Today the Battle Begins!

[NewandConfused]

Hi again everyone!  I am here to report that we have decided to begin treatment today.  Hubby took his first two Riba pills this morning and we go to the dr. office for help with the first injection today at 5:00.  We are still overwhelmed, afraid and completely lost but I keep reading and trying to grasp the nature of this beast.  If any of you have any last minute advice I am definitely all ears.  I am so grateful for all of you that have given us the strength to go forward with treatment - thank you so much!  It helps so much to know that you are all here with support and answers!  Wish us luck!  I'll let you know how it goes!  

[R Glass]

Best wishes and may the Force Be with You. We will be here for you. R. Glass

[jmjm530]

Here is Doctor Dieterich's post regarding pre-dosing ribavirin. You should know two things about him. First, he's one of the best and well-respected liver specialists in the country and second, he actually treated twice himself for Hepatitis C. In his post he says if he had to do it again, he would probably pre-dose ribavirin. That's quite an endorsement at least for me and perhaps something to show to your doc although your NP obviously doesn't need convincing. The thread is here;

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/549174?post_id=post_question_start

Dr. Dieterich:
"...There is no data yet on predosing with RBV, but I am getting more convinced of it and would do it myself if I had to start again. The more viral loads the better. 2 weeks is good but mandatory at 4 weeks to predict SVR.."

[sunspot]

What everybody above said. Be ready for Flu/Fever. Also keep in mind that maybe nothing at all will happen. I waited in a state of high anxiety for many hours. I wore myself out and had to go to bed tired. The sx hit a few weeks later. Go figure.
Best of luck to you.

[jmjm530]

First congratulations and good luck with treatment!

I just read in a previous post of yours that your nurse advised pre-dosing while your doc suggested starting peg and riba the same day.

If you still have time to reconsider, I'd say go with the Nurse, at least for me it's a more cutting edge approach and I see very little downside, only upside. Recently, our resident liver specialist, Dr. Dieterich, had some favorable comments regarding pre-dosing.

The other thing is that you mentioned is that your husband is taking 2 riba in the morning. Do you know what his total dose daily is? I'm guessing it's 800 mg which may be fixed dose as opposed to weight based. Weight based riba seems the trend regardless of genotype so I'd definitely speak to your med team about that. Often, at least in my case, doctors are happy to adjust the riba upward on patient's request as long as it's reasonable.

Here is one weight-based scheme: http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/2005icr/aasld/docs/111805_a.html

"...RBV based on weight: < 65 kg � 800 mg/day, 65 to <85 kg - 1000mg/day, 85 to < 105 kg - 1200 mg/day, and 105-125 kg - 1400 mg/day. .."

All the best,

-- Jim

[sandbash]

I'm on week four....first two weeks were pretty uneventful, not many sides.  Week three experienced dull headaches...tylenol helped.  The high fat intake with pills caused a big adjustment since I have always eaten low fat low carbs...(lots of flatulence and belching....yuk) ...pepcid ac helped.  A bit of itching and slight rash....pediatric benadryl about a jigger and lubriderm lotion...helped.  Irritability and sensitive at times....understanding spouse helped (but don't always count on it...as they are going through an adjustment too).  

[FlGuy]

First 'two' riba?  I looked back at a prior post.  You said hubby was Geno 3 and weighed 195 lbs.  Standard dosing of riba (a flat 800 mg per day) is not as effective as weight-based (in hubby's case about 1200 mg per day).  You should talk with the doc one more time.  Hubby need to take the best shot at getting rid of this the first time.  Good luck.

[kimmypoo2]

drink water..its cant be stressed enough.....
dont forget tyenol before shots it will
help with the flu like sx
dont be scared you will have good and bad days
and you will make it through ok
i will keep you in my prayers
love and light
kimmy

[Marcia2202]

I wish you all the best. Hope the sx will not be too bad. Marcia

[RJGCEDARS]

Dont be confused and dont panic. My first shot was an eye opener. I said to myself
no way can i do this for weeks and weeks. Chills, sweats, pain, shakes and just bad.
I wasnt expecting it to be that bad. Sweatshirts Blankets and will to get through it..
and it was done. I have not had any reaction like that after 19 weeks. Yes, sx are not pleasant...at times. But then you have none and that is ok too..
DRINK WATER
rjg

[Trinity4]

Best of luck to you and hubby.  Drink lots of fluids, Tylenol for fever, aches and pains several hours after injection (it really did help me) and rest as much as possible. Take Riba with meals that contain high fat content.  Helps with absorption and nausea.  Most experience the worst sx after the first couple of shots.  Hope hubby has smooth transition through tx.  
Trinity