Reviewer: kq151@cox.net, 35-44 Female on Treatment for 1 to 6 months (Patient)

Comment:
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 tre ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
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.
Hide Full Comment

Reviewer: s., 25-34 Female on Treatment for 6 months to less than 1 year (Patient)

Comment:
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.

Comment:
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.
Hide Full Comment

Reviewer: S-L Mav, 35-44 Female on Treatment for 1 to 6 months (Patient)

Comment:

Comment:

Hide Full Comment

Reviewer: jc from Portugal, 45-54 Male on Treatment for 1 to 6 months (Patient)

Comment:
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 Tuesd ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
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!
Hide Full Comment

Reviewer: hcv37girl, 35-44 Female on Treatment for 1 to less than 2 years (Patient)

Comment:
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.

Comment:
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.
Hide Full Comment