Need advice for starting treatment

[jazzy578]

I've been reading various posts for the last couple of months, trying to educate myself on Hep C. I have Genotype 1b and am starting treatment next Friday.  I feel like I am in a plane that is going to crash and I need to jump out in order to  live.  But, I am afraid of heights and have fears such as, what if my parachute doesn't open, ect. Could any of you give me some advice to help me make the initial leap.  Also, what should I do to make this first shot easier on my body. I have to admit that I am afraid of what may happen to me.  I know no one knows for sure, but hearing some advise may make me feel more at ease.  Thanks for talking!  

[cjsam]

Treatment is scary as he**.  I was petrified when I first began.  The first shot for me was the most difficult, I had fever, chills and night sweats.  After that the sides have gotten a bit better.  The sooner you do it the better off you'll be. Think of it like ripping off a bandaid.  Its painful at first, but the quicker you get it over with, the sooner you don't have to worry about it anymore.  The side effects may be manageable, there's alot you can do for alot of them (eg cream foor dry skin, magicmouthwash for mouth sores etc) and for the ones that don't seem manageable, well thats what we're here for.

Good luck!

[DebiS99]

Hi Jazzy
  I can  understand why you have been feeling so bad lately, before even starting tx (treatment). Being pushed to do something is like backing you into a corner and feeling unable to give it the proper thought of what to do. Losing a loved one to a illness is devastating. Even more devastating is the fact that they had a possibility of getting well again, this is what angered your daughter. Thank God for daughters!! She obviously loves you and felt as if you were pushing her away. Having the support of your daughter and family is EVERYTHING. They cannot know just how the tx is making you feel like but she will be there with you every step of the way. Some are not as fortunate. The sooner you start the better off you will be. I found out that I had HCV in 2002. What a blow! .I didn't start tx until 2008, I wanted it to just go away.Unfortunatly it doesn't. It grows more troops inside of you making it harder to fight the battle. With hope and positvie thoughts, I am close to the end. We all look forward to that day of being "Normal" again. It will happen. Get ready for battle and fight, you have lots of support.
Thoughts are with you,
Debi

[a29]

I've recently been diagnosed. Found it in blood test and had elevated liver enzymes. Further test showed I have 3.4 million viral load.  I was wondering what symptoms were before treatment for those of you who are undergoing treatment and what was your viral load.  I don't have the fatigue (before treatment) that some of you mentioned. Other than 20 years ago; I then got allergy tested (I knew I had some allergies and was tired all the time) and so I took shots for allergies for 7 years. The fatigue disappeared (I don't remember how long I had it though).

[Trinity4]

Good Luck Jazzy.  You'll do fine.  Many of us have been where you are at right now, muddled through the treatment, finished and moved on with our lives.   You'll have bad days and good days but you'll get through it.

Don't fret about your first shot, you may not even have a reaction and if you do it will probably feel like you have a mild flu without the cough.  Just take some Tylenol, drink enough fluids and rest.  

Hang in there, it really isn't as bad as you think.  I did 72 wks and I'm still alive, healthy and happy.

Trinity

[jusjames]

there you go you a few tx buddies already!
DONT TAKE IBUROPHEN unles your doc says so i suggest tyelene or what ever you guys call it,
give your self a good kick up the rear just get on with it, listen to your daughter and get on with it , its not that bad at all dont listen to all the scare mongers  , or would you rather die of cancer or liver disease?

[jdwithhcv]

You folks may find this useful.

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/DOs-on-HCV-TX/show/182?cid=64

Best of luck to all.

jd

[jazzy578]

Hi  Pos.  Nice to meet you.  I am starting on the 19th. I am glad you believe in prayer.  I do, too.  I will say one for you on the 22nd.  I will post when I am able so I can share my experience and I will look forward to yours, too.  Thanks for the encouragement.

Take Care,

Jazzy

[positude]

Welcome to the discussion.

I start "day one" of treatment on the 22nd. I was advised to take a couple of Ibuprophen beforehand or even a couple of Tylenol, to help with the symptoms that occur about six hours after the shot. Flu like symptoms is what I was told I would feel. And as Debi said, LOTS of water beforehand and all during treatment.

I cannot tell you anything about lasting problems post treatment, but I can tell you that going into this is very nerve wracking and disconcerting for everyone I suppose. It is for me anyway. But, I am trying not to spend too much time focusing on the possibilities of something bad happening, I am trying to focus on the possibility of becoming SVR. :) And I pray a lot, it helps me.

You aren't alone, that is for sure. I have found lots of good information here, and lots of support and encouragement. Not everyone has a terrible time with tx.

Good luck to you. I hope you will keep us informed about how things are going.
~Pos.

[jazzy578]

It has taken me a year to agree to the treatment.  I have a daughter who won't speak to me because I wouldn't take the treatment before now.  You see, my husband, her father, died of cancer and she didn't want to see another parent die because of some illness. So, I have now consented, but in the process have read all the posts about all that others have gone through.  So, maybe I shouldn't read those any more because they can put a lot of fear in you.  Thanks for the advice about drinking lots of water. I will do my best to do that.  I have been taking an herb, Melatonin, to help me sleep so I am hoping it will still work when I start tx. I'll take the ribavirin early, too.  It is somewhat distressing to think that the one relief, sleep, may not help escape the misery.

I do believe that my deciding to take tx will ultimately be the best thing I can do for myself.  I just want to get my life back!!  I am so tired all the time and life has become very dull and difficult. I just want to walk along the beach and feel the sun on my face, the wind in my hair, and smell the ocean smells, but I am too tired. For now, my life has come to a screeching halt. I just want to live again.  Thanks for listening.  

[DebiS99]

You are feeling the way most of us felt when we were getting ready to start treatment. First.....Get on the plane :)   You are not going to jump out....you will ride it to your destination. The trip may be bumpy, but you can do this. The best advise I could give anyone starting treatment, is to not let the fear of what you hear about the side effects bother you. Everyone is different. DRINK LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER!!! then drink more! :)    Water helps with the effect the treatment will have on you as far as dehydration. Hydrating your body WILL help with side effects. Stay as positive as you can. Posting your thoughts and talking to people that are going through the same thing does help. The shots never made me sick. I always took my shot just before going to bed. Try not to take the ribavirin to close to bed time, because it may cause you some sleeplessness. So happy that you decided to get started. This is the best thing you could be doing for yourself. We are all here for you!
Debi