Day one?

[Vannh9]

Just curious to know if you started RIBA the same day you did your 1st shot OR did you do the Peg shot at night and wake up the next morning and start all the pills???

[Lifenet62]

hoping I am not repeating myself...I called my doctor asap.....either way is acceptable....INF nite before next day begin meds, or meds begin am before INF.
so far I have had minimal reaction and am on INCVK, 180mcg pegysus 1200copeg.
Hoping I will not say "buttscratcher"  like Peter Griffin!!!!!!! lolol

[Dee1956]

Thank you, you are right, back in 2008 my doc had me take the shot in his office to show I could do it and to make sure there was no immediate negative reaction.  Back then, if you looked at Pegasys paperwork it said the first shot could kill you,  I then heard that they placed it i a black box category but I didn't see that because I was on a trial.
I liked take the shot while doc was there so I could make sure I could do it and I like waiting til the next day to take the pills.  I was kind of afraid of taking all the meds at once.
Thanks evryone

[lynda607]

It takes several weeks to build up a good serum level of ribavirin in the blood so whether one takes the ribavirin the day before or the day really doesn't matter.

[James10500]

Same day, ultimately it probably doesn't matter. You are going to take so many pills by the time your done. I suggest a pill caddy to keep it all organized.

[eureka254]

Actually, in years past many folks did predose Riba, but as desrt said, no hard evidence whether it helped or hindered.  My husband's docs instructed him to take the Riba in the am and pm on day of the evening shot, but he was on SOC only.  Best of luck to you, Vann!

[Gizmo103]

Wow, taking the riba then waiting a couple of weeks to start the rest? I wouldn't want to give the virus a jump start like that. My though was to start the cocktail pretty much all at once so the virus didn't know what hit it. The Incivek specialty pharmacist agreed with that logic and had only been instructed to tell patient to begin on a normal schedule the day of the first injection. This virus is tricky and very good at adapting/hiding. Don't give it time to work around and adapt to any one component is my thought.

[desrt]

Like Dee 1956, my doctor had me do the first shot in his office, then started the pills when I got home. I think this was common back in 2002 because some people were getting allergic reaction from the shots (not the regular sx we all get  -  for real allergic reaction) and they wanted to watch you in a medical setting for the first 1/2 hour and not throw too much onto your system all at once. You never hear about this anymore, so they must have fixed the problem with the med.
Bottom line, it really doesn't matter, though here at MedHelp there was actually a fad of taking the riba for a couple weeks before starting the shots. Never heard that it made a difference one way or the other

[Vannh9]

Thans Guys!!

Bee...I was apprehensive, but I have so much extra padding it went smooth as can be:-)

Jan- they did tell me to start meds yesterday, but because I had been so sick, I wanted to wait an extra day to start the RIBA. I also wanted to see if I would have major side effects from Pegasys. I will start RIBA in 1 hour. It was my understanding as long as all the meds were started within approximately 12 hours...you were good. I hope so:-)

Thanks for all the support!!!

[Lifenet62]

I called my doctor immediately after reading this thread. I was concerned since most said they shot at night and started meds in am.

Either way is correct.  It is not to get more drugs or less drugs in system before or after. It is a comfort zone choice and as long as the meds are distributed as prescribed it is all good.  I started yesterday w incivek and copegus @6:30am. Thenincivek @2:30pm. Incivek and copegus @ 10:30pm and then injected pegysus at10:35pm. Took 1000 mg (2) tylenol and 2 benydryl (compare to tylenol pm).  

[beeblessed]

Hey Vann!  I started with the shot at night, and then started the RIBA the next morning.  Reason being by my nurse, to not hit my system with 2 drugs all at once.  Kinda of ease into it.  From prior posts, every doctor gives slightly different instructions.  The thing that remains constant, however, is to do the shot at night (I do mine Fridays at 9:30 p.m; then my last dose of VIC at 10pm) so you can sleep through possible sides.

Remember.....if you are apprehensive about the shot, take a deep breath, then inject when you exhale.  You'll be done before you know it.  Best to you!

[MsDragonSlayer]

I was told to do the full cocktail all at once by my doctor.
Because I could stay home, I chose a Wednesday evening to start, which was perfect for me. Of course, what day to start the drugs on is another subject.
Good luck on your journey!
Carolyn

[Lifenet62]

started with pills this morning, then shot tonight.....

[needinghelp213]

my husband done his first shot in the doctors office and then he took both incievek and riba when he got home.

[brianmo]

Did first shot on a thurs eve at 8, first pills the following morning. Works for me. Fifth shot last night and still no sides to speak of.   Good luck on your journey, let us all know how you are doing .     Mo

[Vannh9]

Thanks Guys!

[Dee1956]

Maybe the thinking was get the inf into your system, then follow with pills next day.  I really don't know, I* think everyone is different.
Dee

[Dee1956]

Hi, the first time I did the shot in docs office and took pills when I got home
This time I took the shot on Friday and started pills next day
I wish you the best
Dee

[indy531]

I began w/shot on Friday night, then riba began the following day; tonight is shot 5 and tomorrow I begin Victrellis w/riba. These were my MD's instructions.

[Gizmo103]

I've heard this idea of delaying the rib and incivek drugs before and asked the pharmacist about it. She said no, start all the drugs at once. Where did you hear about delaying the pills? Are doctors recommending this?

[toby47]

I started same day, shot in am followed by pills in pm. However there's a good reason for taking shot in pm followed by pills the following morn., it allows enough time for interferon to get in your system .