Starting Interferon

Where are you going for treatment?  This is old drug highly toxic that doesn't work period.  You need to get better care.  Try one of these melanoma centers listed or just refuse to take it. http://melanomainternational.org/web-resources/cancer-centers 

Where are you going for treatment?  This is old drug highly toxic that doesn't work period.  You need to get better care.  Try one of these melanoma centers listed or just refuse to take it. http://melanomainternational.org/web-resources/cancer-centers 

Where are you going for treatment?  This is old drug highly toxic that doesn't work period.  You need to get better care.  Try one of these melanoma centers listed or just refuse to take it. http://melanomainternational.org/web-resources/cancer-centers 

Hi Jenny

I did high dose interferon in May 2008, 5 weekdays x 4weeks in a drs. treatment area. This was the only approved protocol at that time and I was seeing a local oncologist in MD.

I would recommend you have someone drive you there and back. They premedicated me with anti nausea drugs and antihistamines, ibuprofen and  gave extra fluids (normal saline) in advance of the interferon. I was sleepy from the antihistamine during treatment. I had chills and night sweats and some mild to moderate headaches during the month of treatment. I experienced varying levels of fatigue, drank a lot of gatorade and ate smaller blander meals. The weekends between treatments I felt good enough to do light errands and attend family functions. I experienced mood swings and lots of anxiety and started Lexapro in October of 2008 and continue to take it. 

I was on short term disability while undergoing the IV treatment. I then did 3 months of subq self administration but stopped that once I began seeing Dr. William Sharfman at Hopkins. Dr. Sharfman wasn't an advocate of interferon much less the subq treatments. I remained NED for almost 5 years. 

Hope that helps and I send my prayers for a manageable experience and quick return to everyday living and joy of life!

Maureen

Hi Jenny

I did high dose interferon in May 2008, 5 weekdays x 4weeks in a drs. treatment area. This was the only approved protocol at that time and I was seeing a local oncologist in MD.

I would recommend you have someone drive you there and back. They premedicated me with anti nausea drugs and antihistamines, ibuprofen and  gave extra fluids (normal saline) in advance of the interferon. I was sleepy from the antihistamine during treatment. I had chills and night sweats and some mild to moderate headaches during the month of treatment. I experienced varying levels of fatigue, drank a lot of gatorade and ate smaller blander meals. The weekends between treatments I felt good enough to do light errands and attend family functions. I experienced mood swings and lots of anxiety and started Lexapro in October of 2008 and continue to take it. 

I was on short term disability while undergoing the IV treatment. I then did 3 months of subq self administration but stopped that once I began seeing Dr. William Sharfman at Hopkins. Dr. Sharfman wasn't an advocate of interferon much less the subq treatments. I remained NED for almost 5 years. 

Hope that helps and I send my prayers for a manageable experience and quick return to everyday living and joy of life!

Maureen

Hi Jenny

I did high dose interferon in May 2008, 5 weekdays x 4weeks in a drs. treatment area. This was the only approved protocol at that time and I was seeing a local oncologist in MD.

I would recommend you have someone drive you there and back. They premedicated me with anti nausea drugs and antihistamines, ibuprofen and  gave extra fluids (normal saline) in advance of the interferon. I was sleepy from the antihistamine during treatment. I had chills and night sweats and some mild to moderate headaches during the month of treatment. I experienced varying levels of fatigue, drank a lot of gatorade and ate smaller blander meals. The weekends between treatments I felt good enough to do light errands and attend family functions. I experienced mood swings and lots of anxiety and started Lexapro in October of 2008 and continue to take it. 

I was on short term disability while undergoing the IV treatment. I then did 3 months of subq self administration but stopped that once I began seeing Dr. William Sharfman at Hopkins. Dr. Sharfman wasn't an advocate of interferon much less the subq treatments. I remained NED for almost 5 years. 

