No sideefects? Pegasys and Copegasys

[NatashaT]

My mom took her first shot and pills last night. she has no side effects as of right now. is it normal? she did say about metal taste in her mouth and that her  heart was  racing for a little bit. normal? when so people start feeling bad after the shot?

[Fnzol]

Here's hoping that your avatar doesn't morph into Telly Savalas.  

Baby.  ;)

[RobertBeWell]

Don't be dreading things either. Many people DO NOT EVER experience worsening side effects. I'm a case in point. So are about the other 20 people at my study site. Do I have more sides now at week 30 than at week 1 - sure, the drugs do grind on ya little, but at this point, I can't honestly say I'm anything more than a TINY BIT MORE TIRED than when I started. My skin problems have actually gone away for the most part.

I'll take overconfidence any day. Mental outlook plays a large part in treatment success. Do not fear the future. Look forward with optimism and confidence. The alternative is to be fearful, and that doesn't do anyone any good.

RBW

[nygirl7]

Give it time they'll be coming more than likely.  When they do remember to come in here and ask what to do about them except for the lethargy there are some cures that we can help with.  Sides come and go and change throughout treatment so bookmark this page so you can find it again.

[paen53]

I didn't feel any major effects for about the first two months of tx - never had the flu like symptoms from the shot until later and even then, not too bad. Also, for some of us, the sx sometimes don't happen until a day or two later. I would take my shot on Friday night, have a good day and a half, then Sunday night start feeling sluggish and achey. That lasted until Tuesday, then I would have a decent couple of days before shot night again.

You'll soon find your "rhythm" and hopefully that will help you work with any side effects you might have early on. Good luck to your Mom and she's lucky to have you looking out for her best interests, Pam

[Fnzol]

I remember going to the gym four times during the week that I started.  I thought to myself, man, no sweat, this ain't nothin'.  Then I was down to once or twice in week two.  By week three, I was dead dog tired.

These drugs take a while to build up titers in the blood and to saturate the tissues.  Interferon reaches full plasma levels in 5-8 weeks.  The side effects of ribavirin just keep on coming.  It's the gift that keeps on giving.  Tiredness, then dehydration, then low red cells and shortness of breath, then insomnia, then rash, then my hair started falling out about month 4, la dee da.

Good luck to mom, but don't get overconfident.  

[willbb]

Many people have little or no side effects. After my first shot i was waiting for something to happen and really I felt no different. Others feel terrible after the first shot. Everyone seems to react differently.   Your mom may be one of the lucky ones.and have very mild sides right thru.......

best of luck..
WILL