Which Day of the Week did you pick and how's it working for you?

[Zafu]

As I explained in another thread, I am scheduled to begin tx next week.   Aside from picking which of the two new drugs (discussed in another thread), I need to pick which day of the week to inject the Interferon.

It appears most people pick Friday to ensure they have the weekend to rest if needed.   That was my first choice as well; however I am re-thinking this and hoping for your feedback.

I am self-employed, work from home and usually have a large amount of control over when I have appointments and see people.

I am concerned that by taking the injection on a Friday I'll find myself working all week and then resting all weekend with no sense of a "life".   I'm trying to avoid any additional reasons for depression beyond what feelings may surface just from treatment.   So I'm considering taking my shot on Sunday night and just dealing with Monday & Tuesday (I can take a nap during the day if I need to) and at least having as good a weekend as possible.

Your thoughts?

Thank you kindly. -Zafu

[sunny2day]

You could start with Sunday nights and if you find that doesn't work well for you, you could switch your injection day as long as it's not by more than one day per week from what I understand.......    

[B]

Hi Zafu,

If you have been reading posts, you will quickly learn that it's different for everyone.  My first four injections gave me absolutely no reaction at all; it wasn't until my sixth that the sx appeared, and that was a good thirty hours later.  Some have more immediate responses, others it takes longer.  I inject on Wednesday and get my weekly labs on Mondays, which gives my nurse time to review them and make any necessary adjustments.

I work from home too, and have control over my schedule; however, my work is very solitary and I rarely see anyone.  Most of my interaction is via email.   My husband is in a similar position but in his own business and we work in separate buildings on the property.

No way when to tell when and if the sx will hit and what intensity they will be. I think you just have to make a decision and go for it!

My personal opinion is to give the process the highest priority in your life.  You get one shot at using the protease inhibitor and it requires dedication to the process.

I am sure that others with much more experience and knowledge have other opinions, but that is mine.

Best of luck on whatever drug and decisions you make!

Bye for now,
B

[greyrocker]

Hi Zafu. As in your other thread, this is a highly personal choice. I did my shots on a Monday. I worked most weekends at the time (2 jobs) but I always had Tuesdays off with a fairly easy day on Wednesday. For me, at my age at the time (56 at the start of tx), I felt it was better to have the off day to rest and recuperate. I wanted to be as sharp at work as possible, and that was difficult enough, even with the day off.

Even if you start doing it on a Sunday night and then find this isn't working for you, you can change it by backing it up a day a week to get to Friday.

greyrocker

[TakkiC]

I did injections on Saturdays. This gave me part of a weekend (Friday night and early Saturday) for R & R.

Initially, my turnaround time was 18 hours because I was in good shape when I started treatment. As my level of fitness declined, it took longer to recover. I moved the injection time from late Saturday evening to noon.

The "flu-like symptoms" were gone by the third injection. Typically, it was the day after that was the most difficult -- irritability, low frustration threshold, sensitivity to noise and light -- a "dry hangover" as I call it. My wife began working weekends to get the hell away from me. I was usually fine by 6 pm Sunday.

People's reactions to the injections vary greatly.

[banarep]

like many things, this is a personal choice.  many have ended up moving the day of their shots for a variety of reasons.  i started on Monday,  backed up to Friday, settled on Saturday during my last round of treatment.

while it is great that you are reading up and planning so much, part of this is just going to have to wait. 

Fog of War

  so to speak.  All of your plans on when you are going to work, when you will do your shot,  it all goes out the window, once you start the meds.  Flexibility and patience are the keys to success on treatment.

and good luck 

[B]

BR knows of what he speaks! Flexibility and patience rule.

TakkiC, funny how our experiences are polar opposite! My first five injections were nothing at all! Not one single sx! Six hit me like a brick wall thirty hours later, and #7 was milder but still noticeable. Go figure! My nurse thinks it's because my wbc and anc levels dropped and it was more noticeable.  I began this with a very high level of fitness and excellent diet.  That definitely makes a difference.

Realize this is your life once you start.

Good luck! Everyone is here for you!

Bye for now,
B

[banarep]

BR knows of what he speaks!

music to my ears......

[B]

what genre would that be???

[TakkiC]

So true, BR!

It's all hypothetical until you're going through it.

[banarep]

what genre would that be???

Caribbean beach get drunk music

[B]

How did I know that?

[banarep]

banarep -from the Buffett song:

Banana Republics

but I think we have stolen the thread,

my bad......Zafu.....we now return you to your normal broadcast....

[Steph]

Took the first 3 or 4 on Monday evening. Went to work the next day. Not much sx with the first few. Now I do Saturday early afternoon and rest as much as possible until Sunday night. That's working out OK for now. 'Cept Sunday I also do the laundry and the multiple trips upstairs to put up the laundry often wipe me out after shot day. But that's really all I do that day. That and sleep. When spring and summer come I'll probably try something different. Right now it's yummy to snuggle in the bed when it's gray out. Not so much in the bright sunshine.

You'll figure out what works best for you, Zafu.

[B]

yes, Sorry Zafu.....