Aa
No Question - Just Venting (Tx harder than I anticipated...)
I knew this wouldn't be a walk in the park and I thought I understood what I was up against, but after 2 weeks on tx (Peg/Riba/Sovaldi) I'm struggling more than I care to admit.
I'm a young single mom working full-time and the fatigue is insane. Not to mention the insomnia -- coupled with my toddler who has decided that 2AM is the PERFECT time to wake Mommy up to play! -- is draining every ounce of energy from me. (Bosses are relatively understanding and I have an office job, but even so I'm finding it hard to get out of bed and even harder to stay awake during the day). Woke up this morning feeling like someone had injected my muscles/joints with Napalm, and between the constant nausea/vomiting/itching/dry mouth/dry eyes/rash/headaches/tummy pain/awful taste in my mouth/zero appetite/uncontrollable urge to punch everyone I see directly in the face........sigh.....I'm just a f*cking ray of sunshine these days!
Bright side: I'd do it a million times over again if it means being cured and living to see my daughter graduate high school, something sadly my own mother never got to do (she had Hep C as well, back when it was just non-A non-B)
Just hard to see that bright side when you feel like a freight train ran you over Every. Single. Day.
I've had Week 1 and Week 2 labs drawn and am awaiting results. Also see doc on the 10th as a routine appt, and I'll mention sides to him and see if he has any suggestions to help.
Thanks for listening. Er, reading. Gonna try to NOT punch anyone in the face today.
The day's still early tho...I make absolutely no promises! :)
**end rant**
I'm a young single mom working full-time and the fatigue is insane. Not to mention the insomnia -- coupled with my toddler who has decided that 2AM is the PERFECT time to wake Mommy up to play! -- is draining every ounce of energy from me. (Bosses are relatively understanding and I have an office job, but even so I'm finding it hard to get out of bed and even harder to stay awake during the day). Woke up this morning feeling like someone had injected my muscles/joints with Napalm, and between the constant nausea/vomiting/itching/dry mouth/dry eyes/rash/headaches/tummy pain/awful taste in my mouth/zero appetite/uncontrollable urge to punch everyone I see directly in the face........sigh.....I'm just a f*cking ray of sunshine these days!
Bright side: I'd do it a million times over again if it means being cured and living to see my daughter graduate high school, something sadly my own mother never got to do (she had Hep C as well, back when it was just non-A non-B)
Just hard to see that bright side when you feel like a freight train ran you over Every. Single. Day.
I've had Week 1 and Week 2 labs drawn and am awaiting results. Also see doc on the 10th as a routine appt, and I'll mention sides to him and see if he has any suggestions to help.
Thanks for listening. Er, reading. Gonna try to NOT punch anyone in the face today.
The day's still early tho...I make absolutely no promises! :)
**end rant**
The first time you take the Flexeril, you may want to be sure there is someone else around. This stuff makes me want to lay in bed and not get up. I wouldn't be able to get up for work. With a little one that might need your attention you want to be sure that you or someone else capable of giving it.
I glad you are going to get relief. The Flexeril I'll bet will help you relax so you can sleep. That's why my doctor prescribed Valium. He said it helped with deep muscle relaxation.
Maybe you can get some good rest now. Zzzzzz
Best to you
Maybe you can get some good rest now. Zzzzzz
Best to you
Thanks for all your comments and advice, I appreciate it!
I called my doc today and he's phoning in a scrip for Zofran and Flexeril, so hopefully those will give me some relief with nausea and muscle pain. I'm looking into options for sleep....melatonin hasn't been strong enough, Benadryl makes me groggy in the morning, and apparently I sleepwalk (and sleep-cook and sleep-clean) on Ambien, so that's out!
Figuring out ways to deal with sides has definitely kept me on my toes! 10 more weeks, and I'm praying it goes by quickly.
I called my doc today and he's phoning in a scrip for Zofran and Flexeril, so hopefully those will give me some relief with nausea and muscle pain. I'm looking into options for sleep....melatonin hasn't been strong enough, Benadryl makes me groggy in the morning, and apparently I sleepwalk (and sleep-cook and sleep-clean) on Ambien, so that's out!
Figuring out ways to deal with sides has definitely kept me on my toes! 10 more weeks, and I'm praying it goes by quickly.
So, I'm on week 6 about to week 7 & unfortunately fatigue stays with you. I don't work so that's a bonus. I can lay in bed all day and have. The fatigue sleep doesn't cure. I also had to take a shot of Neupogen to boost my WBC, Neutrophils, etc. Etc. BUT, it's almost over. I'm finally adjusting. I can now go for two days before collapsing on the third and staying in bed. A little itching, I use coconut (solid-extra virgin) oil. My scalp is tender, I get back and leg spasms, my joints ache, BUT it's almost over.
