Nervous – starting Interferon Monday.

Interferon's effects are highly individual. You can read reports here of people sailing through and others who were miserable – you'll just have to wait and see.  Just remember that if it gets bad for you, you can always stop.  good luck. Fen

Interferon's effects are highly individual. You can read reports here of people sailing through and others who were miserable – you'll just have to wait and see.  Just remember that if it gets bad for you, you can always stop.  good luck. Fen

Interferon's effects are highly individual. You can read reports here of people sailing through and others who were miserable – you'll just have to wait and see.  Just remember that if it gets bad for you, you can always stop.  good luck. Fen

Good luck with your treatment.  Best advice I can give is to drink LOTS of water.  If you have any specific questions don't hesitate to message me.  I have some other info that I can send you that helped me when I did my treatment.

Brian

Good luck with your treatment.  Best advice I can give is to drink LOTS of water.  If you have any specific questions don't hesitate to message me.  I have some other info that I can send you that helped me when I did my treatment.

Brian

Good luck with your treatment.  Best advice I can give is to drink LOTS of water.  If you have any specific questions don't hesitate to message me.  I have some other info that I can send you that helped me when I did my treatment.

Brian

Hello! You start with interferon or pegylated interferon? because the side effects of pegylated interferon are lower than those of interferon. kisses

Gaby

Hello! You start with interferon or pegylated interferon? because the side effects of pegylated interferon are lower than those of interferon. kisses

Gaby

Hello! You start with interferon or pegylated interferon? because the side effects of pegylated interferon are lower than those of interferon. kisses

Gaby

Like someone else said, the side effect vary from person to person.  I have read some that made it through the month of high dose and then 11 mo. self injections ok.  My husband did one month of HD interferon and was unable to continue because of toxicity issues.  It was a very hard month for him (and me), and he still has some memory issues from it.  Even though he is stage IV now, we don't regret the decision though.  Maybe it kept mel at bay for a couple of more years?  And if he hadn't tried it, he would be wondering now if he should have.  Just our experience…

Wishing you the best!

Like someone else said, the side effect vary from person to person.  I have read some that made it through the month of high dose and then 11 mo. self injections ok.  My husband did one month of HD interferon and was unable to continue because of toxicity issues.  It was a very hard month for him (and me), and he still has some memory issues from it.  Even though he is stage IV now, we don't regret the decision though.  Maybe it kept mel at bay for a couple of more years?  And if he hadn't tried it, he would be wondering now if he should have.  Just our experience…

Wishing you the best!

Like someone else said, the side effect vary from person to person.  I have read some that made it through the month of high dose and then 11 mo. self injections ok.  My husband did one month of HD interferon and was unable to continue because of toxicity issues.  It was a very hard month for him (and me), and he still has some memory issues from it.  Even though he is stage IV now, we don't regret the decision though.  Maybe it kept mel at bay for a couple of more years?  And if he hadn't tried it, he would be wondering now if he should have.  Just our experience…

Wishing you the best!

I had the 4 week daily IV of interferon alpha 2b and was able to continue with 10 months on the weekly injections. My first treatment did not make me feel sick or tired but I did experience the "shakes"; could not stop shaking for about 45 minutes afterwards. I stayed in the IV unit until it subsided. Lucky for me, my husband was able to be with me for each treatment which made it easier for me.

As stated earlier, drinking LOTS of water is a MUST. The side effects seemed worse when I did not make myself drink lots of water.  Basically for a month (during the IV treatments) I rested a lot – had to make my care my priority.  After the weekly shots started, I was able to plan my "good" days with some activity and prepared for my "bad" days. All in all, it wasn't horrible, just not feeling well for so long was an emotional drain.  Don't fight the offer of drugs to alleviate side effects if you have them. Atavan became my friend because with melanoma (and the unknown) my anxiety level was high.

Now that it's been almost two years without treatment, I'm glad I went forward with the interferon. Hey, if it only helps 2% or 10%, at least that's 2% or more!

Follow the guidance on foods and water – for once in your life you HAVE to follow the guidelines.

The best of luck to you. Remember to breathe deeply and slowly and to allow others to help you.

LivingNTN

I had the 4 week daily IV of interferon alpha 2b and was able to continue with 10 months on the weekly injections. My first treatment did not make me feel sick or tired but I did experience the "shakes"; could not stop shaking for about 45 minutes afterwards. I stayed in the IV unit until it subsided. Lucky for me, my husband was able to be with me for each treatment which made it easier for me.