Hope that helps and I send my prayers for a manageable experience and quick return to everyday living and joy of life!

Maureen

The problem with interferon, Jenny, is that its effects are so variable.  I had a miserable time – extreme fatigue and nausea to the point where I couldn't work but other people have posted that they had minimal side effects.  I haven't been able to indentify variables that might determine the outcome.  

Even at my worst, though, I drove myself for the infusions – the chills and nausea started about an hour after the treatment.  During the low dose phase I gave myself shots at night and tried to sleep through the worst of it.  Drinking lots of water and short walks helped during the day.

But I want to emphasize that others had much less severe side effects.  Might be age – I was in my 50s, attitude – not the perkiest flower in the boquet, or individual physiology.   In any case good luck!

Fen

The problem with interferon, Jenny, is that its effects are so variable.  I had a miserable time – extreme fatigue and nausea to the point where I couldn't work but other people have posted that they had minimal side effects.  I haven't been able to indentify variables that might determine the outcome.  

Even at my worst, though, I drove myself for the infusions – the chills and nausea started about an hour after the treatment.  During the low dose phase I gave myself shots at night and tried to sleep through the worst of it.  Drinking lots of water and short walks helped during the day.

But I want to emphasize that others had much less severe side effects.  Might be age – I was in my 50s, attitude – not the perkiest flower in the boquet, or individual physiology.   In any case good luck!

Fen

The problem with interferon, Jenny, is that its effects are so variable.  I had a miserable time – extreme fatigue and nausea to the point where I couldn't work but other people have posted that they had minimal side effects.  I haven't been able to indentify variables that might determine the outcome.  

Even at my worst, though, I drove myself for the infusions – the chills and nausea started about an hour after the treatment.  During the low dose phase I gave myself shots at night and tried to sleep through the worst of it.  Drinking lots of water and short walks helped during the day.

But I want to emphasize that others had much less severe side effects.  Might be age – I was in my 50s, attitude – not the perkiest flower in the boquet, or individual physiology.   In any case good luck!

Fen

Your best bet is to cancel your appointment and fire the dr that advises you to take it. It doesn't work! Top melanoma specialists at md Anderson , mayo, Sloan Kettering don't have their melanoma patients take it that I know of-get a second opinion

Your best bet is to cancel your appointment and fire the dr that advises you to take it. It doesn't work! Top melanoma specialists at md Anderson , mayo, Sloan Kettering don't have their melanoma patients take it that I know of-get a second opinion

Your best bet is to cancel your appointment and fire the dr that advises you to take it. It doesn't work! Top melanoma specialists at md Anderson , mayo, Sloan Kettering don't have their melanoma patients take it that I know of-get a second opinion

Hi Jenny – my loved one never took interferon. It was his decision to watch and wait. It sounds like you have children and so I applaud your tenacity and drive. Either decision, whatever you choose, is the right decision for you. Surgery and frequent scans also takes drive and tenacity. Everyone's fight is their own, and I have yet to meet anyone with melanoma that had an easy battle, physically or emotionally.

There are posters on here that are against interferon, but I would encourage all to be sensitive. Not all qualify for clinical trials or the newer drugs. Clinical trials can be very difficult to qualify for, and for some, watch and wait is mentally not an option.

There are many that have benefited from interferon. Everyone reacts differently. Stay positive and focused and I wish you NED for decades to come!

Hi Jenny – my loved one never took interferon. It was his decision to watch and wait. It sounds like you have children and so I applaud your tenacity and drive. Either decision, whatever you choose, is the right decision for you. Surgery and frequent scans also takes drive and tenacity. Everyone's fight is their own, and I have yet to meet anyone with melanoma that had an easy battle, physically or emotionally.

There are posters on here that are against interferon, but I would encourage all to be sensitive. Not all qualify for clinical trials or the newer drugs. Clinical trials can be very difficult to qualify for, and for some, watch and wait is mentally not an option.

