side effects

[roscoe1]

Has anyone here experienced some of the horrible side effects you read about on other websites due the current treatment for hcv. I mean some of them sound awful. Some good news? Will interferon ruin you physically and mentally for the rest of your life. I hear of some people who have done the treatment more than once on this site and have not complained that much and would be willing to tx again if need be.??????????????????????  thanks and Merry Christmas everyone!  R1

[epiphiny]

I'm on my 2nd tx and there are definately side effects but so far, for me, they are manageable...

I would like to focus on my experience of post tx.  This is my 2nd tx, I had a tx failure 5 years ago. Unlike some folks I did not experience long terms side effects such as the ones you will read about on the above links.  

I felt better and better each day after finishing tx and I can honestly say my life and quality of life was significantly improved, despite not kicking the virus first time round.  When I read about some of the long terms effects people suffer I do wonder if I have some of them, but IF I do they are not interfering with the quality of my daily life.  I guess I am one of the lucky ones.

It all depends on whether you can live with the knowledge that you carry a virus or whether you want to try to get rid of it.  Obviously I am one of the latter as I am back in the treatment merry go round and despite the difficulties I am glad to be doing it.

Btw, this time I am UND and I have a really good chance at SVR!

All the best to you, and don't hesitate any questions of the forum.  There is no question to small when it comes to finding out about this virus!

Epi :))

[rita863]

I consider myself to be one of the lucky treaters, mind you it wasnt easy, but I had some sides, some good days and bad days, but you manage to get through it....(my family my have a different opinion on that though, they had to live with me)  

good luck to you!!!!

peace rita

[jmjm530]

You can check out the new Health Page on Side Effects at the following link:

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/Side-Effects-From-the-Treatment-Drugs-Both-During-and-After-Treatment/show/530?cid=64

[sunshine585]

When you look at the long list of sides, it looks frightening. I have found, with myself that even though I had many on the list, I never had them all at once to the 10th degree. They come and go at different times during treatment. Some days, I felt really awful and somedays not so bad. I have been finished treatment 1 1/2 months and am starting to feel like the old me again. It does take awhile to totally get them out of your system, but I'm feeling a whole lot better. As for being ruined for the rest of my life, with mental and physical residual effects, I can't answer as I'm fresh out of treatment, but I'm happy and look forward to moving on. I'm hoping this helped somewhat.

[Trinity4]

The saying "beauty is in the eyes of the beholder" applies somewhat in the case of side effects.  Some are able to endure more than others.  Exact same side effects can effect two people totally different so it's really depends on the individual as to how they will react.   For the most part, people tolerate treatment fairly well.  It isn't easy, but we manage.  I never really over think it.  Just go with it and hope for the best.
Happy Holidays
Trinity

[charm27]

Everyone's sx vary so much. One person can get hit hard--the other will find it doable.
So I suggest you just go thru it and see what happens. Take it day by day.
Hopefully you wont get hit hard.

Drink lots of water. Very important!


Alot has to do with how anemic you get and labs etc.
So take baby steps.
Wish you well.

[portann]

Dear Roscoe,

Perfect timing!  One of our members with much gravitas just added very useful links about side effects, that take into consideration a wide range of experience. It's worth checking out.

Just open the Health Page link:

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/list?cid=64

Scroll to the very bottom for information about side effects during and after treatment.

There are certain predictors but it's all a bit fuzzy knowing how we ourselves as individuals will fare.

Merry Christmas to you.

Port