time line for side effects for Peg/Rib treatment

[1oftheclub222]

So it seems like from what I have read, that the Pegasys has immediate side effects (within 4-6 hrs or so) and the Rib sides take a while to build up, except maybe for some nausea if you don't eat enough with the Rib?

sounds like side effects come and go, but the tiredness is the one constant?

[AKHepper]

yep, I always eat till I'm full but I still get queasy anyway.

[pooh55811]

I see that you are Genotype 2 so you don't have to deal with the PIs. That is great.

I think people react differently to the meds. Some have more side effects than others and some have few.

I never got severe side effects from the Interferon (chills, fever, bad headache or bad muscle aches, severe nausea/vomiting). Other than going to the bathroom to urinate, I have no problem sleeping after taking the Interferon. (I have never had a problem sleeping after taking Riba either and I take it at 8 pm.) The side effects I do get are fatigue, some aches, slight headache, nausea, muscle fatigue and aches, some joint pain on and off, lead legs for a couple of weeks, no energy and lack of motivation. It seems that I feel the worst the day after the injection and the day after that. Then as the days pass, I feel a bit better each day. The last 2-3 days before my injection are the best days (although I never feel great, lol).

One thing I do is to take a couple of 325 mg tabs of tylenol the night I take the injection and another tab the following am. I think that helps. I also take Benadryl at night but that is mainly for the rash and itching. However, it does help with sleep. I also drink plenty of water.

I think it might be wise not to plan anything for a couple of days after starting treatment. That way you can see how you react. Maybe you will feel pretty good and not have very many side effects, but if you do have side effects it would be nice if you did not have to go to work or to some big event.

I wish you the best and hopefully you will have few side effects.

[orphanedhawk]

I like taking the shot in the evening. That way you sleep through a lot of the initial sides.
Riba, is a mild stimulant. I actually had to change my later dose because it was keeping me awake at night. And I felt the effects of it right off the bat.

Like flcy said, each week, even different days of the week, differ.
You won't have the energy you had before because these powerful meds are fighting the hep C.

Its hard to predict how exactly it will affect you. Just keep your wits about you and if you ever start to wonder what's happening, why do you feel out of sorts, remember, its the meds.

Good lock

[flcyclist]

I do the Pegasys shot on Friday eve and follow the same pattern as Jasmine.  Sat/Sun morning I try to get things done, then rest in the afternoon.   Each week is a little different regarding side effects, but one constant will be some level of fatigue.  You'll learn to adjust to it and get through it.  Good luck

[JasmineT]

I start feeling weird shortly after taking the shot.  My Saturday mornings, I can shop for groceries but tire out quickly.  Sunday afternoon it's starts getting a bit worse.  Mondays are my worse day but it's also back to work so that probably makes it more noticeable.

http://www.drugs.com/pro/pegasys.html
"Pharmacokinetics

Maximal serum concentrations (Cmax) and AUC increased in a nonlinear dose related manner following administration of 90 to 270 mcg of Pegasys. Maximal serum concentrations (Cmax) occur between 72 to 96 hours post-dose."

[nygirl7]

I always took mine about 6pm so I could pop an Ambien and hopefully sleep through some of it.

You need to take the riba with SOME fat, not like 20mgs but it needs to bind to something so you dont just urinate it out.  

[1oftheclub222]

do you eat much when you take the ribavirin?

[AKHepper]

I start feeling kinda weird as soon as I do my shot, and then it starts to increase about 6 hours later. The worst from the shot for me is the next day and gradually wearing off after the 2nd day.
The ribavirin starts to make me feel crappy and queasy  about an hour after and lasts about 6 hours.
I'm finding if I have a peppermint and ginger tea along with it helps a lot with the queasies.

[pjhep80]

well no not really..  the only immediate side effects i had was from the incivek (diarreah) .. peg side effects (headaches body aches etc) did not start for 12-24 hours after the shot... ya the tiredness is pretty constant ..