CancerCompass message board discussion started by Lisa1234 on 6/27/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,13822,0.htm Sun, 07 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sun, 07 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ I was diagnosed in May 2006 with stage 3A melanoma.  I had a wide excision on my leg after a small mole was diagnosed as melanoma. There was a microscopic amount of cancer in the sentinal lymph node, so I later had 8 additional lymph nodes removed.  All were clear and my Pet Scan, CT Scans and MRI were clear.  My oncologist recommended interferon and told me that the side effects were diffficult, but he told me to try to get through the first month of treatment because this is the most critical in preventing a recurrence.  The first 4 weeks is high dose interferon administered 5 days per week intravenously.  It was a really bad month -- but it was just ONE month.  I slept through most of it and experienced nauseau, weight loss, skin rashes, fatigue, etc. The nausea was the worst part of it for me, but I just kept counting down the days.  It was only 4 weeks.  At the end of 4 weeks, my oncologist told me that we should try the low dose interferon (3 shots per week) but if I experienced severe side effects we would stop the treatment.  I still had side effects such as fatigue, metalic taste in my mouth, some hair loss, skin rashes -- but the nausea subsided and compared to the first month it was easy.  I just finished a year of treatment and I am glad I did it.  I feel that I have done everything I can to prevent a recurrence.  There is a lot of negative information about the side effects of interferon, but everyone has a different reaction and no one should rule it out before trying it.  The first month is the most critical, and it is only ONE month.  I was out of work for the first month, but  returned to work full time for the remainder of the treatment.  I am glad the treatment is over, but I am also glad I did it. Lisa1234 Wed, 27 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT Congratulations to you!  I am just starting my third month of interferon (injections 3 times week)  I too had a mole diagnosed as melanoma and had several lymph nodes removed from my groin.  That first month of interferon was very rough for me as well.  I also did the daily IV therapy for the first month.  I was so tired I could barely function.  I didn't have the nausea, but the fatique was horrible.  I have been doing so much better with the injections.  I have returned to work full time and have no side effects with the injections.  Thank you so much for sharing your story and letting people know how things can be.   Kelly Melanoma patient Whlrmom Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT These are encouraging words since my daughter will be starting interferon next month.  The scariest part is what you hear about all the side effects.  She is on the message board "melanoma on chest" if you want to give her your thoughts and experiences i would greatly appreciate it. dkonan Wed, 08 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT I appreciate your positive thoughts here as i am searching to hear about experiences with interferon.  My daughter will be starting interferon the beginning of September...she is on the message board "melanoma on chest".  Could you respond to hear and encourage her.  As her Mom, this is so hard to help with.  I would appreciate your encouraging words to her.  God Bless and good luck to you in the many years to come dkonan Wed, 08 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT