Water,Water,Water!

[oneofthree_]

Took my #2 inf inj on fri night. And as week #1 i feel nothing from it. So, im assuming that my body is going to tolerate the injections well. Yeah! I am convinced that hydration is the key to my feeling as good as i do. That is the point that i want to pass on to the new treatment starters today. When the docs say drink water...DRINK WATER! It is directly related to how you feel on these meds. I do feel the ribaviran for a couple of hours after taking (fuzzy head, tingly face, kinda like floating wrapped in cotton) but nothing too bad. It passes. I still have good appetite and sleep well. No nausea. Occasional start of a headache but one tylenol takes care of it. First CBC said blood counts are holding steady.  Now, I know that its still way early in tx and i am prepared for things to get harder, but maybe im one of us who has mild sx. Believe me i have caught myself thinking that maybe im not responding. Maybe my body is just immune to the drugs. Then i realize thats stupid. I just wanted to post and let others know that things are going well....So far.

[flcyclist]

I'm on shot 3 (180 ml) and 1,200 mg ribo per day.  Got the 2 week CBC and blood counts holding steady also.  Like you, the first week I was prepared for the worst and felt almost nothing.  Week 2, even though injection is on Friday eve, felt fine, but began to feel it at the end of a long day on Mon/Tues, then each day felt better.  Week 3, Mon/Tues a little more tired, eyes feel dry, very slight rash/hives, but nothing bad yet.  Applying lotion which helps the drying skin.  Occasionally add sterile drops if my eyes feel dry.  And yes, drink loads of water!!!  And of course, stress from work, meetings, long days has a big influence.  

I have so far been able to maintain my cycling schedule.  At first I anticipated needing to back off dramatically, but I just did a 60 mile ride on Sat and felt good, not 100%, but good.  Today I did 30 miles and was exhausted.  Combination of the heat and that Tues thing, lol.  I feel so much better after excersing, so encourage anyone to do it if your doctor approves.  I am anticpating this will continue to get worse, but taking a day at a time.

Someone said that time slows dramatically while under trt  --  so very true.  Hope we can share good news in a few weeks.

[Diane12855]

I agree with nygirl7. Tylenol isn't hard on the liver if taken as directed on the bottle. They tell you to wait 4 or 6 hours between doses (depending on regular or extra strength) because that is how long it takes to clear the drug from the blood stream. It is high levels of it that is damaging to the liver.

Diane

[freeme24]

Hi, (my first post)

I take shot 4 tonight, no sx at all........wandering if the meds are working. My dr told me to drink 2 liters a day but I down at least 3 on most days, on days that I dont drink enough I have dull headache. My trial only approves advil, no tyelnol.  Good luck w/ the sides. Vicki  

[nygirl7]

Tylenol is perfectly fine to take on treatment and is actually preferred by doctors over NSAIDs.  I always took my tylenol with my shot and have often wondered if that is why I had no serious shot night reactions.

Of course, eventually the other sides got me big time but the interferon - nope, no flulike anything until once or twice at week 30 or so.

I have been SVR over fives years now......so hang in there you will know what is what at your 4 week PCR but just because you dont get the flu like symptoms on shot night does not mean you will not get to UND and stay there.

Good luck.

[cakes8267]

tylenol???   hard on the liver, haven't taken it in years, I would stick with anything other than tylenol.  

[Diane12855]

My worst reaction from the shot was on my first shot, and I took 48 of them, so maybe that is a sign that you will be tolerating tx well.

I hope so.

Diane

[fullmoon1]

Congratulations!  Glad to hear that tolerating treatment is possible.  I've read a lot about the importance of drinking water and take you for reinterating it...  I hope to begin treatment next week.

fullmoon1

[oneofthree_]

   Thank you! yes i take my am riba with whole fat yogurt mixed with granola and banana. after dinner riba with a little ice cream. Im just amazed about nothing from the INF...  I have kaiser so the protocol blood draws are scheduled and i will do my vl test on the wed before my fifth inj. Hoping for UND of course. keep you posted.                                                                                        

[willbb]

Congrats on tolerating tx. well so far.  Many find there sides are minimal ..so maybe you are one of the lucky ones....and yes stay well hydrated and it will surely help.

It has been known to help with Riba absorbtion to take it with some high fat food also...

Good luck...

Will

[FlGuy]

Don't forget that 4-week viral load test. If possible, schedule it to take blood before your 5th shot. Morning of the 5th shot or the day before would be ok timing.  Double check to make sure you have the right paperwork (i.e. lab order, perscription)