Getting through Work

I started the triple therapy on Nov. 18th.  I was negative at 4 weeks and so far so good.  However, I am finding it really difficult to get through the day at work. From the time I leave my house until I get home I am gone a minimum of 10 hours. And, I'm thinking maybe it is just too much.
I'm wondering, are most people working full time while taking the Incivex?  

[pooh55811]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

I am retired so I am not working. However, I do not think I could work while doing this triple med treatment, especially at the type of job I had before I retired (demanding mentally and physically). I have about 3-4 decent hours during the mid day (and I can usually get one thing done during that time). After that, I get really tired to the point of feeling ill. Plus, doing the treatment for me has been a ful time job, almost ... keeping track of the pills, eating the 20 grams of fat with each pill, drinking enough water, dealing with the rash, dealing with the anal issues, blood work, doctor appointments, resting, trying to maintain. I am 65 so maybe that has something to do with it.

However, many people on this forum have continued to work and maybe they will have better input that I have.

[HippyHal]

I am on my second week, and thank God my job is home officed (or traveling) and not physically demanding. I am not sure how people that have to get up, do their morning dose, drive to work, work all day, take their dose at work, come home for more of the same and have to be up at least at 10 or so to take their last dose do it, God bless them and keep them

I have told my boss I need to cut back on travel for a month (figure I can handle it after that) but to those of you carrying a full work load, my ultimate respect.

[Bill200]

Worked through treatments three times.  Each time was worse.  Third time was a really busy, stressful time for months.  It' really took a toll on me physically.  I would literally get home eat some and fall into bed and blackness, get up the next day and do it again.  I should not have done that.  Even after I quite I didn't feel I ever got back to my old self.  If you could only find  a way to rest during the day, and for people who's jobs are  physically demanding, and if you're not in good shape, I don't know how you do it.

[working dog]

i was out of it...too low of hgb among other things...at the start of my tx i thought i would be able to work at least 4 days a week...i couldn't work at all....was in bed almost the entire time.....if you can maybe find a way to take some time off...good luck....billy

[marty59]

I work contruction and I was lucky that I was laid-off when I started my turn with incivek.
There is no way I could have worked.
I'm on week 18 now and still wondering if I could make it at work, but I know I have to try.

[crigger]

I worked the frist time I did treatment and it was not to bad until towards the end of treatment. Adding this incivek and being ten years older it would be very difficult for me to work. I am very lucky that I could take some time off. The frist time I had to work. I really feel for you having to work.    

[crigger]

I worked the frist time I did treatment and it was not to bad until towards the end of treatment. Adding this incivek and being ten years older it would be very difficult for me to work. I am very lucky that I could take some time off. The frist time I had to work. I really feel for you having to work.    

[brianmo]

My hat goes off to those who keep a FT job. Like said before, its a full time job being on treatment, surely at first trying to figure it all out. As the week click by it gets much easier. I could not work ft and have my own business and anticipated this so hired someone to take over for me. I am grateful I was able to financially do that, I surely understand there are some who don't have the choice   Insurance is another consideration. Not a good time to give up benifits, treatment is expensive.  Good Luck, hope you are able to find a balance in all of this.

[frustrateddee]

I have been on tx 10 weeks and it's killing me!! Seriously sick!! Low WBC,HCT,HMG and so done right now!!! Depressed!!!

[HectorSF]

As a backup plan you may want to start learning about your options.

Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) entitles eligible employees of covered employers to take up to 12 weeks of job-protected, UNPAID leave during any 12-month period. You will need a doctor's note to prove that you are too ill to perform your job duties. So keep your treating doc appraised of how you are feeling so if you should need his support, it won't come as a surprise. The advantage of this program is you can still work when you are able and take time off during the tough parts of treatment. It doesn't have to be consecutive days as state and federal disability is. So you can take days or parts of days off to have tests, see your doctor or just rest.

To learn more....
http://www.dol.gov/compliance/laws/comp-fmla.htm

Also some companies have they own disability coverage that you can join. If you have one you should look into what the requirements are and how the plan works. Your HR department will have all this information.

Only you know the politics of where you work and what you want people there to know and not know about your condition. It is always best to err on the side of caution when mixing your personal business with work business. FMLA is a right you have earned. If you need it you should use it. Also by the way you will still have all healthcare coverage and other services your job provides.

Good luck with your treatment!
Hector

[Jillybean65]

Absolutely no way I could have worked during the Incivek. I'm in my 17th week and am just now going back to work part-time.

