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Hep C Discussion Forum -> On Treatment -> 2 questions -- sorry if this has already been addressed
Post Info TOPIC: 2 questions -- sorry if this has already been addressed
wnose


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RE: 2 questions -- sorry if this has already been addressed
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I did all of my shots in belly fat at an angle - basically just about anywhere with belly fat. Am surprised at the thigh or upper arm sites.

But yeah, I had huge fatigue. Good thing I was on medical leave at the time because I was sleeping 17 hours a day, for weeks at the stretch. (check my posting history - I had virtually no posts in December or January)

It does get better post incivek though.



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Diagnosed Geno 1a, 1992. Relapsed after riba-peg trmt in Aug 08. Oct 22 2011: Incivek 3rx @ 18 million VL.

Day 10: <15. --------------------->>>>>>12 OCT 2012: SVR!!! 
news


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This is good news, but I understand the freak out. A transfusion is a big deal. But the folks in this forum that have had them seem to agree that the relief is immediate, and lasts a good while. I hope this will be the case for your guy, too. Alan

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Geno 1A  Started Pegasys/Ribavirin/Incivek Nov. 20, 2011 .  Completed July 28, 2012 (36 weeks). For a treatment history, see:  https://jshare.johnshopkins.edu/xythoswfs/webview/_xy-9921874_1

SVR on January 14, 2013!!
elizabeth


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Thanks, News.  He saw the doc today and they did more labs (last were just 2 days ago) and are going to give him 2 units of blood on Friday.  That's freaking both of us out a bit but I'm hoping it will help with his total fatigue.

I can't say how much I respect all of you for sticking with this tx.  This is horrible to watch, much less to actually go through.  no



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news


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Hello, Elizabeth

The general concensus around here is that reducing the ribavirin dose does not adversely affect the chances for SVR. It also should not prolong treatment unless there are other issues, too.

Alan



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Geno 1A  Started Pegasys/Ribavirin/Incivek Nov. 20, 2011 .  Completed July 28, 2012 (36 weeks). For a treatment history, see:  https://jshare.johnshopkins.edu/xythoswfs/webview/_xy-9921874_1

SVR on January 14, 2013!!
elizabeth


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We got a call this morning that husband's anemia is worse so they're cutting the ribavirin in half from 1200 mg/day to 600 mg/day.  I hope this makes him feel better but I hope it doesn't prolong treatment or diminish the chances for success.



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elizabeth


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Thanks, Shep.  He's already on synthroid, but only 75 mcg.  Our GP wanted to wait till new blood work comes back to decide what course to take.

Thanks everyone for the support.  It means a lot to have this forum to come to.  Best wishes to all of you.  I pray that the meds do what they are supposed to for each of you without the sx.



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Shep


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Hi Elizabeth
Fatigue is part of the tx and we all just have to learn to slow down--actually don't have much choice. I did notice that your husband's TSH was "abnormal". Thyroid is one of the things that can be effected by tx--I went into this with hypothyroidism already and once I started on all three meds -Riba/ Pegasys/ Victrelis--my TSH went through the roof. They had to adjust meds twice and then endro doc added another thyroid med and I am now closer to the normal range.

Thyroid controls metabolism and when it goes wacky--can make you very, very tired and very, very thick with brain fog. My worst week was spent on a couch watching the rain and thinking that was the most entertaining thing in the world. I was a basket case and could barely get off the couch. I am on Synthroid 175 cmg and Cytomel 5cmg. It takes about 4- 6 weeks for thyroid meds to kick in. The good thing is that thyroid meds do not have sx! They do need to be taken on an empty stomach and do not take any calcium within 3- 4 hours.

Hope the doctors figure it out quickly and get him feeling better!
Shep

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Diagnosed 1996 genotype 1b VL alot tx starting 12/23/11 Victrelis UND week 8!!! 28 weeks of tx

Completed tx 7/6/12--still UND!!!!
AlexNY


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Encourage ur hubby to stay on it, and shots are acceptable anywhere convenient as lons as there's enough fat tissue. It's SQ shots (subqutaneous) meaning under at layer.

