Treatment Journey: What To Expect

What You May Be Feeling	Action Steps
Apprehensive and unsure about my next steps	Get educated about hepatitis C by browsing throughout this Web site, and contacting The Be In Charge® Program.
Uncertain about covering the cost of treatment or what my insurance will cover	Find out whether you're eligible for Schering's COMMITMENT TO CARE® program, if you think you may need financial assistance or help with insurance coverage and forms
Concerned about privacy, and discussing my treatment with family members and close friends Worried about my treatment and how my family and job may be affected	Build a support network to help you get through treatment, and to help with your family when needed. (See Building My Support Network)
Doubtful about whether my treatment will have a positive outcome	Talk to your doctor about effective treatment options, and what will work best for you.

What You May Be Feeling	Action Steps
Nervous about how to prepare for my first injection, and possibly, uncertain that my injection will be done correctly	Just before your first injection: Make sure you feel confident that you've been trained on how to use the PEGINTRON® REDIPEN® or vial and syringe to administer your medication. If you do not feel certain about how to give yourself the medication, arrange a time to go to your doctor's office to have a nurse guide you through the first injection. Set up a schedule so you know the days and time you should take your medication. Be prepared to get plenty of rest. Have help available if you need it for yourself or your family. Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help ease the pain you may feel after you take your first injection. Start a journal to record your physical feelings so you can report any problems to your doctor or nurse accurately.
Flu-like symptoms including nausea, vomiting and muscle aches	Drink plenty of fluids such as water or juice to avoid dehydration. Make sure you have a soothing place to rest. See Managing Side Effects for other side effects you may experience and how to minimize them.

What You May Be Feeling

Action Steps

Nervous about how to prepare for my first injection, and possibly, uncertain that my injection will be done correctly

Just before your first injection:

Make sure you feel confident that you've been trained on how to use the PEGINTRON® REDIPEN® or vial and syringe to administer your medication. If you do not feel certain about how to give yourself the medication, arrange a time to go to your doctor's office to have a nurse guide you through the first injection.
Set up a schedule so you know the days and time you should take your medication.
Be prepared to get plenty of rest.
Have help available if you need it for yourself or your family.
Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help ease the pain you may feel after you take your first injection.
Start a journal to record your physical feelings so you can report any problems to your doctor or nurse accurately.

Flu-like symptoms including nausea, vomiting and muscle aches

Drink plenty of fluids such as water or juice to avoid dehydration.
Make sure you have a soothing place to rest.
See Managing Side Effects for other side effects you may experience and how to minimize them.

What You May Be Feeling	Action Steps
Discomfort at the injection site	Change the site of your injection every time. See Overview of the PEGINTRON® REDIPEN®.
My initial side effects are diminished Possibly some new side effects such as thinning hair or elevated blood sugar count.	Typically, your side effects diminish or change during the course of your treatment. Talk to your doctor, or a nurse clinician about any side effects that concern you.
My comfort level with the medication has improved. I'm now wondering, why is so much lab work required throughout my treatment?	Follow your doctor's orders to get any lab tests required. These tests are checks to make sure the medicine is working, and that it is not negatively impacting your white or red blood cell counts and liver enzymes.
I'm beginning to wonder whether I can stay on the course of treatment because I don't want to feel sick. Where can I find additional support?	You're doing well, so hang in there! Don't forget that side effects do decrease over time. Enroll in a support group. If you haven't already done so, contact a nurse at The Be In Charge® Program who can give you advice about your specific concerns. Make sure your diet is healthy, you're getting some fresh air, and of course, plenty of rest.

What You May Be Feeling	Action Steps
Anxious to get to the 12-week mark	Read and watch a few Real Life Stories to compare your treatment experience with what others have gone through. They may answer many of your questions about hepatitis C and PEGINTRON®.
Nervous about the results of my tests and whether my virus will still be present	Write yourself encouraging notes such as "Keep It Up!" and tape them throughout your house. This is one way to keep yourself motivated to continue treatment.

What You May Be Feeling	Action Steps
I'm pleased to be over the initial treatment curve and feeling in control of my treatment schedule	Congratulations! You have completed 25% of your therapy. Keep it up — routine is your best friend from here on out. Take time out for a short walk to get some exercise.

What You May Be Feeling	Action Steps
Looking ahead to the next several months and hoping for a successful outcome	Check in with The Be In Charge® Program to get additional tips to help maintain your positive outlook.

What You May Be Feeling	Action Steps
Hopeful that I can become pregnant	Continue using birth control to prevent pregnancy. If you are a woman who could get pregnant, you must take pregnancy tests before, during and for 6 months after treatment ends. You should not attempt to become pregnant during this time. Speak with your doctor about when pregnancy should be considered.
Excited and anxious to resume a routine lifestyle for myself and my family	Use your support network to your advantage. They will help you as you transition to a routine lifestyle with your family, job and activities.
Worried about a possible relapse	Maintain a healthy diet, get fresh air and exercise, and drink plenty of fluids. Read Avoiding Relapse for more information.

While treatment experiences can vary from person to person, learning what to expect can help you prepare for — and manage — potential side effects. Learning about the PEGINTRON® treatment process and planning ahead will help you prepare for certain events and help you to manage your routines.

The information below describes some of the changes and feelings you may experience during the different stages of your treatment, as well as tips to help you manage them.

Select a stage: