Guest guest Posted February 15, 2001 Report Share Posted February 15, 2001 Hello everyone, I have been a lurker on this list for quite some time. I hardly ever post. Today, I went to see a hepatologist about starting Interferon with Ribavirin. Depending on the study I get into, this may or may not have Amantadin with it. I got blood drawn today. Last April, my PCR was 852,030. I had a test for genotype just today, and won't know the result for 10 days. My liver biopsy is a week from today. My ALT was on the high side, just barely within normal range. I am most concerned about the sides, because I have to be able to work full time. Do most people get so sick they can't work? What has been the experiences of combo with people on this list? So far, I am not sick. Edie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2001 Report Share Posted February 15, 2001 Hi Edie, I have seen you post before. The question you asked is hard to answer. Everybody reacts different. I figure even with me restarting it will be different. I am going to be bumped up from 3 mu to 5 mu of Interferon, in a month when new script is written. I am wondering if I will experience more sides, than I did last time. Maybe it might even not be as bad.........Take Care, Connie __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2001 Report Share Posted February 15, 2001 Hi Edie, I have seen you post before. The question you asked is hard to answer. Everybody reacts different. I figure even with me restarting it will be different. I am going to be bumped up from 3 mu to 5 mu of Interferon, in a month when new script is written. I am wondering if I will experience more sides, than I did last time. Maybe it might even not be as bad.........Take Care, Connie __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2001 Report Share Posted February 15, 2001 Connie, Were you able to work in treatment? Edie Re: Combo or Not to Combo > Hi Edie, I have seen you post before. The question > you asked is hard to answer. Everybody reacts > different. I figure even with me restarting it will > be different. I am going to be bumped up from 3 mu to > 5 mu of Interferon, in a month when new script is > written. I am wondering if I will experience more > sides, than I did last time. Maybe it might even not > be as bad.........Take Care, Connie > > > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2001 Report Share Posted February 15, 2001 Connie, Were you able to work in treatment? Edie Re: Combo or Not to Combo > Hi Edie, I have seen you post before. The question > you asked is hard to answer. Everybody reacts > different. I figure even with me restarting it will > be different. I am going to be bumped up from 3 mu to > 5 mu of Interferon, in a month when new script is > written. I am wondering if I will experience more > sides, than I did last time. Maybe it might even not > be as bad.........Take Care, Connie > > > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2001 Report Share Posted February 15, 2001 Hi Edie.... You asked about the sides to treatment and you will get a different answer from everyone on the list....sides are so individualized. I've been on the combo for 6-1/2 months and have been very fortunate in regard to sides. I also was not sick at the time of diagnosis....had my ex not tracked me down on the net and told me two of his brothers had died from liver failure related to hep c....and he and his remaining brother were in treatment, I would never have known I was sick or been tested. But we shared many things back in the 60s and I guess my past came back to kick me in the back end. I didn't have any sides at first....kept waiting for them and looking for them but nothing. Then about 3 months into treatment I got extremely irritable and cranky. My liver guy put me on Xanax and that seemed to help....either that or subconsciously I learned to deal with that particular side. I've not missed any work...although I do tend to go to bed earlier. And now that we are increasing my dosage a tad, I am definitely noticing an increase in fatigue. But nothing I can't continue to function with. I live alone (sorta hermit like) with 11 cats so the fear of the sides was great with me....I had to be able to work to take care of me and the cats. But as the liver guy told me if you have to work and get sides so bad you can't work, then just stop the treatment and the sides go away. So I gave it a shot (no pun intended) and everything has been going pretty darn well. I'm genotype 1b, over 50 and a womyn if any of that helps you. Tatezi > I got blood drawn today. Last April, my PCR was 852,030. I had a > test for > genotype just today, and won't know the result for 10 days. My liver > biopsy > is a week from today. My ALT was on the high side, just barely within > > normal range. > > I am most concerned about the sides, because I have to be able to work > full > time. > > Do most people get so sick they can't work? What has been the > experiences of > combo with people on this list? So far, I am not sick. > > Edie > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2001 Report Share Posted February 15, 2001 Hi Edie, I worked while on Intron A and the combo. My bosses were very understanding. I was able to cut down to 32 hours a week when needed. Sometimes I worked less. I did take the first 10 days off work when I started the combo. My side effects were minimal at first and I could worked more if I had wanted to. I did whatever I could to make life easier. Good luck on your treatment. hugs, Judy http://community.webtv.net/jcmmo/Affirmation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2001 Report Share Posted February 15, 2001 Hi Edie.... You asked about the sides to treatment and you will get a different answer from everyone on the list....sides are so individualized. I've been on the combo for 6-1/2 months and have been very fortunate in regard to sides. I also was not sick at the time of diagnosis....had my ex not tracked me down on the net and told me two of his brothers had died from liver failure related to hep