User Reviews for ribavirin oral

i have geno type 1-a its the hardest to cure.idid my treatment for 48 weeks.and i am still undetected.it was hard but worth it.if you are to do this treatment.i highly recomend to do so/

i have geno type 1-a its the hardest to cure.idid my treatment for 48 weeks.and i am still undetected.it was hard but worth it.if you are to do this treatment.i highly recomend to do so/

I am clear of the virus but who is to say it won't come back, maybe even worse. Do alot of research before taking and only if you need too. I am 3 months post treatment which I took for 10 month and am having bad side effects still: joint pain and stiffness,fatigued, depressed,itchy skin,brain fog, irratability,mood swings, muscles that twich and burn,breathlessness,pain all over my body, I am on my own with this my dr's are not very helpful, just to wait it out. Dr's need more training to give out this treatment, they are very rude when you have side effects, like it's your fault, that was my experience. My outlook is that the treatment was so hard I almost had a breakdown luckily my work let me go on disability for 3 months. Hep C is being spread 3 fold compared to HIV, so we should be very alarmed. I pray new and better treatments come out. I had a little bleeding from it, so make sure you get with your loved ones and do research and make a good decision, this treatment is harsh just as if you would take chemotherapy. Take care and god be with you.Read More Read Less

I completed the 48 wk. treatment w/ribavarin and Pegasys Interferon 10/08. I had many side-effects, including severe joint pain, migraine headaches, acute nausea, significant weight loss (60+ lbs), chronic anemia requiring a total of 5 blood transfusions. My blood components are still out of whack (low white cell count, low platelets). I gained weight back, but I still endure widespread joint pain, fatigue, sleep issues. Does anyone know how long it takes for the effects to completely go away, or do they ever?? Still, I would do it again, knowing that my viral load at last check was 0. Keeping my fingers crossed, though.Read More Read Less

Just into the treatment, start of week 3, I was told yesterday that my white count was dangerously low and to now and for the next few weeks to only do a half of a treatment, my history with medications is that normally I only have ever needed about the 1/2 the dose that others need, hopefully by cutting the dose of the treat ment in 1/2 will help with the white counts, other than the white counts dropping I have not really had any horrible side effects, on Saturdays I need to have lots of rest, usally 2 naps at about an hour each will do it, I have noticed that if I do not drink alot of fluids (water, juices, rootbeer, decaf tea) that my pee is darker, and that is a good clue to slam a water. Currently my Hubby is the only one that knows I am on treatment but there may come a point that I will have to let others know. I guess my greatest fear is that suddenly I will drop over dead from the desease itself not from the treatment, I will try to keep people posted on this and I pray that the treatment will work.Read More Read Less

It makes me sick, weak, moody, unable to eat, sometimes I can sleep, other times I can't. I'm sick of being sick, my joints hurt, feet, knees fingers, wrist, elbows, neck, I'm very uncomfortable most everyday. I'm not sure if its this medicine or the shots, does not matter, I am only into these treatments 14 weeks, I have a total of 48 weeks before I am done. I feel like my side effects are not being treated, I also have headaches, I dont like to eat because it hurts so bad once i do, I do drink water alot of it but it has to be room temputure, I hate how all my doctor says to me is "its the side affects" why cant they be treated? Why do I seem to have diarreha (sp?) all the time can you tell I have had enough of feeling so bad, I have a 12 year old son who needs me and I do my best and I am also suppose to be working, how many people can work when feeling so weak and sick all the time? Why do these treatments take so long? I have a fever mostly one to two days a week, again, its the side effects, well these side effects suck and I think there is ways to calm the effects that would work and I am not getting anything so far that helps. I do try to get exercise but its not easy and very little at a time. I do not like pain, whoi does? advil and tylenol do little to nothing to help, my legs feet sometimes even my toes and ass hurts, I have broke several bones and let me tell you I am reminded of them daily. I guess you have heard enough because trust me I could go on and on about how awful I feel. The only plus is my viral load went down to zero, what stinks about that is who knwos if after all this BS will it stay at zero.Read More Read Less

I discovered that I had Hep C, Genotype 1 in October 2008. I've been taking Pegasys and Ribavirin since November. With genotype 1, the odds of the meds working were against me. Plus, my blood platelets seemed to stay low. However, I responded well and my viral load has been negative since around February or March. The side effects have been hard. I endure constant fatigue, weakness, and ache in my shoulders. Since I've been on it so long, I do have some good days. However, I never know which days will be good and which will be bad. I know this sounds scary, but I will say this...I don't regret starting the medication. I only wish I could've started it sooner. If you are reading this, don't let the side effects scare you away. I'm almost finished with my treatment, and I don't regret a moment of it. This year of irritation and side effects is well worth a life not dealing with Hep C.Read More Read Less

I am going into my 3rd month of treatment. Combination Peg-Intron and Ribaviran. The ribaviran has made my breathing very thick and weazy. My back aches all the time and I basicaly feel like a piece of crap all the time. I am genotype 3 and my last blood test showed my viral load undectectable. I have 16 weeks left and if it wasn't for the support of my husband, family and friends i would have probably stopped this treatment already. I hope I can make it through the rest of it.

my count is down to zero.only one reaction can not handle the sun gat fatigued easily and start itching all over

Diagnosed with 1b - went through the pegasys/copegasys treatment for 48weeks. It was very tough and I don't want to minimize how difficult it was. I drank lots of water and ate lots of leafy, green veggies. Also walked 3-4 miles, 3X/week - at least. Kept a positive attitude and took up yoga and meditation - this really helped. I was tired all of the time and had lots of headaches. It was miserable. But, I am cured and just got re-tested for HepC viral load, and after 2 years - nondetectable - so I would say I would do it all over again....Read More Read Less

This medication along with pegasys has brought my viral load down to undetectable. Genotype 1a (6months)on treatment so far. Ive got 6 more to go, no problem. Since I've started, I have had no big side affects.I feel lite nausea at times, no worse than eating something bad. And some hair falls out when brushing my hair but thats all. I do very physical work. And it has not changed my life at all. Except for the fact that im really tired at the end of the day but who isnt. This is me, I dont know how it will affect you. Everybody is different. Before I forget, I DRINK AT LEAST 32 OUNCES OR MORE OF WATER EVERYDAY. THAT COULD BE WHY I DONT HAVE ANY SIDE AFFECTS. I hope this helps anyone who reads this.Read More Read Less

I have HCV genotype 1a. Ribavirin is a vile drug. It changes your personality -- your family will be dismayed. It causes rage and forgetfulness, as well as suicidal thoughts. I hate this drug -- I've used it 3 times without success. My experience has shown me that an anti-depressant is vital when on Ribavirin. In my experience Cymbalta works much better with Ribavirin than any other (like Zoloft, Prozac, etc.). HOWEVER, despite Ribavirin's awful effects, I'm going to try again -- it beats dying.Read More Read Less

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The first week that I took Ribavirin I thought "Thank God, I'm one of the lucky ones who can hadle this." By the fourth week I felt very very bad, achy and weak and couldn't sleep, couldn't think, but I stayed with it, By the 12th week my viral load was down to 20! so I kept going and wondered if I would lose my job because I could not function, I was so weak that standing was a feat and my muscles ached all the time, by the 16th I was a mess, shaking and my arms felt like they were being pulled from my body, now my doctor suspects that I have Parkinson's! This had been an awful experience and I had no symptoms from HepC, just thought I could get rid of it. NOT WORTH IT! Please be careful if you take this drug and stop if you feel bad as this was a very bad thing for me.Read More Read Less

i feel like crapolla I ache all over.my skin is so dryed out I get blissters out of nowere.get forgetfull it strange I just cant think like before its like ive lost focus.its hard to sleep.I found childrens benadrill helps with the iche and the sleep somewhat,nothing helps the dry skin now i have a nose bleed does this drug do this

I have been taking this medication (Pegasys & Ribivirin) for 11 days now. So far my side effects are not too bad. I definately have the flu like aches and joint pain. I have been taking Milk Thistle which was recommended to ease the side effects. I do have sleepless nights but I am taking something for that. I usually just stay busy and try not to concentrate on how I feel. I will try to keep you updated if anything changes.

I discovered I had Hepatitis C genotype 1a Oct. 2007 when my gastroenterologist ordered blood work before gallbladder surgery. I spoke to 2 other physicians (one a relative) and they both encouraged me to have the treatment. I took the highest dosage of Peg-intron in the redipen once a week and 1200 mg. of Ribaviron every day. I knew that I would feel lousy during the treatment, but I was willing to accept that for a year if I could get rid of the hep C. Both my Dr. & the drug co. warned me to expect that, it was no surprise. The first test after a month of treatment, my viral load was immeasurable. About 2 months into my treatment, my wbc & rbc dropped a lot & I was referred to a hematologist. For 3/4 of the treatment, I was my immunity was compromised and I was close to being anemic and received treatment for that twice a week. My counts didn't improve a lot but also didn't drop any lower.The low counts made the fatigue much worse than it already was. Drinking huge amounts of water certainly helped tremendously. The worse side effects for me were dizziness, depression & my tongue constantly felt badly burned. My Dr. seemed to cover all of the bases. She sent me to see a psychiatrist even before I began the treatment. He prescribed an antidepressant which he monitored every two weeks, then every month & finally every two months. Except for the first month (which was horrible), the depression didn't bother me. I completed my 48 week treatment 3 weeks ago and I am pleased I did it. It was like having the flu for 48 weeks, but worth it. I now hope for no relapse.Read More Read Less

Nasty side effects but most can be controlled with copious water consumption and motrin

Wow, so many different experiences to ribivirin and interferon. I'm in my 20th week of 48. Load was 5.4 million baseline and dropped to 3000 after 4 weeks now undetectable. The mental side effects have been the worst for me ie. unpredictable anger, depression and sleeplessness, treating these with lexapro and ambien. After I was diagnosed with hep c I developed a condition called vasculitis which doc believe was caused by the hep. I probably can't appreciate how bad the drugs are because I've felt like hell before I started treatment. Lots of prednisone, amiordarone, warfarin etc. Would do it again, but really look forward to the end of treatment.Read More Read Less

I started treatment in july of 07 and on till june 08, in com,bination with peg interfuron first 12 weeks piece of cake, no real side effects, at 12 week mark, told hep c non detectable, now expierencing severe vertigo, I work in a hospital on the evening shift and have to sit down now most of my shift so I dont fall down infront of the patients. overall knowing I am non detectable and knoing I have so long to go, I can make it, just is very difficult, make sure you have good family and friends and medical support it is worth it in the long runRead More Read Less