I know you said you don't want to take something to help you sleep but how about something to help you relax. My doctor prescribed me Valium and not only did it work during treatment.... I didn't feel groggy. I took Zofran for nausea, clobetasol propionate ointment USP, 0.05% /fluocinonide Cream
USP, 0.05% for itching, drank 8 - 12 oz bottles of water everyday, biotene for dry mouth and Tylenol for headaches ( you can take if under 2000mg per day). People on treatment take medication for all these horrible side effects.
You have a appointment with your doctor on the 10th? What are you waiting for? Call them up and tell them you need something for all these sides today.
I have given you some medication suggestion on what you should ask for. In fact that's exactly what you should be asking for and doing.
Again, everyone takes all these (rescue type meds) on treatment. There is no super treatment people who do all this alone without assistance. Some my eat pot brownies to help with the sides. Which is great if it works for them. Everyone looks for relief....call your doctor.
Bottom line is there is medication to help you get through all this. Call your doctor and ask. If they don't know your having all these side effects.....how can you get help.
I sure hope you can get medication and feel better really soon. No reason to suffer though this pain.
DWBH
USP, 0.05% for itching, drank 8 - 12 oz bottles of water everyday, biotene for dry mouth and Tylenol for headaches ( you can take if under 2000mg per day). People on treatment take medication for all these horrible side effects.
You have a appointment with your doctor on the 10th? What are you waiting for? Call them up and tell them you need something for all these sides today.
I have given you some medication suggestion on what you should ask for. In fact that's exactly what you should be asking for and doing.
Again, everyone takes all these (rescue type meds) on treatment. There is no super treatment people who do all this alone without assistance. Some my eat pot brownies to help with the sides. Which is great if it works for them. Everyone looks for relief....call your doctor.
Bottom line is there is medication to help you get through all this. Call your doctor and ask. If they don't know your having all these side effects.....how can you get help.
I sure hope you can get medication and feel better really soon. No reason to suffer though this pain.
DWBH
Peg-interferon and Riba are not easy compounds to live with for long periods of time.
That you are having trouble at 2 weeks is not uncommon, but most people start reporting difficulty a little later than 2 weeks. I hope you are on a shorter treatment period and that your genotype is one that responds well to Peg-riba-solvaldi.
It takes a little getting used to and it can hit people in different ways, but it is possible to function while on treatment. Just keep in mind you are going to be on edge and learn to live with it.
A hot bath really helps.
Cheese
That you are having trouble at 2 weeks is not uncommon, but most people start reporting difficulty a little later than 2 weeks. I hope you are on a shorter treatment period and that your genotype is one that responds well to Peg-riba-solvaldi.
It takes a little getting used to and it can hit people in different ways, but it is possible to function while on treatment. Just keep in mind you are going to be on edge and learn to live with it.
A hot bath really helps.
Cheese
First of all, you may be able to do something about the insomnia.
If you are taking you riba late in the day, change your timing.
My hepatologist told me it was fine to take one dose with breakfast and the next with lunch. That helped me to sleep.
He also was okay with me using medicinal cannabis. I found eating a brownie with my shot helped improve the muscle pain more than anything else. It also helped me sleep.
Keep your eye on the goal and remember, you won't feel this way forever. These feelings, the pain and depression will go away, it's only side effects of the meds.
Good luck.
If you are taking you riba late in the day, change your timing.
My hepatologist told me it was fine to take one dose with breakfast and the next with lunch. That helped me to sleep.
He also was okay with me using medicinal cannabis. I found eating a brownie with my shot helped improve the muscle pain more than anything else. It also helped me sleep.
Keep your eye on the goal and remember, you won't feel this way forever. These feelings, the pain and depression will go away, it's only side effects of the meds.
Good luck.
Never give up, never give up! (to quote a favorite movie)…
It will get better, it really will! Hang in there, it gets better at about week 4.
I am on the same meds on week 7, and it has gotten better. Energy has risen. I take half a benadryl at night to help me sleep, it helps. Make sure you are snacking lots, and drinking water even more. I know it is hard when you don't feel like eating, but it really does help with your energy. I have little nut and fruit packs from Trader Joe's that are handy, as well as fresh fruit, and cheese sticks. Eat every couple of hours. The ribavirin must do a number on the blood sugar.
I used to train bicycle riders for long rides, and my advise was never look up the long hill ahead, but what is just in front of you. So just handle what is bothering you at the moment, and you will get through it.
I also found that I love my heating pad for aches and pains.
Good luck, feel free complain anytime.
It will get better, it really will! Hang in there, it gets better at about week 4.
I am on the same meds on week 7, and it has gotten better. Energy has risen. I take half a benadryl at night to help me sleep, it helps. Make sure you are snacking lots, and drinking water even more. I know it is hard when you don't feel like eating, but it really does help with your energy. I have little nut and fruit packs from Trader Joe's that are handy, as well as fresh fruit, and cheese sticks. Eat every couple of hours. The ribavirin must do a number on the blood sugar.
I used to train bicycle riders for long rides, and my advise was never look up the long hill ahead, but what is just in front of you. So just handle what is bothering you at the moment, and you will get through it.
I also found that I love my heating pad for aches and pains.
Good luck, feel free complain anytime.
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