Day 31......I'm all in

[beeblessed]

Did my 5th shot last night.  Am getting better at the technique, even though just a few short weeks ago I was absolutely TERRIFIED of doing the shot.  The only side I felt last night was feeling winded, like when you hit a wall (so to speak) and you know you need to lie down NOW.

This morning, I took my first dose of VIC.  Within the hour, I felt weak and a bit shaky (but I have been shaky during tx).  The worst side today is the headache.  Have not been able to get it to go away.  Am taking Advil.  For you people on VIC, does it go away??  Or has it been constant for you from when you added the VIC??  My other side today is that my other ear started hurting too.  UGH!!  So I am being careful, trying not to set off the Vertigo.  I go for a balance test on Tuesday to determine the true cause of my (pre-treatment; 1980's) Vertigo, that tx has now magnified.  Here is a link to the test.  It's ironic that none of my past doctors have mentioned this test and it looks like exactly the right one for my symptoms.

http://www.uclahealth.org/body.cfm?xyzpdqabc=0&id=477&action=detail&AEProductID=Adam2004_1&AEArticleID=003448&AEArticleType=Test

[beeblessed]

AJ -- I am prone to migraines, so I was really concerned.  The headache hung around ALL day and last night.  Thankfully -- no headache this morning.  Hope you are feeling alright today.

Ciera -- I have a little Arrowhead type bottle, that holds 8 glasses of water.  I do my best to drink an entire one of those every day.  Yesterday, because of the headache, I found that I needed to drink even more.  I was telling AJ though, it seems to be getting harder (mentally & physically) to drink all the water.  But I am forcing myself to keep up.

Vann -- Thanks. I'm hopeful they will figure out the Vertigo too.  Best to you on your first shot.  We had someone in our group who wasn't starting the same week, so she got trained but did the shot on her own.  You will still get to do a practice injection on this little foam type thingy.  I was not confident the first try, so I did the practice again with the nurse.  When I did the real shot, I hesitated.  The nurse, very calmly said to me, "If you're nervous, take a deep breath.  Then inject on the exhale."  So I did.  You can do this too.

Frijole -- I'm doing the pre-filled syringes.  But I still had to pull out the instructions a few times myself, so I know what you mean.  Haven't had too much of the bathroom SE. And yeah, I agree that all the eating is not my norm and is hard to get used to.  As for the ear, doc said no ear infection.  I am starting to believe that the ear pain, eye pain are all related to the Vertigo, but have been triggered by tx.

Indy -- Thank you so much.  Love your prayer starter!  Trying to get the nausea under control myself.  Ginger chews from Trader Joe's help.  Soda helps.  But nothing has totally resolved the nausea issue yet.

Thanks so much everyone.  Your input always helps and encourages me.

[indy531]

Keep the good fight; you help me by sharing your experience, strength, and hope. Did shot 2-better than #1 but more nausea, less body ache. Vic for me on 10/22. You are all in my daily prayers, which somedays consists of "Oh Dear Lord, Help me.". Take care..

[frijole]

bee
Are you doing the redipen or a prefilled pegasys syringe.  I have done 6 shots now and still have to have the directions in front of me for that dang redipen.  There are too many steps.

I am on my second week of Victrelis but I didn't get headaches from the VIC.  My main sx for the first few pill takings was I had to go to the bathroom about 20 minutes afterwards and things were somewhat loose but that does not seem to be happening anymore.  I hate eating the minute I wake up and I hate eating something at 10 with my last pills, but other than that it is going pretty smoothly.

I do find I have to take tylenol most of the day after the PegIntron shot.  It wards off that nagging headache and slight back ache.  I wonder if your ear problems are unrelated to treatment.  I hope they can give you some answers, -ear infections are no fun.

[Vannh9]

Bee, I sure hope they figure the vertigo/balance issue out. I have had a short bout of that in the past and couldn't get out of bed. Also REALLY glad to hear that the injection gets easier to do. They have scheduled my "training" appt, but it is not on the day that I start my 1st shot. They want me to do that on my own. I was so hoping they would do the 1 one, but I might as well figure it out.

Hugs-

Vann

[cieritaqt]

Ok, I see you started today. I am always being reminded to drink plenty of fluids. Sometimes coffee will help with my head aches, it ahrinks blood vessles, but I know it's the evening, at least it is, where I am. I hope you find a place of comfort since you just started Vic. We are all in this together ladies, hang in there.