I'd suggest starting treatment in the late fall - the triple therapy for me made me sleep a LOT. For 3 or 4 days of the week, I'd find myself sleeping for 17 hours a day! (12 at night, followed by 2 hour lunch, then a 5 hour nap). If it's nice outside, then it sucks to be too tired to enjoy it.
TazKat said
Feb 29, 2012
I have to be on treatment for 48 weeks. i have until sept on the interferon & riba crap. I have a above ground pool. so.. should i get like a 50 spf or a really high number for the summer? i am really getting agitated again with the interferon & riba again. i now remember how i felt in 2005. i think i am on week 19 or 20. hell i don't know anymore!! lol :)
Shep said
Feb 29, 2012
I think timing is everything--of course no time will ever be perfect. I started 2 days before Christmas--which was not the greatest time but I wanted to be able to spend some time at home at the 1st of tx. I am teacher so that was available to me. Glad I did it that way--the first couple of weeks were pretty difficult. I don't like the heat and could not image having to do this in the hot summer. That being said--I have absolutely been chilled & frozen But I figure you can always put on more clothes, take warm soothing baths. I have been lucky--it has been the mildest winter in many,many years. I'm still cold. I think it makes sense to wait until Sept. --then you can enjoy your daughter's graduation and get her off to college. I did that last year and was so happy I was up to all the excitment and joy it brings. Best wishes to you! Shep
Isiscat2011 said
Feb 29, 2012
I was diagnosed in early Spring of 2011 and wanted to start tx asap. By the time everything was well underway (tests, insurance, etc) it was nearly summer and my doc told me he would not start his pts on tx in the summer, that I should enjoy my summer, and we would begin in the fall.
This delay made little sense to me as I figured when to begin should be up to the patient. And, who is going to "enjoy" their summer after just being diagnosed with this disease? Why not start in summer?
As it turned out, he was right. Starting in hot weather could be quite uncomfortable and there is also the issue of photo-sensitivity caused by the tx drugs.
Otoh, having some *brightness* in your life during tx is important; gloomy or cold weather can effect people's mental state. I think starting in the fall is good b/c you will still have some sun and you will, hopefully, finish in the spring. As Alan points out high humidity would not be optimal either, so it does depend on where you live.
Having said all that, regardless of how perfectly you plan tx, it will still be unpredictable and filled with uncertainties. As a consummate planner myself, I say sometimes you just gotta go for what you want irrespective of the conditions, and hope for the best.
news said
Feb 28, 2012
I grew up in the South and I really think your decision to wait till September makes sense from a comfort standpoint. I don't think heat, humidity and treatment go together all that well. I know you are anxious to get started, but I bet when the side effects get cranked up good and it is October, with cool cloudy days and longer nights, you'll be proud you waited.
Alan
Caryn said
Feb 28, 2012
Thanks for the feedback! I live in the South as well and it gets very hot and humid here. I am due to start in Sept. of this year because my daughter is graduating high school and going away to college. I am concerned about the side effects. I would hate to miss her graduation and not be able to get her situated and off to college. It is hard because I would actually prefer to start NOW! Because tx and the sx are unpredictable, I am not sure this is a good idea. I guess I will keep trying to figure it all out! Thanks again everyone!
Susan said
Feb 28, 2012
I started treatment in January and I am glad it ended up this way because I will finish in mid June, leaving me the rest of the summer to get outdoors, and, hopefully revel In the fact that I have cleared this disease. I like to travel plus we have an RV for week-end trips to the lake. I wouldn't be able to do either of these while on treatment. I will miss the spring, but plan on getting out while I can before it gets too hot. As I live in the south, the winters are mild anyway. But I can honestly say that, on the weekends I have had to stay in bed, I am glad they were in the winter.
LanaiSurferGirl said
Feb 28, 2012
I specifically moved back to Hawaii for treatment (we live in San Diego but husband is deployed so I can be anywhere right now). Last time I went through treatment I was cold most of the time and was uncomfortable...plus winter weather makes my skin dry and itchy.
I have loved the warm weather here and didn't get the rash. I have been careful to stay out of the sun and when I know I will be in sun to lather on the sunscreen. From a mental standpoint it has been great to be here because no matter how bad I feel some days I am able to get fresh air outside and enjoy the weather. If I were in a cold place I would be tempted to hibernate in bed :) So...I am the different one on here that votes for treatment in summer but we are all different and you need to do what you feel is best for you.
I took zyrtec daily (an antihistamine) when I was on telepravir to keep the rash away. I don't know if I would have gotten it but didn't want to take a chance. I suggest talking with your doctor about this or other antihistamines.
Aloha and good luck :)
Meghan
Anna Christie said
Feb 28, 2012
Glad I did it in the winter although the dark evenings and gloom and being so sick for the holidays wwere very depressing. However from a physical standpoint it was better for me re the itch,rash as discussed by Brad. Heat and warm days/nights made it a lot worse to the point of almost unbearable. Plus if it was warm I would sweat too and that made the itch and rash much worse. I noticed on days it was really cold here that the itch was less and rash. So from a mental standpoint I would have felt better treating in the spring and summer with more light and sunshine, but from a physical standpoint not not with the hot humid weather that occurs where I live, so unbearable that u can't go out til after the sun goes down. However if u kept your house super cold with airconditioning I think it would work OK. I think you would have to drink a lot more water re hydration treating in the summer. All in all I am glad I did it Sept to March. Now I can enjoy the spring and the long full of light days. Whenever you do it it is going to suck big time though. I just wanted to get started as soon as possible and get it over and now I am almost done and have only 3 shots left. I did not even consider the time of year to do it, I just did it as soon as I could.Glad I did not wait or I would have a long time til I finished.It is a real good feeling to be near the end.
