interferon injection

[marra36]

Hi I'm new to this community. I recently started triple therapy treatment with solvadi, ribaviron and interferon injection. This is the beginning of my 3rd week. I'm experiencing redness from the injection site and they haven't gone away. There still very large and red around the area where I inject.  Is this normal?
How long does it take to go away?
Or is this something serious?
I would appreciate any help.
Thank you.
Genotype 1a2

[Ekkiemom]

Hi KD  wow  I remember talking to you a while back I believe I am amazed ur still doing that Tx. with all your weight loss but kudos to you! Good Luck and drink plenty of water and keep your electrolytes in check..
Be well
Peace
Deb

[susan400]

Magnum, as you know I was just on the triple therapy June-Sept of this year. Sovaldi-Peg-Riba.  At that time, it was what was recommended to me because I could not do the Olyssio and did not want to wait to this new one that you're getting ready to do.  I had the thought that I wanted to go with doing 3 mon. instead of 6 and that was my choice. 3 mon of triple or 6 mon. of Sovaldi and Riba.  I chose 3.  So far, I have been undetected since week 4 and I'm 6 wk post treatment.  The last viral load I had was 1 wk post treatment.  I am not scheduled for another one until 12 wk post TX.  I know Peg is harsh, but it does still work in the triple combo for some people who are not cirrhotic or interferon intolerant.  In my case, I also didn't want to do the Olyssio (not just because of the resistant problem), but also because of having had such rash issues on my one and only time on a protease inh.  I didn't want to risk going through all that on the Olyssio with the rash issues and all.  Anyhow, just making a comment.  I know that interferon is mostly being phased out.  Susan400

[Magnum]

I'm confused as to why you are on a triple therapy with Solvadi. From all I heard it should be Solvadi and Riba. What's with that nasty stuff Interferon? Have you gotten another opinion from another doctor? Not to scare you, but the reason I ask is that I was so ill on that type of triple treatment, that the Hepatologist simply told me "no more Interferon". I guess your case must be different. Have you asked if you could change to the newer drug Harvoni? Good luck in clearing...

Magnum

[katethecatlady]

Sorry to take so long to respond...I hadn't logged in for a while. I decided only to do my thighs. I haven't had any spasms per se. Just some bruising and purplish blotches. I just saw my doctor today and we discussed my 5 week blood work results and it says the HCV is undetectable! I have to finish treatment, another 4 weeks, but I'm clear! YAY! I hope your results are the same.... good luck!

[Dee1956]

Really good information.  I don't think Marra is getting much help from her doctor.

Marra, are you getting weekly blood draws?  I am only asking because normally they have your blood drawn every week at first to see how you are doing.  Then if you look ok it could go to every other week then once a month.  Each person is different.

Take Care
Keep in touch

[Idyllic]

I am not sure what kind of training you had when you started your Peg. Used to most people administered their first shot in the doctor's office so they could instruct you how to do it. Even though it is a little overwhelming in the beginning there is not much to it however there are some things you should know and/or practice.

Site rotation is important. Some sites are easier than others depending on ratio of fat/muscle in stomach or thighs. Either way it is important to Use a different place each time you give yourself an injection.

This is from the drugs.com:  Interferon Injection Sites
http://www.medhelp.org/user_photos/show/509266?personal_page_id=414409

If you copy and paste the link in your browser and scroll all the way down there are images of how to inject the shot (angle and all that)
http://www.drugs.com/pro/pegasys.html

This is a paragraph on injection-related symptoms is from "Dr. Melissa Palmer's Guide to Hepatitis and Liver Disease:
http://www.medhelp.org/user_photos/show/509263?personal_page_id=414409

[marra36]

You answered from my other post. lol   I was replying to someone else on this post. But thanks for your comment.

[Dee1956]

Hi I did not answer question, so sorry.  yes, the redness is normal.  You can always put an ice pack on to help.
I had the redness and bruising at times.
I thought the redness was my body reacting to the medication.
Bruising was because I did not know what I was doing ha ha....just kidding...my platelets were low.
Keep in touch.
Dee

[Dee1956]

Hi there, when I treated I just did my stomach, kind of in a circle so I would not inject same area twice in one month.
I tried to do my legs but I could not get enough skin to inject and the one time I did it bruised so bad I went back to the stomach. :)  Plenty of skin there ha ha

[marra36]

Thank you for answering my question. I haven't injected into my legs, I thought the only place I could inject was my stomach. I might have to go to my legs though. My stomach is full of redness from the injections. Did you have more muscle cramps or spasms  in your legs though from the injection area? I know an hour after my injection my muscles in my whole body twitch and spaz .

[katethecatlady]

I'm on week 6 of this same tx. The same thing happened to me and was initially concerning but they seemed to have dissipated somewhat. My doc told me to do my stomach too but I really don't like to add more to the mix. I will stick to my thighs.

[patra_]

I was on Interferon in 94/95.  I, too, lost weight, but, since I needed to I just used enough ensure to keep  up my nutrution level (3 a day, in my case) and didn't worry about not eating.  Of course, I knew what to expect as my Mother had been given that for cancer and it really messed with her taste buds, sense of smell and appetite.  I just tried all the kinds of nutrition drinks and in all the flavors before I started treatment and bought the Vanilla by the case, and a six pack of chocolate every once in a while.  (I've always been a plain vanilla kind of gal : -). )

ChefL:  Eeyw!  Tropical doesn't even sound good.

Like someone said on another thread, talk w/your DR.  That is a LOT of weight loss for 2 weeks, unless you have just stopped eating altogether.  IF that is the case, get the ensure and read the label and decide how much you need to, first, STOP the weight loss, then, SEcond, if you want to put some back on, add extra.

Hope this helps!  Go slay that Dragon!   Pat

[cheflady]

Hiya my hubby was on old triple tx                                                       and he lost nearly 3 stone in the 24wks that he was on tx. The hep doc gave him ensure nutrition drinks to try and build him up also he got redness through interferon jabs so he changed the sites eg top left leg then right leg and various sites around his middle. Hope that helps and good luck with rest of tx. Love Jules

[hepc4Sandi]

The redness is typical, and will fade over time, or turn to a bruise that will fade.  But you losing weight is NOT GOOD! Please tell your doctor. You should not be this ill that you can't hold down food. Try nibbling on small amounts of food during the day. Ginger ale, ginger snaps, candied ginger will help. Nuts, dried fruit, cheese. Maybe try drinking some Ensure. I made Instant Breakfast shakes in my Magic Bullet. You need to keep your energy up as much as possible. Please tell your doctor though. I did the same Tx as you.

[kdu5]

i also dropped 18 pounds in 2 weeks so i dont know how good that is i havnt been able to eat or hold food down have you ?

[kdu5]

its nothing serious  if you look on youtube you will see other people have the same redness

[kdu5]

im on the same also and this is my 3rdweek too i have the same redness also it will go away  i was on  treatment 6 yrs ago and the shots i remember did the same  but for me it took a few weeks to go away   but dont worry  =)