[Advocate1955]

My husband has worked full time through three therapies.  His job is physically demanding.  I would say therapy #2 was the hardest (daily Infergen and 1400 mg. of Riba).  This third therapy he has taken a day or two off here and there due to fatigue/weakness/shortness of breath, but he's hanging in there.  It's hard, but do-able.
Advocate1955

[working dog]

i wonder if theres been any studies on the success of the folks that pushed themselves during tx compared to the folks that tried to take it easy wile on tx...after reading posts here for years about exercise on tx i would say take it easy...although the level of "physical activity" is different for everyone...cardio workouts can range from 100 pulse to 180....as well as physical work at a job...bottom line everyone is different ..a fast walk for one might be a slow walk for another...i also noticed during tx when my hgb tanked there was no way i could work...i couldn't stand up for very long...at the same time there were others here that could go to work with hgb in the 7s and 8s..but most folks seem to get very exhausted with real low blood work......billy

[MelvynB]

I also started triple treatment on 11/18. I am on Victrelis not Incivek. Working is very challenging as my job involves lots of paper work and focus which is difficult at times. I find I am pretty good from about 10-3 then I start to fade. I have been working Tuesday through Friday and sing Monday as recovery day from the Saturday injection. I am finding each week gets a little better as my body adjusts to the poison. Good luck and hang in there. One day, one hour, at a time.

[diesel1959]

I understand how most of us feel we want to get off our butts get out of the house and go to work.This is 2nd time around with treatment for me. The 1rst double therapy 72 weeks of  Ribo and Interferon worked temporarily but then came back after a couple months off treatment. I am on my 9th week of triple therapy with Incivek added very tired blood count was low @8.5 and started taking shots of Procit for that last week was told that after 2nd shot I should feel better. i was able to work and needed to single parent 1 household income but cannot work with this triple treatment , Hopefully after 2nd shot of procrit it will give me a boost. I am having hard time stayin on this triple treatment tryin to keep up the fight but over 80 weeks and gettin tired.

[pooh55811]

Triple med treatment is difficult (and so is SOC) but you are 2/3 of the way through the Incivek. Hang in there. I finished Incivek 3 weeks ago and feel much better (not great, but a whole lot better than when I was taking all three meds). You probably will too. I understand, of course, that you have already done 80 weeks of treatment and, frankly, that is a very long time to feel like crap, so I empathize. But do hang in there. You have a great chance to reach SVR this time. You can do it.

[diesel1959]

Thank you pooh! You are right! after this week I will be 3/4 done with incivek and it is encouraging to hear that you are feeling better! Thank you for your encouragement and keep on feelin better!

[aj7538]

I work full time, get up at 4.30 in the.morning, abd have a commute each way. I am on triple tgerapy. I am anemic and wbc is very low. I understand exactly.how.u feel. Get a routine down, and know that this is temporary and u r healing ur body. If u need to cut ur hrs a little. Even an hour a day will make a difference. Hang in there it will get better. Good luck

[working dog]

it might take 2 or 3 weeks for the procrit make a difference..i would think 10 days after the first shot...take it easy and good luck.....you will feel better after the incivek...billy

[rosebud8172]

Thank you so much for all your support.  Your suggestions & good thoughts are so helpful.  I am starting to do my homework regarding my work options, i.e., Family Medical Leave.  It helps just to know I have options.  I am so glad I found all of you!!!!  

[joey48]

Im on my 2nd week and sofar im doing ok but im worrid about what you are going through, Im a maintenance man and on the go all  the time and have to deal with all types of people with all kinds of problems, its hard to stay cool as it is but we all have to work and this is what I do ,, I wish you the best ofluck whith this , and please try to find away to get alone time for a few minnits rest as you can ,, joey

[needlaughter]

I had to call work and tell them I was unable to come in and pls. not put me on the schedule for a few wks. at the minimum. I really can't afford it but if I have to buy food on a credit card so I can heal this disease which I have had for 25 years- then so be it...Your health is so much more imp. than ANYTHING. There will always be bills , messy house at times, etc. But your family and health is really the only thing to consider. I pray every day as I throw up and sit on the toilet that I can "do this".
God bless us all.. good luck and take care...

[crossroadsec]

Great comments that we all need to hear. Its really individual to the job and the person, their health, liver etc.
I'm single n need the insurance. I'll admit, I also love my students. They bring me a lot of joy! But I need to be reminded to put me first n not compromise the treatment by pushing so hard some days.
I'm gonna start sleeping more when I need to as I try n continue work. What a great support system - everyone is fighting so hard..
Xo Karen :)

[joemc34606]

Jst finished triple with incevik and never missed a day. I own a busy automotive shop inflorida and started treatment in July, the hottest time of the year. Everyday after lunch and my dose of incevik I started feeling like crap, but pushed myself through the day. When I started I was still working out after work but the anemia kicked in about week 7 and I coulndnt do that anymore. I just came home slept woke back up to take a shower eat and back to bed. After the incevik was done treatment was much easier. Everyone takes the side differently just take it one day at a time, I would have gone nuts sitting at home doing nothing feeling terrible my work kept me sane somewhat. Good luck. Joe