c....and he and his remaining brother were in treatment, I would never have known I was sick or been tested. But we shared many things back in the 60s and I guess my past came back to kick me in the back end. I didn't have any sides at first....kept waiting for them and looking for them but nothing. Then about 3 months into treatment I got extremely irritable and cranky. My liver guy put me on Xanax and that seemed to help....either that or subconsciously I learned to deal with that particular side. I've not missed any work...although I do tend to go to bed earlier. And now that we are increasing my dosage a tad, I am definitely noticing an increase in fatigue. But nothing I can't continue to function with. I live alone (sorta hermit like) with 11 cats so the fear of the sides was great with me....I had to be able to work to take care of me and the cats. But as the liver guy told me if you have to work and get sides so bad you can't work, then just stop the treatment and the sides go away. So I gave it a shot (no pun intended) and everything has been going pretty darn well. I'm genotype 1b, over 50 and a womyn if any of that helps you. Tatezi > I got blood drawn today. Last April, my PCR was 852,030. I had a > test for > genotype just today, and won't know the result for 10 days. My liver > biopsy > is a week from today. My ALT was on the high side, just barely within > > normal range. > > I am most concerned about the sides, because I have to be able to work > full > time. > > Do most people get so sick they can't work? What has been the > experiences of > combo with people on this list? So far, I am not sick. > > Edie > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2001 Report Share Posted February 15, 2001 Hi Edie, I worked while on Intron A and the combo. My bosses were very understanding. I was able to cut down to 32 hours a week when needed. Sometimes I worked less. I did take the first 10 days off work when I started the combo. My side effects were minimal at first and I could worked more if I had wanted to. I did whatever I could to make life easier. Good luck on your treatment. hugs, Judy http://community.webtv.net/jcmmo/Affirmation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2001 Report Share Posted February 15, 2001 I was pulled from work by Dr's because of being very sick (weak and in pain, I had other health things also and the weekly drawing of 7 to 11, vials of blood contributed to weakness I think) from the meds and daily nosebleeds. When short term disability was close to running out I was terminated. Was a Govt. (County) job I worked in Public Works, Engineering Design Div. They have done it to lots of sick people there. Some have died. I was there almost 10 years, lacking a few months. It is not a very nice place to work anymore, it was at one time. But everyone is not the same Edie and also everytime on meds could be different..................Take Care, Connie __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2001 Report Share Posted February 15, 2001 I was pulled from work by Dr's because of being very sick (weak and in pain, I had other health things also and the weekly drawing of 7 to 11, vials of blood contributed to weakness I think) from the meds and daily nosebleeds. When short term disability was close to running out I was terminated. Was a Govt. (County) job I worked in Public Works, Engineering Design Div. They have done it to lots of sick people there. Some have died. I was there almost 10 years, lacking a few months. It is not a very nice place to work anymore, it was at one time. But everyone is not the same Edie and also everytime on meds could be different..................Take Care, Connie __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2001 Report Share Posted February 15, 2001 I was pulled from work by Dr's because of being very sick (weak and in pain, I had other health things also and the weekly drawing of 7 to 11, vials of blood contributed to weakness I think) from the meds and daily nosebleeds. When short term disability was close to running out I was terminated. Was a Govt. (County) job I worked in Public Works, Engineering Design Div. They have done it to lots of sick people there. Some have died. I was there almost 10 years, lacking a few months. It is not a very nice place to work anymore, it was at one time. But everyone is not the same Edie and also everytime on meds could be different..................Take Care, Connie __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2001 Report Share Posted February 15, 2001 I was pulled from work by Dr's because of being very sick (weak and in pain, I had other health things also and the weekly drawing of 7 to 11, vials of blood contributed to weakness I think) from the meds and daily nosebleeds. When short term disability was close to running out I was terminated. Was a Govt. (County) job I worked in Public Works, Engineering Design Div. They have done it to lots of sick people there. Some have died. I was there almost 10 years, lacking a few months. It is not a very nice place to work anymore, it was at one time. But everyone is not the same Edie and also everytime on meds could be different..................Take Care, Connie __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2001 Report Share Posted February 15, 2001 Hi Edie, It's nice to hear things seem to FINALLY be moving along for you! Side effects can vary a lot from one person to the next. Some people work full time and never miss a day of work. Others have a pretty rough time of it. You will probably hear more from the ones who have had a bad time simply because many who aren't having any problems are too busy with their jobs, family, lives, to be participating in groups like this. During the year I was on combo there were a few periods when things were very difficult due to overwhelming fatigue, but that was mainly due to hypothyroidism which developed a few months into treatment. Other than that period I still did pretty much anything I had done before. However, I DIDN'T work, and could take naps whenever