True severity of side effects

What is the TRUE severity of the Interferon/Ribivirin treatment? I have to work, keep my job. Doc says yes I can, but I don't believe everything a Doc days.

[DD9th]

It seems that it really is different for everyone, ranging to very little side effects to very severe.

For me, I am still working, though I am using vacation time to take one day off a week to give me a little shorter week.  

I have had to get some help from friends with doing some of my household chores, when the fatigue is really bad.  

I'm on week 17 or so, and it seems to be getting a little better, but I have heard others getting worse around this time.

Sorry there isn't a more definitive answer.  

[WriteItDown]

There is no definitive answer -- everyone responds differently.  My husband is on week 22 of treatment.  He has been able to work throughout and has had pretty mild side effects overall.  He is a lot more tired than usual and sleeps several hours more per night, and sometimes has to take some time out or ask for help.

Remember that more people who post frequently on internet boards like these are having trouble with treatment.  Those who have little trouble have less need.  Therefore you are more likely to read about severe side effects from the people who post here.

Best of luck to you.

[GoofyDad]

I did much like D99 - kept working an office job but took a sick day here and there to regroup. My sick days were generally planned - it wasn't like I  would wake up and simply couldn't do it - though there were a couple times when I turned the car around and headed home.

It was most definitely NOT like I was running on all cylinders at work - I could show up and get through the day, but I wasn't knocking anyone over with dazzling bouts of brilliance.

[newleaf09]

I agree with the other 3 posters.  Different for everybody and unpredictable for that reason.  It's entirely possible to work throughout with a desk job, but I have serious doubts about doing a physical job, like waitressing, construction or loading/unloading.  I worked 6 of 7 mos but was able to take a day off here and there throughout and then took extended leave 3 weeks before the end until 12 weeks post TX.  Could have worked throughout with sporadic leave when needed, but had much sick time saved up so I used it.  

I was extremely responsive to interferon and got very sick but still managed to do my job perfectly well.  About the only 'given' is that you will be tired.  I often came home after work, took a nap, then still fell asleep easily 4 hrs. later at bedtime.  You just keep slogging along one day at a time.  I also needed to use an antidepressant because I work with the public and I was so irritable on interferon that I needed to be kept from snapping at them.  Just keep the doctor well informed about side effects and let him help manage them with helper meds.  All those extras, like sleep aids, antidepressants, etc. can be stopped after the chemo is over with no problem.  Oh, and expect that mistrust of doctors to deepen as well, another unfortunate side effect of intertferon that hopefully clears up when it's all over.   Good luck.  You really can do it.