Hello Thom. Just want to share how I got rid of my diarrhea recently, if you are still having one. I ate only oatmeal and boiled rice, drank pomegranate juice, ate dried bread sticks, and took over the counter prebiotics to normalise intestinal flora. After all this I had such a hard stool, o boy! It was from one extreme end to another! But now I feel I have normalized overall.
Thanks. Mine stopped but returned yesterday. My wife has been urging me to eat rice.
Doni said
Aug 24, 2014
Hello Thom. Just want to share how I got rid of my diarrhea recently, if you are still having one. I ate only oatmeal and boiled rice, drank pomegranate juice, ate dried bread sticks, and took over the counter prebiotics to normalise intestinal flora. After all this I had such a hard stool, o boy! It was from one extreme end to another! But now I feel I have normalized overall.
Thom said
Aug 23, 2014
Hope4 wrote:
HI, Thom,
Just checking in to see how you're doing. I'm on same tx as you, started 7/31. My first tx. Probably on a similar timeline as you... going back to the 70's... just found ' out this year tho.
I do hope this weekend is better for you. I know what you mean about the dread and anticipation of just getting started. I am very grateful to report that so far, my fears were bigger than the sides. I can't complain. I get tested next week for viral load. Holding my breath. We'll get this done. I'll keep you in my thoughts.
Lynetta
Hello Lynetta,
I have not so far had any abdominal pain from this 2nd shot. I have been spending more time asleep than awake so far and I feel like a dog that just wants to lay off in a hidden corner of the room to be left alone. I really don't want to have to deal with people although I have no real sickness per se. I hope that your treatment goes well for you.
Hope4 said
Aug 23, 2014
HI, Thom,
Just checking in to see how you're doing. I'm on same tx as you, started 7/31. My first tx. Probably on a similar timeline as you... going back to the 70's... just found ' out this year tho.
I do hope this weekend is better for you. I know what you mean about the dread and anticipation of just getting started. I am very grateful to report that so far, my fears were bigger than the sides. I can't complain. I get tested next week for viral load. Holding my breath. We'll get this done. I'll keep you in my thoughts.
Lynetta
Isiscat2011 said
Aug 23, 2014
Thom wrote:
The specialty pharmacy called me last week to ask me how I was doing. I told them about the 3 days of pain(that was over at that time) and that I still had diarrhea. The lady said that pain was not normal and that the diarrhea should have ended, and that she was reporting this to Gilead as an adverse reaction.
Hope you are doing well, Thom. When you feel up to it you may wish to report this side effect to the FDA's Medwatch program. The reporting system is voluntary for healthcare professionals and patients. It may help others in the long run. Pharmaceutical companies are required to report certain adverse events but they can be very selective about what they actually report.
There is an on line form you can fill out here: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/AboutFDA/ReportsManualsForms/Forms/UCM349464.pdf
Here is some information about the Medwatch program:
I agree with Tig that severe stomach cramps are not a common side effect of Interferon. That doesn't mean it couldn't happen but it is uncommon.
This may, however, be attributable to the Sovaldi. A number of people have experienced abdominal pain on various Sovaldi combos but the pain has subsided on its own. Hopefully, that is the end of it, and this week is a bit easier.
You may well be right about that.
Thom said
Aug 23, 2014
Tig56 wrote:
Hi Thom,
It's uncommon to experience severe abdominal cramps as a result of the Interferon injection. There are often some complaints of occasional flu like symptoms and low grade fevers, but that doesn't mean it will happen every time. You may discover that eating beforehand reduces those cramps or the time of day you inject may reduce the felt side effects. But should you experience the same severe cramping and especially for the number of days you had before, that's a discussion you want to have with your doctor At your first opportunity. Let us know, good luck!
Tig
The specialty pharmacy called me last week to ask me how I was doing. I told them about the 3 days of pain(that was over at that time) and that I still had diarrhea. The lady said that pain was not normal and that the diarrhea should have ended, and that she was reporting this to Gilead as an adverse reaction. When I told the Medical assistant, she said that it is a very common reaction. I did report this to the Medical assistant when this occurred. She said that it is a side effect of the Interferon.
wmlj1960 said
Aug 23, 2014
Isiscat2011 wrote:
This may, however, be attributable to the Sovaldi. A number of people have experienced abdominal pain on various Sovaldi combos but the pain has subsided on its own.
I agree Thom, I've had severe abdominal pain almost daily for the first month + of Tx, of which I know a lot is caused by the large amounts of Lactulose I have to take, but I suspect some of it could likely be the Sovaldi also.