There are many that have benefited from interferon. Everyone reacts differently. Stay positive and focused and I wish you NED for decades to come!

Hi Jenny – my loved one never took interferon. It was his decision to watch and wait. It sounds like you have children and so I applaud your tenacity and drive. Either decision, whatever you choose, is the right decision for you. Surgery and frequent scans also takes drive and tenacity. Everyone's fight is their own, and I have yet to meet anyone with melanoma that had an easy battle, physically or emotionally.

There are posters on here that are against interferon, but I would encourage all to be sensitive. Not all qualify for clinical trials or the newer drugs. Clinical trials can be very difficult to qualify for, and for some, watch and wait is mentally not an option.

There are many that have benefited from interferon. Everyone reacts differently. Stay positive and focused and I wish you NED for decades to come!

Hi Jenny,

Tough topic huh..  I did interferon 4 years ago in 2011.  I was 29 at the time with a 9 month old at home.  I was also seen in Chicago by a well respected expert and decided I had to give it a shot (no pun intended).  

Anyway, to answer your questions as others have noted it depends.  I would say the first month of infusions plan on having as much help as you can get.  I planned mine in the morning by choice, it takes a couple of hours so I figured I would get home in time for nap time for both of us.  Manage to spend a few hours together then back to bed together at 7 or 8pm.  In the first month I definitely slept 12-15 hrs a day and to be completely honest it was pretty rough.  At the time I also read that people would do it later in the day to try and sleep off the side effects, that would seem to work too but I didn't want to fight traffic and be in the car longer than necessary.  As far as driving yourself, I would plan to have someone drive you for the first few days to see how it goes.  The first day I didn't have any side effects for a few hours (I think this is typical), I thought I may have been in the clear and then all of a sudden I was very sick.  The first day was the worst.  The symptoms then seemed to kind of stick around until I had the reprieve of the weekend, but I was absolutely able to drive myself most days.  I felt like I needed to focus on something to take my attention away from how I was feeling and I had an hour + commute for every infusion.

Once you start the shots v infusions it's much more tolerable.  I only managed 3 months of shots but felt good about that and about being done!  I did the shots at night and just planned on early to bed.  I do wish I would have taken anti depressants prophylacticaly.  I didn't think I would need them at all and then I was in denial when I needed them.  I didn't have depression but crazy anxiety which I didn't even know to put a name to Bc I had never experience anything like it before.  

I can't say I'm glad I did it bc it was tough but I was confident in my decision at the time.  None of that matters bc it's only your decision to make.  I would at least encourage you to ask your oncologist if it may exclude you from trials should you need them.  I did end up recurring to 3C and couldn't get into an IPI trial bc of the prior interferon use.  It wasn't something I had even considered and it was upsetting.  Luckily I've been stable at 3C for 2 1/2 years. Things have been changing in the melanoma world quickly and for the better so we do have that on our side.  

good luck!

-Caitlin

Hi Jenny,

Tough topic huh..  I did interferon 4 years ago in 2011.  I was 29 at the time with a 9 month old at home.  I was also seen in Chicago by a well respected expert and decided I had to give it a shot (no pun intended).  

Anyway, to answer your questions as others have noted it depends.  I would say the first month of infusions plan on having as much help as you can get.  I planned mine in the morning by choice, it takes a couple of hours so I figured I would get home in time for nap time for both of us.  Manage to spend a few hours together then back to bed together at 7 or 8pm.  In the first month I definitely slept 12-15 hrs a day and to be completely honest it was pretty rough.  At the time I also read that people would do it later in the day to try and sleep off the side effects, that would seem to work too but I didn't want to fight traffic and be in the car longer than necessary.  As far as driving yourself, I would plan to have someone drive you for the first few days to see how it goes.  The first day I didn't have any side effects for a few hours (I think this is typical), I thought I may have been in the clear and then all of a sudden I was very sick.  The first day was the worst.  The symptoms then seemed to kind of stick around until I had the reprieve of the weekend, but I was absolutely able to drive myself most days.  I felt like I needed to focus on something to take my attention away from how I was feeling and I had an hour + commute for every infusion.

