advice on interferon?

jjragin
jjragin Member Posts: 2
edited March 2014 in Skin Cancer #1
Thinking about joining a trial that will consist of only the first month of high dose interferon therapy. If anyone has any experience with this I would like to hear from you. Wondering what to expect. Some say it is horrible and others say its tolerable. I understand that everyone is different, but would like to hear some more personal experiences. Thanks.

Comments

  • Allie001
    Allie001 Member Posts: 8
    I am 21 and a stage 3. I am currently in my 5th month (out of one year) of Interferon. It sounds like you are only doing the first month, which was the best month for me! I did have nausea, chills, bad aches and major fatigue. Some people are able to work, because of a surgery I wasn't working and I can't imagine going through it all and working. Just make sure you drink tons of water, that is the key, have a electric blanket and lots of support and love.

    Also, some people get very depressed. Instead of getting on an anti depressant I just got a dog! My friends and family had something for me to look forward to every day after the treatments like your favorite dinner, watch a fun movie, a desert, it helped the month go by. Good luck and feel free to contact me if you ever want to chat about anything.
  • jjragin
    jjragin Member Posts: 2
    Allie001 said:

    I am 21 and a stage 3. I am currently in my 5th month (out of one year) of Interferon. It sounds like you are only doing the first month, which was the best month for me! I did have nausea, chills, bad aches and major fatigue. Some people are able to work, because of a surgery I wasn't working and I can't imagine going through it all and working. Just make sure you drink tons of water, that is the key, have a electric blanket and lots of support and love.

    Also, some people get very depressed. Instead of getting on an anti depressant I just got a dog! My friends and family had something for me to look forward to every day after the treatments like your favorite dinner, watch a fun movie, a desert, it helped the month go by. Good luck and feel free to contact me if you ever want to chat about anything.

    Thank you for your input. It helps a lot to hear from different people! I hope you are doing well with your treatment. New to these sites today, but hope to hear from you again!
  • MissM
    MissM Member Posts: 2
    Hi,
    Just wanted to let you know how the Interferon went for me. The first month, the side effects were pretty severe, especially the fatigue. But it's nothing you can't handle. I'm keeping an online log of my year on Interferon if you're interested at MissMelanoma.com. Feel free to check it out and email me if you have any questitons! Best of luck!
  • This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • yalleh
    yalleh Member Posts: 36
    My 2 bits
    Do it... if it helps keep you from going to stage 4 or even prolongs going to stage 4 its worth it!!!