Hi folks
Not been on here for a while as I've had a lot of ups and downs but still fighting .
I was wondering if those of you out there who are on Pirfenidone suffer from side affects of the drug? I've read that it does cause a lot of issues mainly gastro problems, but I wanted to know from the people actually using it
Many Thanks In Advance
Keep sucking it in?
Plumbob
Hi Plumbob, I can't answer your question but just wanted to say it's lovely to hear from you, especially as I know how unwell you are, it's still nice to know you are still fighting on.
Take care xx
Their gonna have to drag me out of here Casper ? Wife always telling me I'm a stubborn S.O.B. Hope your staying as well as possible ?
Hi Plumbob sorry can't help you with the medication never took it but it is great to see you take care 😊
Hello Plumbob, glad you are still fighting on and hope you get answers to the medication question soon. Take care xxxxx 😘
It's lovely to hear from you and I hope you get the information you are looking for. 
I'm not sure whether or not this is helpful? It's the NICE guidance for this drug.
I am so glad to see you, Owen. Never stop being a stubborn SOB 😉
Same here Owen, very nice to see you posting. Sorry about your ups and down, hoping the ups gave been good.
Try writing perfenidone in the search bar, all the historical info should come up. I do recall questions & answers on it over time.
All the very best to you. Peege
Hi Plumbob, I used to take Pirfenidone but couldn't tolerate it as I felt nauseous all of the time. I wasn't actually sick but felt as if I was just about to be sick all of the time. I got on better with Nintedanib but not everyone responds the same way. You really need to try it and see how it affects you.
Helen
Thanks Helen -Did you find that the Pirfenidone / Nintedanib eased your issues much. I'm on borrowed time and don't want to spend what I have left in discomfort with additional medication just to ease symptoms
Take care
Hi Plumbob, to be honest it's difficult to say what effect the medication had. At my last appointment, the consultant said that my condition had remained the same for 6 months but he felt that it was too early to say whether it was due to the medication.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Helen
Great to see you again, Plumbob.
If you are asking this to decide on whether or not you should start Pirfenidone then my advice would be to take the Pirfenidone and see what happens. For some people there are no detectable side effects, for most people side effects are quite mild and for only a few people (1:10 ?) the side effects are bad enough that they have to stop. There is no way of predicting which category you will fall into until you try the medicine. If you do start Pirfenidone and have side effects then be aware that for a lot of people side effects disappear with time or become less and less noticeable.
In term of personal experience, a friend of mine took Pirfenidone for 2 years and claimed to have no side effects at all but he had a pretty robust constitution and could drink legendary amounts of whisky without a hangover.
In my case I've been taking Pirfenidone since October 2016 and the side effects were initially moderately unpleasant and I had to increase dose very slowly (much slower than recommended). Nausea (feeling I was about to be sick) was worst side effect but I only had that twice. The rest of the time the main side effects was GI discomfort (feeling of full stomach and general loss of appetite). I have hiatus hernia and sure that contributes to this side effect. Other short term side effects I had that might be due to drug were very mild headaches, "burning" ears, fatigue/tiredness (weird waking dreams in evening) and a loss of taste and appetite. I did stop drug for few days just after I reached the full dose (just felt awful) but I was having a disease exacerbation of sorts at the time so I have no idea if that was the drug or just the disease exacerbation. Since then the side effects have become less and less noticeable and at times am not aware I am even on it. The only side effect that has persisted is the loss or dulling of taste. Most foods I liked (curry, wine, generally spicy food) have little or no taste or just do not taste nice anymore. I also have to make sure I don't eat too much or eat anything after 6-7pm or else I have bad reflux but can't be sure if this is due to the drug or my hernia.
As far as other common side effects are concerned I have had no lower GI incidents, no rash and, so far, no obvious UV responses but then it is Winter at present.
Thanks for that Salmo it is appreciated and noted. I am like your friend and have a very strong constitution (think it came from my rugby playing days??). My predicament is that I am on borrowed time and do I try the drug with possibility of having the side affects, not knowing how long or if it will extend my life or just carry on without to much discomfort until the inevitable ??
Cheers
Owen
I'd say its worthwhile trying the drug and also possibly considering switching to Ofev if Pirfenidone fails you due to side effects. You will know within a few weeks just how its going to affect you and within 2-3 months you will certainly know if you can tolerate the drug long term. The evidence it will slow disease in some folk is pretty good and it would seem a waste not to at least give it a go.
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