Aa
How to help my friend who just started treatment?
My friend just started a triple treatment for Hep C. She has been feeling terrible. I wanted to put a care package together to cheer her up. What could I include in it that might help her feel better?
one more :)
I eat 3 eggs & a slice of cheese for breakfast. Make it into a little omlet, with my 1st does of riba & inc, then for lunch , I usually have a yogart and some fruit, or half a sliced meat sandwich . For Supper, I have something that contains 20grm of fat, like a bagle with 2 ounces of cream cheese and a lg. cup of chicken broth , or If I am super hungry and can chow down, a big fat juicy hambuger with bacon & cheese, and a few French fries, followed by 2nd dose of Inc & Riba.
Then my midnight snack usually consists of Peanut butter and crackers, or I may even eat another bagel & cream cheese, or ice cream, Sometimes it might just be a 1/4 cup of whipping cream and some candy coated almonds, with my 3 dose of inc. And always drink at least 1/2 your weight in water ounces to keep your system flushed. It might be hard, but I noticed that I have less sx
I eat 3 eggs & a slice of cheese for breakfast. Make it into a little omlet, with my 1st does of riba & inc, then for lunch , I usually have a yogart and some fruit, or half a sliced meat sandwich . For Supper, I have something that contains 20grm of fat, like a bagle with 2 ounces of cream cheese and a lg. cup of chicken broth , or If I am super hungry and can chow down, a big fat juicy hambuger with bacon & cheese, and a few French fries, followed by 2nd dose of Inc & Riba.
Then my midnight snack usually consists of Peanut butter and crackers, or I may even eat another bagel & cream cheese, or ice cream, Sometimes it might just be a 1/4 cup of whipping cream and some candy coated almonds, with my 3 dose of inc. And always drink at least 1/2 your weight in water ounces to keep your system flushed. It might be hard, but I noticed that I have less sx
Well...in trying to find I find a lot of talking back and forth which I don't think you need right now. You can click on magnifying glass above and search fat Incivek and a lot of information comes up. Here are a few things
Taylor Ham - 6 gms/slice (you may know it as pork roll, if you are south of New Jersey!)
Egg – 5gms
American cheese – 5 grms/slice
Bran Muffin – 5 grms
Frozen Waffles – 3.5 grms each
Pancakes – 7.6, (4)
Biscuit – 5.1 grms
Granola – 33 grms / cup
Cream Cheese – 10 grms/ounce
Milk Chocolate – 10 grms/ounce
Cheeseburger 4 oz – 30 grms
Potato salad – 10 grms/ ½ cup (eggs Mayo type)
Hot Dog – 18 grms
Yogurt – 7.4 grms, 1 cup
Sausage Links – ?
Eskimo Ice cream – 17 grms
Nature Valley Roasted nut Crunch – 1 bar – 13grms
Peanut Butter – 8 grms/tablespoon
I am sure someone else will come along with the list that I can't find right now.
My best to you Dee
Taylor Ham - 6 gms/slice (you may know it as pork roll, if you are south of New Jersey!)
Egg – 5gms
American cheese – 5 grms/slice
Bran Muffin – 5 grms
Frozen Waffles – 3.5 grms each
Pancakes – 7.6, (4)
Biscuit – 5.1 grms
Granola – 33 grms / cup
Cream Cheese – 10 grms/ounce
Milk Chocolate – 10 grms/ounce
Cheeseburger 4 oz – 30 grms
Potato salad – 10 grms/ ½ cup (eggs Mayo type)
Hot Dog – 18 grms
Yogurt – 7.4 grms, 1 cup
Sausage Links – ?
Eskimo Ice cream – 17 grms
Nature Valley Roasted nut Crunch – 1 bar – 13grms
Peanut Butter – 8 grms/tablespoon
I am sure someone else will come along with the list that I can't find right now.
My best to you Dee
Here is one to get you started, I know there is one that lists a lot, this will help but will look for more :)
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Getting-fat-on-Incivek/show/1580662
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Getting-fat-on-Incivek/show/1580662
Ahh so she is on Incivek which means the fat, argh
There are many many threads on here that have all the suggestions
I have to echo everyone above, just the fact that you are there and here seeking help is the best thing you could do.
