I'm on the same treatment. My last day is Sept 12!!
Of the three, as I'm sure you know, the ribavarin and the interferon are the least fun. I normally work full time but my company allows me some flex time with Monday. I can work from home on those days.
Because of the interferon injection on Friday night the weekends are the worst days of the week and then Thursday and Friday is the best until I need to do the injection.
These are the side effects I've experience, in this order, and especially on the weekends:
1.Irritability and/or Anxiety - I'm pissed off at everything and have no patience with people. I went to the Farmers Market this morning and I was mad at the sun, the people and the vegetables and fruits.
2. Sores in my mouth.
3. Out of breath.
4. Brain fog
5. For a while I was sensitive to the sun but that seems to have passed.
The injection doesn't hurt. It's easy. It causes me a little circular rash around the site and that's it.
I am taking antidepressants which I took before this treatment. I would check with your doctors about the Xanax. They need to know everything you're taking.
TazKat said
Jul 26, 2014
I ate Xanax a lot.. doc knew. it is a hard treatment, BUT... the end result is all worth it in the end. I had to keep telling myself that & with thehelp of these ppl in here, I made it. YOU can too.. stay tough..... stay tough....
peace out
Taz
Hope4 said
Jul 26, 2014
Thank you for your kind reply. The drugs are waiting for me to pick up at the pharmacy this week...so I guess I'm just going on w it. Dr. initially tried to get Sovaldi and Olysio, but my insurance wouldn't go for that, giving only the green light for this tx for my genotype. (1a). Was just relieved they OK'd the Sovaldi...and not sure about how they would be with the next drugs, I decided to just get on with it. I am kind of scared tho. I'm hoping I can manage for 12 weeks. I know I need to drink tons of water... take pain relievers prior to injection..I've got some benadryl handy & Aveeno, ....I've stopped taking supplements except for One a Day Multivitamins....and I've got a bottle of xanax, if it's Ok to take that with this stuff. Any other tips or warnings you can spare, I'd welcome them. Thanks, Isiscat.
Hope4
Isiscat2011 said
Jul 25, 2014
Welcome Hope4:
Not too many people presently on this combo. Most US docs are not prescribing it at the moment for those who don't have much liver damage and can wait. The waiting is for the all oral treatments which will be FDA approved beginning October 10th with more to follow. Many US docs are hoping to spare patients some of the potentially harsher side effects of Interferon based treatments so they are hoping their patients will have access to the all orals.
Since you haven't yet started tx waiting for the all orals may be something for you to consider. If you decide to stay with this combo I wish you all the best. Many members here have taken Interferon and Riba and we can try to answer any questions or concerns you might have. Most of us are in the baby boomer age group too! Good to have you here.
TazKat said
Jul 25, 2014
my journey was not pretty. so don't get discouraged. but nobody's is easy. u hae to get sick & go thru crap to get to at least the point I am.. it is heavy duty stuff & that is a good thing... we are here for ur journey.. u can whine cry whatever...
Hope4 said
Jul 25, 2014
Congrats, Taz. I can only imagine what a feeling that must be. This will be my first (and hopefully last?) tx. (Just found out at the beginning of this year)
I am going to look your previous posts so I can get a peek into the journey you had. Thank you for taking the time to reply. And again....YAY! I will look to you for inspiration going forward.
Hope4
TazKat said
Jul 25, 2014
I Was. & I got done last Thursday the 17th. I Cleared.. yay.. hang tough!!!!!!!!
Hope4 said
Jul 25, 2014
Hi
wondering if there is anyone out there on this tx right now? haven't seen many threads regarding peg-interferon with sovladi and riba ...I'm starting next week for 12 weeks.
Hello,
I'm on the same treatment. My last day is Sept 12!!
Of the three, as I'm sure you know, the ribavarin and the interferon are the least fun. I normally work full time but my company allows me some flex time with Monday. I can work from home on those days.
Because of the interferon injection on Friday night the weekends are the worst days of the week and then Thursday and Friday is the best until I need to do the injection.
These are the side effects I've experience, in this order, and especially on the weekends:
1. Irritability and/or Anxiety - I'm pissed off at everything and have no patience with people. I went to the Farmers Market this morning and I was mad at the sun, the people and the vegetables and fruits.
2. Sores in my mouth.
3. Out of breath.
4. Brain fog
5. For a while I was sensitive to the sun but that seems to have passed.
The injection doesn't hurt. It's easy. It causes me a little circular rash around the site and that's it.
I am taking antidepressants which I took before this treatment. I would check with your doctors about the Xanax. They need to know everything you're taking.
I ate Xanax a lot.. doc knew. it is a hard treatment, BUT... the end result is all worth it in the end. I had to keep telling myself that & with thehelp of these ppl in here, I made it. YOU can too.. stay tough..... stay tough....
peace out
Taz
Thank you for your kind reply. The drugs are waiting for me to pick up at the pharmacy this week...so I guess I'm just going on w it. Dr. initially tried to get Sovaldi and Olysio, but my insurance wouldn't go for that, giving only the green light for this tx for my genotype. (1a). Was just relieved they OK'd the Sovaldi...and not sure about how they would be with the next drugs, I decided to just get on with it. I am kind of scared tho. I'm hoping I can manage for 12 weeks. I know I need to drink tons of water... take pain relievers prior to injection..I've got some benadryl handy & Aveeno, ....I've stopped taking supplements except for One a Day Multivitamins....and I've got a bottle of xanax, if it's Ok to take that with this stuff. Any other tips or warnings you can spare, I'd welcome them. Thanks, Isiscat.
Hope4
Welcome Hope4:
Not too many people presently on this combo. Most US docs are not prescribing it at the moment for those who don't have much liver damage and can wait. The waiting is for the all oral treatments which will be FDA approved beginning October 10th with more to follow. Many US docs are hoping to spare patients some of the potentially harsher side effects of Interferon based treatments so they are hoping their patients will have access to the all orals.
Since you haven't yet started tx waiting for the all orals may be something for you to consider. If you decide to stay with this combo I wish you all the best. Many members here have taken Interferon and Riba and we can try to answer any questions or concerns you might have. Most of us are in the baby boomer age group too! Good to have you here.
my journey was not pretty. so don't get discouraged. but nobody's is easy. u hae to get sick & go thru crap to get to at least the point I am.. it is heavy duty stuff & that is a good thing... we are here for ur journey.. u can whine cry whatever...
Congrats, Taz. I can only imagine what a feeling that must be. This will be my first (and hopefully last?) tx. (Just found out at the beginning of this year)
I am going to look your previous posts so I can get a peek into the journey you had. Thank you for taking the time to reply. And again....YAY! I will look to you for inspiration going forward.
Hope4
I Was. & I got done last Thursday the 17th. I Cleared.. yay.. hang tough!!!!!!!!
Hi
wondering if there is anyone out there on this tx right now? haven't seen many threads regarding peg-interferon with sovladi and riba ...I'm starting next week for 12 weeks.
I'd be lyin" if I said I wasn't nervous....
Hope4