User Reviews for peginterferon alfa-2b subcutaneous

I was on this medication for 6 months. The side-effects were so severe that I had to be hospitalized twice. I visited the ER numerous times as well. I've been left with permanent neurological damage from the drug with severe headaches, mental confusion, tremors and extreme sensitivity to light. It also failed to work at all. I would think long & hard before taking this medication. It left me in a worse condition than I was before.

it made me very ill. it only lasted 3 mos. before it depleted my white and red blood cells to a dangerous level. I had to take weekly injections to get normal.1 year later I am much better- but scared

Im on week 38 out of a 48 week treatment. This is my secong go around with this treatment after relapsing less than 6 weeks after my first treatment. The first time I had NO side affects what so ever and now? besides the headaches, hair loss, memory loss, fatigue, loss of appetite, irritability, depression and trying to keep up with a 16 month old, everything is GREAT. Can't wait to be done, and I also won't do it a third time since I felt normal before starting treatment...

Was on it or 12 months,,lost some hair,,never lost any weight,and was tired and sick usually just the next day after injection. was disease free for about 4 months after treatment then it came back,,wont do treatment again ill something good comes out.Feel great with the disease,so why do treatment,

My husband used peg-intron alfa b. I don't know for sure if this is the same drug. He also used rebetron with it. After six weeks he had to discontinue use. The pamphlet said you may have cloudiness in your sight but that this would go away. However, my husband ended up blind in one eye because the medicine killed all the nerves and has 50/20 sight in the other eye with tunnel vision. We went to a eye specialist and was told it was from toxicity of the medication. Please be careful of any drug you use to help you with hep c. It ended up making his worse.Read More Read Less

I have been very lucky with this medication. my side effects have been nothing compared to what so many others report.I get a small headache the day after i inject but tylenol takes care of it. Im tired but I was tired before starting treatment.Thats about it. Im on week 8 of the Ribovirin-Pegasys combo.My viral load became undetectable at week 3.Because Ive had a rapid response I plan to stop treatment at week 12.(I have genotype 2b)The doctors told me that everyone reacts differently to the side effects. I expected to really suffer but I am happy to say thats not the case for me. I drink lots of water, whole milk and juice, no caffeine. I eat one bowl of fortified whole grain cereal before i take the pills twice a day and Ive had no GI symptoms.I try to walk every day for 15 minutes even if im tired and I make time for a nap if I need it.I take the shot on Sat night before I go to bed.Ive lost 12 lbs.I have still been able to work 45+ hrs a week and take care of my family.I dont know if what im doing is making the difference in not being sick or if im just really lucky.Maybe this post will help someone else. Read More Read Less

I am on week 40 of 48 weeks of treatment. I am undetectable and counting the days until completion. This has been the hardest thing I've ever had to do but well worth it because it's working. Side effects include fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, headaches, irritability, depression, and anemia. It sucks.

It was a hard time! I went through a 6-month treatment of both drugs combined (interferon and ribavirine) on a weekly basis. People shouldn't fear the immediate side effects since they're predictable in such a health condition - I also thought that I "was going to die", especially because the effects went on for 48 hours approx. Regularly I injected the compound in my belly skin on Tuesday evenings, had my share of private hell all Wednesday long and by Thursday morning I was able to stand on my feet, just feeling a little shaky - but the ripping headaches were gone. Personally I have to admit I was getting slightly paranoid - I became extremely aggressive ( in reaction to differing opinions), I became obviously depressed about my life and everything around it (mind you, I was diagnosed just a few weeks before 9/11 and even though I live in Portugal, the global grief caused by the sad event just added to my gloom...). I was lucky that in my job I could use a free day in the middle of the week, otherwise it would have been much harder to carry on. One of the things I try not to go easy on is drinking - I wasn't a alcoholic but, during the 80's, at times, I could become an incredibly talkative pint-swiller ( often going over what could pass for excessive drinking). My Doctors at the Coimbra University Hospitals talked me out of the habit; they said that if I weren't into heavy spirits I could easily stop drinking beer, replacing it with alcohol-free beer, or either drinking a normal one once in a blue moon. I've been doing as they told me, going back to the Hospital for annual ( or bi-annual) check-ups. I stll have some characters left so I'll cut a long story short - in our shoes, one should always remember that you're not alone and that whichever causes your problem might have had, no one chooses HCV deliberately - it'a neither a crime, nor a tragedy. Nurture your inner will and the love and help of others, and it'll mean more than just survival. Cheers everyone! Read More Read Less

This drug caused me to be a whiner for a year, it made me feel AWFUL. Fever, joint pain and fatigue...that said, it saved me... five years out and I am still HCV negative. Drinking tons of water helped more than anything.

I have found the side affects of the drugs very difficult to handle. My doctor has lowered the dosage of the interferon which has made a small change.I feel like stopping the treatment. The doctor should have information for self help groups as I feel so alone. My family are wonderful but they don't know how i really feel.Its also the stigma of having this dease. I am a 58 year old woman and how i got this thing i will never know. As well as treating the problem with drugs we also need support which may make the difficult side affect easier to bear.Read More Read Less

This medication made me think I was going to DIE! Severe flu like symptoms. large hematoma at injection site. I was very thankful for my husband and mother & kids who helped me through this treatment. It is NOT easy. But it does work. I was in treatment for 8 months. And after 4 years I still have normal liver readings from lab test every 6 months. I thank GOD for this medication. Please follow ALL directions given to you by your health care professional. Drink the proper amount of water. and Pray. Read More Read Less

48 weeks of treatment has allowed me to live with a lot less chronic pain

I did the combination therapy with Ribavirin for 3 months before stopping it. i thought i was going to die. went to ER 3 times in a week for abnormal heart rhythms, trouble breathing, and muscle and joint pains. I test negavtive for HCV after being off for 3 months but i still ahve the muscle pains, weakness, trouble thinking and remembering things, balance and coordination problems, and no energy. The worst is the depression. I'm 22 years old and am having trouble in school and relationships where I was happy before though living with Hep C. Now i wish i would die. I strongly urge you to re-think this drug, and if you are on it to make your dr take your complaints seriuosly. Mine just brushed mine off as "flu-like symptoms" that would go away. I'm scared they will never.Read More Read Less

this is a very bitter-sweet experience!, i had to constantly remind myself why i needed to continue treatment. i felt awfull most of the time and needed mental health care!.i recomend a good coach and diet!.i took the medication for one year and it has been FOUR YEARS!! and there is no hcv in my blood!!. you will hate this drug!, and you will love this drug!, remember to eat well and do not!!!! re-infect yourself!!!!.

Was placed on peginterferon for one year of treatment. The treatment reduced viral load to undetectable by 3 months, and stayed that way for rest of tx. I relapsed within 6 weeks. Mixing meds and drawing into syringe was sometimes problematic. Needles would sometimes be dull. Side effects were much more severe than second treatment with Pegasus & Copegasus.

made me want to die

my genotype helped me, the meds had a lot of side effects, but over six months of treatment it was over. for what its worth stay on the meds, in the long run its worth its weight in gold!!!

I developed Erythema Nodusum, and possibly Sarcoidosis, & an autoimmune disease if you have a family history of autoimmune diseases BE CAREFUL & TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR - DON'T BE INGORED LIKE I WAS!!! I'm 23 years old, have a beautiful 2 year old daughter, am a Sophomore in college, and some days I cannot even walk, and the pain is so excruciating all I can do is cry.