Once you start the shots v infusions it's much more tolerable.  I only managed 3 months of shots but felt good about that and about being done!  I did the shots at night and just planned on early to bed.  I do wish I would have taken anti depressants prophylacticaly.  I didn't think I would need them at all and then I was in denial when I needed them.  I didn't have depression but crazy anxiety which I didn't even know to put a name to Bc I had never experience anything like it before.  

I can't say I'm glad I did it bc it was tough but I was confident in my decision at the time.  None of that matters bc it's only your decision to make.  I would at least encourage you to ask your oncologist if it may exclude you from trials should you need them.  I did end up recurring to 3C and couldn't get into an IPI trial bc of the prior interferon use.  It wasn't something I had even considered and it was upsetting.  Luckily I've been stable at 3C for 2 1/2 years. Things have been changing in the melanoma world quickly and for the better so we do have that on our side.  

good luck!

-Caitlin

Hi Jenny,

Tough topic huh..  I did interferon 4 years ago in 2011.  I was 29 at the time with a 9 month old at home.  I was also seen in Chicago by a well respected expert and decided I had to give it a shot (no pun intended).  

Anyway, to answer your questions as others have noted it depends.  I would say the first month of infusions plan on having as much help as you can get.  I planned mine in the morning by choice, it takes a couple of hours so I figured I would get home in time for nap time for both of us.  Manage to spend a few hours together then back to bed together at 7 or 8pm.  In the first month I definitely slept 12-15 hrs a day and to be completely honest it was pretty rough.  At the time I also read that people would do it later in the day to try and sleep off the side effects, that would seem to work too but I didn't want to fight traffic and be in the car longer than necessary.  As far as driving yourself, I would plan to have someone drive you for the first few days to see how it goes.  The first day I didn't have any side effects for a few hours (I think this is typical), I thought I may have been in the clear and then all of a sudden I was very sick.  The first day was the worst.  The symptoms then seemed to kind of stick around until I had the reprieve of the weekend, but I was absolutely able to drive myself most days.  I felt like I needed to focus on something to take my attention away from how I was feeling and I had an hour + commute for every infusion.

Once you start the shots v infusions it's much more tolerable.  I only managed 3 months of shots but felt good about that and about being done!  I did the shots at night and just planned on early to bed.  I do wish I would have taken anti depressants prophylacticaly.  I didn't think I would need them at all and then I was in denial when I needed them.  I didn't have depression but crazy anxiety which I didn't even know to put a name to Bc I had never experience anything like it before.  

I can't say I'm glad I did it bc it was tough but I was confident in my decision at the time.  None of that matters bc it's only your decision to make.  I would at least encourage you to ask your oncologist if it may exclude you from trials should you need them.  I did end up recurring to 3C and couldn't get into an IPI trial bc of the prior interferon use.  It wasn't something I had even considered and it was upsetting.  Luckily I've been stable at 3C for 2 1/2 years. Things have been changing in the melanoma world quickly and for the better so we do have that on our side.  

good luck!

-Caitlin

My dad tried interferon in 2012 using a somewhat different schedule than most. Rather than one month of high dose followed by eleven months of low dose, he did three months of high dose separated by two month intervals of no dosexception during which he felt well enough to work a part-time job delivering cars for a dealership. During his “on” months, he was incapable of much of anything, sleeping 14+ hours per day and feeling awful during his waking hours. He managed to ride 200 miles with my mom at one point, but was thenot too sick to leave his hotel room, thereby forcing him to miss my wedding. His experience was so unpleasant that he swore off any future treatment that could produce similar side effects.

He moved to Stage 4 about 6 months after completing his interferon regimen and started BRAF treatment which worked for about 14 months, but is now in hospice care.

