start pegasys tomarrow

[shannon869]

I start my pegasys inj in the morning looking for any tips that may prepare me for this journey

[BoceprevirGal]

  I liked to keep some food in my stomach all the time while Treating, to avoid any nausea, and I felt more tired as the day progressed, so I did my shopping and laundry in the morning. I also began cooking my dinner (and my families') a bit earlier then I would normally, to avoid the fatigue, so I would start cooking by 3~4 pm.  I would always go to bed by 11 pm, because it is good to get plenty of rest while fighting off a virus.
  These meds can dry your skin out and make it more sensitive, so I bought fragrance free laundry detergent and natural shampoo and conditioner. Good luck Shannon, with your Journey~~~

[Shyrlgame]

Welcome Shannon,
I am currently on tx, I take daily Ribavirin by mouth and weekly Interferon by injection.  I get flu like symtoms for a coupe days after the injection.  I also have been dealing problems with hemoglobin, which is common on this regimen.  And take meds to help with that.  I have bloodwork done every two weeks, you may also, so your team/ doc can keep track of how your CBC levels are.    For me the symtoms have eased off a bit now that I'm past 12 weeks. .  . I have genotype 3 and will be treating for 24 weeks.

You have found a great place for support if you find you need it or just wondering about a symtom you may have or to decipher your lab results there are experienced friends here to help you through.  

Definately do not let yourself get dehydrated, keep water with you anywhere you go always!

Best wishes
Shyrl

[ceanothus]

Hi Shannon, and welcome to the forum! The responses might be a little slow because you didn't give very much information. There are MANY variables that affect treatment and much depends on your viral genotype, your liver condition, your age and general health, and which other drugs you are taking. It would be quite rare for anyone to take Pegasys alone, maybe unheard of nowadays, although its been done in the distant past. Are you also taking ribavirin? How about Telaprevir or Boceprevir?

Regarding the immediate side effects of the Pegasys injection itself, some people have none, some feel like they've been run over by a truck, and many experience something in between. It's a good idea to take a Tylenol before the injection, and to take the injection just before bed, so you can sleep through some of the effects. The next day you might feel fine, or you might have a headache and body aches like you are coming down with the flu. If you do feel crummy it will gradually wear off over 1-3 days. Many people choose Friday nights for their injections so they will have a better chance at feeling good during the work week. However, interferon is perversely unreliable – I always felt fine for several days after the injection, and THEN felt flu- like for a couple of days. Friday seems to work best for the majority, but it sure wasn't best for me. After you've been on the interferon for a month or so the immediate effects may decline, but the all- the-time effects will probably start building up a bit, especially fatigue. It's extremely important to drink tons of water while on tx, a gallon a day at least. Don't go anywhere without a bottle of water, seriously.

Write again and let us know what else you are taking and more of your story!