1st shot, work next day

[dandyeasy]

Long story but unless I want to wait weeks while my meds are in the refrigerator just sitting there.

Has anybody ever taken their first shot in the afternoon and work the next day (or day after)?
The office is forcing me to go to them to administer the first shot on Monday 27, closed Labor Day Monday Sep 3. I am sick of waiting, been waiting since Spring to start this. Think I should drag it out until Monday Sept 10 or just go for it. I guess I could always call in sick. Work does not know about my situation and I HAVE TO start the shots on a Monday.

Anybody successful at taking first shot one afternoon and working the next day or two? Healthy geno 2b on 24 weeks with no other medical problems.
Thanks...DEBRA

[Electra56]

I can relate exactly to what you are saying...about feeling "better" after your injection and I wondered jokingly to myself..."I must be addicted to IFN"!  Anyway, too funny.  

[jmjm530]

The Monday AM (labs), PM (shot) schedule is only for when you are being tested for viral load, which at a minimum should be at weeks 4, 12, 24, and 48. (Some test viral load weekly until UND, then monthly). Your week 4 viral load test would then be the morning of your fifth injection. Ask for a very sensitive test, like "Heptimax" from Quest Diagnositics. As for other routine blood tests (cbc, thyroid, etc), shouldn't matter that much what day they draw the blood.

All the best,

-- Jim

[desrt]

Commitment To Care [phone]

PegAssist [phone]

[Becky D]

What's up with $440 mo for tx.on Humana????? I am on disability, medicare and  have Humana as Rx. coverage. Is this what I can look forward to in this crazy game of life??? Haven't really used them much. I am a ca. survivor and most of that time I was on hospice. Don't really know what went down.I am single and live alone. My disability income is not so great. Can't afford that. Thats half my income. Can you explain your situation a little so I'll know whats happening?? Please tell me that people don't get left in the cold becuz of their inability to afford meds. That will really suck. During my battle with ca. I held the state chair for Texas on healthcare reform. Was affliated with the National Healthcare Advocacy Foundation and am well aware of problems we face today due to crazy lawmakers and lack of financial resources. I am a Physician Asst. but not able to work due to effects of Ca but mostly short and long term side effects of Chemo. Pretty much lost everything including my mind.LOL. I know that serious problems arise due to lack of money but I would hope not with this. Would hate to think that I fought for my life once and won only to be defeated by Hep C due to political BS. and the inability to afford Rx. I am not eligible for studies due to the ca. so I'm not sure if I have any other choices. Been Hep C pos for about 1 yr. Pretty certain that I got from it hosp./surgery. Possible I contracted it while working as a PA. Doesn't really matter. Still have to deal with it. Please don't think me ignorant about all of this. Its quite different to be the pt. rather than the provider. Can honestly say that I have looked at life from both sides now and I really don't know life at all. Can anyone direct me in this. Am lost and scared. If I am not able to start the inerferon soon I can't be certain what the damage will be. Plus I might chicken out at 1st obstacle. Pretty lost and scared now. What to do??????????? Good luck with your tx. Do keep this in mind. More than half the battle in in your mind. Now would be a great time to expand and become a mind control freak. I'm suppose to be dead. Was told that by Docs. and hospice. I fired them becuz I wouldn't except defeat. Nor would I allow anyone around me with that mentallity. God says, "choose life" and I have. So far so good. But this Rx. cost is worrisome. Gotta be a way around it. Good luck and remember this, There is a difference between fact and truth. Doctors hold facts, God holds truth. With that being said, listen to your doc. You need to be well informed but learn God's word and what He has to say about sickness, dz and healing to all who ask,receive and believe. Ask for healing in His name, exercise faith and then walk in His healing power. BTW, I'm not a freak I just love Jesus and I know He can,will and does heal. Look at me????? In the beginning I had 1% chance now its 3% and in spite of all the "Dr Gloom and Dooms, I'm still alive and well. Thats a miracle. I'm a miracle. Be blessed and thanks for being here. Love the site. Good luck to all. Would aprreciate imput from all who can advise on financial matters.

[Becky D]

Haven't statred inerferon yet. Will start sometime shorly after Dr. visit 8/21. However, I am a pancreatic Ca. survivor and I know what you mean about addiction or whatever they call it. Would have DT sx about 2d before next round of chemo. It sucked really bad. Its crazy to think that your body  could become dependant on something like that but I do believe its possible. I think that your body could get use to something and when your off track or d/c med your body jones. Thats about all I can tell you about that. And can only relate to past chem exp.. Unfortunately, I'll be able to tell you more after I begin tx for Hep C sometime next wk.

