Aa
Starting Treatment tomorrow!
I'm going in at 11 am for my first shot under the watchful eyes of my nurse, then its all me. Any words of advice for the first couple of days? I'll take the ribavarin too. For the rest of the shots, I'll definitely be doing them before bedtime, knowing that then I can sleep through most of the bad stuff.
I just hope this works. :-)
I just hope this works. :-)
8 to go. One more thing. The first tx was using PegIntron (Redipen) - the stuff kicked my butt. This tx it's Pegasys. The pegs affect people differently. For me, and a few others I've read, Pegasys is 'less rude'. I would not have tried this with PegIntron. And, I really did not know what to expect from Pegasys - rolled the dice.
With his complications, it could be risky. The only ones I did not involve was the insurance co. That, I think would have been a problem and a whole can o' worms Instead, I 'built up' a supply of meds and refills before I started so that I would not run short when the doubling was over. And, my wife who works in the medcial field, was able to scrounge a few extra pegs so that I could get to 46 weeks. Otherwise consuming the doubles I'd only have enough for 44. Although we think that we know and lean a lot about hcv, there are people out there who really know. Thank goodness I have docs who would consider an aggressive approach and I think that they felt I was an informed and aware accomplice, willing and in full consent.
With the docs (a liverhead and GI tx doc). Double Pegasys the first 4 weeks. Two shots same night - each side of abs. Also started riba - weight based a week before the first peg shots. So, when the first pegs came to town there was some riba build-up (presumably) just waiting for the peg. The draw for week 2 pcr was just before the week 3 shots. Got the two-week und news the day before shot week 4. Did the double anyway. Plan was to double peg til undetectable. Since the effects of double peg weren't so bad I went for the week 4. Liverhead, tx doc and hemo doc were all on board with the plan. Close blood stuff watching too.
macaroni is high on my list but I'll pass on the egg salad - Oh another thing, I used to be a vegetarian - for years - When I first started tx I got a hankering for meat - I mean I craved it - so I started eating pork and chicken, still do - Weird huh Most people get nausea on tx, not me I can eat anything that ain't nailed down LOL
Hey you know anything about St Petersburg? My son recently moved there and tells me it is not a party town, is it? *concerned Momma* LOL
Hey you know anything about St Petersburg? My son recently moved there and tells me it is not a party town, is it? *concerned Momma* LOL
I did some doubling on the peg the first few weeks. Sprinted the first part of the race. As for the macaroni, it's one of the few things I usually have an appetite. That, and egg salad. Seems like a good idea now, eh? ( I know you're not from there)
holy macaroni ! you've been UD since week 2? That's amazing, you got it licked this time for sure
One of the docs I saw sort of lumped blood sugar, IR, persistently low ldl and a few other things as sidecars to cirrhosis and general liver condition. And the whole mess together totaled and equaled 'hard to treat'. Ergo, relapse and then longer and stronger tx to svr, with the positive being that 1st time I did get to und so svr is not unreasonable expectation. This tx have been und since week 2, so I'm optimistic. What the heck, I usually am anyway.
I guess I didn't remember that you were on Insulin - There was a study, very similar to mine that has results already - can I post that in here, or does it have to be the link - I only have it from another forum and they post the actual articles, not the links in there...Anywhoo - it claims that the subjects that were in the study had no beneficial effect on their IR after they acheived SVR - I printed it out and will ask the Doc that is heading the study what his comments on that are next week when I go...When I was given the results of PCR being UD - My hep Nurse happend to casually mentin that they did not think I would be a responder due to the IR issues I have - So in many ways I am a lucky one..
*dip*
*dip*
It's not fun in the sun though. I walk a lot but early in the am and later in the pm, staying out of full hot-stuff sun. I'd get crispy and start itching and stuff if I do. Also have IR issues and with on and off tx, and the effects of tx on all that stuff, I'm confused by it all. Endo doc says that after I've been off tx for a while we'll go back to stringent monitoring and possibly back to insulin, but tx just whacks reliable results. Have no idea at this point what svr (did I mention that I will be svr someday?) will have on IR, blood sugar, hdl, ldl, blah. But, I have surrendered to the idea that there will be doc's in my life going forward. Just hope none are hepatologists.
Good luck to all those out there engaged in treatment..particularly the new folk. I'm svr post 6 months. Feel like a million bucks. I gotta admit though..I felt really funky after the shot (more than just the first shot). You gotta steel yourself. Ribavirin turned my into kind of a jerk at work too. Like Lady E said, tx is very doable. You'll be glad when it's over though :)
good luck to all you all!
Pete
PS went thru tx 10 years ago that didn't work.
good luck to all you all!
Pete
PS went thru tx 10 years ago that didn't work.
Sometimes I have an "attitude" problem from Riba too - well according to my husband, but I don't buy it LOL
Gosh I envy you going to the beach - can I come LOL That's one of the things I miss most about living here - No ocean, and I grew up at the beach - It is in my soul...Maybe next year I will go home to the beach for a month...
