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Helpful Tips
Commitments
- Be committed to taking 100% of your medications 100% of the time to have the best possible treatment outcome.
- Absolutely no alcohol use.
- Be committed to keeping medical and lab draw appointments.
- Ribavirin should be administered with food to achieve maximum potency.
Medication Side Effects
- Numerous common side effects such as; head, muscle and joint aches and pains, dry itchy skin, fever and fatigue are made worse by dehydration. Maintain adequate hydration with little to no caffeine at all times, but especially on injection days.
- Administer interferon injections at bedtime so you can sleep through the worst of the side effects.
- Administer a physician approved pain reliever when interferon is injected to help reduce head and body aches.
- Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day.
- Avoid high fat and fried foods.
- Perform light exercise to help reduce fatigue, muscle and body aches.
Psychological Effects
- Maintain a positive attitude.
- Make a commitment to see the treatment through until the end.
- Do not over extend yourself. This is not the time to take on extra commitments.
- Consider being evaluated by a psychiatrist that is familiar with hepatitis C treatment to help with any psychological side effects.
Physical Effects
- Maintain adequate hydration by drinking plenty of water each day.
- Since the ribavirin causes severe birth defects, it is important to use two forms of birth control during treatment and for six months after completing treatment.
- If you are overweight, consider losing some weight before starting treatment.
Emotional Effects
- Find the support that works for you whether it is a local support group, on-line chat group or a phone-in hotline.
- Be open and honest with your family members. Help them to understand what you will be going through during treatment.
Financial Impact
- Verify that your health insurance premium is paid and you have the coverage needed to pay for the treatment.
- If you do not have medical insurance find resources in your area to help cover the costs of treatment.
- Find out your employer's leave of absence policy and how much time off you have if needed
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