your sex drive will be taking a vacation anyway, but yes take it. Everyone is different with the sides. You wont loose all your hair but will thin out quite a bit. My sides were weakness,muscle ache,hair lose dry skin, itchy. Try not to be too nerious, you have had the flu before, its all of symptoms of flu. some work all through tx some dont. Drink lots of water,make sure you eat no matter what. sounds like a lot but just take it one day at a time,good luck,barb

hi My sides were not too bad. I had flu-like symptoms for about 48 hours after the shot. I was only able to take 9 shots because of my white count would not rebound. My hair thinned after I had stopped the tx. No one could tell but me. What genotype are you? I was 2a so was suppose to take 24 shots. I became undetectable at week 5 and my 6 month blood work still shows that so I was happy. I think it is worth it.

Take care!

it's a good idea to start on an anti-d now. they sometimes take up to 4 weeks to get into your system. forget the sex, that's the least of your problems.

try not to stress, the body will have to work that much harder on getting rid of the hepc.

please take advantage of the friendship here through your journey.

what gen type are you?
joe

I started my Zoloft 2 weeks before I started the TX. Again everyone is different on their reactions to the Meds. Is it worth it depends on how bad off your liver is at this moment. What Geno are you and what stage are you ? If I had known what I know now I probably would of just cleaned up my lifestyle, no drinking enormous amounts of beer everyday, as my liver really had no damage and no inflammation.BUT, I am 10 weeks until I am done and I am clear of the virus and odds are I will stay clear of the virus after TX. One less thing for me to worry about as I get to be an old fart. Of course I will not drink again as I never want to go through TX again ever, never.....Good Luck.....Stay positive....

I've gone through 48 weeks... cleared. Relapsed. And starting over in 2 weeks. I could write a book on the stuff I learned the first time through. I will never take an anti-depressant again. Sure, the pills got me to sleep... but I never woke up. Of course you'll have bad days, but you will have good ones too. Try not to put your life completely on hold. Enjoy those good days and good friends. Keep a thankful heart. Ps. 91

I will not share to much other than you should start anti depressants now just in case it hit you that way. Every one is different. It has to do with your body chemistry how it hit you. And it has a lot to do with your attitude. If you stress you will make it worse. Keep you spirit up the best you can and fine fun thing to do. Come here and make a joke out of the brain fog so all of us can have a laugh ( I remember doing that ) good laugh at the past will help us to

Just keep your spirits up
Good luck and god bless

I would talk to the Doc about the anit depressant. unless you have a history or depression, anxiety, mental illness, past thoughts of suicide, etc. there is not necessarily any need to just start an anti depressant.
Some do anyway and this will be your choice. But so far for me i haven't had any problems in that area. But I do know a lot do, so this is something you may want to talk to the Doc about.

Can't say how you will feel for sure, but it seems some have no problem hardly at all with tx, and some have a tough time. Side effects from tx are a little better than they used to be because they have cleaned the meds up a lot. I am one of the fortunate ones that haven't had too much of a problem with it.
but i will also say that i am only about 3 months in a six month tx and I do know that some sides may not take effect until later on in tx . But my suggestion is to just deal with those as they come along. And not worry too much because it may be for nothing. You will have time to deal with things along the way IMO. Just try to do your best to have as little going on as you can, and try to have yourself as much stress free relax time as you can possibly create for yourself. This will help you out a lot IMO. Oh and drink plenty of water!
Good luck

I would definitely start an anti-depressant immediately because most do take time before they actually start to take effect. This way it will already be starting to work when you begin TX. Important if you ask me, depression can really cripple a person.

I am taking my 10th shot tomorrow night and I will say that the side effects have been tolerable for the most part so far. The first shot was bad and then they got easier. I'm just tired and my appetite is messed up. Sometimes I get bad headaches after the shot but I haven't had one in a while. My skin gets extremely itchy to a pretty annoying point sometimes. Nausea can be bad once in a while. Some days are better than others. That's about the worst of it! Like everyone's been saying, sex will most likely be the last thing on your mind and the TX takes every once of stamina out of you anyway. Which reminds me, shortness of breath is another side of mine. Forgot about that. The only thing I haven't noticed yet is any hair loss, but I have a ways to go.. Water is a very important tool in this TX. Drink a lot. You'll be okay!

Most anti- depressants do take some time to take effect but Justin is right not all. They do have some that work rather quickly, and can be taken for shorter periods of time. Depression can be a side effect of this tx, and getting on an anti- depressant is far more beneficial than having to stop tx because of the depression, or God forbid it caused you to have a serious problem or death.

Having said that, anti -depressants are something you really should think about and discuss with your Doctor and/or past Doctors if they know your history. Anti-depressants can be extremely hard to come off of and can cause side effects all of their on. Some can have the same symptoms coming off of as what you might experience on tx. And if you can avoid having to take an extra pill while on tx that would be wise lol. You could end up on many different prescriptions before this is all said and done. Most Doctors will not suggest an anti dep. unless you have a past history of mental illness because of this.
For example if you have a history of pain such as R/A , you will be more than likely started on something for pain. The main reason most start the anti depressants is if they are prone to depression or have some history of mental illness. If you don't have any problems thus far in life in this area, it is actually recommended you take a wait and see approach.
Statistically about 25 % of those who do HCV tx experience depression at some point on tx. So that means 75% will experience none at all.
Again most definitely not saying in anyway not to take them if you need them, but just make sure you and your Doctor have went through all the pro's and con's and that you both feel it is needed.

Talking to your DR. is the best as he can talk to you about all of the options to make your life easier going through TX. When I first started I did not sleep for a week.Then I got the Xanax to help me from shaking to death from the Riba and then the phengran for the upset stomach( I lost almost 20 pounds in the beginning) then the ambien to help me sleep. Ibuprofen is my friend as well.I now do sleep and have put 7 pounds back on my body. BTW it was my internal medicine physician that wrote all the extra med scripts for me not my GI.Gi is aware of what I am doing of course and my internal medicine doctor says it will be no problem to ween me off the extra meds when the time comes.You will figure out quickly once you start how you will react to the Riba and Interferon and then you will be able to adjust your meds to suit you.

You guys are the BEST! I feel so much better about starting tx now. Thanks for the dope slap - it's just like the flu [only for months on end].

I'm a 1-2-3: Type 1; Grade 2; Stage 3 and will have 48 weeks of tx. Let the games begin!

Yours in Positive Thoughts, Mucho Plenty Water, and Huge Gratitude. I owe you all for taking the time to speak so honestly about what this will be like. xox

Everything Chriskeith has said about anti-depressants is what my doctor told me. I agree with him completely. Not everyone needs them. My feeling is that you are already going to be on so much medication. But that is something that you may discuss with your doctor.

As far as sides...My appetite has decreased significantly. I've talked to my doctor about it who says it is common, but as far as being placed on meds for my appetite that is a last resort. He says he would prefer I not take another medication if I don't have to.

I get headaches a lot, my body aches and i'm really tired. But, I am still able to manage and just got a new part time job. My biggest advice is to have a positive attitude and that's what I try and tell everyone. I feel that's really what has helped me get through this. I will admit at times it is frustrating and I want to just stop but I won't.

Good luck.

I haven't started on an anti d, I decided to wait and see if I need it.
Good luck to you....

I am about to take my second shot. The first shot wasn't bad. It took 6 hours to kick in and I had body aches and the chills for about 10 hours. Since then I've been completely normal. My viral load dropped to 43 in one week. I am not on any antidepressants. So far so good. I wish you the best.