first shot is the Hardest? Or is it ?

[Jeffyboy]

What a drag the sx are they are Kicking my blind bahooky. I have just started feeling the sx and I don't know how I can handle 47 more. I yelled at my wife and kids a couple of times before locking myself in my room. My wife most likely wants a divorce now, and I feel like just being by myself now. I did have hopes that the first shot would be easy on the body, but instead it is the most difficult experience I am challenged with. If anyone has experienced this with their first shot please tell me the worst is over.
Jeffy

[Morgaina]

My first shots weren't the worst and I really dont know which part was. I had dificult sensory problems. Noise, movement visual or touch were just too wierd sometimes. My guy and my 18 yr. old daughter were cooking supper one night and laughing and having such fun but I couldn't stand it, I had to go to the back room and close the door. It made me so sad that their joy was killing me. It was a terrible moment. But they both came in very quiet and told me they would be more careful, but they were both still crazy, just quieter. You deserve to be understood, this is no cake-walk (well, maybe for some), but you better approach it as a partner effort or it will get too hard on you. You dont need the grief that comes with treatment, never mind becoming so weak as an individual and trying to defend yourself. Get your guy to read here or just get him to listen to you. You should matter most!! Especially now!!

[Htownwife]

Hi all,
I'm really glad I  just found this forum. My husband was diagnosed with hep c about a year ago, and began treatment this past June. The first shot was definately the hardest, but he had anger issues and would get upset over the slightest thing for several months following his shot. I read about the side effects of the meds which helped me tremendously, even though it was difficult experiencing his anger. However,I know it was just as difficult (even worse)for him. His anger seems to have dropped off quite a bit, or at least he is controlling it more. I don't ask anything of him over the weekends (he takes his shots on Fridays) and encourage him to take it easy. I know it's temporary and we're going to get through this. We're active in our church, and the support and prayers we get from  our friends and family is what's carrying us through.

[Kalio1]

I agree with Grand, if your wife knows what the treatment does to you she might understand it better. The need to be alone thing happened to me too because I couldnt cope with the stimulation, conversation, dealing with kids. It was all just too overwhelming and difficult. The first shot for me was a killer. I needed help even to stand up. I still have a bad day or two after my shot where I feel bad but none have been AS bad as the first one so hang in there. You did the right thing. When it is too much, go off by yourself, it's better than chewing everyone's head off. I agree with the others that the kids and your wife need a crash course in what it does to you and that it causes mental changes as well as physical pain and other issues. Don't look it it like "I have 47 to go" it is too overwhelming, try to just say "I will get through this day" because as you have found, some days are really tough.
Rest. Stay on top of your water intake. Use your pain meds and hang on for the ride. You CAN do it. It IS temporary. Long, but temporary. tomorrow will be better. Hang in there.

[bobbyullc]

MY FIRST WAS WORST BUT OVER THE 48 WEEKS IT WAS WAY UP AND WAY DOWN...LIKE WHEN ONE SIDE WOULD LESSON A DIFFERENT ONE WOULD POP UP. LIKE JIM I MANAGED TO SEE MY FRIEND JUST DRIFT OFF WHILE I SAT ON THE COUCH WATCHING JUDGE JUDY...SHE HAS BAD SIDES ALL THE TIME. MANY PEOPLE REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF MEDS THEY TAKE OR MISS SHOTS.. THIS IS BAD SO HANG IN AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS.
MAYBE SHE COULD USE THIS SITE AND SEE WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH.

[headsrtails]

I just finished my second shot....like the first, the symptoms were mild...I will keep posting on the efx of tx; NYgirl was wondering about all the serious efx from tx and she alluded that it may be dissuading people from making that jump. It may be too early to tell if every shot will be as easy as the last two; but will keep all abreast; so if there any newbies like myself who are not that physically bad off at the moment, and are wating for tx to improve, you may want to go ahead???? Headsrtails

[jmjm530]

It's unpredictable with future shots. You may have good and bad weeks, or more likely bad and badder weeks :)

I lived alone and still managed to alienate friends and family. I can just imagine what would have happened if I had been living with someone. The combination of interferon and ribavirin can wind you tighter than than a bongo drum, with the least little thing setting you off.

Oaks suggestion of trying to explain things to your family is very good. Let them know it's the drugs talking, not you. At the same time, unless you already are, you might talk to your doctor about taking ADs (anti-depressants). Many here have found it helps take the edge off the riba rage.

Hopefully your first shot will be the worst.

All the best.

-- Jim