Starting Interferon Treatment

I was also recently diagnosed with stage III melanoma last month and am starting interferon next week. So unfortunately I don't have any suggestions or knowledge of the drug yet (only that the side effects can be pretty harsh at times), however I've found the message board at www.mpip.org very helpful (and you typically get responses from other survivors quickly). So sorry to hear you're also battling this terrible beast and I wish you all the luck!

On 1/29/2007 Red81 wrote:

I was also recently diagnosed with stage III melanoma last month and am starting interferon next week. So unfortunately I don't have any suggestions or knowledge of the drug yet (only that the side effects can be pretty harsh at times), however I've found the message board at www.mpip.org very helpful (and you typically get responses from other survivors quickly). So sorry to hear you're also battling this terrible beast and I wish you all the luck!

On 1/27/2007 Lolo0723 wrote:

I was diagnosed with stage 3 Melanoma and I'm starting interferon treament and would like to hear more about how others tolerated the drug or any suggestions on dealing with Melanoma treatment. Thank you for your support and wisdom in advance.

Hi there,

I know this is a little late as you are probably already done your every day intervenous  treatments and on to your 1 year of self-injections.  I was diagnosed with stage III Melanoma in January of 2005 and began interferon treatments in March of 05 so I am well out of it.  I was really tired all the time and felt like I had the flu.  What helped me the most was taking tylenol 20 mins before the injection (do it right before bed so you sleep through most of the symptoms) and the doctor gave me a pill for the upset stomach (I can't remember the name of it off the top of my head).  All I can say is finish your treatment because it WILL help!  I am 2 years and 2 months out and so far so good. Would I do the treatment again? YOU BETCHYA!!!

Hope this helps :)

June 1 2007 will be my last dose of Interferon.  I was diagnosed in April 2006 with Stage 3A.  There was a microscopic amount of melanoma in one lymph node.  I did one month of high dose interferon and 11 months of low dose.  The month of high dose was very difficult (as you already know).  Once I got past the first month, I have tolerated the interferon pretty well.  Lots of side effects (fatigue, skin rashes, hair thinning, weird taste in my mouth etc.) but I have been able to work full time, take care of my child and even go on vacation. 

 I am counting down the days until my last dose.  Good luck.