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!

[mauka]

thanks I'll do that!

[artgal]

Sorry! Don't know why that went to rifleman -- guess if you've done it once before the computer does it automatically....

[artgal]

I guess the thinking is that one's skin is more sensitive to the sun as a result of the treatment. Early on in my treatment (week 2 -4) I had the nasty riba rash. Lots of oatmeal baths for me! So I was careful about the sun then because my skin in general was irritated. Now the rash is completely gone, I'm outside lots -- walking my 3-4 miles, gardening, washing the windows (we have close to 50...) and playing croquet with the kids -- in other words I'm in the sun a lot. I only wear sunscreen on my face (vanity, I admit) but the rest of my body soaks up the rays and gives me vitamin D.... And I'm just fine. So you just have to play it as it goes for you.

[Califia]

You become more prone to sunburn and rash, so be sure to wear strong sun screen.   My first few months I also found that I just couldn't tolerate heat at all, and the usually pleasant feel of sun on my skin became very uncomfortable, like my skin was on fire.   (Of course, I'm also fair-skinned; you may not be quite so melanin-challenged.)     Heat and sun can also make us nauseous, so monitor carefully.

[mauka]

whats the deal with sun exposure??

I don't undestand if its a major deal if you get out in the sun or you just
get more sunburned??

I love to be outside...please explain

Thanks

[rifleman]

Bingo.  I am w/ the treatment ctr in Portland.  Very nice people there.
DJL