Taking interferon in hot weather

[hansyhand]

Quick question, I took interferon on Saturday night and have been suffering since - very achy and then cold shivers at night... (Although periods of feeling normal too). Taken many covid tests, all negative... Previous post about heat and PV was very reassuring but I just wondered if I've made symptoms worse with interferon or if I should continue to test for covid!... Any experience of taking interferon in heat?

As a side note, I've just lost 2 stone slowly (deliberately to bring me to NHS healthly zone BMI). Could this have an effect?

[WeylandYutani]

Hello,

just had two doses of Interferon, so I'm not an expert, but as far as I know, what you describe are possible side effects of Interferon. It's annoying, but is not specifically related to heat IMHO.

Cheers!

[Otterfield]

These are typical side effects of Interferon. When I was on it I found that Paracetamol sorted it out but you seem to be feeling worse than I did. I suppose it might be exacerbated by the heat.

[hunter5582]

I am taking interferon and have been out and about in the heat. The heat did not make me any more uncomfortable than it usually does. As other have suggested, what you are describing is consistent with a common interferon side effect. Treating the symptom with acetaminophen (paracetamol) would likely be what the doc would recommend. Best to heck with you doc about that as your care team does need to know you are experiencing a potential adverse effect.

Regarding the weight loss, i expect that would make you feel better. If anything to would be more heat tolerant. Glad to hear you dropped the weight. Your body will thank you. I lost 50 pounds in about 2 years. it makes a big difference.

All the best to you.

[Wyebird in reply to hunter5582]

Hi Hunter, do you have to rest the day after you inject. I’m not sure if my body needs to or I’ve got into that frame of mind

[hunter5582 in reply to Wyebird]

We are all different and many people do experience fatigue with PEG. I not not feel any different after a PEG injection. I not treat the next day any different than any other. I do experience some mild fatigue but that predated the PEG. I think it is related to the iron deficiency. It is one of the things I hope will improve once the HCT is under control without phlebotomies.

[Wyebird in reply to hunter5582]

Thanks I expected to be ill after the first jab but now I’m apprehensive when there is no need to be

[hunter5582 in reply to Wyebird]

When it comes to adverse effects, no news is good news. Suggest taking Bobby McFerrin's advice.youtube.com/watch?v=d-diB65...(Not working as expected?)

[hunter5582 in reply to Wyebird]

LOL. Tryin again.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh4ugYi...(Not working as expected?)

[Wyebird in reply to hunter5582]

Haha laying in bed feeling headachy despite taking tablets a few hours ago. worrying that I don’t want to get up. Just listened to your song - just the tonic I needed getting up now lol

[hunter5582 in reply to Wyebird]

AHA! Just click on the link.

[LadyAbash in reply to Wyebird]

I used to inject in the morning and found I was totally wiped out for the rest of the day. After speaking to my haematologist, he suggested trying to take the injections at a different time of day. I did and now I inject between 6.30pm and 7pm after my evening shower. It's brilliant because if I feel fatigued, I go to sleep and my day is not affected as it is bedtime anyway. So maybe try this and see?

All the best

[Wyebird in reply to LadyAbash]

Yes 3-30pm suits me. I don’t react until about 4 hours later so then I have an easy day the next day. I took it in the morning because I’d postponed it by 2 days. Of course everything imploded then when my husband tested positive!

[charl17]

Hydrate well, esp. at night. Be prepared to adjust bedcovers as necessary. I take 1000 mg of tylenol at bedtime for 3 nights after injecting. For what it's worth I have slowly and steadily lost weight on Pegasys despite trying to keep it up.

[shiela23]

I have ET it's been 6 months since diagnosed but taking interferon me too i don't know why I still have lots of pain.... my blood counts are normal now but still having so much pain i don't know if this is interferon side effects....

[Wyebird]

Hi, I’ve now had 4 doses of interferon. I can’t say I’ve noticed the heat affect me but I do give myself a rest day after the injection. I take it early afternoon on a Tuesday and chill on the Wednesday. Taking it Tuesday night disentangle give me enough time to recover.