feeling tired

[denisef714]

Hello,
I started trestment 5/21/10 and I already want my 6 months to be over. No sides except headache so far. I just pray I will be one of the ones with an SVR. I have been hearing for about 10 years that i am Hep C positive. Until earlier this year I have friend find out she has breast cancer well it got me on the stick. I figured i have had this beast for about 22 or so years IV Drug user prior to 9/12/1989. Well after being Geno typed Type 2 B and I did get a biopsy and glad to say liver shows 2-4 inflamation which it is my understanding that if i clear this beast that inflamation might go away. Is that right? I know I am in the beginning of this treatment. I am on 180 mg Pegasis weekly and 800 mg rib daily. I have been tired for so long Will that get better if I clear this beast. Thanks for any input!

[desrt]

From Wiki:

"Alanine transaminase (ALT), also called Serum Glutamic Pyruvate Transaminase (SGPT) or Alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) is an enzyme present in hepatocytes (liver cells). When a cell is damaged, it leaks this enzyme into the blood, where it is measured. ALT rises dramatically in acute liver damage, such as viral hepatitis or paracetamol (acetaminophen) overdose. Elevations are often measured in multiples of the upper limit of normal (ULN)."

Normal range for ALT is generally considered 0-40.
But it is also possible to have acute liver damage and normal range enzymes.

Some doctors consider 800 mg / day to be a 'standard' dose for geno 2 or 3. You can use the search engine at the top of the page to read the many discussions that have been had here regarding weight dosed ribavirin.

[denisef714]

Oh no I am not tiny. Put it this way I have areas on my body that I can inject to without pinching. I am not considered obese just overweight. Ok when the Dr od nurse calls me back i will inquire. 800 mg a day in considered light huh I did not know that. My levels were 688000 hcv, geno type 2b and NO ALT whatever that is. my first Dr would not treat me because of normal ALT. Do you know what the ALT is?

[desrt]

4 weeks is too long. 8 weeks is way too long at the beginning of tx. Most doctors will at least check every 2 weeks - mine checked every week for the first month and a half. You need to stay ahead of the curve if you're to avoid dose reduction, especially since you are already on a minimum dose of riba. Unless you're really, really tiny.

[denisef714]

I think dr wants me to wait until 8 weeks for blood again. I left Dr a message today cause i want a 4 week blood check no appointment sent results would be ok, They never called me back and they also said my dr has not put the standing order in. Thanks medicmommy for your info. desrt I have to seek out my medical file however I was all within normal except a tad bit High chols.

[medicmommy]

Hi Denise,
Everyone feels different after finishing treatment. It took me about two weeks to feel the fatigue start to lift, but a full six months to be back to normal. I didn't realize how tired (and brain-fogged) I had been before treatment, but now I feel GREAT! My liver enzymes are perfect and my immune system is strong enough to reach out and kill small children..LOL I know the treatment has aged me a bit, but I still feel "younger" than I did before I treated...Also, around week #4, I suddenly felt "lighter" somehow...As if the hep C was gone and the anchor that had been dragging on me was gone also...I hope this helps! (((HUGZ))))~MM

[desrt]

What were your hemoglobin and other red cell counts prior to treatment and how often is your doctor doing a CBC panel?