I wanted. I have heard that amantadine has some side effects too. My doctor is talking about putting me on peg + ribavirin + amantadine too, so that is something I will be looking into also. Amantadine is another antiviral drug. It is normally used to treat the flu, I believe. Alone, it does nothing against the virus. Studies of it in use with interferon have been contradictory, some showing a benefit, others showing none. However, some preliminary studies of it in triple therapy were very interesting! (I think I have a copy I can post.) How long will it be after your biopsy before you get the results? Once you know the results of that, and your genotype, you'll have a bit more knowledge to base your decision. Take care, Claudine PS: There is a new support group in San . The first meeting was Tues., and the meetings will be held on the second Tue. of each month. At the April meeting the doctor (I can't remember his name but I think it started with an L!) who is in charge of the studies at BAMC is going to be the guest speaker. I thought you might be interested. Anyone else out there in the San area????? C __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2001 Report Share Posted February 15, 2001 Hi Edie, It's nice to hear things seem to FINALLY be moving along for you! Side effects can vary a lot from one person to the next. Some people work full time and never miss a day of work. Others have a pretty rough time of it. You will probably hear more from the ones who have had a bad time simply because many who aren't having any problems are too busy with their jobs, family, lives, to be participating in groups like this. During the year I was on combo there were a few periods when things were very difficult due to overwhelming fatigue, but that was mainly due to hypothyroidism which developed a few months into treatment. Other than that period I still did pretty much anything I had done before. However, I DIDN'T work, and could take naps whenever I wanted. I have heard that amantadine has some side effects too. My doctor is talking about putting me on peg + ribavirin + amantadine too, so that is something I will be looking into also. Amantadine is another antiviral drug. It is normally used to treat the flu, I believe. Alone, it does nothing against the virus. Studies of it in use with interferon have been contradictory, some showing a benefit, others showing none. However, some preliminary studies of it in triple therapy were very interesting! (I think I have a copy I can post.) How long will it be after your biopsy before you get the results? Once you know the results of that, and your genotype, you'll have a bit more knowledge to base your decision. Take care, Claudine PS: There is a new support group in San . The first meeting was Tues., and the meetings will be held on the second Tue. of each month. At the April meeting the doctor (I can't remember his name but I think it started with an L!) who is in charge of the studies at BAMC is going to be the guest speaker. I thought you might be interested. Anyone else out there in the San area????? C __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2001 Report Share Posted February 15, 2001 --- Constance Dickson <constance_clearwater_florida@...> wrote: I am going to be bumped up from 3 mu > to > 5 mu of Interferon, in a month when new script is > written. I am wondering if I will experience more > sides, than I did last time. Connie, I did 3 mu, then 6mu, then later down to 5mu, and my sides were no worse at all with 6mu than with 3mu. C __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2001 Report Share Posted February 15, 2001 --- Constance Dickson <constance_clearwater_florida@...> wrote: I am going to be bumped up from 3 mu > to > 5 mu of Interferon, in a month when new script is > written. I am wondering if I will experience more > sides, than I did last time. Connie, I did 3 mu, then 6mu, then later down to 5mu, and my sides were no worse at all with 6mu than with 3mu. C __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2001 Report Share Posted February 15, 2001 Claudine, Yes, I am interested in the support group in San . My doctor's name begins with an " L " , he is sort of a nurdy dude, but that is okay with me. Tell me where an when. Edie Re: Combo or Not to Combo > Hi Edie, > It's nice to hear things seem to FINALLY be moving > along for you! > Side effects can vary a lot from one person to the > next. Some people work full time and never miss a day > of work. Others have a pretty rough time of it. You > will probably hear more from the ones who have had a > bad time simply because many who aren't having any > problems are too busy with their jobs, family, lives, > to be participating in groups like this. During the > year I was on combo there were a few periods when > things were very difficult due to overwhelming > fatigue, but that was mainly due to hypothyroidism > which developed a few months into treatment. Other > than that period I still did pretty much anything I > had done before. However, I DIDN'T work, and could > take naps whenever I wanted. I have heard that > amantadine has some side effects too. My doctor is > talking about putting me on peg + ribavirin + > amantadine too, so that is something I will be looking > into also. Amantadine is another antiviral drug. It > is normally used to treat the flu, I believe. Alone, > it does nothing against the virus. Studies of it in > use with interferon have been contradictory, some > showing a benefit, others showing none. However, some > preliminary studies of it in triple therapy were very > interesting! (I think I have a copy I can post.) How > long will it be after your biopsy before you get the > results? Once you know the results of that, and your > genotype, you'll have a bit more knowledge to base > your decision. > Take care, > Claudine > > PS: There is a new support group in San . The > first meeting was Tues., and the meetings will be held > on the second Tue. of each month. At the April > meeting the doctor (I can't remember his name but I > think it started with an L!) who is in charge of the > studies at BAMC is going to be the guest speaker. I > thought you might be interested. Anyone else out > there in the San area????? > C > > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2001 Report Share Posted February 15, 2001 Claudine, Yes, I am interested in the support group in San . My doctor's name begins with an " L " , he is sort of a nurdy dude, but that is okay with me. Tell me where an when. Edie Re: Combo or Not to Combo > Hi Edie, > It's nice to hear things seem to FINALLY be moving > along for you! > Side effects can vary a lot from one person to the > next. Some people work full time and never miss a day > of work. Others have a pretty rough time of it. You > will probably hear more from the ones who have had a > bad time simply because many who aren't having any > problems are too busy with their jobs, family, lives, > to be participating in groups like this. During the > year I was on combo there were a few periods when > things were very difficult due to overwhelming > fatigue, but that was mainly due to hypothyroidism > which developed a few months into treatment. Other > than that period I still did pretty much anything I > had done before. However, I DIDN'T work, and could > take naps whenever I wanted. I have heard that > amantadine has some side effects too. My doctor is > talking about putting me on peg + ribavirin + > amantadine too, so that is something I will be looking > into also. Amantadine is another antiviral drug. It > is normally used to treat the flu, I believe. Alone, > it does nothing against the virus. Studies of it in > use with interferon have been contradictory, some > showing a benefit, others showing none. However, some > preliminary studies of it in triple therapy were very > interesting! (I think I have a copy I can post.) How > long will it be after your biopsy before you get the > results? Once you know the results of that, and your > genotype, you'll have a bit more knowledge to base > your decision. > Take care, > Claudine > > PS: There is a new support group in San . The > first meeting was Tues., and the meetings will be held > on the second Tue. of each month. At the April > meeting the doctor (I can't remember his name but I > think it started with an L!) who is in charge of the > studies at BAMC is going to be the guest speaker. I > thought you might be interested. Anyone else out > there in the San area????? > C > > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 16, 2001 Report Share Posted February 16, 2001 <<Anyone else out there in the San area?????>> Not me I'm in the Dallas Area But, do want to know about other Texas support groups, as I try to keep others updated as well. Thanks Alley/Pat alleypat@... http://www.livejournal.com/users/hepatitis_c http://community.dallasnews.com/dmn/dfwliver " We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us " Mandela Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 3, 2001 Report Share Posted March 3, 2001 In a message dated 2/15/01 11:51:55 PM !!!First Boot!!!, erodriguez7@... writes: > Do most people get so sick they can't work? What has been the experiences of > combo with people on this list? So far, I am not sick. > Dear Edie, It varies from person to person. I've known people who worked through combo. Some of that depends on what you do for a living. I couldn't, but I had anadverse reaction to the ribavirin. I could work part time with the interferon. Hope this helps. Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 3, 2001 Report Share Posted March 3, 2001 In a message dated 2/15/01 11:51:55 PM !!!First Boot!!!, erodriguez7@... writes: > Do most people get so sick they can't work? What has been the experiences of > combo with people on this list? So far, I am not sick. > Dear Edie, It varies from person to person. I've known people who worked through combo. Some of that depends on what you do for a living. I couldn't, but I had anadverse reaction to the ribavirin. I could work part time with the interferon. Hope this helps. Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 4, 2001 Report Share Posted March 4, 2001 Edie, Yep, depends on the person and the work really. I was one of the lucky ones. My symptoms on treatment are very few. Mostly just fatigue that worsens the longer I'm on treatment, which is to be expected. I stopped working at month 6 cuz hubby got a new job with mo mo money. Unfortunately, he's now laid off and I'm way too weak to work right now. However, I'm toying with some article writing for online hep information. Researching places that pay for articles. Most people don't work thru a whole year of treatment. I'm not gonna sugar coat it. It isn't fun. but it isn't impossible. And it's only temporary. I mean, how far would you go for a year to rid your life of hep c? I'd go pretty far Good luck. / Alley alleypat@... ----------------------------- My ICQ#:12631861<br> http://members.icq.com/12631861 12631861@... ------------------------------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 4, 2001 Report Share Posted March 4, 2001 Edie, Yep, depends on the person and the work really. I was one of the lucky ones. My symptoms on treatment are very few. Mostly just fatigue that worsens the longer I'm on treatment, which is to be expected. I stopped working at month 6 cuz hubby got a new job with mo mo money. Unfortunately, he's now laid off and I'm way too weak to work right now. However, I'm toying with some article writing for online hep information. Researching places that pay for articles. Most people don't work thru a whole year of treatment. I'm not gonna sugar coat it. It isn't fun. but it isn't impossible. And it's only temporary. I mean, how far would you go for a year to rid your life of hep c? I'd go pretty far Good luck. / Alley alleypat@... ----------------------------- My ICQ#:12631861<br> http://members.icq.com/12631861 12631861@... ------------------------------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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