Caryn said
Feb 28, 2012
Okay, so I see that the meds make everyone have different sx, but I am wondering if people who have done almost the whole year have had an easier time in the summer or the winter? Stupid question, but the reason I ask is because I tend to function better in the summer in general. Even though Texas heat is miserable, the sunshine makes me feel better. I dislike winter time and find myself less active. Can anyone give me some feedback on this?
krowdog said
Feb 27, 2012
Hi Caryn - very SMART question!
I live in Las Vegas, and LOVE the sun (been West coast and Hawaii my whole life).
But...I specifically waited a month or so for cooler weather when I started TX because I heard the heat, and the sun were big triggers for the Incivek itch and rash. Even though it has been pretty cool during my TX, the itch has been one of the most uncomfortable parts of treatment.
Much has been written about avoiding sun and heat on these drugs, as they are known to cause photo-sensitivity. I would be careful since the rash is one of the two main reasons for discontinuing the Incivek TX (the other being anemia)
Luck,
Brad
-- Edited by krowdog on Tuesday 28th of February 2012 04:39:18 AM
-- Edited by krowdog on Tuesday 28th of February 2012 04:40:30 AM
I'd suggest starting treatment in the late fall - the triple therapy for me made me sleep a LOT. For 3 or 4 days of the week, I'd find myself sleeping for 17 hours a day! (12 at night, followed by 2 hour lunch, then a 5 hour nap). If it's nice outside, then it sucks to be too tired to enjoy it.
I have to be on treatment for 48 weeks. i have until sept on the interferon & riba crap. I have a above ground pool. so.. should i get like a 50 spf or a really high number for the summer? i am really getting agitated again with the interferon & riba again. i now remember how i felt in 2005. i think i am on week 19 or 20. hell i don't know anymore!! lol :)
I think it makes sense to wait until Sept. --then you can enjoy your daughter's graduation and get her off to college. I did that last year and was so happy I was up to all the excitment and joy it brings.
Best wishes to you!
Shep
I was diagnosed in early Spring of 2011 and wanted to start tx asap. By the time everything was well underway (tests, insurance, etc) it was nearly summer and my doc told me he would not start his pts on tx in the summer, that I should enjoy my summer, and we would begin in the fall.
This delay made little sense to me as I figured when to begin should be up to the patient. And, who is going to "enjoy" their summer after just being diagnosed with this disease? Why not start in summer?
As it turned out, he was right. Starting in hot weather could be quite uncomfortable and there is also the issue of photo-sensitivity caused by the tx drugs.
Otoh, having some *brightness* in your life during tx is important; gloomy or cold weather can effect people's mental state. I think starting in the fall is good b/c you will still have some sun and you will, hopefully, finish in the spring. As Alan points out high humidity would not be optimal either, so it does depend on where you live.
Having said all that, regardless of how perfectly you plan tx, it will still be unpredictable and filled with uncertainties. As a consummate planner myself, I say sometimes you just gotta go for what you want irrespective of the conditions, and hope for the best.
I grew up in the South and I really think your decision to wait till September makes sense from a comfort standpoint. I don't think heat, humidity and treatment go together all that well. I know you are anxious to get started, but I bet when the side effects get cranked up good and it is October, with cool cloudy days and longer nights, you'll be proud you waited.
Alan
Thanks for the feedback! I live in the South as well and it gets very hot and humid here. I am due to start in Sept. of this year because my daughter is graduating high school and going away to college. I am concerned about the side effects. I would hate to miss her graduation and not be able to get her situated and off to college. It is hard because I would actually prefer to start NOW! Because tx and the sx are unpredictable, I am not sure this is a good idea. I guess I will keep trying to figure it all out! Thanks again everyone!
Glad I did it in the winter although the dark evenings and gloom and being so sick for the holidays wwere very depressing. However from a physical standpoint it was better for me re the itch,rash as discussed by Brad. Heat and warm days/nights made it a lot worse to the point of almost unbearable. Plus if it was warm I would sweat too and that made the itch and rash much worse. I noticed on days it was really cold here that the itch was less and rash. So from a mental standpoint I would have felt better treating in the spring and summer with more light and sunshine, but from a physical standpoint not not with the hot humid weather that occurs where I live, so unbearable that u can't go out til after the sun goes down. However if u kept your house super cold with airconditioning I think it would work OK. I think you would have to drink a lot more water re hydration treating in the summer. All in all I am glad I did it Sept to March. Now I can enjoy the spring and the long full of light days. Whenever you do it it is going to suck big time though. I just wanted to get started as soon as possible and get it over and now I am almost done and have only 3 shots left. I did not even consider the time of year to do it, I just did it as soon as I could.Glad I did not wait or I would have a long time til I finished.It is a real good feeling to be near the end.
Okay, so I see that the meds make everyone have different sx, but I am wondering if people who have done almost the whole year have had an easier time in the summer or the winter? Stupid question, but the reason I ask is because I tend to function better in the summer in general. Even though Texas heat is miserable, the sunshine makes me feel better. I dislike winter time and find myself less active. Can anyone give me some feedback on this?
Hi Caryn - very SMART question!
I live in Las Vegas, and LOVE the sun (been West coast and Hawaii my whole life).
But...I specifically waited a month or so for cooler weather when I started TX because I heard the heat, and the sun were big triggers for the Incivek itch and rash. Even though it has been pretty cool during my TX, the itch has been one of the most uncomfortable parts of treatment.
Much has been written about avoiding sun and heat on these drugs, as they are known to cause photo-sensitivity. I would be careful since the rash is one of the two main reasons for discontinuing the Incivek TX (the other being anemia)
Luck,
Brad
-- Edited by krowdog on Tuesday 28th of February 2012 04:39:18 AM
-- Edited by krowdog on Tuesday 28th of February 2012 04:40:30 AM