side effects

[rsterling]

Hello all,
I know I used another thread for this question, because normally by the time I try to ask a question all is full and I am unable to.  I am about to approach my employeer to discuss my illness with him and the fact that I would like to begin treatment after the first of the year.  I would like a response from all with sides so that he and I can sit down and make appropriate accomodations that will work out for the both of us.  I feel that if he can read from experience we will both better be able to prepare and understand.  Of course I know that everyone reacts differently, so please those with minimal sides would be welcome also.

Thank You,  Robin

[CARUU]

I have been on tx for 10 weeks and will be going to 1/2 time at work after the first of the year.  I'm operating at about 1/3 the effectiveness of before and have to reserve ALL energy for work.  It's hard to walk from the parking lot to my desk, let alone set-up and lead meetings, project teams, move equipment, be a good teamplayer, etc.  I have daily headaches, major fatigue, depression, weight gain, brain fog, skin rash, thinning hair. I'm going to work M,W,F 6 hours per day and T,Th 1 hour per day from home by eMail and see how that goes.  This has been difficult because I was reluctant to talk about the illness at first, until I tried the tx to see what the effects would be.  Now that I know what the sx are, and am less worried about what others might think, I am talking about it more and continuing to make decisions on what I need to do to take care of myself.  Water, light exercise, attitude, talk therapy, ad, fun, friends are all important components of this.  I'm freeing up some time to be able to do what I need to.  All work and no personal time is not working for me.  Part of this is just forcing myself to get up and moving for a little while.  I think it's especially important during any time that I feel even a little OK, because there are plenty of times when I don't.  Oh, and I don't take hot showers, it makes the fatigue worse.  I'm also trying media free times/days (no TV, newspaper, etc.).  I think I've seen every episode of Trading Spaces and What Not to Wear that I can stand for the rest of the year.

[lookin-up]

I have been meaning to ask this, but keep forgetting....what is a good amount of water to drink every day?

[GI.PA]

It probably would matter to wait until the first..however I would not wait until Feb to have any more labs done.

GI.PA

[cindyazure]

I'm at week 27 and seem to have sx associated w/ Riba only. I take my Pegasys and nothing different happens.  I'm 115 lbs. so the Riba is strong, especially 2/3 pills at a time.  I believe that having an equal amount in your system at all time is key so now I'm trying something new i.e. taking 1 pill at a time spaced equally apart approx. 5 hrs.  Just starting this today.  I'll keep u posted as to reduced sx.  Just trying to make it to my 48 w/o any more breaks in tx.

[slarso]

I am at 6/48 and the sides are very managable. I sell so I use the phone and drive. Long drives and flights tucker me out though, Fatigue is the major of my minor problems. O yeah, I forgot....Forgetfulness i another biggie for me. I write every thing down, have a bunch od stickie notes and bought one of those hand held recorders to make notes when I drive. You can see from many posts here there are a good number of folks who keep full time jobs on tx, unfortunatly there are those who get slammed. It is luck of the draw. remember.. Wasser ist mein freund.....Water is my friend. drink gallons!

Steve

[layla]

Hope it's ok to piggyback here. New question. I was due to have labs in late November but didn't because I was so busy. I don't worry about it much because mine have been very good. I'm on week 43/60. Now I was going to go last week but realize my new insurance has a deductable and copay so I want to wait until January. Since I've had good labs and haven't seen anyone get worse very late in tx I don't see a problem here but I'm not sure. Did anyone have there labs get bad later in tx? In addition I am due to have my 48 week labs (including PCR) in February. I would like to just go then and due the whole workup. Any thoughts or comments on this? LL