PegIFN - Dosing Question

[RobertBeWell]

Well, tommorrow is my first day. Get the big shot about 11AM. Since I'm in a study, I'll be a couple hours from home. For the first day, I have to take the meds onsite at the study center. Normally, however, when I'm at home, I'll want to take them right before bed, as recommended by many on the forum.

So, my question is, since I'll be getting the shot at 11AM tommorrow, for the following Wednesday (09/29), when I'm at home, can I push it to the evening? That is, how critical is it that they be one week apart - hopefully, it doesn't have to be right to the hour.

Thanks!

[nygirl7]

Sounds like you are one of the lucky ones so far I hope this continues all the way through (I never really had any of the flu like stuff only at about week 30 once or twice). Of course I got hit with everything else that could go wrong but by then I was smart enough to know that there were ways to deal with these things as they come up. The nerves of shot 1 night are the same for all of us but you'll get used to it fast and it will be nothing at all in a few weeks - common place!

[Vic1967]

Hi Robert,
I literally sat and watched the clock waiting for the sides to hit during the first shot. I even woke up in the middle of the night and i remember thinking, nothing, still feel fine.  It pretty much stayed that way until gradually I felt more tired.  Then like I had a little bit of a cold.... All the time really expecting much worse, always grateful that it wasn't.
I hope you too will not suffer greatly.  
Hang in there, your on your way to the end.
Vic

[spectda]

Good to hear all went well robert. Hopefully you won't get sick!
- Dave

[missy_jasons_girl]

I'm getting ready to start treatments and I'm scared.. But all the people in this forum are answering all my questions! Thanks everyone! Robertbewell, I'm ready for this journey to!! Good luck to you my friend!!

[RobertBeWell]

Thanks again for all the support guys! I did just want to post a quick note on my first shot. Going on 7 hours now, no real side effects - maybe just a little lethargic, not quite as hungry as I usually am at this time. That could be because I've been traveling all day as well. I do feel just a tad "off" though.

I'm hoping I'm one of the lucky ones that has few sides if any. Time will tell.

Robert

[willing]

Good luck Robert, the sooner it starts, the sooner it's over!

all: this is not an option on trial but I was  wondering whether anyone had experimemted with dividing the 180 pegasys dose into twice-weekly injections. If you don't mind the extra injection the result would seem to yield a more constant ifn-level.

[carol411]

Wow Robert!!  That's a lot of stress done in just by getting started.  Happy day!

Carol

[nygirl7]

GOOD LUCK ROBERT WE ARE ALL ROOTING FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keep your positive attitude and it will carry you far (and don't forget the tylenol with the shot!)  :)

deb

[RobertBeWell]

Thanks everyone for the support and great advice! The day has finally arrived. Here goes nothing!

Robert

[spectda]

It's hard to know when the side effects will hit you if they do at all. I would take it after you leave the office.
The big day is here!

[RobertBeWell]

Ahh Tylenol! I knew there was something I forgot to put in my travel bag. Thanks for reminding me :-) Should I take it with the shot or later as needed?

Robert

[portann]

Hi Robert,

Whew, the big day is here, start-up day!

By this time tomorrow, you'll be an old hand at this.

Since you'll be doing bi-weekly shots at the study center for a few months, I'd keep it simple if possible and do all my shots at the same time, whether at the clinic or home.

As brain fog set in, I really appreciated having a set schedule for my 48 shots.

Best wishes going forward (and you can't turn back now, can you?),

Thinking of you,

Susan

P.S. I'd take Tylenol tomorrow for sure, if your doc recommends it. I didn't listen to my NP about this and, shiver my timbers, seven hours after my first shot, I shook so much I almost quit tx right then and there. After that, I never did have a bad reaction on shot night. Tylenol is an amazing, cheap wonder drug, within recommended limits.

  

[uncledudeness]

good luck with the trial Robert, you have the right attitude and you will beat this....

[RobertBeWell]

I don't plan on going anywhere, I'll relate my experiences as I go, I'm sure I'll have tons of questions.

Thanks!

[spectda]

"Hmm, interesting perspectives. So it seems the sfx may only last a DAY or so. I thought it was like - permanent :-) "

There are sx that last all the time and for me got worse with time, brain fog is the most predominant for me. The short term side effects like fever, flu and all sorts of other stuff Have really subsided for me. The first one was the most difficult, they have gotten better along the way, now I can barely feel it.

As you know from hearing peoples experience, some people get away with almost nothing as far as side effects go. I hope you are one of those people

[spectda]

I don't think it will matter at all to be a hours late, take it the following week same day and whatever time you plan on for the duration.

Good luck tomorrow robert. We are all rooting for your success. I hope we will hear from you soon and let us know how you are.
-Dave

[RobertBeWell]

Thanks Co, you too.

I'm comin out swingin :-)

[CoStudy]

Although I have few sx from the injections, the ones I do have seem to have no consistent timing as to when they show themselves. The day of the injection is always the best. For some reason I feel great after my injection. I take my injection at 8:00 am on Monday morning. Tuesday evenings can be rough, tired, head ach. Nothing I can’t live with out. You will do great. More power to you.

[RobertBeWell]

Thanks guys :-)

I'm ready for this journey. LET THE GAMES BEGIN. I will be VICTORIOUS.

[nygirl7]

Everybody is different - unfortunately you won't know until you find out. Make sure to take two tylenol with it and don't forget to drink water really it sounds so foolish but it really helps.


I dont think it would make that much of a different (a few hours) this one time but you have to remember to try and take it on schedule every single week. One because of the efficacy of course and two because it's better to get into a solid pattern so you don't forget.

Good luck!

[sunflowersmakemesmile]

My doctor suggested monitoring for the first 24 hours after my first shot for when the onset of any side effects occured and then adjusting when i gave myself the shot so that the onset or most of the "WORST" of the sx occured while I was sleeping.  So, if you get the shot at 11 am and at 5pm you start notcing sx then adjust the next time you get a shot so that you do it 6 hours before you'll be asleep.  The material I have on my injections says that should you forget to do an injection you should do it within 2 days of your usual time.  So, I'd think you'd have some flexibility in adjusting.  Especially just after one week if you're going to be consistent after that.  I have been lucky so far and dont have sx from the injections -- so I was able to be flexible with when I set up my injection schedule.  
My suggestion is to take note of any sx you have and when they occur -- then adjust. Prepare for the worst, expect the best.  You may have the full load of sx, none, or something inbetween.  Keep notes, talk to the doctors, dont be a hero - if you start to ache or hurt, take something for it.  Take it one day at a time. :)

[RobertBeWell]

Hmm, interesting perspectives. So it seems the sfx may only last a DAY or so. I thought it was like - permanent :-)

I guess what I need to do is see how it affects me. Then I can try to time things appropriately so I stay as close to schedule as possible.

[FlGuy]

I don't thinks it's an issue to take the peg on a Wed. AM one week and Wed. PM the next.

[Bali05]

as a general rule
if you ever need to move a shot do it earlier not later.