1st injection what will happen

[jkatchmer]

I just started my treatment today. Geno1. I took 3-200mg ribo at 11am and now 2-200mg ribo and my inferno injection. Not sure what I will feel or how long before it will hit me. I haven't felt anything yet been about 30 mins. Should I just stay laying in bed and relax to see how I react to my first injection

[Pancho and Lefty]

Jkatchmer,

Welcome to the Magical Mystery Tour 

Everybody reacts differently to the shots. I didn't have much of a reaction the day of the shot. My joints were stiff and sore the day after. I did find that shooting later in the evening made it easier to sleep.

I used to shoot and go out socially. . . kind of mingle among friends to help take my mind off things.

After a few months, I began to shoot later at night and would lie around a few hours and go to sleep.

Hopefully, you're still laid back and not much is happening. Keep us posted.

best wishes on a smooth voyage,

Max

Tylenol (acetaminophen) is the recommended pain reliever to start with.

[MissyMouse]

Hiya JK,

Welcome to the forum!

I usually didn't experience sides from my shots until the next like Pancho did.  My first shot however was hell.   Within 6 hours I had really bad chills and body aches.  I literally laid in the fetal position for about 36 hours.   None of  my shots after that were as traumatic.

Treatment is a real blast .... NOT.

Mouse

[Kira]

Hi JKatchmer,

Everyone seems to have a slightly different response, some have an easier time, some harder. You might feel a burst of energy the next day, as some of us have. Having some of the flu-like symptoms seems to be universal, but the strength varies quite a bit from person to person. My first couple shots went really easy, and my body reacted more to the ribavirin at first, with stomach upsets. Later the interferon got to me worse.

Keep sipping at water while you are treating, or sports type drinks,  and eat healthy, treat your body well while you're going through this. The water can help with the side effects.
Here's hoping you're one of the 30% who has easy side effects while on treatment!

Good luck to you, hope you have a good weekend,
Cris

[beingbecky]

Hi JK,

I did my first shot and kinda was apprehensive as to what may happen, it was kinda weird. I went and put my headset on and listened to some of my favorite meditation cds and fell asleep on that first shot evening. Anyway, welcome to the group. Keep coming back, and checking in, their are alot of nice folks here to give you support during your journey.

Becky   

[jkatchmer]

well i made it. I had no side effects at all. I am wondering if I did my injection wrong. It is now 730 am and I only have a slight head ache which is from not sleeping to good. I think my nerves keep me up all night. I did prepare for my first shot by eatting lots of ginger and drinking alot of water.

[MissyMouse]

Good for you JK!

Chances are you did the shot correctly.   My second shot was so easy I too thought I did it wrong and I even called my doctor at 11 at night to make sure LOL.

Mouse

[Pancho and Lefty]

JK,

Well, it looks like you're  off to a good start. Why don't you come into the chat room on Sunday and let us know how you're doing.

The heppers house link is at the top of every page. You could check it out in advance to make sure everything's working.

take care,

Max

[jkatchmer]

Well made it all day with only a slight head ache. Went shopping all day and to see my 1 daughter test for her orange belt. Does the pills ever give anyone problems or is it only the shot? Will I react different each shot?

[Pancho and Lefty]

Congratulations JK,

The first one is the biggy. Light sides from the shots are fairly typical. I say that because that's the way they affected me. 

I think I've seen a few variations on how sides develop. For me, they were light at first and my blood count and labs went slowly downhill for about seven weeks. The sore joints became a little more pronounced each week. Things bottomed out at about week seven. Then by week twelve, I could tell than my blood count (reds/whites/hemoglobin) had improved. . . I could tell I had more energy. The labs done confirmed it. So from then on (24 wk tx) my labs stayed pretty good.

The sides that were bothersome after that were mind fog (general confusion) and occasional bouts of riba rage (caused by the interferon). Those became more pronounced and and stayed with me for the duration.

I did not have any skin issues. My hair thinned (I found globs of it all over the house). My eyes became very sensitive to light and harsh sounds were disturbing. The flashing lights and loud noises from the tv became almost unbearable.

I will pull up some info about how to deal with sides later today. Warm baths, silky pillow cases, heating pad (used with caution!!!) warms baths and suggestions for hair care and lotions, etc.

Posting to this board helped immensely. Take a look at the 'treatment diaries' where several of us have pretty much documented how things went. I also wrote a blog as a result of the 'tension' that manifests itself in some us during tx. I've read where a couple people take to obsessive house cleaning or working in the garage.

Most importantly, become part of this community and allow others into your life who are doing tx or have finished. That is where the real support comes from.

best wishes and keep in touch (tonight is chat night at 7:30 EST)

Max

[MissyMouse]

Hey JK,

The pills are just as nasty as the shots, if not worse.   I like Pancho lost lots of hair and my red count went in the toilet pretty quick.  The only way I was able to keep my red count up was by taking Aranesp (similar to Procrit) every other week.   

Slow and steady is going to be the key for ya in a few weeks.

Keep on keep'in on!

Mouse

[Pancho and Lefty]

Hey JK,

The pills are just as nasty as the shots, if not worse.   

Missy, I like the way you've come to be very direct these days.

JK, I feel the same way about the pills. . . fact is I think they're worse.

This whole deal is best approached with a sense of humor. 

Max

[pete c]

HI JK

   First  Id like to welcome  to the site. I know my when i did my first shot  i was alot like you  waiting to see what happen .

   I always took mine just befor i went to bed so to sleep throught the fun stuff. yet none really happen not till around the 6th shot.
   Then things went hay wire for awhile head aches joints and the wondeful feeling of have lead in my shoes.  I too just hope that you will do fine on your own journey. For myself  drinking lots of water,eating yogurt help with the  the feeling of wanting to hurl every time i took my riba snacks. This stuff effect everyone differntly so to really say what you will face next  is hard to say.

     Just try and keep your mind on the goal and not so much on the journey. Will keep you in my prayers my friend  hang in .

  And let the good times roll .
                                                         pete
Ps my memory still is,nt real sharp yet  ,but i have only finsh  3 weeks ago. hope to hear from you  keep us postd to your progress.

[jkatchmer]

Well here is my latest update. Everything has been going good no side effects knock on wood. I am starting to eat ginger. Last shot the day before i ate  a good amount because ginger helps with alot of different things. Dont know if it helped or not, but i am not taking a chance.  I am still drinking appx 1 gallon of water daily getting used to running to bathroom every 15 mins.

[Pancho and Lefty]

Good for you.

It seems that drinking plenty of water is one of the most important things people can do to help with tx symptoms.

best wishes for a continued pleasant journey.

Max