Chickening in

Hi all, find myself lurking more often lately. Been around for a year or so. Just want to say hi and tx for the experienced information here. Am a male RN of 22 yrs. Caught Hep C as a dental assistant in the service in '76, although it was called "non-A non-B" at the time. Took the plunge 3 weeks ago secondary to increased efficacy of combo tx over the dys of mono tx. Am doing OK, experiencing the sides that all speak about in this forum. Will have the second blood count tomorrow. I am curious, sure are tired. The worst is the fatigue and decreased stamina. My life style of go, go, go, is becoming, "slow down you idiot, you go over five months of therapy to go." Am 3a, 1.1 million load, 3/4 bridging fibrosis.

Can I tap your experience regarding these issues? I have a sore on the roof of my mouth. It appeared a few days ago, is uncomfortable. Next is the rash, itch issue. Third is how does a numbskull like me SLOW down? Just kidding on the third. I know now this combo tx is not nice. The best advice I got from someone who when through mono therapy is not to make a big deal out of thing. We will all be alright.

Bye all, God bless

The Gaffer (but call me Dale)

[Ambush]

Hi Dale, welcome aboard and congratulations on getting started!  I have only had minor mouth problems, but found a warm salt water rinse helped alot.  I brush with baking soda as it seems to soothe some, too.
Rashes and itching:  I took the advice of many here and bought some Aveeno Anti-Itch Lotion and it has done the trick most times.  I had constant rashes at the beginning of tx (I am on 30 of 48 now) and they have become much less a problem.
Tired?????  Oh, yeah, I hear ya........pace yourself as best you can. I never stopped moving either ~ before this ~ and I miss my energy even more than my hair (a little tx humor?).  That's just a patience issue.  Be thankful you're only on the ride for 24 weeks....right about when you really get sick of this, you'll be done!  SMILE when you can,too!
Good Luck
ambush :)

[cindee]

Hi< I also had lots of mouth problems during tx. BTW I finished 48/48 on Nov 6th, geno type 1a so far SVR !!!! Will find out for sure on May 6th. But back to the mouth problems.....my G.P. prescribed "Majic Mouth". You do have to have a prescription for it. It has lidocane in it for numbing, and a few other meds in it also. I went thru 2 bottles of during tx.,but close to the end of tx. my G.P. prescribed diflocan. It is used to fight off yeast infections. He prescribed 4 tablets for me and they worked great. I only took then when I had too. Good Luck and prayers to all. Cindee

[layla]

Welcome aboard. I hope tx is easy on you. There is another RN who is here occasionally, Lil. She worked nursing while on tx. I would have been worried to catch something but she didn't and worked the whole time. I hope it all works out for you. My rash lasted a couple months but from the descriptions here mine was different and the normal things here didn't help. Mine looked kind if like ringworm after awhile so I went to my GP and he agreed and did a scraping. Nothing. So he gave me a cortisone cream with a antifungal in it anyway figuring it wouldn't hurt. It did look like a fungus. I had taken cortisone with no relief. Well this cream worked and whenever it starts coming back with even a little itching I apply it and it's gone by morning. Weird but that's my story on itching and rashes. Hope your time on tx flies by. LL

[simpleman]

Sounds Just like me. Didn't appear until about 10 months. Only a couple of spots on both wrists. Since they were circular I was afraid it was ringworm, but the Doc said no. Getting better since I finished tx.

[berlynn]

Dale, I'm glad your still checkin in. This site has been a lifesaver for me. Sorry that I can't help out w/ your problem, but I just wanted to say welcome :).  I hope ya don't mind if I crash in here and borrow your thread for a sec. I have a friend that I haven't heard from lately and I'm a little worried about her. Thanks, berlynn

Dallastar,  If you are out there..... please check in and let me/us know how your doing. Last I heard, you got some pretty scary news. I just want you to know that I'm thinking about you, as I'm sure others are too, and we just want to know if your OK and we're here if you need us!!!!!!!!! Sincerely, berlynn

[raheem]

Try some Biotene mouthwash and toothpaste (CVS, Walmart, etc.), also rinse with a saline solution.  For the itch try less hot water in the shower and apply Valisone (betamethasone valerate) cream, ointment and/or lotion, you need a RX for this one.

[layla]

Hey Steve, FYI. I had the guilt feeling when I layed around at first to (though not for any religious feelings)  That is now gone. I lay around with no guilt at all. A year is a short time in ones life. You have plenty of time to get back in the shape you were as I am sure you will. I think too that after being on tx over the 6 month point you kind of get used to it. I  actually have more energy now. While I have worse sides at times I still have periods with good energy level. Have a good day. LL

[slarso]

Thanks!I really am working on it. You are right, a year is nothing! I am starting to think of laying down as a battery recharge. 30 min is not so bad. When night rolls around I do like sitting infront of the tube. I am getting real good at looking at movies!I even joined netflix. Starting to read books before O go to bed too. Reading seems to slow down the "squirl cage" in my head and lets me sleep without knock out pills

[slarso]

welcome aboard! You will find this place your finest refuge. I am/was a very active person and dealing with the fatiuge is the toughest for me. I sit more, I lay down more.I am a athlete and allways feel like I just had a very long workout. In the "old days" a cup of java would perk me up. This is weird. Now, mi mind gets perked up but my body is still bone tired! here is some more inner truth! I was raised a catholic, as some of you know, catholics have quilt complexes ( only sometines, this is not a relgious hit, maybe I just blame my guilt on it)anyway, I do have a guilt/conflict being tired. If I laydown in the afternoon on a weekend, I think of all the things I should be doing(honey do's etc)I some times think I use the tx as an excuse to be lazy! just crazy mind games I guess. I am at 5/48 so I guess I have plenty of time to learn how to accept the situation! I think I will take a nap now.

Good luck

steve

[berlynn]

Dave, welcome to the site. There are many other people here who are about to finish or are post tx. These people have been a wealth of information. There are very caring people on this site. I am a 1 also 27/48. I have learned alot since I found this site and it is great sometimes just to share with others who can empathise. Keep in touch and let us know haow you are doing. Take care, berlynn