Injection Question - Peg-Intron

[Imagine121]

I am in Week 2 of retreating genotype 1 with Peg-Intron + Riba. For Week 1, a nurse injected me to show me how Peg-Intron was administered (I had used Pegasys during my first treatment). After the first injection of Peg-Intron, I was completely immobilized with flu-type fever, chills, body-aches that lasted for about 3 days. For the second injection yesterday (Week 2), I admnistered the Peg-Intron myself (drawing the pure solution into a syringe and injecting it into the Peg-Intron powder, gently mixing it and then drawing the solution back intothe syringe). I then injected the solution into my leg.

My question related to the fact that for this second injection, I am not getting any of the severe reactions I got when the nurse administered the first injection. Of course, this difference in side-effects from Week 1 to Week 2 has me worried that perhaps I have done the injection incorrectly. Has anyone had a similar expereince?

[susan400]

Yup. I actually had one of my doctor's tell me once, that having a lot of 'sides' meant that there was 'battle' going on with the virus.   I have no idea if there's any scientific evidence to that, but that is what he said.

Susan

[Imagine121]

Thanks for your insights.

As I mentioned, after I took the second injection (Week 2) and didn't feel any reaction by late morning of the next day, I began to worry that perhaps I had done something wrong. Well, shortly after posting to the discussion board, I came down with serious flu symptoms again and was out of it for two days.

In response to Teevee's questions, I finished my first treatment 6 months ago (Pegasys + Copegus) and had my treatment shortened to 36 weeks due to side-effects. I am trying not to second guess myself on the first treatment and move forward with my second treatment. My doctor says that my severe reaction to the Peg-Intron means that it is fighting the virus. Have others heard this conclusion?

Thanks!

[moahunter]

I was completely knocked out about 4 hours after the first shot of Pegintron (unlike Pegasys), subsequent shots were better. I really hope that your initial reaction is a sign that you are responding well - good luck with respect to the upcomming PCR's that must be scheduled (mine was at 4 weeks).

[nygirl7]

I'm sure ;you did it just fine.  Just like they said above.....the reactions can and will differ all the time person to person.

I had absolutely none of the flu symptoms at all until around week 30 when I got slammed - I was shocked because it was so late in the game. Then they went back away.

So don't worry...as long as the meds go inside you - you did just fine!

Good like Imagine!

[TeeVee36]

Like Susan said, typically the first injection is the worst.  I had minimal flu like symptoms after my first injection and never really had too much after any of the others.  I never took the reccommended tylenol with the shot as many do.

When did you tx the first time?

Good luck and stay in touch, you have found a wonderful support system in this forum.

TV

[susan400]

I hope this makes you feel better......    You've probably done your shot right.  Usually the first shot is the worst side effects.  You might still have some weeks where your shot (after days) are bad, but you might not.  Also, I've noticed that for me, it was different with different treatments.   I had hardly any sides on the Pegasys - but I didn't have as good as a viral load drop as I did with the Peg-Intron.  I had more sides with the Peg-Intron but a bigger viral load drop.  I hope for you, that all the rest of your treatment day are sides free.   Best to ya, Susan