Good luck, and it's doable, I'm week 14



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I'm Alex. Diagnosed with hep c 12 years ago. Genotype 1a. Started tx on 1/31/12 Ironically, I'm an RN. VL 15.9 (!) mil.  Wk 5, 8, 12, 16, 20 - all UND :)
Scout


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I think the "screw it" gene is in us all but most persevere. Push the fluids, do the shot where it is most tolerable and stay on schedule. Let the doctor determine when to say enough. My wife is my biggest supporter, I could not do this without her, well maybe...... but it's better to have her in my corner.



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Geno 1a, Viral load at 2 4, 8, 12 and 16  weeks, UND, Triple therapy Incevek done,   Peg & Riba Done, UND and making plans for the future!!
elizabeth


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Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply.  His blood tests on 4/18 (16 days into treatment) they said CBC was "low stable", TSH and uric acid were "abnormal" so last week they sent up to our GP who wanted to do some research on the treatment drugs before doing anything.  He has new blood draws today and we'll see the hepatologist's PA on Wednesday.  Not sure if those results will be back by Wednesday or not.  Fingers crossed and praying for good results.

Thanks again and best wishes to all of you!



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mallani


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Hi Elizabeth,

I'm at week 7, with a leadin of 4 weeks Pegasys and Ribavirin. I was OK until I started the Victrelis. My blood work is OK ( Hb 10.4) but the fatigue is the big problem. At 69 years, I miss my golf and have noticed muscle wasting already. The nausea, foul taste and dizziness are becoming bearable, and the fatigue is just part of the deal. I have forced myself to get out each day and do something. That makes me shower and shave which is essential to keeping a form of normality. I hope my viral load will be good news next week, but will persevere if it is not undetectable. All I can say to hubby is to keep living a day at a time. It's worth it to try to lose the virus. Good luck.

Malcolm



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Geno 1b, IL28B CT,  x3 prior relapser,  ex-cirrhotic, 75 yo, did 48 weeks with Victrelis/Peg./Riba.  VL 1.28m at start, UNDET. at 8 ,12 ,16 ,24 ,30  and 48 weeks.  EOT 15 Feb 2013 , UNDET. at EOT + 28 weeks. SVR!  Still Undet. at EOT +5 years

Malcolm
Kellyw


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Yes , blood work would be interesting. I felt similar when i was anemic

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Kelly 2b dx 8/11. Tx begun 12/30/11. Apparently had it for decades.
news


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Has he had his blood draws lately? This sounds like anemia, a common condition in treatment. Once my hemoglobin got real low (for me it was week 9), I was so fatigued I could barely work. I did miss three days in week 10. Then they started me on procrit and cut my ribavirin dose to 600mg. Within a week I was feeling so much better.

Concerning the location of the shot, I think the back of the arm is fine. Anywhere you can "pinch an inch" should work well. I just prefer the belly or thigh because I do the shots myself, and I am a little skinny, and those places are easy to reach.

Alan



-- Edited by news on Monday 30th of April 2012 04:45:16 AM

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Geno 1A  Started Pegasys/Ribavirin/Incivek Nov. 20, 2011 .  Completed July 28, 2012 (36 weeks). For a treatment history, see:  https://jshare.johnshopkins.edu/xythoswfs/webview/_xy-9921874_1

SVR on January 14, 2013!!
elizabeth


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Hubby is starting week 5 of the triple therapy today.   Everyone talks about doing the shots in thighs or stomach but our nurse said the back of his upper arm was less painful and that's where we've done the 4 shots he's taken.  Is that ok?

 

I read where so many of you manage to work and I'm amazed and impressed.  My husband is so tired it's all he can do to walk between the bed and sofa.  In the beginning he had a "good" day or two per week but for the last couple of weeks every day is horrible for him.  I think he's handling the other sx (nausea, aches, fevers, etc) well but the fatigue is really getting to him.  He's even thought of quitting treatment because of it.  Is this level of fatigue "normal" (if there is such a thing as normal)?



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