[willbb]

Good luck...and remember ..if possible get your PCR"S done often and early...even at week 2 if possible and for sure no later than the end of  week 4.

Will

[gnrmac]

Good luck with the treatment. As for the diet eat as normal your body will eventually tell you what it likes and  dislikes. ALL THE BEST

[Diamando6]

GOOD LUCK!, It will be ok,