Starting treatment on Friday/Question

[GSD]

Good Day All:
I introduced myself awhile back. My hubby was diagnosed with Hep C this summer past.  Biopsy has been done.  He didn't ask the viral load but he is Hep C. Genotype 3. Mild to moderate inflammation of the liver and no cirrhosis. Switching epilepsy med from Tegretol (processed through liver) to Trileptal has slightly helped liver counts.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, his Inter/Riba will be delivered and he will get his first shot this Friday.  I've read everything I can get my hands on about Hep C. and many posts on this list.  My hubby is concerned that his first injection, which will be given under the guidance of a special nurse who will also be his case worker, is 45 minutes from our home.  He will have to drive home after this first injection.  Should he be concerned about this and when, if any, will side-effects, on average, present themselves.
Thank you for any replies and I'm sure I'll be a frequest poster.
I thought anyone here with Epilepsy as well may be interested in a safer drug for the liver.
Sorry for length.
GSD

[GSD]

Hi All:
Well, Friday 23rd was the FIRST day.  Hubby said injection (which he did with guidance) was no biggie at all.  He did get a very slight head ache later that evening after Riba pills but not enough to even warrant a Tylenol. He says head ache feels a little different that normal head aches.  Saturday he said he had a slight tinny taste in his mouth for a short while.  Nurse said this is normal. Seems very slight headaches happen about 1 hr. after the Riba. Nurse called our house last night to see if he was doing OK and if he was eating and drinking.  So far hubby says "all is OK" and manageable.  I watched him all Friday night like a Hawke but he slept great and had no other side effects. Hopefully stays this way.  Thanks again for the support guys and thought you'd like to know.
GSD

[doxzee]

I have done the same with evening riba i take it around 4pm. I have had no trouble sleeping.


                            

[Pdilly]

A trick I found on the evening Riba is to take it immediatly when I get  home from work.  That way I have no problems at all sleeping.  If I wait untl 7:30 then I do have problems and do not sleep as well at night.

[doxzee]

hi i just started tx. monday so far have had no sx. i am feeling about same as when not on tx. but my dr. says it can sneak up on you. maybe after next shot? i had epilapsy yaers ago took tegretol but it made me feel tired so i quit. basically have grown out of it but may have a siezure every couple years. thks for the info on the other med. dr. & i talked about ep. before tx. but thought i may be o.k. cause they are so infreqant[sp].    good luck i'm glad i started.                      doxzee

[GSD]

Thanks to all who answered. I've been in dogs (German Shepherds) as in GSD for 30 yrs. So use to answering questions and putting peoples' minds to rest. Now I'm on the flip side of questions. Not sure if nurse will give first shot or instruct hubby. Hubby has no problems with needles unlike me. :O) Nurse has already told him about Tylenol and drinking LOTS of water/fluids and possible side effects. Epilepsy requires lots of sleep so hopefully Riba won't cause problems. I phoned Peg drug manufacture to verify no conflict between Trileptal and Peg treatment. Different pathways so no problem. Thank goodness. We're on edge anticipating that first shot/side effects, but knowing others are out there for support is so comforting. Hubby falls down stairs at 4 yrs. of age gets Epilepsy. Neurologist's technician uses unsterlized needles during test and hubby gets Hep. Feel so sorry for him. He has already completed Hep A. and Hep B. vaccines
Thanks again for your support/personal experiences/well wishes. I'll report on Friday.
GSD

[jmjm530]

Reactions to the first shot are very individual. Best to have someone go with him so they can drive him home. Alternatively, the nurse can instruct him on the shot, but he can do it himself when he gets home. That's how it was done with me and the majority here.

Good luck with his treatment.

-- Jim

[Myown]

I felt flu like about 5 hours or more after the shot. The rest of the shots have been fine. Everyone is different.


I wish your husband the best.

[ladybug52]

I was told to bring someone with me to drive me home. Looking back on that, it was riduculous. The shot takes several hours to kick in, I mean like 4-6. Ask the nurse what he can take in case he gets the flu -like symptoms. Does she think he'll be able to drive? I guess with all the drug interactions possible, it'd be nice if you could go with him. Will he do his shots at home after the training?

[rosebud57]

Hi,
I have the same symptoms you have. I have been curious about the frequent urination in the middle of the night. and keep forgeting to ask RN about it. lately doesn't seem to be as bothersome, but i have had some nights where it seems like i am getting up like 10 times. (closer to when shots are taken???).

brain fog. first shot worried about effects. stayed up for several hours looking for anaphalactic shock. fell asleep, had chills throughout night that first night only (heating blanket helps), lights of anykind bothersome, ultrasensitive to any light or sound when trying to sleep (these lasted several weeks longer at shot night and several nights after), i don't know anything, can't seem to learn anything new. most embarrassing beside short term memory loss is the inability to remember the names of people that i have just met, forget what i am saying, what i've said, where i've put things (seems like what many others go through)  its doable. and life goes on. (someone said that any literary buffs?)

[GrandmaA]

I did not have any bad reaction from my first shot. I thought I would get chills, but I didn't. But I do get diarreah the next day and/or the day after. I take one Imodium D and I'm fine. I go about my day just fine. I don't take two because I don't want to cause constipation and my system is sensitive.

The worst sx for me is from the riba waking up all through the night. I get up and go to the bathroom and go back to sleep about 4 times at night. Please tell him to drink LOTS of water. That is the most important thing to keep the sx away. Je's fortunate to have you for a support system.

[FL_Gal]

I never had any side effects at all from the very first shot.  So, everyone reacts differently, but chances are that he'll be able to drive home just fine.

Let us know how he does.

[Teufelhunden]

I drove home after my first shot. My first was also administered by a nurse. I remember thinking as I was driving home that it's to late to change my mind. My thoughts were of what was ahead of me for the next 48 months. Really didn't think about the side effects until later that night when I started feeling them. Your husband should be able to handle the driving. Tell him hands at 10 and 2 and eyes on the road. Good luck!

[Htownwife]

Welcome! I'm another wife of a treater!
His first shot was by far the worst, but didn't kick in for a full 6 hours(I remember well...we were watching the clock!)
I also remember  being so scared of that first shot. Although his reaction was pretty severe, he's NEVER had another reaction like that first one.
He's going to be taking shot #40 this Friday, and it's hard for me to believe I can actually say that!
Come here often for support and to read. I have found this place invaluable!
Hope to keep seeing you around!

[Pdilly]

My first reaction 4 -5 hours later was being chilled.  I only took one Tylenol and it did not do anything. I shivered all night.  MY husband said I was hot. I called the doc the next week  and he suggested that I take a Tylenol PM with it the next time I do my treatment.  Now about 4 hours after my shot I take both Tylenols and afterawhile  I fall asleep and sleep through everything.  Nice to sleep in at least one day a week.  Don't worry, most don't have terrible sides.  My first was the worst but if I had known I could take the two it would not have been bad at all.

He will be fine.  Ask his doctor or the nurse what to take.   You learn from experience more than anything and it is hard for them to know what really works unless people tell them.

  

[wyntre9]

I think immediate reactions are rare but I would imagine, since this is the first shot, that the NP would keep him under observation for 20 or 30 minutes before releasing him.

[Cindy10]

While it is possible to have immediate reaction, I think it is unlikely. My first shot kicked in about 5 hours after, now they kick in the next day. Hubby the same way.
I think he will be fine, though the anticipation may get to him. Tell him to relax, drink lots of water and rest.
He may get any sx (side effects) or they may be mild.
I will say both my mine & my husband forst shot was a little rough to be honest, but never felt that way again, so if he does feel it, reassure him they might not always be that way. Good luck!