Last Tuesday I started my first Pegintron injection

[tlg1991]

The side effects were irritability, some nausea,dizziness and short winded at times and very tired (more than normal) But the injection site is still reddened and swollen any advice in what helps it?

[portann]

I do several things before my injections and usually have no redness or bruising.

I can`t tell you if what I do actually influences the outcome.  I use a cold pack on my injection site for thirty minutes before injecting and make sure that the syringe is at room temperature. (I sometimes roll the syringe gently between my hands to warm it up.)  

Also, I make sure to gently tap the bubbles out of the syringe before adjusting my dosage. I try to use a steady hand inserting and removing the needle. I always go straight in, although the insert says you can also go in at a 45 degree angle.

I rotate among four sites but cringe doing them in my tummy. I don`t feel a thing in my thighs but some people are the opposite.

As for tiredness, it`s a whole new meaning I never understood until starting treatment 33 weeks ago. Stairs are the very worst for me and I still take them in phases.

[jdwithhcv]

I always got a blotch from my peg injections but never from the procrit.  When I injected into my thighs I got a larger, darker, longer-lasting blotch.  When I injected into the flab of my abdomen (I'm well supplied with ab flab, but not much on my thighs!) I'd get a blotch but no itch or swelling and it faded quickly.  Warm the syringe, especially if you get put on procrit, the injection will sting going in if its cold.

Tired, you say?  Yes, and that progresses rapidly, especially if you develop anemia.  I agree with portann, stairs are awful.  I took elevators whenever possible.  

I hope your treatment goes well and you have mild sides and most of all that you get SVR.  Best of luck.

jd

[charm27]

I usually got a red blotch also from injection site. You will notice your sx will come and go, For some sx are mild, others more severe. My fatigue was horrible and hair loss was bad. Im off tx a month now and all my hair is growing rapidly. I wish you well in your journey please dont hesitate to ask questions, there is always someone here to answer them and we have a nice group of very knowledgeable people.
If it werent foro this forum I dont know where I would of turned.
GOOD LUCK

Cham27

[medicmommy]

A belated FIRST SHOT PARTY for you! WHOO HOO! DIE  Hep C DRAGON DIE! Each shot is a sword stab! May yours go quickly and begone forever! Remember the sides are all temporary...May you RVR and then SVR my friend!  May all join me with a Howard Dean-like girly scream to let tlg's dragon know it's days are numbered! YEEAAAGGGHHH!!!!!                                     :) ~Melinda

[meakea]

Here's a site I found helpful concerning injection site questions.  There's also a body map (for injections) at the end of the article.

http***www.janis7hepc.com/injecting.htm

[lapis]

Congratulations on starting your tx!!  Welcome to the zoo!

I get a red blotch after most injections.  I do rotate sites and I can usually see at least 3 sites at any one time because of the blotches.  They seem to last for about a month.  Sometimes they kind of come and go, lighten up then get darker again.  A couple of times I've gotten a bruise.  Besides looking strange, I don't worry about them.  Not doing any underwear modeling these days anyway : )

Hope your sides are minimal, best wishes for SVR!!

[Jacob43]

I have not began treatment yet so can't give advise there, however hoping your treatment is successful with mild sides.  The best to you!
Jacob

[Deb_c430]

They will and should monitor, labs,  WBCs HGB.  that will make you tired.  Did they put you on ADS? If not they might be a good idea also.      Wish you all  the best and SVR!

[justme53]

Let the healing begin! Wishing you all the best as you start out.

I didn't notice any redness until today, four days after the injection. But it doesn't bother me any and it's below my waistband so no rubbing.

Take care.......Pam

[medicmommy]

I made a big smiley face out of my sites...LOL Although, it looked like it had two black eyes at one point...:O (Just kidding! -But I did think about it...) ~Melinda

[Deb_c430]

that is something i would do!   smily faces.love it!

[tlg1991]

Thanks for all the help on the question.  I'm hoping it will get better with each injection.  I gave myself my second injection last night nauseated and tired this AM  otherwise fine.  (I picked up a case of water to keep hydrated I love my Diet Coke to much).


Thanks Again God Bless

[Isobella]

Gotta admit---I did the smiley face thing.  I called it my treatment tat.  =)

For a while they quit leaving marks and the fun was over.  Right now I'm working on a peace sign on my hip....hopefully tx will be over before I can finish it.

I do think the ab-flab area (frupa) works best, tho.

The water will definately help.  I drink it all day---after my 2 diet Dr. Peppers, lol!

Welcome to the ride....Wish ya the best!!

Isobella

[ram921]

Welcome to the machine. First shot for me was JUST like cotton fever. Shaking, chills, aching joints and fever. Kinda exciting.  Shots two and three- nothing. Worked the next day, played baseball with the kiddies...a little fatigue and hard to get moving in the AM but completely manageable and tolerable if I plan for it.  Good luck, and keep us posted.

[portann]

I got hit with my first injection just the way you did, except I was muttering between shakes that if I survived the night, I'd quit tx.

Since then, injection night is 100% uneventful, except once when my syringe cap was defective and I couldn't yank it off for a while.

I'm in week 33, so it's been a nice change from that first night. You brought back memories.

[ram921]

PS- as far as your original question re: the injection sites rash I just scratch it. It feels good and gives me something to do.

[Isobella]

RAM-   ROFL.  Sometimes there is nothing better to do, lol!

Tlg-  lotion helped the itchies.  Something plain-no fragrance is probably best.  

Good luck