Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Interferon

Last week I took my first injection of interferon and got really sick.  This week I took my second shot and felt nothing.  My dr told me if I don't get sick the meds are not working.  I was hoping not to get quite so sick this injection but to feel nothing I am worried it is not working.  Has anyone else been through treatment without getting sick and the treatment worked?  Please let me know I am worried.  Thanks
31 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I just took my first shot. The only thing I feel is a weird pain in my arm. I wanted to go on disability. I am so tired of working. I wanted to just take a break but the Dr wouldn't sign my disability papers.
Helpful - 0
4896357 tn?1360670904
My first shot also made me very sick and my doctor had not prepared me for that! I started shivering out of control and temp shot up to 103*. Only the first shot does that usually. Be ready to lay on the couch with blankets and take tylenol in moderate doses to help with the horrible body aches. If you are lucky, you will not get sick but my experience was just like the original post in this ancient thread!
Helpful - 0
1815939 tn?1377991799
Welcome to the forum.

If you have cirrhosis, you do need to treat before you decompensate. If your doctor is not supportive, then you probably need to get a new doctor. If you have cirrhosis, you should be seeing a Hepatologist at a major medical center/liver transplant center. You need a Hepatologist (liver specialist) to manage your care. Plain Gastroenterologists who are not liver specialists do not have the knowledge and expertise to manage your care.

Please start a new thread and tell us a little more about yourself: Genotype, any previous treatment, any other health issues, how bad is your cirrhosis (have you had ascites or confusion or low platelets, etc.).

Please start a new thread and post your question. People may not see it here.

Go to the top of the page, click on the orange bar "Post a Question," and then post your question. Add a subject title, something like, "Cirrhosis, Help, Need to Start Tx".

If you include the important things in the subject title you will get better and more specific responses.

Helpful - 0
5536514 tn?1373500002
Hi my name is ginger corbett and I have been advised to do the treatment ( i am confused as to treatment I will be doing.  I also have severe cirrosis.  My dr is not very supportive, he was very cold.  I am totally terified of the durg interfuron as a friend of mine told me that she couldnt do anything. and side effects are horrible. I know I should start now but I am afraid because my husband also is not supportive.  I am sorry for ramblin on (just real scarded) help me.  ginger  should i get a second opinion?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, I am so grateful for this site.  I started my traetment last nite (Ribaviran, Incivik and peginterferon).  I had my shot last night and have had no side effects from the pills or shot.  In fact i seem to have more energy today then I've had in months.  Is this common?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I take my treatment on Saturdays and I can't work until Tuesdays afternoon.  I get pretty sick and very tired.  If you can schedule to have a Ifew days off after treatment that would be great.   I am self employed so I try and work Wednesday - Saturday and take my treatment Saturday night.  Good luck with treatment.  I hope you get positive results.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I will begin treatment on Nov 7th. I have completed everything the dr wanted me to do except the eye test and I am getting that done on Nov 1st.
I have had my Hep A vaccination and started my Hep B vaccinations. I had an abdominal ultrasound last week and they haven't called with the results. My blood tests are good my cholesterol was 220 was all. My liver enzymes are good and I haven't been sick just get tired sometimes. I had one ultrasound 4 yrs ago and it was fine. I guess I am worried about the side effects and working. I only work part time. Have you all been able to work and take your treatments??
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Best wishes for treatment.  Being ready mentally will help a lot.  This site has helped me through some very tough times these last couple of weeks.  Two weeks into treatment and it has been rough but everytime I have a question or fear I get answers quickly on here.  I wish you all the very best.  
Helpful - 0
1693621 tn?1318902971
hi, I am going to be starting my meds very soon on the 27 of this month ,I go to my Dr. to see how to BEGIN.... was suppose to be two wks ago. but, got a call from them and the Dr. needed to reschedule.. (errrr) I was ready (mentally) . but besides this point. Just needed to let all of YA'S know ,how Thankful I am that I found this wonderful site with such tremendous awesome FRIENDS!!! So greatful that everyone shares & stays in contact with all.. so ,,, a great big THANKS...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for the great information about my eyes and thrist.  I have felt so bad today I have not drank near enough water.  My left feels really swollen.  I always worry when I experience something new.  It is such a relief to be able to post questions and get immediate responses.  My doctor has scheduled my blood draw for November 4th so hopefully I know if this is working.  
Helpful - 0
1807991 tn?1438779770
You are not alone on eye irritation, for me the key to relief was to stay away from the light, stay out of the sun, if you have to venture out, I wore a hat and sunglasses and keep my skin covered from the sun. Too much light makes my eyes hurt and my vision goes blurry. i have tried eye drops for dry eyes, but it doesn't help much with the swollen feeling. I think the whole head is really effected because I ache deep in my ears and my tounge swells too and always being thirsty comes along with it...so hydration, as nasty as water sometimes tastes, is a constant struggle and necessity. I can not emphasize enough on the importance of drinking water. This too shall pass, knowledge is the key and you are in the right place to get lots of good advice from all these well researched dragon slayers. Good luck, c
Helpful - 0
1391441 tn?1333847961
Enjoy the no sides while they last! If you end up going the full term you will long for a time like that. My first shot I got chills and ran a fever - felt like I had a case of super flu. The shots never effected me like that again but there were plenty of other side effects. The shots would mainly just wipe me out for the weekend but by Monday I would be able to work. This forum has helped me a lot in knowing what to expect - much more than the Drs. tell you. Hope all goes well for you. God Bless
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have had a little, but not too bad.  I seem to get a headache between/behind the eyes and a little haziness (kind of like Vertigo, but not as severe).  I find if I lay down (which I did alot of the first weekend), I feel worse, but if I keep active I feel more normal.  Once I lay down though, it's hard to get motivated to get up and do something.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am not sure which drug they want to start me on after the forth week.  I am just praying my platelet count stays high enough to treat.  I am stage 4 liver disease and will need a transplant one day.  I want so much to beat this hep so if I get a new liver it will stay healthy.  I am hurting so badly today.  Yesterday I thought it was weird I felt so good but I guess it just took longer this time.  Have you had any problems with your eyes hurting?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Ranice, I am on the same timeline as you are.  I started triple tx on Fri. Oct 7 with my first injection of PEG. I had fairly mild flu like symptoms the first weekend, then a mild rash and itching on Monday/Tuesday (not sure if this was from the ribov.. or teleprevir).  I gave my second shot last Friday and had almost no flu like symptoms over the weekend.  I'm thinking that, as others have said, it will be up and down.  I am staying as active as possible and drinking lots of water.  I schedule my meals around the telepravir due to the amount of fat intake necessary, then eat healthy salads, smoothies, etc other times. Hope you feel better.  Are you starting the biocep..?? after 4 wks?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yes just the PEG and RBO.  They said after 4 weeks we might start the new drug.  But my platelet counts is 60,000 so they are worried what will happen.  Feeling really bad right now.  My eyes hurt so bad.  Anyone had eye pain?  
Helpful - 0
1807991 tn?1438779770
So your doctors have NOT started you on triple therapy? You are just taking PEG & RBO? Interesting...
Helpful - 0
1669790 tn?1333662595
I'm another one that experienced little or no immediate effect from the interferon at shot #26.    However, this has little to do with how you feel as these medication begin to accumuate within your body.  Many people will experience some level of fatigue as the weeks progress in additional to other side effects.  You just need to adjust accordingly to how your body reacts to the meds.  Good luck and don't worry too much.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Well i spoke too soon.  This morning I woke up very ill again.  Feels like it did after the first shot.  Flu like feeling.  I have to stay strong and keep doing this treatment.  This was week two and hopefully at week 4 I will see some progress and hope the treatment is working.  I have not started treating with the new drugs yet.  Great news about being UND at week 4 and 12.

