weird things!

Hi everyone, Im really new to this forum and have alot of newbie questions. I found out I had Hep C about 6 months ago and started treatment 4 weeks ago with 180mcg peg and 7 pills co-peg daily.  My brother in law is a pharmacist who has been through interferon treatments twice, he contracted it in 86' from a blood transfusion and is a wealth of information.  I was just wondering if anyone had alot of just really weird random side effects from treatment?  Like, alot of ulcers and canker sores in my mouth and gums, diarreah (diarrhea), chronic ear infections, my hands cracking apart with alot of dry skin and becoming blisters, red bumps all over the underside of my forearms kinda like hives but they dont itch.  I feel like im falling apart at the seams, is this normal??? thanks

[copyman]

sounds like the side effects from treatment. there are many more on the Hep C ala carte side efffect menu. hope they get better for you.

Ask your brother in law for some magic mouthwash for your mouth problems. for your dry hands use a good cream or something like aquaphor.

Hope you feel better soon. Hang in there it is all worth it if you SVR.

good luck

[eureka254]

The meds can have the effects you described; infections can be difficult to fight if you have low white-cell count (known as neutrophils), which can be one of the side-effects, so it's important that your doctor monitor your bloodwork, and be very watchful of infection if you have low neuts.

Dehydration is also common, so keeping hydrated (drinking lots of water, using creams and lotions) will help alleviate some of your skin discomfort.  Some people have very mild skin irritation, but some people have terrible rashes -- my husband looked like he had measles by week 2, so his doc prescribed Atarax, which has helped a great deal. Best wishes. ~eureka