Hepatitis C Pre-Treatment Instructions

[dontworry_behappy1]

For those who treated their Hepatitis C.  Do you feel you were given proper and informative instructions on how and what to do when side effects occur?

[susan400]

I've treated many times before, but every treatment for me, has not been a carbon copy of the one before.  Just as for me, every shot has not been the same. Sometimes, the shots kicked me in behind.  Sometimes, I wondered if I did my shot right because had mild sides after.  On Telaprevir I had horrendous sides.  When I was on Double dosings had horrendous sides.  With my one doctor tried given me high dose Infergen and high dose Riba, horrendous sides.  Regular SOC, sides varied.  One thing I have found out though is it's so helpful to me to drink plenty of water and to get up and get some form of mild exercise EVERY day.  Even when I don't feel like it.  It was a life saver for me walking for 20 min or doing my stationary bike, lifting my little handweights, doing stretches.  It helped me with the muslce aches and bone pain and depression.  Susan400

[cheflady]

Hi hope you keeping okay.We got absolutely big fat zero info! We was not informed that the drugs were chemo type and over here in little old England we dont get the black box warning if it had not been for this site and all you fantastic people we would have been kept in the dark with sx eg brain fog (old age) funny never had it before all the way through the tx the sides were in his head. Doc was just wanting people through the door to pump these miriacle drugd itnto Hubby was number ten the lucky old thing!!

[dontworry_behappy1]

I also, made it a point to have my teeth cleaned directly before treatment and directly after treatment.   Heavy drug therapies are hard on your teeth.  If you have pre existing problems.... treatment seems to bring them on.  Regardless, the water pic seems to have really helped with getting to the places effected in your mouth by dryness.  

I sure wish someone would have told me this before loosing a tooth the first time around.  

[momof2jewels]

I tried to vote but it wouldn't let me.  Anyhow, I was definitely NOT given proper instruction concerning side effects.  I had a rough time of it during treatment and if it were not for this forum, I honestly think I would have had a breakdown.

[Dee1956]

My first doctor 2008 was not helpful at all, told me my sx were not result of tx. I was too much trouble, did not prepare me for sx at all, did not help with sx told me to go to GP who would not help as she did not cause my sx.
Second doctor much better, he provided a full time person to deal with sx of Incivek, thank God.  I would not have gotten through it without her help.
Goes without saying, ha ha, I could not have done it without this forum.

[orphanedhawk]

I'd say no to my first doctor with my first treatment.
However the second time, they wanted me to attend a class prior to doing treatment. When I refused, they said I still had to talk with the hepatology nurse prior to beginning. I knew I could always email my doctor, and I did !

[mzkity]

I started treatment in 12/2012 with the first doctor

Joined Medhelp in 1/13 because of poor communication with the doctor and he didn't order the viral load test 4 weeks into treatment.

Took the advice of HectorSF and got a new doctor, the best advice ever, after that everything was as good as it can get while doing the treatment. He was great at helping with side effects.

I was a 2b
Treated for 23 weeks Riba 800mg/interferon
Reached SVR (cured) in 10/13