Thanks everyone for the great answers.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have been on the treatment for 15 weeks today ,  and with first shot i did not have much of side effects , the 2nd and 3rd felt nothing , other than skin rash which i had even before i started the treatment . I can say it build up to be general feeling of run down and fatigue. I was UND at week 4 and week 12 , I dont really agree with your Dr.
hang on dear and enjoy as it last
Almar.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm on the triple tx (INC) and took my 5th injection Friday night.  I have YET to feel sick from any of the interferon injections.  However, I do have side effects from everything else, i.e., skin rashes, fatigue, and and a few others... I'm awaiting my lab results from the 4 week "yea or nay" blood work, but i hate to think that because my side effects are fairly minimal compared to others, that the tx isn't working for me...

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Unfortunately it sounds as if you have a doctor inexperienced with HCV tx. It's very common as others mentioned to be quite sick the first injection and not to get for the remaining injections. My first injection was by far the worst and I am SVR.
Don't worry,
Dave
Helpful - 0
1765684 tn?1333819168
It's okay, willy...  That's not what I was saying.  I was saying that I was one who said that...  Not that I was THE one who said that. ;)
Helpful - 0
1711722 tn?1356487554
Hey Slideman.  I had conflicting suggestions on the angle of the injection too, but ultimately became convinced about 45 degrees.  Here is a short slide presentation that explains the 3 different angles, and why:

http://davisplus.fadavis.com/wilkinson2/Animations/animations.cfm?exercise=angle_of_injection&title=Angle%20of%20Injection

Helpful - 0
2
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community

Top Hepatitis Answerers
317787 tn?1473358451
DC
683231 tn?1467323017
Auburn, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Answer a few simple questions about your Hep C treatment journey.

Those who qualify may receive up to $100 for their time.
Explore More In Our Hep C Learning Center
image description
Learn about this treatable virus.
image description
Getting tested for this viral infection.
image description
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
image description
4 steps to getting on therapy.
image description
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
image description
How the drugs might affect you.
image description
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
Popular Resources
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.