No sx?

Question

Not that I am complaining and I only had my second shot but only on Pegasys and Riba life is good. Neutrophils dropped a lot and they are at 0.89.
Other than that, I have no side effects. in fact, I have done this week longer work hours than I managed to do in the last 6 months (as in 12-14 hours). I am always hungry and I sleep relatively well.

I have now a full shelf of things I bought for sx:)
Fingers crossed meds are doing the work

BoceprevirGal · Answer

Yes, I was often in a euphoriam after my Treatment began, even when I had tears, over an old sentimental song, I sstill experienced the emotion as pleasurable.
   I am also still experiencing this euphoria. Maybe I have more endorphins now :)  It's good to know you are feeling good about your Tx.

coeric · Answer

hi Diana,
i often felt wired on riba.  once i accidentally took 1200mg instead of 600, and i was bouncing off the walls.  wishing you the best.
eric

hrsepwrguy · Answer

"I thought you might be interested in this,it's a ex wrestler a G2 on his second treatment this time on triple therapy,I think he on his third shot this week .. "

I think ny and bill were referring to this comment above as far as the 80% and SOC

Diana66 · Answer

I always take Riba with food

I am a 1b with a CT allele so no 80% without Incivek. But then again, if it is meant to be it will happen with or without it.  Since I started the tx I have been in the best mood in many, many years, at times towards euphoric . And I feel more energetic as well

nygirl7 · Answer

Good call why not SOC with an 80% chance?

As for the fat and vomiting get some meds for that (Zofran) - and eat before you take the riba and Inc. It's crucial not only for efficacy but for the meds to bind.

Bill200 · Answer

What is he doing taking Incivek with Genotype 2?

Idyllic · Answer

I wouldn't worry about the fat tho I tend to get an upset stomach/acid reflux if I take Riba on an empty stomach.

Besides, that avocado your eating is a source of the "good fat" and packed with nutrients. From the WebMD site:

Avocados are a good source of fiber, potassium, and vitamins C,K, folate, and B6. Half an avocado has 160 calories, 15 grams of heart-healthy unsaturated fat, and only 2 grams saturated fat. One globe contains more than one-third daily value of vitamin C, and more than half the day’s requirements of vitamin K.

hrsepwrguy · Answer

It's really not needed, I was in a ribavirin study and not once did they tell me to take it with fat, only to take it with food to prevent nausea.

Here is what the prescribing info says

How should I take Ribavirin tablets?
•Take Ribavirin tablets exactly as your healthcare provider tells you. Your healthcare provider will tell you how many Ribavirin tablets to take and when to take it.
•Take Ribavirin tablets with food.

http://www.drugs.com/pro/ribavirin.html

Diana66 · Answer

Well, it seems that we need way more fats for Riba then for Incivek.
Bugger that!!! 

I think I will stick with my 2 slices of dairy free, gluten free bread, one boiled egg and avocado or margerine. That will put me down with 15gr of fat I guess (5g from the egg, another 4gr from bread, 2 gr from my soya milk and another 5-10 from the avocado)

hrsepwrguy · Answer

"Ribavirin absorbs better with high calories"

I have never heard that before but it does get a slight increase if you take it with fat

http://www.spfiles.com/pipeg-intron.pdf 

Effect of food on absorption of ribavirin: 

Both AUC and C-MAX increased by seventy percent when Rebetol Capsules were administered with a high fat meal: (841 kcal, 53.8 g fat, 31.6 g protein, and 57.4 g carbohydrate) in a single-dose pharmacokinetic study 

If you do the math you will have to eat 26.9 grams of fat for a 35% increase in absorption

BoceprevirGal · Answer

I think you having a good appetite, and sleeping well, is a very good sign~ Remember, the Ribaviran absorbs better with high calories, so take advsnage of that hunger, and eat a healthy meal :)

Diana66 · Answer

Doctor cut the Incivek in day 2 as I threw up the whole day, and I do have now a lead-in. They will probably reintroduce in week 4. All good, I am happy with that

Diana66 · Answer

:) I hope so 
At week 2 I will have a liver panel and at week 4 the VL. Probably the VL and neutrophils value will decide if I can go back on Telaprevir. In the mean time I think I figure out a strategy to deal with Incivek sx. My theory is that sx are mainly from the amount of fats. I mean we are all here having a liver issue so it is fair to say that gall bladder is not functioning quite right for us. Hence, insuficient bile production and damaged ducts. Now when you throw a huge amount of fat in the mix, is only going to stimulate the bile production, only that it cannot really get out of liver as it should. Hence is getting into the blood stream (that is why the nausea). Something which will relax the bile duct and drain it properly will do wonders. Choleretic and cholagogue action. Hmm.

orphanedhawk · Answer

Your neutrophil drop is a good sign that tx is working.

As others said above, tx can be a roller coaster, enjoy your good fortune and if sx do kick in, remember they won't last.

flcyclist · Answer

Enjoy the smooth sailing for the time being and hope it stays that way.  As mentioned above, sx's do come and go without much warning.  During my tx, the first 2-3 weeks were a breeze, thinking this wasn't so bad after all.  Then around 4-6 weeks the $hit hit the fan so to speak.  After that, I began to adjust and deal with things better with some rough patches in between.  So take it a day at a time and hope things continue down the smooth path.

Diana66 · Answer

I guess for me the biggest scare is having headaches as if I do have that then I am throwing up all day long (had that for long time). So as long as that is not happening, the rest is bearable. 

Besides, I have been so sick last year with a huge infected cyst on top of kidney and kidney abbscess, plus infected fluid in the lung. I was in pain crying every day from June to April this year evrytime when I was breathing. I could not sleep on one side from pain. And I managed to injure my rotator cuff on the other side. So right now, by comparison, this is piece of cake, really!! Kidney pain was waaaaay worst!!! I think my mind compares everything now with that pain and says: you are ok, is not bad :)

rk2761 · Answer

My first week I had to go for hep a, b and pneumonia innoculations. I was really sick after that and got a congested chest and cough that never went away. Also that first month I had bad mouth sores. Can't remember what else. The sides come and go.

But hey - maybe you'll be ok with minimal sides!

But hey - maybe you'll be ok with minimal sides!

nygirl7 · Answer

No I never had any of that the first two weeks........but in time all the fun stuff came and laughed at me for being so cavalier. Just put one foot in front of them other, it's all you can do. 

Why are you on just peg and riba?

Dannyboi7 · Answer

Good for you,sides can be like a roller coaster ride throughout treatment,for a lot first 2 weeks aren't to bad then a whole bunch of other sx start kicking in.Hope for the best and be prepared for the worst.

   I thought you might be interested in this,it's a ex wrestler a G2 on his second treatment this time on triple therapy,I think he on his third shot this week ..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YzyBRsoJXg

Diana66 · Answer

Thank you Bill
I am happy I do not have the chills, headaches, temperature and nausea
No foggy brain, no rage, no depression
But hey, as you said, is early stage

As for low hemoglobin, at some point in time might happen
Will see how I go next Wed with my blood counts

What counts for now, I am in a better mood then I have been in the last 2 years so happy with that :)

I am also at peace with what ever outcome this tx will have

Bill200 · Answer

Side effects ebb and flo.  I had lots of Interferon SX on earlier treatments but very little on this one.  Also as hemoglobin drops over time you'll feel it more.  But good for you, it's a long treatment so starting out good is a good place to start.  :)