As stated earlier, drinking LOTS of water is a MUST. The side effects seemed worse when I did not make myself drink lots of water.  Basically for a month (during the IV treatments) I rested a lot – had to make my care my priority.  After the weekly shots started, I was able to plan my "good" days with some activity and prepared for my "bad" days. All in all, it wasn't horrible, just not feeling well for so long was an emotional drain.  Don't fight the offer of drugs to alleviate side effects if you have them. Atavan became my friend because with melanoma (and the unknown) my anxiety level was high.

Now that it's been almost two years without treatment, I'm glad I went forward with the interferon. Hey, if it only helps 2% or 10%, at least that's 2% or more!

Follow the guidance on foods and water – for once in your life you HAVE to follow the guidelines.

The best of luck to you. Remember to breathe deeply and slowly and to allow others to help you.

LivingNTN

I had the 4 week daily IV of interferon alpha 2b and was able to continue with 10 months on the weekly injections. My first treatment did not make me feel sick or tired but I did experience the "shakes"; could not stop shaking for about 45 minutes afterwards. I stayed in the IV unit until it subsided. Lucky for me, my husband was able to be with me for each treatment which made it easier for me.

As stated earlier, drinking LOTS of water is a MUST. The side effects seemed worse when I did not make myself drink lots of water.  Basically for a month (during the IV treatments) I rested a lot – had to make my care my priority.  After the weekly shots started, I was able to plan my "good" days with some activity and prepared for my "bad" days. All in all, it wasn't horrible, just not feeling well for so long was an emotional drain.  Don't fight the offer of drugs to alleviate side effects if you have them. Atavan became my friend because with melanoma (and the unknown) my anxiety level was high.

Now that it's been almost two years without treatment, I'm glad I went forward with the interferon. Hey, if it only helps 2% or 10%, at least that's 2% or more!

Follow the guidance on foods and water – for once in your life you HAVE to follow the guidelines.

The best of luck to you. Remember to breathe deeply and slowly and to allow others to help you.

LivingNTN

How are you doing?

LivingNTN

How are you doing?

LivingNTN

How are you doing?

LivingNTN

Wondering how you are doing… you should be about half way through the most difficult part. The first month, on the high dose, is the most intense. How are you doing? I hope you are able to keep drinking fluids to stay hydrated, and also taking even short walks to help with the fatigue.

Tina

Wondering how you are doing… you should be about half way through the most difficult part. The first month, on the high dose, is the most intense. How are you doing? I hope you are able to keep drinking fluids to stay hydrated, and also taking even short walks to help with the fatigue.

Tina

Wondering how you are doing… you should be about half way through the most difficult part. The first month, on the high dose, is the most intense. How are you doing? I hope you are able to keep drinking fluids to stay hydrated, and also taking even short walks to help with the fatigue.

Tina

I made it through made Interpheron protocol in 2010/2011. I wouldn't say I "sailed" through but I was able to manage a quiet life. I was off work for the year and my children were older so lets say I had the circumstances to take more time for myself. My coping mechanisims were; fluids, doing my injections at bedtime, planning good days/bad days, OTC pain relief, rest and most importatnly allowing myself to feel under the weather. Another mental coping trick was reminding myself that this was only 1 year in total. When it was a bad day I would rest and count how many shots I had done and how many were left.

I made it through made Interpheron protocol in 2010/2011. I wouldn't say I "sailed" through but I was able to manage a quiet life. I was off work for the year and my children were older so lets say I had the circumstances to take more time for myself. My coping mechanisims were; fluids, doing my injections at bedtime, planning good days/bad days, OTC pain relief, rest and most importatnly allowing myself to feel under the weather. Another mental coping trick was reminding myself that this was only 1 year in total. When it was a bad day I would rest and count how many shots I had done and how many were left.

I made it through made Interpheron protocol in 2010/2011. I wouldn't say I "sailed" through but I was able to manage a quiet life. I was off work for the year and my children were older so lets say I had the circumstances to take more time for myself. My coping mechanisims were; fluids, doing my injections at bedtime, planning good days/bad days, OTC pain relief, rest and most importatnly allowing myself to feel under the weather. Another mental coping trick was reminding myself that this was only 1 year in total. When it was a bad day I would rest and count how many shots I had done and how many were left.

Sending best wishes your way.  Would recommend writing down any effects you feel (and timing). It will help you determine what time of day for the injections. Best of luck to you.

LivingNTN 

Sending best wishes your way.  Would recommend writing down any effects you feel (and timing). It will help you determine what time of day for the injections. Best of luck to you.

LivingNTN 

Sending best wishes your way.  Would recommend writing down any effects you feel (and timing). It will help you determine what time of day for the injections. Best of luck to you.

LivingNTN