As already mentioned, if this continues let your Dr know asap. I have an appointment with my Dr Tuesday and digestive issues + abdominal pain are on top of my list for discussion!
Isiscat2011 said
Aug 22, 2014
Hi Thom:
I agree with Tig that severe stomach cramps are not a common side effect of Interferon. That doesn't mean it couldn't happen but it is uncommon.
This may, however, be attributable to the Sovaldi. A number of people have experienced abdominal pain on various Sovaldi combos but the pain has subsided on its own. Hopefully, that is the end of it, and this week is a bit easier.
Tig said
Aug 22, 2014
Hi Thom,
It's uncommon to experience severe abdominal cramps as a result of the Interferon injection. There are often some complaints of occasional flu like symptoms and low grade fevers, but that doesn't mean it will happen every time. You may discover that eating beforehand reduces those cramps or the time of day you inject may reduce the felt side effects. But should you experience the same severe cramping and especially for the number of days you had before, that's a discussion you want to have with your doctor At your first opportunity. Let us know, good luck!
Tig
Thom said
Aug 22, 2014
I just took my 2nd interferon shot. Last week I had 3 days of severe, constant abdominal pains beginning on day 3. My Doctor's Medical Assistant said that this is fairly common side effect of Interferon. During those 3 days I had thoughts of going to the Emergency Room and thoughts of not being able to continue treatment.
So now, I am awaiting to see if I get similar results from this shot.
Thanks. Mine stopped but returned yesterday. My wife has been urging me to eat rice.
Hello Lynetta,
I have not so far had any abdominal pain from this 2nd shot. I have been spending more time asleep than awake so far and I feel like a dog that just wants to lay off in a hidden corner of the room to be left alone. I really don't want to have to deal with people although I have no real sickness per se. I hope that your treatment goes well for you.
HI, Thom,
Just checking in to see how you're doing. I'm on same tx as you, started 7/31. My first tx. Probably on a similar timeline as you... going back to the 70's... just found ' out this year tho.
I do hope this weekend is better for you. I know what you mean about the dread and anticipation of just getting started. I am very grateful to report that so far, my fears were bigger than the sides. I can't complain. I get tested next week for viral load. Holding my breath. We'll get this done. I'll keep you in my thoughts.
Lynetta
Hope you are doing well, Thom. When you feel up to it you may wish to report this side effect to the FDA's Medwatch program. The reporting system is voluntary for healthcare professionals and patients. It may help others in the long run. Pharmaceutical companies are required to report certain adverse events but they can be very selective about what they actually report.
There is an on line form you can fill out here: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/AboutFDA/ReportsManualsForms/Forms/UCM349464.pdf
Here is some information about the Medwatch program:
http://www.pharmacist.com/fdas-medwatch-program-turns-20-whats-new
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MedWatch
You may well be right about that.
The specialty pharmacy called me last week to ask me how I was doing. I told them about the 3 days of pain(that was over at that time) and that I still had diarrhea. The lady said that pain was not normal and that the diarrhea should have ended, and that she was reporting this to Gilead as an adverse reaction. When I told the Medical assistant, she said that it is a very common reaction. I did report this to the Medical assistant when this occurred. She said that it is a side effect of the Interferon.
I agree Thom, I've had severe abdominal pain almost daily for the first month + of Tx, of which I know a lot is caused by the large amounts of Lactulose I have to take, but I suspect some of it could likely be the Sovaldi also.
As already mentioned, if this continues let your Dr know asap. I have an appointment with my Dr Tuesday and digestive issues + abdominal pain are on top of my list for discussion!
Hi Thom:
I agree with Tig that severe stomach cramps are not a common side effect of Interferon. That doesn't mean it couldn't happen but it is uncommon.
This may, however, be attributable to the Sovaldi. A number of people have experienced abdominal pain on various Sovaldi combos but the pain has subsided on its own. Hopefully, that is the end of it, and this week is a bit easier.
Hi Thom,
It's uncommon to experience severe abdominal cramps as a result of the Interferon injection. There are often some complaints of occasional flu like symptoms and low grade fevers, but that doesn't mean it will happen every time. You may discover that eating beforehand reduces those cramps or the time of day you inject may reduce the felt side effects. But should you experience the same severe cramping and especially for the number of days you had before, that's a discussion you want to have with your doctor At your first opportunity. Let us know, good luck!
Tig
I just took my 2nd interferon shot. Last week I had 3 days of severe, constant abdominal pains beginning on day 3. My Doctor's Medical Assistant said that this is fairly common side effect of Interferon. During those 3 days I had thoughts of going to the Emergency Room and thoughts of not being able to continue treatment.
So now, I am awaiting to see if I get similar results from this shot.