My dad tried interferon in 2012 using a somewhat different schedule than most. Rather than one month of high dose followed by eleven months of low dose, he did three months of high dose separated by two month intervals of no dosexception during which he felt well enough to work a part-time job delivering cars for a dealership. During his “on” months, he was incapable of much of anything, sleeping 14+ hours per day and feeling awful during his waking hours. He managed to ride 200 miles with my mom at one point, but was thenot too sick to leave his hotel room, thereby forcing him to miss my wedding. His experience was so unpleasant that he swore off any future treatment that could produce similar side effects.

He moved to Stage 4 about 6 months after completing his interferon regimen and started BRAF treatment which worked for about 14 months, but is now in hospice care.

My dad tried interferon in 2012 using a somewhat different schedule than most. Rather than one month of high dose followed by eleven months of low dose, he did three months of high dose separated by two month intervals of no dosexception during which he felt well enough to work a part-time job delivering cars for a dealership. During his “on” months, he was incapable of much of anything, sleeping 14+ hours per day and feeling awful during his waking hours. He managed to ride 200 miles with my mom at one point, but was thenot too sick to leave his hotel room, thereby forcing him to miss my wedding. His experience was so unpleasant that he swore off any future treatment that could produce similar side effects.

He moved to Stage 4 about 6 months after completing his interferon regimen and started BRAF treatment which worked for about 14 months, but is now in hospice care.

By the way, just to further the point that I just posted above, I see many people who felt as though they "lost a year of their life" to interferon. I didn't have children at that point so I had more time to focus on wellness, but found that I grew so much as a person during that period. I didn't lose anything and I gained so much. It's all about perspective and adopting a positive attitude.

A few years ago I started a food blog to share my healthy post-cancer attitude. And I wrote about my post cancer/interferon experience in this post:

I do hope that helps. 

By the way, just to further the point that I just posted above, I see many people who felt as though they "lost a year of their life" to interferon. I didn't have children at that point so I had more time to focus on wellness, but found that I grew so much as a person during that period. I didn't lose anything and I gained so much. It's all about perspective and adopting a positive attitude.

A few years ago I started a food blog to share my healthy post-cancer attitude. And I wrote about my post cancer/interferon experience in this post:

I do hope that helps. 

By the way, just to further the point that I just posted above, I see many people who felt as though they "lost a year of their life" to interferon. I didn't have children at that point so I had more time to focus on wellness, but found that I grew so much as a person during that period. I didn't lose anything and I gained so much. It's all about perspective and adopting a positive attitude.

A few years ago I started a food blog to share my healthy post-cancer attitude. And I wrote about my post cancer/interferon experience in this post:

I do hope that helps. 

Hi Jenny –

Yep tough crowd on this subject. Our feelings on taking Interferon are exactly the same – 2 years ago I could not sit around and do nothing but wait and watch. Did you choose the normal or pegolated version? I tried Peg, b/c once a week injections sounded much better than daily right? On average the side effects seem to increase on the pegolated version.

I only had acute side effects from the first two rounds of the high dose – fever, chills, aches – which would kick in 2-4 hours after injection. I took the dose after dinner, then loaded up on Tylenol and successfully slept through them. Mild fatigue and slight muscle aches were persistent. Is there an ability to have a nurse perform your dosing at home? Even if I had gone with the regular version, my onc said they would have it done in-home.

Unfortunately at the end of the high dose period I was lucky enough to start having unexplained mood swings which quickly ended my time on Interferon. Those were just temporary and stopped very quickly after going off the medication.

Good luck!

Jeff

Hi Jenny –

Yep tough crowd on this subject. Our feelings on taking Interferon are exactly the same – 2 years ago I could not sit around and do nothing but wait and watch. Did you choose the normal or pegolated version? I tried Peg, b/c once a week injections sounded much better than daily right? On average the side effects seem to increase on the pegolated version.

