Would appreciate your help

[Sheri42665]

Hi I am a RN that works for a pharmacy.  My job is to go into pt homes and teach them how to self-inject Pegasys and review side effects of the Hep C meds they will be taking.  Most of my patients are on triple therapy. My job is supposed to end there, but I just can't do that. I would like to know from the people that are on therapy some info you wish you would have known prior to starting therapy and how you deal with your side effects. I want to provide my patients with as much information as I possibly can and I figure the real experts are current or past patients. I know how difficult it is to get through to a Dr's office to ask simple questions so I give all of my patients my home and cell numbers to reach me 24/7. I started this job in January and I follow-up every two weeks with all of my patients. The majority do not have internet access so I was wanting to put together something like a pamphlet with helpful information, especially for the few that are too afraid to ask or think that their question is "stupid". I would truly appreciate any information you provide.  

[suezeeque]

I would like to have known what kinds of things I should have on hand, should I need them.

It has been suggested by others here to shop for heavy items prior to starting treatment.  Things like big bags of dog food and kitty litter, because nobody wants to carry heavy stuff after starting treatment.  :)

Then the things to help with side effects.  Gold Bond, Biotene, cases of water, etc.

But I think you may already be providing the one thing most seem to need.  Your PHONE NUMBER!  Many have posted at midnight on the Friday of a long weekend with a question that needs to be answered right away.  Sometimes just "should I go to the ER?", people aren't sure.  The answer is usually "YES!" but sometimes we need permission to do something like visit the ER, for some reason...  

:)

[screaming48]

my nurse came to the house to show me how to inject, she called a couple of times and I called her a couple of times, but she knew nothing about the side effects and she is a rep for incevik as well. Havent heard from her since.

[Idyllic]

Wow, all my literature came from the manufacturers (Incivek & Riba). I got the coolest case, disposal box for the syringes, pill box, journal and a bunch of other stuff. There was a handout of the body to show where all you do the shots and a place next to it to keep track. It encourages site rotation so you don't administer the shots the same place.

Honestly, the majority of my literature that came with my meds contains the info I discover when I post questions or research the Internet. I get you are a nurse but putting together your own pamphlet independent of all the customary literature and documentation that comes with the meds seems dicey.  Oy. Think I will leave this one alone since I am not sure what to say.

Having said that, as an RN you could offer lots of support that's not in the literature. If I could call someone with your knowledge base I probably would be stalking you.

This is a sweet thought. I will be interested to know what you come up with.

[hrsepwrguy]

There is lots of good info on triple treatment side effects and how we have dealt with them in advocates journals just follow the link.

http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/index/1739543?personal_page_id=2242526

[jules2551]

You actually go to patients home to teach them how to self-inject?  I have never heard of that.  I was told I would have to go to classes to learn.  Does insurance pay for that?