Treating for HCV is very isolating. People don't understand how hard it is.
I was able to have my husband fix me food that had 20 grams of fat, like eggs with cheese and toast and milk..not necessarily all of it.
When I got to where I did not want anything, I would take 3 tablespoons of peanut butter and eat with two apples. Lazy I know but the fat was the worst. The good thing is that it is over in 12 weeks, then she will go on with the shots and the riba pills.
There is a lot of support here. Many have been through it or are going through it. We help each other cope as much as we can.
Tips on what to eat, what to take for side effects etc.
Again you must be one of the best friends I have seen on here in a long time. Besides my friends here I had one person to help me.
I will search for a list of food now, I know there is a long one some place...now where did I put it :)
There are many many threads on here that have all the suggestions
I have to echo everyone above, just the fact that you are there and here seeking help is the best thing you could do.
Treating for HCV is very isolating. People don't understand how hard it is.
I was able to have my husband fix me food that had 20 grams of fat, like eggs with cheese and toast and milk..not necessarily all of it.
When I got to where I did not want anything, I would take 3 tablespoons of peanut butter and eat with two apples. Lazy I know but the fat was the worst. The good thing is that it is over in 12 weeks, then she will go on with the shots and the riba pills.
There is a lot of support here. Many have been through it or are going through it. We help each other cope as much as we can.
Tips on what to eat, what to take for side effects etc.
Again you must be one of the best friends I have seen on here in a long time. Besides my friends here I had one person to help me.
I will search for a list of food now, I know there is a long one some place...now where did I put it :)
Thank you to everyone for your help. I just want to try to help her as much as I can.
Two different prescriptions for pills. I am not sure on the dosage. I do know she has to eat the 20 grams of fat with one of them. I think 3 times a day. She hasn't told me all the nfo on her meds.
You are truly a good friend! All of the material needs and supplies for coping with the sides that have been mentioned are very important but I must say the fact that you are coming to this forum to educate yourself on your friend's condition and needs is very very impressive! With your understanding she will have someone that she can relate how she feels and you will be a great source of support and compassion. Your friend is very fortunate.
Hello.
I've read all of the suggestions and all of them are great and helpful. I would like some thought also. I went trough all those side effects: mine were very bad. I was so sick and weak, I could not do anything. I did not need any entertainment or company: all I needed was sleep and rest. But I needed somebody to keep an eye on me, to do shopping, to help me be on time for my medication, to keep my place in decent condition. I did not have any body which could do for me such things. If you will be available to help your friend in that way-you will be her angel. The worst part of treatment is going be second and third month of treatment. If you can stay at your friend place it would be just the best for her. People are right; your friend will need somebody to motivate her to eat, to drink, to take medicine,just to feel somebody who loves her. Be that somebody.
Good luck. She will get through.
I've read all of the suggestions and all of them are great and helpful. I would like some thought also. I went trough all those side effects: mine were very bad. I was so sick and weak, I could not do anything. I did not need any entertainment or company: all I needed was sleep and rest. But I needed somebody to keep an eye on me, to do shopping, to help me be on time for my medication, to keep my place in decent condition. I did not have any body which could do for me such things. If you will be available to help your friend in that way-you will be her angel. The worst part of treatment is going be second and third month of treatment. If you can stay at your friend place it would be just the best for her. People are right; your friend will need somebody to motivate her to eat, to drink, to take medicine,just to feel somebody who loves her. Be that somebody.
Good luck. She will get through.
You should start a new thread using the Post a Question feature. Your concerns are very legitimate and you will get a lot of responses tapered to your particular situation. The mental aspect is very real and can be frustrating and there are lots of people on here who can offer insight and support. You have time to mentally prepare since you start treatment is September. It is good that you are planning like this.
Your friend is taking two pills a day?
Is it possible you misunderstood? Ribavarin usually comes is doses of 200 mg and depending on weight an example of an average dose would be 4 or 5 pills a day.
Which protease inhibitor is your friend taking? There are two. One is called Incivek and the other is called Victrelis.
If it is Incivek it would be lots of extra pills a day. Victrelis does not start until four weeks into treatment and then it would be many more pills a day.