I only had acute side effects from the first two rounds of the high dose – fever, chills, aches – which would kick in 2-4 hours after injection. I took the dose after dinner, then loaded up on Tylenol and successfully slept through them. Mild fatigue and slight muscle aches were persistent. Is there an ability to have a nurse perform your dosing at home? Even if I had gone with the regular version, my onc said they would have it done in-home.

Unfortunately at the end of the high dose period I was lucky enough to start having unexplained mood swings which quickly ended my time on Interferon. Those were just temporary and stopped very quickly after going off the medication.

Good luck!

Jeff

Hi Jenny –

Yep tough crowd on this subject. Our feelings on taking Interferon are exactly the same – 2 years ago I could not sit around and do nothing but wait and watch. Did you choose the normal or pegolated version? I tried Peg, b/c once a week injections sounded much better than daily right? On average the side effects seem to increase on the pegolated version.

I only had acute side effects from the first two rounds of the high dose – fever, chills, aches – which would kick in 2-4 hours after injection. I took the dose after dinner, then loaded up on Tylenol and successfully slept through them. Mild fatigue and slight muscle aches were persistent. Is there an ability to have a nurse perform your dosing at home? Even if I had gone with the regular version, my onc said they would have it done in-home.

Unfortunately at the end of the high dose period I was lucky enough to start having unexplained mood swings which quickly ended my time on Interferon. Those were just temporary and stopped very quickly after going off the medication.

Good luck!

Jeff

Hi Jenny, I'm Mike. I was diagnosed with melanoma on my outer left foot, just below the ankle bone. SNB was positive for micro traces, had left groin lymph nodes removed, all negative. 

No trials were available to me. My only option was interferon. It came down do sitting and watching or doing interferon. I opted for interferon. Although it was a rough 12 months, I'm glad I was and continue to be as proactive about this as possible. 

The first four weeks of high dosage was the worse. Fever, diarrhea, lost of appetite, and the general feeling of unwell. I lost 27 pounds in tree weeks. By the 4th week they ended the high dosage early due to my weight lost and gave me a two week break before doing the weekly maintenance (slytron). Shortly after ending the high dosage phase I was hit hard with axiety and depression. I forget what they gave me for the axiety (it's a well known drug) and Remeron for my depression. It took 2 weeks but I eventually balanced out. From there the most consistent side effect for me was diarrhea. I had it 3-4x a week. As the weeks progress all other side effects eased and improved. I completed my treatment late April of this year.

 

Everything is watch and wait for me. Car scans every 6 months, between my dirigible oncologist, immune therapy oncologist and my dermologist I'm seen by someone nearly every month.

according to my regular oncologist, I had it pretty easy compared to past patients. But I am a bit younger than most (42).

i wish you the best of luck. Get through those first few weeks and you should be able to manage the rest. Believe it or not, I also worked around 32 hours a week during that stetch (minus the high dosage phase). You'll get through this.

Be strong and fight on!

Mike

Hi Jenny, I'm Mike. I was diagnosed with melanoma on my outer left foot, just below the ankle bone. SNB was positive for micro traces, had left groin lymph nodes removed, all negative. 

No trials were available to me. My only option was interferon. It came down do sitting and watching or doing interferon. I opted for interferon. Although it was a rough 12 months, I'm glad I was and continue to be as proactive about this as possible. 

The first four weeks of high dosage was the worse. Fever, diarrhea, lost of appetite, and the general feeling of unwell. I lost 27 pounds in tree weeks. By the 4th week they ended the high dosage early due to my weight lost and gave me a two week break before doing the weekly maintenance (slytron). Shortly after ending the high dosage phase I was hit hard with axiety and depression. I forget what they gave me for the axiety (it's a well known drug) and Remeron for my depression. It took 2 weeks but I eventually balanced out. From there the most consistent side effect for me was diarrhea. I had it 3-4x a week. As the weeks progress all other side effects eased and improved. I completed my treatment late April of this year.

