Wnen do sx show up?

[Hatterasman]

I started triple tx Monday and was wondering if there is a progression to sx.  I have felt a little foggy, but otherwise OK.  First CBC is tomorrow.

[SunShineGirlie]

my sides were not too bad while I was on INC - other than severe anemia.  I had nausea the first couple weeks but they gave me meds for that.  I never got the rash until I completed INC (weird huh) which I still have.  I noticed a differfence in hemo the first day I was off INC, got a micro burst of energy but the rash did not appear until a few days later, we think it is a reaction to Procrit.  My hemo is at 11.2 so I can hold off on taking anymore Procrit until it drops again, and am hoping it will not drop below 10.

Best of luck with the meds, rest when your body tells you too be kind to others and stay focused - Sunny

[flcyclist]

Each of the three meds you're taking can create sx that are hard to isolate and say it is one or the other.  I'm currently on SOC (Inf/Riba) and I have a difficult time telling which of the two are creating problems.  Each person's tolerance to these meds is different as you'll read on the forum and some breeze through trt with few problems.  

The one consistent problem I see is fatigue, sometimes related to low Hgb.  For me the Riba took about 3 weeks to saturate the RBC's and feel the full effect.  I had little to no reaction to the Inf shots, but my ANC levels tanked.  Other sx will come and go.  With the addition of INC, many have experienced rashes, so don't let them get out of hand.  Keep a close eye on your CBC, particularly the Hgb, ANC and platelets.  Drink lots of water.

Best of luck as you begin.  It takes some adjusting, but you can do it.

[Advocate1955]

My husband's side effects started on Day 2 (first day after first Interferon injection).  He had the usual chills, cold sweat, body aches, irritability, and fatigue for Day 2 and Day 3, which he has experienced with first two treatments in 2007 and 2010.  The rash started shortly after that, maybe on Day 5 through Week 3 and waxing and waning after that, currently ending Week 6.  The rash was notably different than the rash that he had with first two treatments.  The worst of the rash ended for him around end of Week 3, has come and gone a little bit since then, but so far mild compared to Week 1-3.  Anal discomfort/pain and bleeding started around Week 3 and continues.  His experience through all 3 treatments has been that side effects change, sometimes more difficult, sometimes not too bad, and what may have bothered him in Week 4 might not be a problem in a later week.  What we try to do is just deal with one side effect at a time, find relief from the side effect symptoms so that he can continue treatment, and stay hopeful.  Treatment can be discouraging, so it seems to help to talk to the doctor or the nurse practitioner right away when side effects become difficult, get help for them, look for info on this forum, and try to manage the side effects so that he can stay hopeful and keep going.
It also helps to remember that the side effects, at least in my husband's case, have gone away after treatment ends.  By the way Hatterasman, I believe tinnitus (ringing ears) is a side effect.
Advocate 1955

[Hatterasman]

Thanks for all the responses.  I'm drinking a gallon+ a day. I noticed that my ears ring, starts a couple of hours after I take the RIB then goes away.
Blood work tomorrow morning.  From what I've read here lots of info to come from that...

[kbfilly714]

Hi,
    I've been on tx for 7 days now. I feel great tomorrow I do my 2nd shot. I did get the rash on the 5th day though it hasn't itched yet..

[hrsepwrguy]

"I also notice the sypmtoms are not always the same intensity. They seem to wax and wane on their own."

Pooh pretty much covers what has been my expirience as well, I am in wk 12 of INC. Drink lots of water.
Welcome to the forum

[Vannh9]

I too have done very well...minimal SE. My Doctor tells me that every now and then they run across someone that sails through...obviously, I know that the anemia..etc will hit eventually.  good luck!

[pooh55811]

I think it is great that you have so few symptoms. I think it is a good sign. Maybe you will be one of the lucky ones with few sides.

Some side effects take a while to show up. The itching and rash took a few days for me, but I don't have it too bad. The blood counts will drop off as the weeks go by. my rectal issues did not show up for a few days either. I also notice the sypmtoms are not always the same intensity. They seem to wax and wane on their own.

Drinking lots of water helps and also eating all that fat I think helps too. Good luck!