Yes Jenny is spending most of her time on research now - as a matter of fact she is not taking on new HCV patients, one of her collegues is taking over - Dr Wong - He seems very qualified - But what the heck do I know, I'm just a dip LOL
Cats are fat and sassy - We bought a moror home and took them to Niagara Falls this past weekend, they loved it - They sat in front of the screen door and watched dogs walk by LOL They hate dogs so it was intersting to hear the "Siamese" throat sounds that came out of them LOL - They were very beneficial in my early days of treatment - My Yagi let me cry tears in his ears on shot night - I highly recommend a pet's companionship for those starting out on tx - they give unconditional love and don't talk back!!!
Yes, LDL and HDL are monitored closely on the IR study I am in - they hook me up to a needle that stays in and take massive amounts of blood outta me over the course of 2 hours - Cholesterol is one of the tests...I hope my IR is brought about by the HVC and not genetic, we'll see...
*dip*
Gosh I envy you going to the beach - can I come LOL That's one of the things I miss most about living here - No ocean, and I grew up at the beach - It is in my soul...Maybe next year I will go home to the beach for a month...
Yes Jenny is spending most of her time on research now - as a matter of fact she is not taking on new HCV patients, one of her collegues is taking over - Dr Wong - He seems very qualified - But what the heck do I know, I'm just a dip LOL
Cats are fat and sassy - We bought a moror home and took them to Niagara Falls this past weekend, they loved it - They sat in front of the screen door and watched dogs walk by LOL They hate dogs so it was intersting to hear the "Siamese" throat sounds that came out of them LOL - They were very beneficial in my early days of treatment - My Yagi let me cry tears in his ears on shot night - I highly recommend a pet's companionship for those starting out on tx - they give unconditional love and don't talk back!!!
Yes, LDL and HDL are monitored closely on the IR study I am in - they hook me up to a needle that stays in and take massive amounts of blood outta me over the course of 2 hours - Cholesterol is one of the tests...I hope my IR is brought about by the HVC and not genetic, we'll see...
*dip*
All is okey dokey. Family is fine, kids are bored and I'm going to the beach tonight WITHOUT them. One of the family preservation gimmicks is to leave the old man in his solitude on the weekends. Seems like I take the riba and they feel the sx's sometimes. I try to be even-keeed as much as possible and not be grumpy and grouchy but this junk gets old. I read your IR posts and am interested in the outcomes. Do they care about other stuff too, like HDL and LDL? Sounds like you have the right care and you've moved closer to the big city so it's probably not so inconvienient. Someone (maybe Mike) just posted a study in which Jenny was mentioned. I see her name a lot in stuff like that. Take care. Hope the cats are well.
Good luck as your begin tx. "here's my oar"..I don't think I need it anymore, and hope yours is an easy journey on this ship. :)
I found that anticipation of this tx was kinda worse than the tx itself. It hasn't been a picnic (this year), but it is do-able for most, so don't let it psyche you out. Don't foget that it usually takes a few hours (6-7) before the shot hits (at least it did in my case). So just get cuddly and take some tylenol at the time of your shot and you should be fine. The 1st shot is usually the worst, but not really that bad. I had some chills & body aches & pressure in my forehead..so I went to bed. Best of luck!
E
I found that anticipation of this tx was kinda worse than the tx itself. It hasn't been a picnic (this year), but it is do-able for most, so don't let it psyche you out. Don't foget that it usually takes a few hours (6-7) before the shot hits (at least it did in my case). So just get cuddly and take some tylenol at the time of your shot and you should be fine. The 1st shot is usually the worst, but not really that bad. I had some chills & body aches & pressure in my forehead..so I went to bed. Best of luck!
E
Funny you should mention wigs - I bought one it was delived today - I haven't got a clue how to wear this thing - did you have to take yours to a salon to be styled to your face? I never even thought about the spray tanning stuff, thanks for the tip - I will get some tomorrow!! Anything but this skin color would look better - I will neger buy another piece of grey clothes for as long as I live LOL
*dip*
*dip*
no no no I am not going 50 weeks, I want those last 2 weeks free of this **** LOL - I am doing 48 and just did shot number 26 on Wednesday ( I picked Wednesday for the shot day so my husband can have a break on the weekends) - So far it is going not too bad - I look worse than I feel - I have grey skin, gained weight - lost most of my hair and have dark circles under my eyes - I look like the star in a horror flic - But, as they say "this too shall pass" - hopefully...I am doing Pegasys with 800 Riba - no boosters (knock on wood) or AD's but I do take a mild sleeping aid...My labs are holding their own - hemo steady at 10 - But I do take B12 and Folic Acid and since Susan suggested those Shitake msuhrooms I have been eating them daily - My next blood draw is next Wednesday so I hoping to see if my ANC went up a bit, it's hovering between 1.0 and 1.2
Yes I still go to Doc Jenny's Liver Clinic - But I have not seen her since I started tx - I see her NP Magdelana and she is awesome - I can call her anytime I want and she is always willing to answer any of my questions - So far I am pleased with the Clinic - I am also involved in a IR study but won't get any result still 6 mos Post TX
I have been UD since (between) weeks 9-10 - On week 12 I showed UD <50 so I am hoping like heck I am one of the lucky ones, but as you know it's such a **** shoot, and I have IR and fatty liver going against me, so we shall see what the chyrstal ball comes up with for the dip regarding SVR...
