Side Effects

[Shell1229]

Hi guys:
Well...after lots of soul searching I finally decided to try to "beat this beast" and took tx#3 on Friday.  I take the shot at work at noon figuring that by the time work is over If I am going to feel crummy I will have th week-end.  Tx#1 was a little tough chills, fever, sweating but nothing unbearable - Lasted about 10 hours.  So, I expected the same thing with the next tx - Lo and behold.....nothing - This tx#3 I took on Friday, again no sides just a little tired - Can I be doing the injection wrong? Or should I just be greatful that my body is cutting me a break? - I am taking the Pegasus alot with the 5 pills of Ribavirin. - Just went for labs (CBC) on Thursday - Any comments on your experiences would be helpful. I pray for us all...

[meki]

The new forum is here too --- but the MedHelp just changed the format - and people who post ---- need to post a new post - or answer the ones that are in date.

See... Uhm... ok - every time someone posts in a thread (what we're on right now... a topic discussion) it now bumps it up to the top of the forum. OK - Right?

Now - if you go to the top right of the forum page --- there is a MY SETTINGS link up there. You can make the posts recently posted on top... Or sort them to the date that they were originally posted on.

OK - and then...

Keep hopping with me down this path...

When you read the posts - check the date on the left side.

By your name.

See that?

OK - the original question in the original post was from 2003.

So it somehow got taken out of the archive during the changeover on the forum.

So you would just go to the normal forum.

Here to this link:

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/75

And that should put you where you want to be to ask questions.

OK? I hope I didn't hop you into outter space or anything --- but instead took you straight to McGregor's Farm. LOL!

Meki

[Lilla]

regarding what appears to be paper cuts with your wife, I have experienced tiny  cuts (what appears to be like cuts) on my hands.   I had asked my husband, "what in the world am I doing to get this?"   No answer. They seem to go away within one to two days.    I too take Pegasys and Copeg. with a 24 week treatment - shot #23 down, 1 left and I am excited.    This treatment has been manageable, but not easy.    Sides are different for all, and I'm no exception.  One day I am fine, the next day something will occur and I can never pinpoint or know when that will be.   My best wishes for your wife's complete SVR---------my husband has been my biggest supporter, rock, punching bag, during this whole ordeal.  He deserves an "atta boy" more than I do for completing tx.

[RALPH44]

How do I get to the new forum

RALPH44

[meki]

Ralph - you pulled an OLD 2003 post up - which is cool...

But some folks might not see your post.

Welcome to the forums.

Sometimes the treatment is worse than the cure and each person reacts differently - not everyone will have sides... some will have sides in spades.

Make sure if you're OCD or otherwise having some mental difficulties - make sure you do talk to both doctors (Mental Health and Hepatologist)

I'm a pro treater - who had and still has some nasty sides post tx.

BUT --- I believe you only have one current SOC and I wanted to kill the virus in my system NOW NOW NOW!!!

I didn't like the thought of something living inside of me coming out and playing in my body,., destroying it.

The meds are scary --- but --- remember - some people have NO side effects.

Some have just a few.

Hope for the best - prepare for the worst - -- and you'll probably be one of the middling people.

Hugs - and welcome to the forum.

Meki

[RALPH44]

Just found out I have it a month ago. Had a physical last year was fine. Had to have galbadder out and they did a liver bipy 3 weeks ago only have a nickel size bite of damage. Doctor wants me to take Pegintron 2b/ Rebitol. I dont feel bad now. The meds sound worst than the Hep. I already have anxiety attacks and OCD and I hear the meds will make them worst. I am unable to take SSRI's. I am hyper sensitive to drugs. if it has 10 side affects I get 8. So these meds scare me. Help

[Dadsky]

My wife is taking both Pegasys and Copeg on a 24 week treatment. We are on week number 15. Has anyone out there developed what looks and feels like (very painfully...) paper cuts on the ends of their fingers.
All manner of lotions and gels have been used to no avail. When they go away... she is so relieved... only to have another one show up on another finger.

[Ambush]

Hi.  I don't have an answer for you, but you may want to jump in with your question on one of the newer threads.  Many don't read this far down and someone might have an answer for you.  You don't necessarily have to post a new question, you can just tag onto an existing one.  Best wishes to you and your wife for SVR!
ambush :)

[jcribbs]

I have taken both Pegasys and PegIntron.  I did pegintron/rebetol last year and this year it's pegasys and rebetol.   In fact, I had my first Pegasys shot last night.  

A comparison from my perspective and based on a first shot and the sides.

PegIntron first shot:  projectile vomiting, aches and pains, fever and chills. It was really like a bad case of the flu.  The vomiting was so severe that it broke many veins in my face and eyes.  This was within 12 hrs after the first shot.  It got better as time went by but I ended up still being a non responder with genotype 1a.

Pegasys first shot:  aches and slight fever.  Back and neck pain. Nausea that has been able to be controlled by thinking about something else or taking a sleeping pill and just sleeping through it.  It has been nearly 24 hrs since I had my shot.. So at this point, the sides will probably even lessen more..  I even plan on working 6  hrs tomorrow... There was no way I could have considered working after the first shot of Peg.

All in all, the first shot of Pegasys was and has been so far much much milder than the first Pegintron shot.

And that's my two cents........

