Day One!

[dreamcat]

well, I started treatment this morning -- early breakfast (yogurt, fruit and granola), first dose of Riba and Incivik, back to bed for some much needed extra sleep, did some stuff, then a snack (peanut butter/blackberry jam sandwich), second dose of Incivik, and now I'm having my treat (ice cream), with my last dose of the day.  I made it through the day!

I've been drinking Smart Water (vapor distilled with electrolytes), probably not enough, but more than I usually do.  I do have a slight headache, but don't know if it's just stress related or beginnings of side effects (hopefully not).

So, that's my first day.  I'll take my first shot of Interferon on Friday afternoon.  

Anyone else just starting out along with jellybean, livinontheedge, and myself?  

Take care,
Karen
Blank Reply

[lynda607]

Not saying what I recommened is the right thing to do.  It can't hurt and it'll take you 5 weeks to get back to Friday.  That should work out because by Tuesday 10/11 you'll have completed 4 weeks of Incivek and done 5 injections which is ok, as long as you completed the the 4 weeks of Incivek. PCR can be done anytime after the 11th but before your Friday injection. You should really run it by your doctor to make sure he agrees with the changes.  

I know you want to do your shots on Friday but I agree with willbb, the best thing all the way around is to keep doing the shots on Wednesday.  

[dreamcat]

good advice, thanks!  I'll do it Lynda's way, as that makes the most sense to me.  

[lynda607]

I wouldn't go past  7 days either dreamcat.  Just keep moving the shot  up a day until you reach Friday.  Pegasys reaches it's peak efficiency around 72 hrs after injecting.  After that the trough starts to diminish with each passing day and 7 days is the maximum allowed to maintain peak effectiveness.  

Moving up a day is a fine -  postponing not so much.  That is the first rule of thumb you learn when consulting with a hepatologist.

[willbb]

Thats good that you started the INF  now instead of waiting...you got good advice here from lynda indeed.
I Would not personally wait 8 days to do another Inf shot..I would stay on the Wed. now that you started it on that day. Inf. can dissipate out of the system fairly rapidly and you don't want to jeapordize your chances of success. Possibly a chat with your doctor about that.

good luck
Will

[GINGERPAL]

Good Luck Dreamcat...may your SVR dreams come true !

[dreamcat]

Hi all,

I took your advice, and spoke with the Accredo pharmacist (specialty pharmacy where I receive my medications) -- she was insistent that I take the injection immediately, which I did.  Whew!  Thank you all for your comments and advice on this matter.  

Since I ultimately want to be a Friday night dart club member, she said I could inject next Thursday, and the following week I will inject on Friday, so I'll be on schedule at that point.  

So far, so good.  A slight headache, and a bit of itching, but since a single mosquito will sniff me out within a 5 mile radius, I'm not sure if it's related or not to the meds.  

Will check in soon.  

Karen

p.s.  I certainly enjoyed my ice cream treat last night... :)

[spectda]

I completely agree with Lynda. There is a reason for the protocol established by vertex. Resistance is a huge issue with these Incivik. Hopefully you will start taking your interferon today as soon as possible.
Good luck,
Dave

[lynda607]

Incivek will kill the virus very quickly, it does it's best work within the first few days.  Variants are preexisting, before the patient ever starts therapy. You will eradicate those viruses which are sensitive to the PI but resistant variants will start to emerge as soon as the Incivek is introduced to the body.  The ones that are resistant are going to survive and they can will grow into an increasing number and can become a major quasi-species. It's the interferon's job to suppress the resistant variants and the ribavirin's job to keep the virus from replicating.  You don't want those resistant variants to get a foot hold.  In my opinion, it's very important interferon is started at the same time as the Incivek.  Interferon will take some time to reach peek efficiency, but it will start boosting the immune system after injecting.

I will be interested to hear what your doctor has to say, perhaps my way of thinking is totally off base but I don't think so.

If you start the interferon today and want Friday to ultimately be your injection day you can always bump up the interferon by a day each week until you are injecting on Friday.  Ex:  wk 1 shot Wednesday, wk 2 shot Tues, wk 3 shot Monday, wk 4 shot Sunday, wk 5 shot Sat, week 6 shot Friday.  You don't want to go past  7 days without injecting but you can inject earlier.

[dreamcat]

yes, you can be sure I'll be checking with my doctor as soon as the office opens... I just didn't think a few days would make such a difference, but I guess it does...

thanks... :)

[working dog]

good luck with your tx...do your blood work every week if you can...keep an eye on it and if needed bring in the rescue drugs...funny i took my 1st shot then started taking all the drugs...billy

[hrsepwrguy]

as pointed out by lynda607 yesterday protocol says all three meds should be taken together, you may want to rethink this and start peg today.

[Vannh9]

Congrats on getting through the 1st day!! I meet with the Doctor to determine which med to take on the 20th. I will be thinking about you, jellybean and livingontheedge. Stay strong and take care a day at a time.

Vann