dosage information?

[bbj2856]

I am new to this forman , I start treatment in Jan. the Dr told me my dosage is pegasys 180 micrograms once week  and ribapack 400-400 2 ties a day. Does this sound like what most of you all are taking. He  told me it will be 24 weeks of treatment. do any of you all feel well enough to work while you take these meds?  Do you drive ?  Any thing i can find out before hand is helpful God bless you all.  Thanks so much for all the value information I have found here. Dont really know how to read lot of it dont understand the short cuts and abbreviations . But trying to learn

[brianmo]

If you look down to the right of this page you will see most viewed health pages. Acr/abb are listed there. Your medication sounds correct. You can drive, or, at least I do. Becoming anemic can be a problem, but let's just wait and see, not everyone does.

Good luck.    Mo

[bbj2856]

I copyed this all down and will pick it up so i can have on hand,  You all are so nice and kind . I appreciate your patients with me .  Lets pray this desease is gone for ever when we finish this treatment.  I am thankful i have some one to be near and help me through this . I have kind wonderful hubby and Thank God for that.  
The sad thing is we went too  the hospitals  for other things and while we were there we get blood with this virus in it. But God has the answers  for all of us . I put my faith in Jesus and i will beat this I wont let it beat me, God answers our prayers so less all beleive  . God Bless These length is great again thanks.

[Advocate1955]

hrsepwrguy, I also posted the link that you provided for acronyms, abbreviations, and definitions on my journal.  Thank you for sharing it.
Advocate1955

[Advocate1955]

bbj2856,
Here are two links to two threads where members of this forum have discussed items that they recommend having at home (over the counter as well as prescription) while on treatment:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Items-I-need-at-home-to-rescue-cue-me-while-on-tx/show/1619415#post_7363894

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/What-have-you-been-prescribed-for-your-sxs/show/1605430#post_7359895

I just posted these threads on my journal, in case anyone needs to refer to it in the future.

Advocate1955

[hrsepwrguy]

There is a slot at the top of the main forum page that says search this community, much better search tool.

[bbj2856]

How do I search for a particular thing .  I know this sounds like dumb question iI but i used search at the top of page got no where thanks.

[Advocate1955]

My husband is on Incivek 375 mg 2 tablets 3x/day, pegasys 180 micrograms once week, and ribavirin 200 mg 3 tablets 2x/day.  He will take the Incivek for 12 weeks, and then continue with pegasys and ribavirin for a total of 48 weeks because he was a partial responder to two previous treatments in 2007 and 2010.  He has worked full time during all three treatments.  He can drive.  I would say that he is able to do the things that he has to do, but is often too fatigued to do other things that he would normally do.  And there are also some days when he really doesn't feel well (rash, itching, chills, etc.) and other days when he seems to feel very well.  One thing you may want to do is search this forum for posts about managing side effects and shopping lists prior to treatment.  There are some great ideas for things to have on hand before you start.  Best wishes.
Advocate1955

[flcyclist]

As Dave mentioned riba is weight based.  FYI, I'm about 190 lbs and on 180 micrograms once week and ribavirin 600 2 times/day.  For the most part I can still do almost everything I could prior to treatment.  I've haven't had to miss a day of work other than scheduled doctor appts and driving is no challenge.  

During my trt, I noticed after the 3-4 week the fatigue began to get worse due to the saturation of Riba.  This is one of the most common sides and one you'll likely experience at some level.  I still cycle but nowhere near the intensity prior to trt, but I feel continuing to exercise is important.  

The side effects will vary from person to person, so don't assume you'll get all the terrible ones you read about.  You'll just have to deal with them as they come.  Members on the forum will help guide you through them.  Best of luck.

[bbj2856]

Thank you for the information. God Bless and you are in my prayers . My weight is 149      5-6 height. I am retired I work in a department store 2 days a week. I have very nice boss. I read where lot of the ones in treatment are dizzy and feel week a lot. My  HCV  RNA  QN iu/ML was 52,860  he said that was low. I found out about this becase I was on liptor and my enzymes went up . I went off Liptor and they continued to increase so  my family Dr. ran the test for Hipititus. Needles to say I was in shock but in late 1978 or 1979 I had female surgery an got 2 units of blood . The Dr  said  he feels  I got it through the blood that was not sceaned at that time.  I have never drink or used drugs so it must have been  from this blood. Thank you all for helping me you are a great group .

[hrsepwrguy]

Here is a link that will help understanding the abbreviations

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/Hepatitis-C-Acronyms-Abbreviations/show/3?cid=64

[spectda]

Good to see they moved your thread to the right forum. There are many people here who can give you great advice and who will share their own experience. sometimes the weekends are slow on the forum so be patient.
-Dave

[spectda]

It's great that you are trying. We need to get one of the Med help moderators to move your thread to the Hepatitis C forum.

Many doctors will dose ribavirin based on weight these days. How much do you weigh?

It's impossible to know how the meds will effect you until you start. Some people are able to work through treatment and some are not. The type of work that you do may also determine if you can do it. Physically demanding work would probably be tough for many, but again it depends on your response.

Keep asking questions and you will learn about this disease which will enable you to help yourself and speak up for yourself with your doctor when  necessary.

Glad you found the forum and welcome.
-Dave