Pegasys Reaction?: I took my first dose of 45mcgs... - MPN Voice

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Pegasys Reaction?

russkatt profile image
10 Replies

I took my first dose of 45mcgs of Pegasys Sunday evening with no signs of any side effects. Woke up the next day (yesterday) and about 9am I started getting stomach cramps. They continued to get worse and by noon I was in bed with a heating pad on my stomach. This lasted several more hours until it finally subsided. The rest of the evening I just felt miserable like I got the flu. I didn't sleep well at all.

Woke up today weak and tired but my stomach feels a lot better. I don't know if that was a reaction to the shot of Peg or just a coincidence and I really had a bout with the flu?

Anyone else experience something like I did? I am really afraid to do next weeks injection now.

Thanks, Russ

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russkatt
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10 Replies
Bellakeira profile image
Bellakeira

I just started as well had 2 shots so far. I was told to take paracetamol 2hrs before hand in case of flu like symptoms. I never got any so could have just been a bit of reaction with you. Hope all goes well.

russkatt profile image
russkatt in reply toBellakeira

I will take some Paracetamol this next time and hope that helps. The funny thing is I felt nothing at all for the first 14 hours then it hit me hard, strange.

monarch5000 profile image
monarch5000

First dose is typically the most traumatic with effects that can last 24-36 hours. A month from now after your 3rd or 4th 45 mcg dose you may not experience much, if any effects.

ainslie profile image
ainslie in reply tomonarch5000

I agree, hang in there if you can

russkatt profile image
russkatt in reply tomonarch5000

My doctor talked me into trying a second dose, so I will do it again this Sunday and hope I don't experience what I did last Sunday. Thanks for the reply.

ainslie profile image
ainslie in reply torusskatt

another option is to reduce the dose until you get used to it, there is somebody on here under Clair Harrison who reduced their dose and moved to once a month if I remember correctly. Maybe they can chip in. Some like me can’t tolerate it at all but some can cut right back and wait until your body adjusts and build up slowly successfully. I used that approach to get to highish dose with Rux.

Exeter21 profile image
Exeter21

I experimented with mine . Originally headaches & cold for 12 hrs so I decided not to listen to everything others say about taking it at night. My theory is take it morning . Eat normally lots water during that day . I walk etc anything to keep your body moving. I never had any reactions whatsoever since injecting mornings. Any side effects go . I inject monthly now . It’s a great drug. After horrendous side effects on Hydroxy this is gold star for me but definitely not take at night. No fluids going into body when asleep 🙈Julia UK

Franko21 profile image
Franko21 in reply toExeter21

thank you for this information. I did as you said and tried mornings , well what a difference it made as you say you can keep well hydrated and as I have to go to work I just got on with it by the evening I was ready for bed and slept through any other side effects. Great bit of advice 🙂👍🏻.

Exeter21 profile image
Exeter21 in reply toFranko21

glad it worked I am not sure why no one in medical profession suggested it. I just decided it’s logical that our bodies moving etc are getting this into our system better than lying in bed 👌😂👍

russkatt profile image
russkatt

I never thought of that, great idea.

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