That's Quite a Ride
December 03, 2008 07:43 AM
I had my first interferon treatment Tuesday. I went
in to the hospital and got hooked up to an IV. The
procedure took about two and a half hours. My nurse,
Michelle, was great. She explained what I might
expect when I got home and for the next few days.
“Since this is your first treatment,” she sad,” your response tonight will be the strongest. You will get a fever and chills. Don’t be surprised if your fever reaches 104. But it will pass, and should be gone by the time you wake up the next day.”
I went home, filled my bath with cool water in case i needed a quick dunk in the middle of the night, and went to bed. The high fever never came, but what I did get was serious chills and shakes. I was shaking uncontrollably for almost two hours. Then it settled down.
The next morning I had muscle aches. It felt like I had just run a marathon. I could go about my business, but was moving at about 2/3rd normal speed. The second night after treatment went about the same way, but the shaking lasted for only an hour. Hopefully each day will be a little bit easier.
I remember my oncologist saying a while ago that when it comes to interferon, about one third of people tolerate it fairly well, about a third have to manage it with some lifestyle changes to accommodate the symptoms, and about one third are basically bed ridden for the year. So far it looks like I am in the first group and I couldn’t be happier about it.
I’m still feeling wiped out, and I don’t doubt this will be a challenging month, but after December 27, my dosage gets reduced to 1/3rd of what I’m taking now and I only have to take it three times a week instead of every day. At that point, I’m feeling like I can resume a relatively normal life and get back to work. This is really good news.
So that’s the update. This is a happy Depot Dad signing off for now.
“Since this is your first treatment,” she sad,” your response tonight will be the strongest. You will get a fever and chills. Don’t be surprised if your fever reaches 104. But it will pass, and should be gone by the time you wake up the next day.”
I went home, filled my bath with cool water in case i needed a quick dunk in the middle of the night, and went to bed. The high fever never came, but what I did get was serious chills and shakes. I was shaking uncontrollably for almost two hours. Then it settled down.
The next morning I had muscle aches. It felt like I had just run a marathon. I could go about my business, but was moving at about 2/3rd normal speed. The second night after treatment went about the same way, but the shaking lasted for only an hour. Hopefully each day will be a little bit easier.
I remember my oncologist saying a while ago that when it comes to interferon, about one third of people tolerate it fairly well, about a third have to manage it with some lifestyle changes to accommodate the symptoms, and about one third are basically bed ridden for the year. So far it looks like I am in the first group and I couldn’t be happier about it.
I’m still feeling wiped out, and I don’t doubt this will be a challenging month, but after December 27, my dosage gets reduced to 1/3rd of what I’m taking now and I only have to take it three times a week instead of every day. At that point, I’m feeling like I can resume a relatively normal life and get back to work. This is really good news.
So that’s the update. This is a happy Depot Dad signing off for now.