Anyway as I look back a few things that would have helped me is running errands, doing things around the house (laundry, dishes, yard) and walking the dogs. Treatment lasts a long time and as time goes by not having energy or drive becomes very frustrating.
Is it possible you misunderstood? Ribavarin usually comes is doses of 200 mg and depending on weight an example of an average dose would be 4 or 5 pills a day.
Which protease inhibitor is your friend taking? There are two. One is called Incivek and the other is called Victrelis.
If it is Incivek it would be lots of extra pills a day. Victrelis does not start until four weeks into treatment and then it would be many more pills a day.
Anyway as I look back a few things that would have helped me is running errands, doing things around the house (laundry, dishes, yard) and walking the dogs. Treatment lasts a long time and as time goes by not having energy or drive becomes very frustrating.
I just found out I have genotype 2 and will be taking the interferon and ribavarin when I start treatments in September. I'm about to lose my mind over the fear of side effects. The one I am most scared about is the mental part of it. I already take 4 mg xanax, 50 mg elavil, 60 mg celexa, and 50 mg of lamictal. This is freaking me out. I'm 50 years old and I feel like a scared child inside. I will have support if I need it. Getting very frustrated.
For nausea hub swears by Nauzene tablets, and ginger ale. Always keep ginger ale in the house! Canada Dry is the brand of choice - it's made with real ginger, a necessity in order to calm the stomach. Funny movies are a help ( Hub got a lot of laughs out of major payne ) . "Comfort" things, even like changing sheets on your friend's bed if they are too tired, make a big difference. Flowers - always a great choice. Neosporin has an anti-itch kit for the skin - wash, moisturizer and anti-itch cream that we've found really helps for an outbreak of itching. Hub was on Incivek, had to eat 20 grams of fat 3 times a day. Accumulating the foods to meet that requirement took some doing, and if your friend is on Incivek it might be very helpful to keep her stocked with the high fat foods needed. Sometimes, just being in the same room with someone going through the anxiety of Interferon/riba is the most comfort of all. Bless you for seeking out this forum and truly wanting to help!
Thank you. Yesterday I took her some flowers and just visited for awhile! She is feeling a little better. I know she is taking 2 pills a day and an injection once a week. She has had nausea, itching, skin peeling, hair is falling out some. She said the nausea kinda comes and goes and hasn't been as bad lately. She seemed to be doing really good! Thanks for your suggestions!
Good idea, if she feels up to it tell her that there are many people on here who help each other through the treatment =tx and can offer advise on what to do for side effects. There is something for nausea, itching, rash, etc.
Not saying she has that :)
Not saying she has that :)
argh, no edit, water water water and chap stick or equivalent. I might go on for days so will stop here :)
Hello! Welcome. What a good friend you are. One thing that I can think of right off the bat, baby wipes. If on the Incivek she will need a lot. If on a another they will still come in really handy.
Some snacky things would be nice, something healthy she can eat quickly. Yogurt, apples, bananas.
Do you know which treatment she is doing? There are a few right now.
Again you are such a good friend!
The biggest, best thing you can give her is your love, support, patience, humor and laughter. We get kinda cranky on treatment, hard to be sick for so long.
Best wishes to you and your lucky friend..lucky to have you
Some snacky things would be nice, something healthy she can eat quickly. Yogurt, apples, bananas.
Do you know which treatment she is doing? There are a few right now.
Again you are such a good friend!
The biggest, best thing you can give her is your love, support, patience, humor and laughter. We get kinda cranky on treatment, hard to be sick for so long.
Best wishes to you and your lucky friend..lucky to have you
hi and welcome to the forum be like your name having a friend who is willing to just listen alot of the time will really help her maybe do a bit of shopping and housework will sure help when she is feeling rough and fatigued try and make sure she eats well even though at times she wont feel like it. Depression is quite common with this tx so let her rant, rave, cry and talk just try and make her feel as though she is not alone. I think she is very lucky to have a friend like you and if either of you need support and advice remember there is loads of people here to support both of you. ps drinking loads of water is vital. Good luck to both of you and please keep us posted
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community
Learn about this treatable virus.
Getting tested for this viral infection.
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
4 steps to getting on therapy.
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
How the drugs might affect you.
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