Wow you did 39 already, that's awesome - almost at the finish line...How's it going for you? You still able to work? How's the family? Kids doing okay?
*dip*
Yes I still go to Doc Jenny's Liver Clinic - But I have not seen her since I started tx - I see her NP Magdelana and she is awesome - I can call her anytime I want and she is always willing to answer any of my questions - So far I am pleased with the Clinic - I am also involved in a IR study but won't get any result still 6 mos Post TX
I have been UD since (between) weeks 9-10 - On week 12 I showed UD <50 so I am hoping like heck I am one of the lucky ones, but as you know it's such a **** shoot, and I have IR and fatty liver going against me, so we shall see what the chyrstal ball comes up with for the dip regarding SVR...
Wow you did 39 already, that's awesome - almost at the finish line...How's it going for you? You still able to work? How's the family? Kids doing okay?
*dip*
Said: So far it is going not too bad - I look worse than I feel - I have grey skin, gained weight - lost most of my hair and have dark circles under my eyes - I look like the star in a horror flic
I thought personally I looked like some sort of vampyre......but looked pretty much the same as you (except first I lost a lot of weight then later gainned). My wigs helped me feel better about myself as did the Neutrogena spray tanning stuff! It sort of covered up the grey skin and made me probably orange or something but mentally - it did help.
Well to be honest...they both still are 5 1/2 months post. After staying out of the sun so long I learned that it's a good idea ANYWAY so the spray tanning at home looks so real these days I won't bother baking again unless it's a good old chocolate cake!
I thought personally I looked like some sort of vampyre......but looked pretty much the same as you (except first I lost a lot of weight then later gainned). My wigs helped me feel better about myself as did the Neutrogena spray tanning stuff! It sort of covered up the grey skin and made me probably orange or something but mentally - it did help.
Well to be honest...they both still are 5 1/2 months post. After staying out of the sun so long I learned that it's a good idea ANYWAY so the spray tanning at home looks so real these days I won't bother baking again unless it's a good old chocolate cake!
OK, read a few of your posts. What kinda stuff you taking? Seems to be working. 50 weeks not 48. Actually, there is a balance in the world, you're going 50 and I'm going 46 so I guess you are picking up my two. Tonight is 39 for me so I'm steraking toward the line.
Didn't realize. I read on other forums and see your entires there. Hope all is going well. You still hangin' with Doc Jenny?
*tapping foot* wondering why FL Guy hasn't said hi! hehehehe Hi there, good to see ya *dip*
I wish you the best of luck and svr !!! This is the best place for help and support if you need it!! hugs :) shelly
Although I'm only a novice, compared to Bill and other, (total 77 shots), my expereince is like Bill's. The first couple of weeks of each tx were a little tougher than those that followed. Doable. Pacing yourself and conserving energy and other healthy habits help.
I was just thinking about your readying for your first injection, when I did the math and realized that Friday will be my one-hundred-and first (total combined through one and a half treatments).
I agree that you might get whacked a little with the first one; I felt a little hung-over in the morning. I’m currently in week 44/72 of my second Tx, and although I’ve felt better before, I can best describe my side effects as nuisance grade material. A little tired and grumpy, and not much enthusiasm or motivation, but *very* doable. I just thought you should hear this to counterpoint some of the other’s experiences here.
Good luck with getting started- the anticipation you’re dealing with right now is probably worse than the treatment itself. Take it a day at a time; you’ll most likely be fine.
Be well,
Bill
I agree that you might get whacked a little with the first one; I felt a little hung-over in the morning. I’m currently in week 44/72 of my second Tx, and although I’ve felt better before, I can best describe my side effects as nuisance grade material. A little tired and grumpy, and not much enthusiasm or motivation, but *very* doable. I just thought you should hear this to counterpoint some of the other’s experiences here.
Good luck with getting started- the anticipation you’re dealing with right now is probably worse than the treatment itself. Take it a day at a time; you’ll most likely be fine.
Be well,
Bill
Good for you, on the road to wipe out this virus burden forever..your system will be shocked but you will kill so many virons with this shot you wont believe it ,,i think i read that you kill more with the first shot than any of the other ones...just remeber your pain meds and water and a blanket, and chocolate
and a good mental outlook...and you will be fine, your young and strong you will fly straight through it.....
Blessings
Goldyn
and a good mental outlook...and you will be fine, your young and strong you will fly straight through it.....
Blessings
Goldyn
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