[PSP-n-Me]

my first shot was the hardest - it takes 5-6 hours to have the sides kick in, in most cases - My sides kicked in at the 6th hour - I did shot number 30 last night and I can tell you this - There is no way I could work through treatment, my mind is not sharp right now and my job requires a sharp quick thinking mind - But others have worked all through tx, everyone is differnet..

Beth

[FlGuy]

Nice work schedule, never more than 2 days from a day off.  Good luck

[dandyeasy]

THANKS everybody for your input.
Dr insists on first shot in the office. My new work schedule starting Sep 2 is 7a-7p on Th,Sat,Sun having M T W and F off. If I take the first shot in the office on Monday, I can stay with all Mondays. Guess that is what I will have to do. If you are telling me lab before the shot I guess lab will be Monday a.m. and shot in the p.m. I hate waiting three weeks to start but "there is a proper time for everything" they say. Just wish me luck. Already rejected from a drug study plus broke my ankle just this year so things have to turn around.....right? lol FYI my meds are $440 a month with Humana. Guess I want this virus gone no matter what cost.

[Catll]

I do injections every Thursday 1:30 P.M.
... will do my 14th shot tomorrow.

I do not see any difference if I would do it either Friday or Monday …it could be okay either day.

Sometimes I have bad days and cannot explain why some of the bad days related to Wednesday or Thursday morning right before the injection… a few hours later after injection I feel better(I cannot explain why – interferon dependency? Am I an interferon addict?)

Good luck

[Electra56]

I took my first shot in the am at the Dr then went back to work for the afternoon. It would have been OK had I taken premeds (motrin) prior to, but by the time I arrived back at work I had fever/chills- which only lasted a few hours.  Now I inject Thursday night, go to work Friday- no problems, feel pretty good over the weekend and tired Mon-Weds.  Everyone's a little different.  I keep motrin on hand at all times- mostly for headaches and mild body aches.  Good luck!

[PokerRon]

jim
why is it important to have the VL test done the day before injection

thanks
ron

[bajajkawa]

Any reason why your gastro has to adminster the first shot?  In my case I took my medicine and a nurse demonstrated how it should be done.  They gave me a pegassy video (cost free) to watch very detail and very helpful, if you are not sure watch it couple times.  If your doc don't have it try to get it  from pegassy website.  Start Friday.

[Terrylee8]

I had a free ride for the first 30 days.  No Sx's what so ever.  98 days into it, I'm really tired day 2,3,4 after the shot.  Everybody is different.  Wishing you an easy ride:-)

[geterdone]

If you are working a full time job Mon. thru Fri. it would be better to start on Friday night. It will give you two days to rest before going back to work again.

jasper

[jmjm530]

If you're going to do your injections on a Monday, keep in mind that you will want also to do your viral load tests on a Monday, but before the injection.

Many of us do our viral load tests the day before the injection, but in your case that would be a Sunday and probably the labs are closed. Personally, I think you'd be better off making Friday night your injection time, and doing your viral load tests either the day before (Thursday) or Friday during the day.

-- Jim

[desrt]

I started on a Wednesday A.M. for no other reason than that was what was convenient for my gastro's office. I gradually changed to Friday at noon because my side effects were fairly predictable (at least as far as timing) - start feeling 'flu-like symptoms'  5 p.m. Fri., drag around the house all weekend and half of work Mon., then start feeling noticeably better Mon. p.m. and rest of week. During the 2-3 weeks I took to gradually change my schedule, I don't remember having any trouble making it to work.

[r4c7]

Took my first shot of Peg on Monday morning--this week.  Started work on Tuesday.  Was it easy? No.  Was it doable?  It was for me.  Actually, by going to work on Tuesday, I probably felt better.  And today--Wednesday--I feel pretty close to normal.    

Incidentally.  I'm in an induction dosing trial through Hoffman-LaRoche, which means I could possibly be getting a double dose of Peg and a higher dose Rib.  Thing is, I can't tell. The trial is double-blinded.  

r4c7

[FlGuy]

Why do you 'HAVE TO start the shots on a Monday'?

[FlGuy]

You have optiions.  Don't know if you have already made a decision to make a particular day your 'shot day'.  Many people choose Friday for the reason you mentioned. You could do the shot yourself following directions that come with the meds that are available on their websites.  It's not that difficult - just a little intimidating the first time.  Maybe you received a video or a dvd with your initial fill of meds?  Know any paramedics or EMT's that can spend a few minutes with you on your intended shot day.  If you prefer shot days as Friday, for example, will the doc's office squeege you in Friday PM.  The med schedule that you establish, you should stick with so you sort of need to map out what a 'tretment week' would be like for you and then choose the shapre of the week that meeds your needs.  You're going to be at this 6 months and you don't get do-overs.