I start with ribaviron tomorrow a.m...

[NewEnglandLady]

After I have my morning shower, I am going to eat cereal, a banana and some ice cream.  I'm going to skip weight-watchers today.

Then I will take 2 ribaviron caps and go to work.

Then my daughters (24 & 28 years) are coming over for for dinner -- pizza on the grill -- and I will tell them I have hep C.

Then I will take 3 ribariron caps.

Then I will take my first interferon shot...

And I will see what happens.

I am anxious to get this done, but I don't want to be sick.  2b so only 24 weeks, but still 24 weeks of being sick is not on my calendar.

Eat fats with Ribaviron, take it early in the evening so it won't interrupt sleep too much.  Expect flu like symptoms after the interferon shot.  Watch for anemia that will cause shortness of breath and fatigue.  Consider tying your shoe exercise.

What else is there?  What else can I do?  You are the world, you are the people!!

I am the innocent and the nieve.  

I await your words of wisdom.  I don't want to go forward, and I can't go back.

Thanks!

My name is Jane.

[traveler65]

Hi Jane, I am from New England and also a 2b. I take 1000 mg of riba / day.
600 in the morning and 400 in the evening. I am in week 13 and the insomnia is bad. I have 3 adult kids and have not told any of them. I see them about once or twice a week and so far I have been able to tough it out. Of course now that the weather is nicer it may be harder to hide as I am anemic and pretty tired.
Make sure your doc gives you a 4 week sensitive PCR. The results of that test may give you the option of stopping treatment early. Also, watch your blood work and make sure you get on rescue drugs if it starts dropping.
Lots of great people and good info here.
Good Luck

[Pdilly]

Glad you found the forum.   There is so much support as you have already fond out.  Do remember none of us are doctors but will give you advice.  If you really have any heavy questions do contact your doctor.  You will be alright.  From my expierence,  take the evening Riba early as possible.  If I took mine at 7pm or later, I would not sleep well.   You will do just fine.  Hang in there!

[GrandmaA]

Welcome to our great forum. The grilled pizza sounds lovely.
I must try it. Sounds like you have done your homework about the tx. The only thing I would add is DRINK LOTS OF WATER. I'm on week 30/51. Geno 1a. I'm doing fine.

Best wishes to you.

[Lilla]

Good luck to you with your start for tx of HepC. This forum is a wealth of information and support.   I am a 2b geno as well, however, my riba dose is 2 in AM and 2 in PM. I take peg-inf 180 mcg. dose weekly, and just did shot #12.  My sx have been fairly typical......fatigue, dizziness, anxiety, irritable, and skin itchies.   Thankfully, I have not had trouble sleeping.    For me, the side effects come and go and can never tell from hour to hour how I will feel.   I drink about half my weight in water daily and I know this helps.   I only had flu like symptoms after first shot and none since.    My biggest complaint would be the "no energy, lightheadedness, breathless at times" which I assume comes from the riba (anemia).     I have told everyone that is close to me and then some people not so close that I have Hep C.   My family is my biggest supporter and at times I have been less than "nice" to them ( ha ha ).  All these sides, emotions are med induced.    I am counting the weeks down now, as I'm half way over this hurdle.

[Penelope1911]

NewEngland - FLguy:  YES PLEASE DO EXPLAIN THE PIZZA ON THE GRILL....MMMMM...do you just do it like the oven??? Do ya make the crust first then just place it in the grill??? PLEASE EXPLAIN!!!!!

Bug - Yep I peeked in....heh heh. Posted below.

[l-horn]

My doc told me that either was fine, but to do it the same every time. I used to take my 4 in the morning but I changed it to night because it upsets my stomach a little and I'd rather sleep through that. To each his own. Some people have a problem sleeping on the riba. I take 3/4 and I don't see how 1 pill could make that much difference either way, when it gets right down to it.

I'm in week 35 and my side effects have virtually disappeared.

Good luck with your treatment !!

[FlGuy]

Jane: Forget the riba, forget the interferon - please explain how you make pizza on the grill.
Hope all goes well.

[missy60051]

I Just want to hope you the best.

Keep being strong and stay positive.  I'd be lying if I said it wasn't
going to be a bumpy ride.  There's good days and there is bad,hopefully
all good for you and everyone starting treatment.  I've noticed in the
last 2 weeks there are alot of new people.  Wow!

People here are great and yes jmjm is special.  Always there to help when
in crisis.

Of course there are many others there is just too many to list and to
remember.  I just know if I tried to list ,I'd forget one and then I'd
feel bad.

We're all in this fight together.

