I was told I would have to have 6 months treatment of the interfaron or ever how you spell it. they didnt think a liver biopsy was necessary, is that good? I was told to get both kind of flu shots, should I? the only flu shot I ever had i took the flu. Is this treatment very hard on you? Can I work ok? I am clueless n alone PLEASE HELP thank you
The following user gives a hug of support to PURPLE27: finet5466 (07-11-2011)
hi purple...you are so lucky to only have 6 months of treatment. i know everyone reacts differently, but i just wanted to tell you that i am doing 48 weeks of treatment, and I have been working through it. I am on week 43 with only 5 more weeks left. I think it is good to work and keep moving. I know when I am off work for a couple days and I lay on the couch, I don't feel as good. I haven't had the flu shot. The treatment hasn't been that hard on me. A couple itchy skin incidents. My eyes are very itchy this past week. After the first couple weeks of doing treatment, I actually felt better than before treatment. Its not unbearable for me. Like I say...I'm still working, and I work with the public, so I have to feel good to go. hope this helps. don't be afraid, its not really that bad. just put it in your mind that it isn't that bad...and you'll be fine.
take care, gloria
The following user gives a hug of support to glo53: finet5466 (07-11-2011)
The Following User Says Thank You to glo53 For This Useful Post: finet5466 (07-11-2011)
I have done treatment 2 times and was told flu shot was not required, your imune system will like being supercharged from the interferon. work if you can it all depends how you feel....drink water, water, water and then more water it will really help
I relapsed after 90 days first time, i blame it on the stress that was in my life, i just made past 90 this time, i removed all stress. i wish you good luck, feel free to write if you have ?'s
The Following User Says Thank You to eddie1954 For This Useful Post: finet5466 (07-11-2011)
I completed treatment july 31, just tested after 90 days, still clear, didn't make it that far first time, i took a new drug along with the riva and interferon the second time, it is showing great results, i was a hard case, as i am in life...lol hang in there and drink lots of water. best of luck you will be fine
I am starting next week and fully expect to be able to work. I need to work so I think if I work it will take my mind off the side effects. Also my work is very supportive so if I have a bad day I can call in sick. There is so much information about the interferon treatment on the internet that you should be able to get a lot of information. Try to stay away from all the negative stuff that people write as it will not help you get through and they are just nay sayers. BE POSITIVE.
GOOD to see someone positive. I start next week and am a bit nervous but I am determined to make it through. Is there anything you can share with me as far as the side affects and things that helped or didn't?
I am starting next week and fully expect to be able to work. I need to work so I think if I work it will take my mind off the side effects. Also my work is very supportive so if I have a bad day I can call in sick. There is so much information about the interferon treatment on the internet that you should be able to get a lot of information. Try to stay away from all the negative stuff that people write as it will not help you get through and they are just nay sayers. BE POSITIVE.
Congrats on starting treatment. Everyone is different, I am on the 48 week plan and have had some side effects, but sure not all the ones on the list. if I had ALL the side effects I would be dead (a joke) but some of the side effects can be daunting. I am in the throws of a skin battle as we speak, have rotated through multiple creams and lotions and salves trying to get the upper hand. My old standby is diaper rash cream, for some reason it souths and heals and protects from sunlight (zinc oxide, like the lifegards put on their nose). Some weeks are worse than others. I take it one day at a time.
Keep a positive outlook and read funny books and watch funny movies to keep your spirits up. Drink lots of water.
Kathy
Are you taking the pegulated interferon or the Alpa 2b? Wheather you can work or not depends on how you react to it. When I had my transplant in 02 I met alot of people who tolorated it just fine. Me personally did not. I was only able to take it for 4 1/2 months and had to quit. I have heard they have come along way since I took it so it is worth the risk. Just go into it with an open mind and tell yourself you can do it. Just be sure the first couple of time there is someone with you most of the night because you can get these flu symptoms. I laid on the couch shivering for a couple of hours before my wife heard me and came in there and put a bunch of blankets on me. Good luck.
Peace.
Get away from that Doctor as fast as you can. Interfaron may or may not work and is hell on earth. You need to take a blood test called a HCV Fiborsure. This will give you the same results as a biopsy. Do not let him give you a hep b shot because that will throw your virus counts off the wall for at least a year. < edited > I have had Hep c sense the 70's and I have brought my virus count down from 15,ooo,ooo to around 200,000 to 800,000 whtch is low and no treatment needed. There are things you can do to take control of your hep c. My doctor recomends oxymatrain to lower virus counts. I proved it works to him and he still cant belive it. Start learning
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Everyone is different. I read all kinds of horror stories and had myself so scared. For me personally this is worth it. I am on the 6 month as I am type 3 and other then some mild side affects so far I am fine. I can't sleep and I get tired. I had none of the other side affects. But that is just me. If you check others on this site they too are tolerating things but you can also find some who don't. Some people are very very negative but this is you choice and your body you do what you want. The opinions of others means nothing to your personal choice. I work full time and am a single mom and own a home and pets and full life deal and other than some fatigue I am tolerating. Things may change but for now I seem ok. And to not have Hep C at the end is well worth it to me as I know people dying from this. For real. Take care. This is a good site for info. Check out Guardian1 he is blogging his progresses as well.
Life is good on the island take care.
I have just finished my last shot 2-14-10 and the virus is completely iradicated. I had Geno type 1 so I have been on the treatment since March of 09. I to had problems sleeping, so I took melatonin vitamin that helped. I also took D & B vitamins for the immune system. My side-effects seemed to improve once I did that. I am so blessed to have finished this treatment and I wish the same for you.
Stephanie
Congratulations! on your completion. Do you feel better? I also have genotype 1, I am at week 48, but I have to go until week 72. I do have side effects but they are tolerable. Good luck to you1
I read the email you sent me and I don't claim to be all knowing, but I don't shut out anything. If that guy had good results the way he went about it than good for him and I am very pleased for him. But to tell someone to run away from the Dr.'s is not the way to handle it. To me doctors are giving you options, their word is not etched in stone. I would encourage to get a second and mabey a third opinion. The ultimate choice of course has to be yours. Weigh out ALL you options do some research on the internet and come up with a game plan that YOU can live with, after all you are who has to live with it. Don't take my word or his, as gospel. This board is just to let you know what our experiance is, and what was right for us. My presonal opinion is if I had to take someone's word for something would it be a couple people I have never met on the internet or a doctor I know, well you can figure it out. I just want to say best of luck to you no matter what you deside. Peace.
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