 

Everything is watch and wait for me. Car scans every 6 months, between my dirigible oncologist, immune therapy oncologist and my dermologist I'm seen by someone nearly every month.

according to my regular oncologist, I had it pretty easy compared to past patients. But I am a bit younger than most (42).

i wish you the best of luck. Get through those first few weeks and you should be able to manage the rest. Believe it or not, I also worked around 32 hours a week during that stetch (minus the high dosage phase). You'll get through this.

Be strong and fight on!

Mike

Hi Jenny, I'm Mike. I was diagnosed with melanoma on my outer left foot, just below the ankle bone. SNB was positive for micro traces, had left groin lymph nodes removed, all negative. 

No trials were available to me. My only option was interferon. It came down do sitting and watching or doing interferon. I opted for interferon. Although it was a rough 12 months, I'm glad I was and continue to be as proactive about this as possible. 

The first four weeks of high dosage was the worse. Fever, diarrhea, lost of appetite, and the general feeling of unwell. I lost 27 pounds in tree weeks. By the 4th week they ended the high dosage early due to my weight lost and gave me a two week break before doing the weekly maintenance (slytron). Shortly after ending the high dosage phase I was hit hard with axiety and depression. I forget what they gave me for the axiety (it's a well known drug) and Remeron for my depression. It took 2 weeks but I eventually balanced out. From there the most consistent side effect for me was diarrhea. I had it 3-4x a week. As the weeks progress all other side effects eased and improved. I completed my treatment late April of this year.

 

Everything is watch and wait for me. Car scans every 6 months, between my dirigible oncologist, immune therapy oncologist and my dermologist I'm seen by someone nearly every month.

according to my regular oncologist, I had it pretty easy compared to past patients. But I am a bit younger than most (42).

i wish you the best of luck. Get through those first few weeks and you should be able to manage the rest. Believe it or not, I also worked around 32 hours a week during that stetch (minus the high dosage phase). You'll get through this.

Be strong and fight on!

Mike

Jenny – I am in the exact same situation and have been on Interferon since January.  I don't know if there is any way to contact me directly via information via my profile…but I would happy to tell you exactly the Interferon experience and answer very specific questions.  (6 months more to go)

For me, interferon has been an exhausting but doable process.  And the side effects are so predictable that I can almost write the script about exactly how I will feel 2-4-10-24-48 hours after each shot.  (same with the induction phase…but glad that hell only last 4 weeks)

If you can send me some sort of private message I will send you a phone number for you to call directly.

The only thought here in the big picture context…agree with those that say that you need a melanoma specialist for sure…and a big commentary…you need to become very educated about your options, get multiple opinions, and understand that the only one truly looking out for you is YOU.  (meaning don't rely solely on the healthcare profession)

Michel

Jenny – I am in the exact same situation and have been on Interferon since January.  I don't know if there is any way to contact me directly via information via my profile…but I would happy to tell you exactly the Interferon experience and answer very specific questions.  (6 months more to go)

For me, interferon has been an exhausting but doable process.  And the side effects are so predictable that I can almost write the script about exactly how I will feel 2-4-10-24-48 hours after each shot.  (same with the induction phase…but glad that hell only last 4 weeks)

If you can send me some sort of private message I will send you a phone number for you to call directly.

The only thought here in the big picture context…agree with those that say that you need a melanoma specialist for sure…and a big commentary…you need to become very educated about your options, get multiple opinions, and understand that the only one truly looking out for you is YOU.  (meaning don't rely solely on the healthcare profession)

Michel

Jenny – I am in the exact same situation and have been on Interferon since January.  I don't know if there is any way to contact me directly via information via my profile…but I would happy to tell you exactly the Interferon experience and answer very specific questions.  (6 months more to go)

For me, interferon has been an exhausting but doable process.  And the side effects are so predictable that I can almost write the script about exactly how I will feel 2-4-10-24-48 hours after each shot.  (same with the induction phase…but glad that hell only last 4 weeks)

If you can send me some sort of private message I will send you a phone number for you to call directly.