So you live in New England.  I lived there for a short time 20 yrs. ago.  It is very beautiful.  Do you know of a island in South Hero Vt., lived in Essex jct, Vt. as well.

I hope everything works out with your girls just be honest and gentle.

Missy

[ladybug52]

Can I believe my eyes? Is it really Mkeela/ Mequila?
Are you all better now? Skin issues resolved. House cleaning last you posted, is it clean yet? Will you come do mine???
Bug

[Penelope1911]

Oh THE NERVES!!!!!!! It'll all be o.k... the nerves can be the worst. I also was a 2b and THANK GOD it was only 24wks. Some of these folks are warriors to me and I bow down on one knee to them. You sound like you are ready to begin this journey. Stick with this place and these awesome Cyber Angels and it'll be over before you know it. God Bless You.
         -Mequila.

[geterdone]

Hey Jane, lot of good reads and info on these boards. I found this site a couple of weeks ago and am just now starting to understand this thing called hepc. The first couple of weeks are not going to be fun unless your one of the lucky ones, so strap in, hold on and getterdone.  Going into week 8.

[trolsgirl]

Welcome to the board and good luck on your treatment and telling your family.
I am a genotype 2b and will take my 5th shot on Friday.
The sx have been doable except for my riba rage. I will be asking the doc for anxiety meds when I see him on Monday.
Good luck on your journey and the people here will get you through it!

Sandra

[NewEnglandLady]

I have been reading this forum for months without any contribution.

Now I feel like I have diarrhea of the fingers!  You are one of my favorite responders.  I am glad you continue to write and I want you to know you make a difference in the lives of many.

Thanks for being there.

Jane

[NewEnglandLady]

I am glad to hear you are are doing so well.   I have my fingers crossed for my tx and sx.

Do you have a personal theory why you're sx are minimal?

Jane

[jmjm530]

None of here are doctors so this advice is based on what many of us have either read, or heard from our own doctor.

In theory, taking three in the morning and two in the evening will make you sleep better.

Conversly, taking two in the morning and three in the evening might make you more even tempered during the day at work. Also, many people eat a larger meal in the evening, which might argue for taking three in the evening. In terms of your viral response, it shouldn't make any difference.

If you feel more comfortable, do check with your doctor first. You can always start with 2 in the morning/3 in the evening and then change the order later on if sleep becomes an issue.

-- Jim

[NewEnglandLady]

Hey,
As I will be a few weeks ahead of you I will keep you posted on my experience.

I tried not to tell my girls, but I really need to.  Otherwise they will be more upset when they find out.  I am taking the "they won't notice anything different about me" route, but I fear I am kidding myself.

I live half way between Worcester and Providence RI. It is beautiful here. The forsythia just bloomed yesterday.  The sun finally came out on Saturday and it is raining again right now.  It's OK.  April showers bring May flowers in this part of the world.

I wish you the best, and I wish me the best, and I wish everyone the best.  I just don't want the meds to be like tetrecycline (sp?).  I was so sick on that antibiotic that I could not go more than a few days on it.  If Ribaviron can cause the same reaction I'll be hanging up my dancing shoes 23 weeks early!

God bless us all!

Jane

[welderman]

Good luck on your Tx I hope you do fine. I'm doing my 4th shot of 24  this friday. No sx's so far I feel about the same as before starting Tx. slight fatigue but I have been able to sleep at night. I drink a lot of water and that seems to help.


Lynn

[NewEnglandLady]

Can I take 3 in the morning and 2 later in the day without the doctor's OK?
I have no problem breaking rules, I just wonder why the doc don't state 3 in the am and 2 in the pm.

Thanks!

Jane

[foofighter]

Hi Jane. My son is 23 and I haven't told him yet. You are brave. How do you think the girls will respond?

I think I will take my first ribaviron on May 7. And I am right there with you, sick isn't on the calendar. But you do what you have to do.

You are right, the folks here are the world. Every night I come home and check the forum to see what is going on. And to learn. And to feel better about my situation and know that I am not alone. Glad you posted. Nice to meet you.

I spent two weeks in New England a few years ago. Camped all over the place with a good friend (he lives in Worcester). You are in a beautiful part of the country.

[jmjm530]

You have wonderful and determined attitude. I'm sure you will do just fine. Just ask questions whenever you feel a need.

All the best,

-- Jim

PS Consider taking the 3 Ribavirin's in the morning and the two at night. That will make it easier in regards to sleep. And don't worry about the doses being 12 hours apart. Just take the ribavirin with food that has an adequate fat content and don't take any antacids or fiber supplements within 2-3 hours of the ribavirin.