Good luck to everyone in their battle.  And god bless.
Jennifer

[mspoppi]

Hello Everyone,
     I have been on tx for somewhat over 9 months now. My sides had been minimal up to last week. On Monday while at work,i started to have pains in my upper right rib cage area...most likely liver acting up. Well pains lasted for 4 hrs at minute intervals. They subsided but ever since that day,I have been suffered extreme fatique,which has even caused me to leave work on a couple days of that week. My question is,and I hope someone has the answer,is this normal that all of a sudden I have this flare-up and feel like total poop?  Going to have ultra sound on liver Tuesday and hopefully see whats up..can't work,can't even drive very well anymore...completely blew me away...
     Help..........
                                             ::  Patti

[mspoppi]

Hello Everyone,
     I have been on tx for somewhat over 9 months now. My sides had been minimal up to last week. On Monday while at work,i started to have pains in my upper right rib cage area...most likely liver acting up. Well pains lasted for 4 hrs at minute intervals. They subsided but ever since that day,I have been suffered extreme fatique,which has even caused me to leave work on a couple days of that week. My question is,and I hope someone has the answer,is this normal that all of a sudden I have this flare-up and feel like total poop?  Going to have ultra sound on liver Tuesday and hopefully see whats up..can't work,can't even drive very well anymore...completely blew me away...
     Help..........
                                             ::  Patti

[Steve']

I can't help thinking you misunderstood the instructions they gave you about the ribaviryn because I've always heard everyone say they have a morning dose & an evening dose. I take 2 in the am & 2 in the pm ...... Even a few that post here regular take 3 morning & 2 evening... do yourself as favour & just check it out with your doctor or team, better safe than sorry ... I'm Tx #9 pegasys & riba combo .. Holy cow that first shot really knocks your socks off with the chills, I was shaking to the bones for a few hours. Since then I've been reasonable but with aches, dry itching skin & a few other Sx .... touch wood I havent got fatigue .... but I have lost weight anyway...  Good Luck all, keep focused 100%

[jonihs]

Welcome to forum. There are several on here that have been on both pegasys and peg-intron, so if you don't get any answers here, ask again on a different thread. Sorry I can't help. Just wanted to say WELCOME.    Joni

[layla]

Welcome. Good to see you here. Joni is right, threads tend to be read more when new. Once it moves down the line or gets longer they are read less. It's best to use a new thread to introduce yourself and give your stats. I'm sure the folks that have done both tx's can and will respond with info. LL

[meandhepc]

Nuthin like a pet turtle eh?

I have 2 myself and they knew not to mess with me while on tx hahahaha.

[Lill]

I am new to this board but alas, not to the dragon.  Is there anyone on this board who has done both pegylated interferons that may be able to compare and contrast them for me?  I am geno 1a and had to stop after six months due to severe hearing/vestibular side effects.  I was on Peg-Intron and was negative at three months (and presumably when I stopped).  The damage to my ears appears to be permanent.  THe long and the short of it is that if I have to keep asking people to repeat themselves or to please take the marbles out of their mouthes before they speak, I would like something to show for it.  Like an SVR.  To my friend Layla, I am here.  BTW, this board appears to be a refreshing change of pace.  Thanks for the recommendation.  RK

[moonbaby]

Always trying to climb out of his cage and had the audacity to look at me like "is that all?" after I had already fed him 9 food sticks. He is so fat now, he can't fit into his shell. But...I love him anyway!  :0)

Love and Light,
Moonbaby

[AK - Hepper]

I forgot to ask; What did the turtle do to **** you off???? :-)

[AK - Hepper]

I think I had a 24 once, but I don't have anybody around to grate on my nerves all the time so I stay relatively mellow. I did go kinda schizoid at work one time back when I was working, so it's not just you. That's supposed to be a depression test, but most of the symptoms they ask you about are the same as the physical sides from tx, so I don't put a whole lot of stock in those scores anyway.
Congratulations on your PCR, you're off to a great start!

[ral]

Yeah moonbaby, I am the same kind of person. I have overcome a lot. I won't bore you with all the details although they would make a good book or movie, but this stuff is really tough and it affects all of us in different ways.

God Bless

Bob

[moonbaby]

Bob-

Glad to hear you are o.k. and the AD's are helping.

You know, I was just sitting here thinking...(never a good sign)...about the stigma attached to this disease.

I guess I have subconsciously placed a stigma on AD's. Seems like my whole family is taking this stuff. The whole lot are hypochondriacs. I guess I have mistakenly categorized
sympathy seeking/weakness/AD's. Always thought "mind over matter", thought if your mind is strong enough you can overcome anything. I may have to take the stuff before this thing is over with. Seems like my agitation threshold is shrinking by the day...cursing the cats...screaming at the dog...chiding the turtle. Hubby told doc he was going to have to prescribe something for me or give him something to help deal with me. I guess time will tell.

Love and Light,
Moonbaby

[chicagogirl]

I take 3 riba pills in the morning and 2 at dinner.  Definately split up the dose.  Also, do not take riba before going to bed - they can cause insomnia.

[AK - Hepper]

I have to take that test too, every time I go for labs.

[moonbaby]

What have your scores been?

Love and Light,
Moonbaby

[ral]

The same thing happened to me, only my wife called the Dr and had him try to give me the test he started asking me these stupid questions ,was I mad, was I sad etc. I asked him how would he feel if all of a sudden your life stopped after straighting everything out 35 years ago becoming a productive part of society and then your life just has to stop? Then I told him when I'm ready to take AD's I'll take them. Then I told my Dr and wife to never do that to me again. It was a suprise meeting I did not know what it was about, they agreed.

Well the long and short of it they were right I started  taking AD's last week I needed them(12 wks) they seem to be helping. The sx's can be tuff. like people on this forum say do what you have to do to stay on tx.

God Bless
Bob