What side effets from ribavirin> LAst night first peginterferon shot! :)

[mauka]

2 questions:

I did my first shot of peginterferon last nite
and got the chills and shaking for a bit...is it normal? A littel fever too.

Today I'm taking my first Ribavirin...should I expect to get flu like
symptoms too?

Thanks so much!

[ray2]

i just wanted to post   some words    i went thru the interferon riboviron  program about 6 years ago rite when it was aproved by the fda  i started it the day after it was aproved  and i just got my latest round of test and i am still  negitive after  5 years   so i say it  is a cure for me   the first few shots were tough  my doctor told me the worse i feel the better it was working   i dont know if that is true or not but it is relentless in feeling bad   i lost about 50 pounds thrue the treatment  from 215 to 160  and i had alot of pain aches  fever i taked to my doctor   and they precribed me valium and tylox and that helped alot  along with sport shakes as much as i could you have to drink water   but how that one post said  20 gal i know he is joking but drink it about i gallon a day keep it in the frig and moniter it and drink it acordinly  and then drink a sport shake wether you feel like it or not  because the time will come when you dont want to  so do it     above all be for i forget    take youe med s on a as close to pefect time shedule as possible   same time everyday  and the shots[ mine were three times a week ]   the shots were at 3;00 pm  so when it started to take effect  i was going to bed and i would try and sleep thru it  thats where the valium helped  so timing is key   my doctor was one of the best in the country for hepc but just out of trial phaze there wasnt much data on reactions and side afects and i think the manufactor shering plough down played it quite a bit [ i remember i told peaple from the state senate or other peaple take a shot it wont hurt you but you will see what i am goin thrue] i would like to keep posting messages on how i did in getting thrue it alot of things idont even remember that year is kinda of a blank  but please please rember to take your medicine as perfectly as possible i belive that is the whole key  as best i can put it  there is a war going on in your body and given the time for the virus to regroup  doesnt do you any good [ i had to go on ssc  and the va helped out ] so for now get your ducks in a row  lighten your work load get a support person you can honestly talk to and cry on and wine on for that matter take your meds ON TIME  set up a calender to help you  if yoou feel like doin some activitys or work doit  if not dont do it  and above all if some one is trying to make you feel guilty because you are slacking  tell them to get SCREWED and for the next year take care of health and self grooming [warm baths for aches helped to] but i will check in once in a whlie to see if i can help my email is ***@**** i know what you are goin thrue i hope i can help i will say a prayer   i sure wish  these lines were here when i was goin thrue it  there was virtully nothing out there        ps i testified at the state senate in my state of minnesota  afew times and my first line was today is my lucky day because i know i am very ill with hepitis c because most peaple dont know they even have have it [ ya know rite now i have a tear in my eye]  see ya for now   ray ps again    after reviewing what i wrote  i for get to say there is an upside i dont have hepc any more and life is back to better than normal   iam havin a ball thanks

[doll face]

I took Centrum Silver. no iron.

[doll face]

Ok 4 pm est on Friday, I'll be there with you in thought.  Yes the phone numbers are a good thing to have. I used them a few times when I thought I did something wrong and when my meds were late getting to me.

What type of vitamins are you taking? I wasn't alllowed any that had iron. Just trying to help you cover all the bases so you win this fight ;-)

[rifleman]

I take one centrum regular per day (actually the generic walmart version).  I told the dr. this and he didn't say anything about iron.  I looked but couldn't find any vitamins w/out iron.
DJL

[Harley1n2]

Good morning to everyone,  I just found this sight today.  Just thought I'd let the person asking about the Ribavirn and peg that I've now been on TX for 2 weeks. I'm happy to say that except for a little fatigue and insomnia I've had zero side effects.  I have put this off for 5 years because I was so leary of the sides, now I feel silly for waiting. I almost feel guilty because so many people are having such a hard time.  I know I am early on in TX and maybe things will change but I'll stay optimistic.  Any way I just thought I'd tell someone that might be holding off because they are scarred that it isn't always bad.  The wondering is worse than anything.  Have a great day!

[rifleman]

I'll check on the grapefruit juice.  I could never stand the stuff as a kid but kind of enjoy it now.  Still, I can take it or leave it.  Fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice contains salycylic acid, the main player in aspirin, so that might not be good if you are on certain meds or are platelet deficient.  The concentrate juice doesn't have the same strength as fresh-sqeezed.
Counting down to Friday the 17th.  Take the first shot that afternoon.  This morning (6/14) I had a liver ultrasound, an EKG, and sat down for 1/2 hour with the sociable worker to go over supports and if I have a history of depression or suicidality (I have neither).
The meds have been delivered to the Dr.s office and are waiting for me.  I never know where I may be at a given time so it was easier to have them delivered there.  
I have purchased 2 bottles of tylenol and 1 bottle tylenol pm and one of those pill holders with the days of the week on it.  I have also nailed down a source of alcohol-free wine.
Anyway, at around 4 this Friday afternoon I guess I'll be declaring war on HCV.  Almost feel sorry for the little bastards, but I'll get over it.
DJL