Just like u I haven't felt that bad when I began, and can say that it's not much worse after week 14 shot. Not feeling sx is definetly not an indicator that meds aren't working - I was UND after week 4. Just like previousely posted your age is an advantage. I know ppl extremely cranky and short tempered while on tx and those who don't feel a thing. Besides feeling a little short-breath at times and a liittle irritable I can't say that tx is bad. Its over with before u know it girl. Good luck with Apr 30 test. Inbox me ur results))
krowdog said
Apr 26, 2012
Hi Steph.
Glad you're doin' well, and congrats on starting your treatment. You're a lot younger than most here, and that's gonna be a big help.
For me, it wasn't too bad, and I was able to work all through Tx. I would describe my sides as very unpleasant, but not much beyond that.
What might sneak up on you, and affects almost everyone, is the anemia. Keep a close look on your CBC (complete blood count). I was interested in all the measurements, but especially:
Hemoglobin. If too low = anemia. No energy, dry cough, shortness of breath, dizzyness. If it gets too low, your Doc has a few options, including reducing your ribavirin, adding procrit or aranesp shots to stimulate red blood cell production, or if really bad, a transfusion.
WBC's. White blood cell count. Too low = easy infections. Your doc again has options, including reducing your interferon, or adding neupogen shots to increase white blood cell production.
I only mention all this because it is helpful to learn all you can, so you can be pro-active in your treatment. Doctors can get very busy, and it's good if you can be aware of, and catch things early when they are easier to deal with. Always talk to your doc, asap. And also remember the people here have been through it all, and have lots of tips to make things easier. Just ask.
I think you'll do fine, and good luck on your labs!
Brad
wilsondog said
Apr 26, 2012
Stephanie,
Enjoy it for what it is, as this too shall pass... Alan is right, you may be lucky, but the only evidence I have witnessed of those who've gotten away without too much sx, are those on riba and interfueron only. Insivek is intense and i tell you this not to scare you but so you have some perspective. I had good days in the beginning, some better than others as time progressed, right up until about week 8 when i found out I was undetectable. That news helped me hold my head up through the days as they went downhill from there as I became anemic and got a severe cold. For the following 4 weeks I was in and out of bed with various issues, the primary one being a reaction to insivek in the form of a severe rash that I am still struggling with 1 week off the drug. I am undetectable and will be done with this crazy ride in 12 more weeks AND feel like I am actually headed out of the woods, so I am grateful. I don't feel great, but I feel better. This evening i returned to my yoga class after 6 weeks without because I was just to weak.
Be prepared to enjoy the days that are good and ask for help on the days that are not. This is a great place to keep your wits about you and take the next step when you just don't feel like it's worth the effort, cause we've all been there in one form or another.
Best to you,
Kate
echoneko1 said
Apr 26, 2012
Alan,
Thanks for the encouragement! It would be great if this was the worst of it.. who knows? I hope my new labs will be post worthy (good news). Ill let yall know! This weekend I am going out of town to see some extended family for a wedding and reunion... I am very excited! I havent seen them in years..
Have a great weekend!!!
Stephanie
news said
Apr 25, 2012
Stephanie,
You may just be one of the lucky ones. Enjoy it while it lasts. It could change any time. By the middle of the second week I was already itchy and very upset in the bathroom. But sx varies so much from person to person, I say keep on smiling. And by all means don't worry about the medicine working. If you are doing your riba twice a day, and the Incivek with fat exactly 8 hours apart, and a shot on both Sundays, the medicine is working.
Alan
PS. Good luck on the 30th.
echoneko1 said
Apr 25, 2012
Ps- 1st dr check up and labs are coming up April 30th
echoneko1 said
Apr 25, 2012
Soo this is my second week into treatment. I took shot number 2 this past Sunday. I have been feeling slightly more lazy than I usually do but other than that everything else seems normal. I'm by no means complaining.. But i'm confused about all of these symptoms. Does it get progressively worse??? Is this a sign of the medications NOT working???
Thanks,
Stephanie
hey,
Just like u I haven't felt that bad when I began, and can say that it's not much worse after week 14 shot. Not feeling sx is definetly not an indicator that meds aren't working - I was UND after week 4. Just like previousely posted your age is an advantage. I know ppl extremely cranky and short tempered while on tx and those who don't feel a thing. Besides feeling a little short-breath at times and a liittle irritable I can't say that tx is bad. Its over with before u know it girl. Good luck with Apr 30 test. Inbox me ur results))
Hi Steph.
Glad you're doin' well, and congrats on starting your treatment. You're a lot younger than most here, and that's gonna be a big help.
For me, it wasn't too bad, and I was able to work all through Tx. I would describe my sides as very unpleasant, but not much beyond that.
What might sneak up on you, and affects almost everyone, is the anemia. Keep a close look on your CBC (complete blood count). I was interested in all the measurements, but especially:
Hemoglobin. If too low = anemia. No energy, dry cough, shortness of breath, dizzyness. If it gets too low, your Doc has a few options, including reducing your ribavirin, adding procrit or aranesp shots to stimulate red blood cell production, or if really bad, a transfusion.
WBC's. White blood cell count. Too low = easy infections. Your doc again has options, including reducing your interferon, or adding neupogen shots to increase white blood cell production.
I only mention all this because it is helpful to learn all you can, so you can be pro-active in your treatment. Doctors can get very busy, and it's good if you can be aware of, and catch things early when they are easier to deal with. Always talk to your doc, asap. And also remember the people here have been through it all, and have lots of tips to make things easier. Just ask.
I think you'll do fine, and good luck on your labs!
Brad
Stephanie,
Enjoy it for what it is, as this too shall pass... Alan is right, you may be lucky, but the only evidence I have witnessed of those who've gotten away without too much sx, are those on riba and interfueron only. Insivek is intense and i tell you this not to scare you but so you have some perspective. I had good days in the beginning, some better than others as time progressed, right up until about week 8 when i found out I was undetectable. That news helped me hold my head up through the days as they went downhill from there as I became anemic and got a severe cold. For the following 4 weeks I was in and out of bed with various issues, the primary one being a reaction to insivek in the form of a severe rash that I am still struggling with 1 week off the drug. I am undetectable and will be done with this crazy ride in 12 more weeks AND feel like I am actually headed out of the woods, so I am grateful. I don't feel great, but I feel better. This evening i returned to my yoga class after 6 weeks without because I was just to weak.
Be prepared to enjoy the days that are good and ask for help on the days that are not. This is a great place to keep your wits about you and take the next step when you just don't feel like it's worth the effort, cause we've all been there in one form or another.
Best to you,
Kate
Alan,
Thanks for the encouragement! It would be great if this was the worst of it.. who knows? I hope my new labs will be post worthy (good news). Ill let yall know! This weekend I am going out of town to see some extended family for a wedding and reunion... I am very excited! I havent seen them in years..
Have a great weekend!!!
Stephanie
Stephanie,
You may just be one of the lucky ones. Enjoy it while it lasts. It could change any time. By the middle of the second week I was already itchy and very upset in the bathroom. But sx varies so much from person to person, I say keep on smiling. And by all means don't worry about the medicine working. If you are doing your riba twice a day, and the Incivek with fat exactly 8 hours apart, and a shot on both Sundays, the medicine is working.
Alan
PS. Good luck on the 30th.