The only thought here in the big picture context…agree with those that say that you need a melanoma specialist for sure…and a big commentary…you need to become very educated about your options, get multiple opinions, and understand that the only one truly looking out for you is YOU.  (meaning don't rely solely on the healthcare profession)

Michel

I dont understnad how anyone can advocate or endorse doing interferon when the clinical research shows it offers no benefit and is highly toxic.

Arguments like i would rather do it than sit aroud doing nothing are silly in the extreme.

There are plenty of things you can do by improving yor diet lifesyle etc.

Many on this board dismiss alternative therapies as lacking in any clinical evidence and whilst that may be true at least in most cases they dont cause any outright harm or toxicity.

Dont let desperation get in the way of the hard cold facts.

Enjoy your life and dont destroy the qyality of yoru life for an umproven tosic treatment.

 

 

 

I dont understnad how anyone can advocate or endorse doing interferon when the clinical research shows it offers no benefit and is highly toxic.

Arguments like i would rather do it than sit aroud doing nothing are silly in the extreme.

There are plenty of things you can do by improving yor diet lifesyle etc.

Many on this board dismiss alternative therapies as lacking in any clinical evidence and whilst that may be true at least in most cases they dont cause any outright harm or toxicity.

Dont let desperation get in the way of the hard cold facts.

Enjoy your life and dont destroy the qyality of yoru life for an umproven tosic treatment.

 

 

 

I dont understnad how anyone can advocate or endorse doing interferon when the clinical research shows it offers no benefit and is highly toxic.

Arguments like i would rather do it than sit aroud doing nothing are silly in the extreme.

There are plenty of things you can do by improving yor diet lifesyle etc.

Many on this board dismiss alternative therapies as lacking in any clinical evidence and whilst that may be true at least in most cases they dont cause any outright harm or toxicity.

Dont let desperation get in the way of the hard cold facts.

Enjoy your life and dont destroy the qyality of yoru life for an umproven tosic treatment.

 

 

 

Hey Jenny, this is a big decision to make wIth so many different variables that come into play for each individual.  On my blog I talk a bit about what a year of interferon was like for me and why I chose it.  I will say that the choice is yours and dependent on your current access to trials, financial resources, country and support system. 

I will answer a few of your questions – it is massively disruptive to life.  Make no plans for the day – anything you accomplish is a success.  Figure out when you will have good days and live around those.  Tylenol, sleep, water and light exercise help.  I would try to have a friend or family member drive you.  You should dose as close to bed time as possible.

My thoughts are with you – this isn't easy!

Hey Jenny, this is a big decision to make wIth so many different variables that come into play for each individual.  On my blog I talk a bit about what a year of interferon was like for me and why I chose it.  I will say that the choice is yours and dependent on your current access to trials, financial resources, country and support system. 

I will answer a few of your questions – it is massively disruptive to life.  Make no plans for the day – anything you accomplish is a success.  Figure out when you will have good days and live around those.  Tylenol, sleep, water and light exercise help.  I would try to have a friend or family member drive you.  You should dose as close to bed time as possible.

My thoughts are with you – this isn't easy!

Hey Jenny, this is a big decision to make wIth so many different variables that come into play for each individual.  On my blog I talk a bit about what a year of interferon was like for me and why I chose it.  I will say that the choice is yours and dependent on your current access to trials, financial resources, country and support system. 

I will answer a few of your questions – it is massively disruptive to life.  Make no plans for the day – anything you accomplish is a success.  Figure out when you will have good days and live around those.  Tylenol, sleep, water and light exercise help.  I would try to have a friend or family member drive you.  You should dose as close to bed time as possible.

My thoughts are with you – this isn't easy!