What to expect?

[linthomas]

Hi everyone, well it's still me the soon to be kidney transplant patient. I hope. Picked up Pegassist yesterday, Those are some big needles, just wondering what to expect next wk, will be taking Procrit the day before and I already take Xanax, so I'm just wondering if the sides may be worse because of the renal disease, I'm pretty stable as far as medically. Just getting nervous about starting. Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Linda

[linthomas]

I forgot to tell you the GI said she would be checking blood every 2 wks and PCR mthly, since I'm not taking riba she said the Peg wouldn't effect blood count too much. Another question was if it was prefilled syringes, it is. But the needles still look awfully big, I'm gonna ask her about them Tuesday, another thing I was wondering where is the most common place to do the shots, I put the Procrit in my arms with 1cc syringe. I'm been reading and re-reading the posts and I feel so much better than I did when all this started, You all have given me hope for which I'm grateful. Thanks Linda

[jmjm530]

Danity,

I would get a biopsy before making any treatment decisions.

If it turns out you're stage 0 or 1, you have options.

But even if you're going to treat no matter what, a biopsy will give you a baseline level of fibrosis that can be very useful both during treatment, or in the event you do not SVR. In lieu of biopsy, you can request Lab Corp's Fibrosure test.

Your doubled viral load has no significance (it could triple next year or it could halve) and IMO the rise in your liver enzymes is insignificant. I've had much wider variations before treatment and my heptologist just yawned.

-- Jim

[friole]

You are among friends here.  It does sound like the time is right to treat.  Hard decision, to be sure.  You can read through the threads and find every kind of side effect imaginable.  I made my decision to treat last month and will be taking shot #6 tonight.  So far, for me things have gone very well.  I did not have any reaction to the shots.  Overall, after 5 weeks, I find myself more tired, but not every day. I am changing, but the treatment, so far for me, is livable.

Are you going to request a biopsy?  It seems like the prudent thing to do since your liver enzymes are elevated.  Sometimes the doctors don't want to do one if you are going to treat anyways, but if you push for one, they should do it.

If you do start in 2 weeks, the next 2 weeks will be hard.  Believe me, all the anxiety stops with that first shot.  Good luck,
Kathy

[danity]

Hi everybody, will my app w/gastro was this morning. not only had my vl doubled from last yr (like you advised me jmjm my doc also said vl can change @ any given time so doesn

[jmjm530]

Linda,

I think you've already demonstrated what a strong person you are to come this far. My guess is your short course of inteferon will be a relatively easy part of your journey to get a kidney transplant and eventually get rid of the hep c virus.

Keep us posted and best of luck!

-- Jim

[linthomas]

Thanks for answering, yes Tylenol is okay, I also have Ultram and Gabitril too. On top of everything else I have that fiba thing in my bones, can't spell it, it's mostly in my back. I swear sometimes I think I have to take a pill for everything, about 20 different meds. Thanks again  for answering, every little bit makes me feel better, take care Linda