Any Advice-Starting Treatment Friday

[Michelle867]

Hey everyone,  I finally got everything worked out and my meds were delivered today.  I am going to start treatment this Friday. Please keep me in your prayers.  Of course like most of you were, I'm nervous but I know that I will get thru this.   I saw the other post to drink lots of water before, during and after and also to take Tylenol before. Is it better to do the shot right before bed or a few hours before?  Any other advice?  Thanks alot.

[Fl_Gator]

Good luck...I am in my 3rd week of tx. So far it's not so bad for me. I take my shots mid to late afternoon on Fridays. It makes me more tired than usual on the weekend and Monday. I haven't gotten the rash yet but I am dark complected...maybe that makes some difference?

Prayers
Gator

[GreatBird]

How very appropriate to start on Independence Day!

[Magnum]

You may be in for an easy ride. Some people are fortunate enough to experience hardly any symptoms.

I've been told to avoid Tylenol in excessive doses, which is hard on the liver. Ask your doctor.

Stay calm and put on a favorite movie to distract you. Take the shot before you go to bed so you can sleep through it. The first shot is usually the worst. You may experience chills, headache and discomfort, but nothing serious.

In a few hours, your body will acclimate and you will go to sleep. Who knows, you could be one of the lucky ones that hardly feel anything. Don't anticipate agony, but rather, anticipate success.... Good luck...

Magnum

[Michelle867]

Thanks for the well wishes and advice.  I think I'm going to do the shot about 6 since that's when I would usually be able to do it on my work days.  My boyfriend and I are going to rent some movies, throw the mattress in the living room and relax.  I thought about going to the movies but since I don't know how I will react I'd rather be near home.  I definately want something to keep my mind off it though.  

The doc said that Tylenol or Advil is ok as long as it is in small doses.  

[Andromedae]

I started treatment two weeks ago.  I took a Tylenol just before the shot, just in case.  I experienced no major headache and no trouble sleeping.  I did find that I was a little "hazy in the head" for a day or two as well as being unusually tired for a couple of days afterwards.  So far the most annoying symptom, aside from the tiredness, has been a measles-like rash that is rapidly spreading on by buttocks, under my arms and on my thighs.  More unsightly than anything else at the moment.

The water thing - believe in it.  You need to drink a minimum of 64oz a day.  I started using bottled water because it's easier for me to track my usage that way.  I drink one full 25ox bottle within an hour either way of my shot.  

Andromeda

[Texas714]

Everything Magnam said...
I take shot #19 on Friday and sx are not bad so far.  Yes, you may have some sx but...you might not!
Good Luck with your first shot...That was the scary one for me.  :-)

[FlGuy]

Suggestion:  Wait a week.  As tx continues you will need to get refills of the meds.  Usually, this refill process is smooth.  But, if a speed bumb comes along you do not want to be in the position of sweating out a just-in-time delivery of the meds.  By waiting a week, yo are always assured of having a built in week sothat that weather , traffic or other delays don't freak you out.  It also gives one more holiday weekend to enjoy.

[Trinity4]

Regarding shot time, it's really a matter of whatever works best for you.  The first shot was a bit of bugger, but now wk 14 it has become almost routine.  Most common sx for me are low grade fever, joint aches and fatigue. Work everyday and hasn't been too much of a problem yet.   Just remember to take your riba with food.  Something with a higher fat content helps with the absorption. Drink lots of water.  Good Luck and hoping your tx goes well.
Trinity

[kickboxingmom]

Hi.I'm so happy all worked out with you and the 600.00 thingy.That's awesome.Life is good sometimes,huh?Good luck on your first shot.I think what FIGuy said, was a fantastic idea.When I sstart,I'm going to do just that.Thank you FIGuy for that one.Who knows, snowed in, can't get out, wondering if anyone can get to you.Electric still on and frig. is holding your meds, (extra shot).Whew ! Again FIGuy, Thank You !Michelle I have a question.Did you tell your sons ?How are they ?How are you ?I'll be thinking of you on Friday.Or, next.
Tammy

[Michelle867]

Thanks for asking...yes, it took me a bit but I finally did tell my boys.  They both took it pretty well, of course I'm sure they are somewhat nervous and worried.  They both assured me that they will be there for me if I need anything.  I like the way my youngest put it that if I think the worst and dwell on it that it will just make it worse.  He said "Mom, just think positive and don't let it get you down and you'll make it thru alot easier"   He is in Florida now visiting his dad and brother but when he gets back I am going to suggest that both boys get tested as well.  Call it mother's instinct but in my heart I feel that he has it also.  He is like me in that he has a very low immune system (he's had pneumonie twice this year along with strep throat and mono) and just is constantly tired.  I pray neither one is positive but I will feel better knowing.  My home is like a revolving door with him and his friends constantly in and out so I thought this weekend with him gone will be better for the first shot.  I still have my boyfriend here to help if I need it.  Wow, I've written alot...sorry.  Do you know when you will start treatment?

[kickboxingmom]

Happy to hear from you.I'm happy you told the boys.They'll love you even more.Your youngest may NOT have it too.I'll keep you in my prayers girl.The kids do keep us busy.We are having a alone weekend too !No kids.I'll miss her.Once they are grown and gone you can't get the revolving door back.I know, I have a 28 yr. old daughter that lives 1500 miles away and wish I could have some time back with her.My 16 yr. old girl is also busy like the revolving door but atleast they are at our homes and not somebody else's and we don't know what they are up to.My ins. is having a problem because there isn't any liver problems yet.My Dr. is fighting for me but I am about to contact a lawyer because  The ins.com. wants me to be in liver failure so then they will only have to pay$10,000.00 for a transplant.It's a bunch of bxxx s.Sorry for that.Anyways I have to shower and bed cause I have to get up @ 5, work.Good luck this weekend and if we have to, I'll send you my shot.You might be my neighbor.I'm in MO.
Tammy

[Rockerforlife]

Its not as bad as everyone says ...i just finished 48 shots,i didnt clear it,came close tho....this time im gonna do 72 weeks...the woory about the first shot is worst than it really is...you just feel like you have flu for a couple hours after the first one....the worst was the eye discomfort and headaches goin tru TX....A LARGE % of us get no sides.

[Michelle867]

Rocker,
I wish you the best with the treatments...Hopefully this next round will clear it for you!  I get really bad migraines alot so I am hoping that the treatment doesn't kick them in.  My doctor suggests taking Tylenol or Advil an hour before the shots then every 4 hours for the first 24 hours after each shot.  Says as long as I don't overdo it that it will be ok.  I think the first is probably worse partly because we are just nervous and don't know what to expect...the fear of the unknown.

[Marcia2202]

I'm really a bit late on this one, am on another time in DK. Just wanted to wish you the best with your first shot, which you probably already had. So I hope it went well.

I really feel for you about your boys. I had all 5 kids tested and one came back with positive. She has always been weakest, compared to her siblings and easily tired. It turned out that she had cleared the virus herself, but for a whole months we had thought she had HCV.

Just wanted to share this. Hugs, Marcia