what to expect from treatment?

[overcom31]

I just started my treatment today, this morning in fact and I feel great so far. I hope it continues to be this easy, hopefully it is not the calm before the storm. I just found out I had Hep C in January and it absolutely terrified me, but I am only in stage one and am going to do everything in my power to fight this disease!! I have heard some pretty bad side effects of the pgysys and ribavirin, like vomiting, and aging quickly, dry skin among other things and was just wanting some advice from others on what to expect?

[overcom31]

Thank you for all the wonderful comments and advice!! I had a liver biopsy done about a month ago and it showed that I was in stage one, thank goodness!! The reason my doc. did a biopsy was my viral load was 9.5 millon so that is why she ordered the biopsy, and so far the treatment is going well, I hope it remains that way.


Best of luck to everyone that is trying to overcome this terrible disease, may we all win our battle!!!

[mar148]

I can only respond to how I have experienced treatment, only 24 weeks, some have done far more than me here.  The first few weeks I did feel nauseous and feverish at times, that went away quickly.  I did get one rash once for a week at one injection side on my upper thigh.  The nurse thought I didn't do the shot at the fatter part of my thigh, otherwise no rash.  I did feel irritability (not depression) right away and took 75 mg of effexor, generic.  This worked great for me the entire treatment.  I got off of that one week after treatment.  I did feel tired and sometimes needed a nap, otherwise I did my usual routine (work, cook, ...)  

I guess my experience is I felt 80 percent myself and it was not dramatic for me, but I am VERY happy it is over.

[booocooo]

Hello - Congrats on taking that first step today towards beating the "beast."  I too found out in January that I have HCV.  I didn't get a liver biopsy, but I'm planning on starting tx next month.  Just curious, since you are younger, did you get a biopsy?  I'm only 26 and my ultrasound looked normal, except with some "slight" echogenicity (lighter color), so just curious to see what others who are younger have done?

I hope your sides stay mangable - it seems like you have a really positive attitude!  Best wishes!

BC

[hippygem]

Good luck with your treatment, its very early to tell if you will experience any side effects from just the 1st injection, give it 1-8 weeks and see how you are then.
Just to warn you that if you lose weight on treatment and you DONT exercise it will come back when you finish as jelly fat because you lose a lot of muscle on treatment.  Try and walk or do some form of exercise if you can.  Dont lie down all the time if you can help it.

All the best on your journey and I hope you SVR

[charm27]

Welcome. Everyone is so different with symptoms. I have severe fatigue, depression, hair loss, brain fog. Ive never experienced  a rash at the injection site, nausea, fevers, or body aches. I do  have constant itching, coughing, dry skin, and oh yes the mood swings.

I wish you good luck in starting treatment. This forurm is a wonderful place for support and to ask questions .

[TeeVee36]

Welcome!  Congratulations on taking your first step and it sounds like it was an easy one for you.  What to expect...well it is different for everyone.  I guess I would have to say that it's an everyone has a different threshold for pain kinda situation.  Some of the most common side effects are developing a rash at the injection site and/or all over your body accompanied by itching.  The rash usually takes time to really develop.  Some get the 'flu like' symptoms after the peg injection and take tylenol.  Nausea is pretty common and anxiety.  Try not to freak out too much about your lab results; you can get advice here about the numbers and when to worry.  Oh, I don't want to leave out depression.  A lot are on an anti-depressant.  One more thing, insomnia seems to be popular LOL.

You are lucky to have found this forum at the very begining of your tx.  It will be very helpful and you will find a lot of support here.

TV