Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Side Effects of pegasys

Here is the side effects of pegasys in case you don't know
http://www.pegasys.com/patient/index.html
50 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
163305 tn?1333668571
Everyone decides what to do with the set of circumstances in front of them.
Are you going to wallow in self pity or get up and go forward with your life ?

Hep C almost killed me.
But I didn't say,' poor me.
Self pity, only makes you feel bad.

More people in the US die from hep C than from AIDs.
More people in the US get liver transplants because of hep C than any other reason.
This is the facts.

Why don't you go on the cancer forum and call them pro-chemo or pro-radiation ?  It really is no difference.

Everyone has the right to believe what they chose. That is not the issue.

I have a hard time understand someone coming on here with the sole intention of scaring people,
It's one thing to say,  if you have no or minimal liver damage, consider if you really need to do treatment. Educate yourself before making this big decision.
It's another thing  to try to scare people already dealing with anxiety, fear and the difficult side effects of tx,  just because of your own pain.



Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
So this forum is dominated by folks who think treating is good, who think that the cost-benefit of interferon is a good thing.  Others think otherwise, and have earned the right to think so.  

Some of these attacks are really small, shameful even.  You say to psmike (and me) that you're sorry for his suffering, but you really have no idea about it and you call him bitter.  A guy who suffers like you can't even imagine, he is driven away from here.  I feel his pain.  You folks don't.  He probably IS bitter - you would be too were you in his shoes.  He is probably doing the best he can to get over it and needs to vent.  

As to me, please do not mistake my recitations of unpleasant facts as bitterness.  That's your perception because you don't like the facts.  I am not so stupid that I want to live my life bitter.  Please.

On the other hand, I was shocked that my doctor did not know that something as common as joint pain could come from interferon.  There are more doctors out there like him and they do not take sufficient care or give sufficient warning.  Those contemplating treatment need to know that.  

I was very much on the fence (I treated unsuccessfully in 19992 and had decided I never wanted to deal with that again) and my spouse (who is a doctor and who now admits that she did not know the likelihood or seriousness of potential side effects) kept pushing me to do it.  So I did.  With disastrous results.  I wish somebody had told me that "Interferon whacks out and indiscriminately charges up your immune system."  That idea is not communicated in the warnings.   I now refuse to take biologics for psoriasis and arthritis because I now understand that they "whack out your immune system" the other way, by suppression.  I have met people join me in that same approach - they won't take them.   They think it's madness to do so.

Seriously, if you have decided to treat, then be comfortable with your choice.  Come to the Hep C forum to get assistance and support while you take interferon.   Please stay away from posts that talk about bad side effects.  Turn away.  Just don't look at them.   Let those contemplating treatment look at them.  At the very least even if they decide to treat, they will demand more form their doctors and take better care of themselves during treatment.

When you folks stifle talk about the truth of side effects, you skew the  playing field away from reality.  

Some of you who have been "cured" talk of lingering joint pain and fatigue, brain fog - another person might very reasonably decide that he or she does not want the risk of these things.   That would be such person's right.  Yet you all get offended by talk of such decision because you have chosen to treat.  

You tell people they are going to die from hepatitis C if they don't treat even though the medical evidence seems overwhelmingly against that assertion.  Quit saying that. Some will die form Hep C if they don't treat.  Most won't.  Some will get really whacked by interferon if they treat. Most won't.  

There are many people - Hep C sufferers, former patients and very respected doctors - who believe that treatment with interferon is a bad odds play.  And they may be right.  Or they may be wrong.  But that is what they believe in their heart of hearts, and their opinion deserves the same respect as yours.  

You act like all knowing interferon gods, that treatment is the only way, mainly because you have chosen to treat.  None of you are God and none of you know the answer to whether it is better to treat or not to treat.  None of you.  You've convinced yourself that it is, but none of you know.  

I realize for many that treatment is a last option, that they face death.  I am so sorry about that. I face death too.  Yet not all are in your shoes.  A young person who hears "six months of flu-like symptoms and the effects will all resolve" who has just been diagnosed may be a whole lot better off not treating right now.  

If this forum is to be only for those who believe that treatment is the right option, then let's at least have a disclosure at the top of each page so those contemplating treatment know that those who want to communicate and warn others about bad experiences with interferon are not welcome and are not being heard.

psmike - the poor man.   I am sitting here ... I know what that poor guy has gone / is going through. He is in the loneliest place in the world.  You tell him to shut up and go away.   "Nobody wants to hear you.  You're not legitimate."

Oh man....







Helpful - 0
2061362 tn?1353279518
No need to apologize. One thing is for sure I am very opinionated. I wrote a very long but much more heartfelt post to their original thread yesterday morning. And was glad and sad the thread was deleted. Everyone has their opinion and a right to voice it. And I totally respect others opinions whether I agree with them or not, but it has to be legitimate. Honestly I know the potential lasting effects of interferon and what about the long term effects of incivek (does anyone know?). Everyone with this or any other disease struggles to understand and decide on their treatment course. I did lots of research when I was diagnosed and it scared me to death, but I felt that it was the right thing for me. I knew there were new treatments being explored but the thought of living with my symptoms that were very quickly progressing  until it is approved was not an option and neither was going through any trials. I wish you all the luck and truly think those in these trials are brave souls
Helpful - 0
2061362 tn?1353279518
Oh, makes sense. i was thinking they are in the throws of trying to start a class action and using this forum/us to perhaps help it along. Thank you for replying.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm very sorry you've experienced such debilitating, lingering side effects, and have no doubt that interferon (and any of the drugs that we're taking) have the potential for long term side effects.

I do think it's good for people to be aware that choosing to treat is not something to be taken lightly.  That being said, however, I have met quite a few people who have treated successfully, and are many years post-treatment.  None of them have any lingering side effects.

My heart aches for the people that do suffer during and after treatment, but for many, if not most, the side effects are not as bad as ESLD.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
*sank is damn
Helpful - 0
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.