Please would everyone list sx.

[cindee]

Hi Guys I am going to post sx, because I was asked too, with no icing on the cake. I wish everyone here would add to this list, it is not intended to Scare anyone...I made it thru 48 wks. And so can you!

Well, when I first started tx. I did a few shots and a month passed and I thought ...gee what was all the hoopla? This is easy! Then the 3rd month it hit me! And it hit hard!!! We had been outta work because of snow and I had 5 days to rest. Well I wasn't able to go back to work! It was like all the sx hit at once. I was throwing up, running a fever, passing out, and to say the least...I HAD FATIGUE!!!! They said it would feel like you had the flu.......BULL %&*! I felt like I was freakin' dying.

MY body hurt so bad!!!!! I could barely get myself to the doctor appointments. And those were the only days I got dressed. About the 4th month my hair started falling out. So I like some others said...stopped washing it. I would go 2 wks w/o washing my hair..heck sometimes I would barely brush "at it". And bathing was very limited too. When I told my liver doctor I was about to start drinking again to kill the pain...he took notice and started me on pain pills.

I cannot stress the days I laid in the sofa (at home alone) and cried like a baby. My 75 and 80 yr old neighbors were cutting my grass and cooking for me and my husband who was working 10 hr. days. I never would have made it w/o them. I hated the fact that I no longer had any desire to have sex or for that reason be around any ppl at all. _continued-

[cuteus]

I just came back from my appt with hepatologist and in the conversation she mentioned that some of their patients on tx report NO sides at all.  

Food for thought

[Revenire]

I know how hard treatment is and others have said it but I want to tell you to hang in there. It will be over before you know it. Your genotype has a very high cure rate. Take it a day at a time and remember, above all, these medications can play with our heads big time.

Scott

[happyhepper]

A great big humongous (((((HUG))))) for you.

[Ella Mackenzie]

A thousands hugs and thanks to you both and everyone else. I am looking out the window feeling blessed for another day and even feeling better.
A million thank you's

[happyhepper]

Good look you - you sound a very brave and together person - I hope I can manage as well when I start on the 18th - it was very thoughtful of you to take the time to place that posting - it is frightening to begin with - but with people like you around to talk to I think I will get through.  I have just started taking paroxetine - an AD prior to treatment as I have a history of depression and anxiety - hopefully this will alleviate some of the sx before they get chance to get me!!!

[cindee]

Hey, A "BABY"?????? Gee that is sooo funny, when I was at my worst times I saw my liver doctor and I asked him if other's had bad sx. or was I just being a "baby"????? He sorta smiled and told me "NO YOU ARE NOT BEING A BABY"!!!! So he knows how it is to go thru all we do to fight this nasty ole' dragon!!! And "WHINE"...it is allowed here! "Pity parties" are allowed too! So don't you worry....you can say anything at anytime!!! Nothing pisses me off...well maybe I can think of 2 things:

#1 Hep C  pisses me off!!!!!!!

#2 PPL who run others off the forum pisses me off. We're here to help each other. I stay outta those "silly" fights. LIke the old saying goes....>>>>>Oppinions are like "butt holes"...we all have one!<<<<<<<<<

Best of luck to you on starting your tx. I'm so glad we didn't scare you away. One day soon I'll print a copy of "Don't Quit". I have posted it 2x already...it carried me thru tx and I think all the newbies need to hear it! Much love and many prayers to all, Cindee

[happyhepper]

You are putting yourself through this because you dont want to get to stage FOUR which is where I am!!!!!!! Okay - here is where I stop whining and start helping! I will probably need lots of help when I start the tx and I suppose you are thinking what the hell does she know - she hasn't even started yet - I do nknow what it is to suffer and I kinda want to see my kid grow up - just think - youo get through this **** and you could very well be cured - say it again to yourself - CURED!!!!! Look outside that window and go ahead cry - cry with hope that one day this will all be a distant memory........

[Showboat]

Hang in there.....I am sending ((((((HUGS))))).....I have had many of those days.....it is not fun....
Remember, better moments will come.  We are here for you.

[Ella Mackenzie]

Could you please post that "Don't Quit" sooner rather than later. I am having the worst day.It is beautiful outside and I feel so horrible and  can't stop crying. I have stage 1 and have had stage 1 for over 10years so why am I doing this treatment? Because I just can't remember and I want to go outside and feel normal. I am only at 5/26. It sounds like I am feeling sorry for myself but I feel so horrible right now.

[cuteus]

I told myself that this thread might be kind of depressing to read and comment on, but then I remember about a year ago(I just realized it will be a yr this week since I was Dx),after "researching" site after site (including the surgeon general's) which by the way I now think should be taken down for been alarmistic.  I thought death was upon me and almost left my new boyfriend. It was this site that put hcv into a better perspective and help me decide on TX.  
With that in mind and for the newbies still lurking and deciding. My experience after 36 shots:

First 4 weeks I remember no major sx, I felt good. A little chills and achy. I did notice shortness of breath increasing as weeks went by.  Tightness in the chest and later pain behind the left breast, forgetfulness, high BP.  Those sx subsided on Procrit (it was the mentioning of the chest pain that prompted them, my count was not as low as some here), I see many suffering these sx and it seems a shame that the doctors are going by numbers and not the actual symptoms experienced. I had many of the other sx mentioned, but they have become somewhat stable and manageable.  I am still working, having sex, trying to exercise(slacking off) and hoping for a hcv free life without permanent sx from the tx.  I did not pass out, :-).

So, it seems most of us had common sx, some more severe than others, some people get them sooner than others, some never, The variables are the only predictable thing.  
Those of you scared after reading all the sx (as i once was), you can't tell what YOU will feel until you try.  You might be lucky enough to have manageable sx and continue life as usual.
Gl all

[happyhepper]

Hiya showboat - thankyou for your kind words - your husband cured and you WILL BE TOO I just know it!  Just cannot figure out why all these strangers - people who don't even know me are being so kind........off to have a blub - you have all made me feel so much better.....thank you very very much and I promise to try to be brave and not to whine too much while on the treatment - I will do my best to make you all laugh!!

[happyhepper]

Thanks fubarcat for your posting - hearing about the hectic day you were able to have has eased my anxiety somewhat. It is just that I am such an active person - I run my own business - luckily from home so I guess I am in a lot better positionj than the poor souls who have to travel to work every day..........Lots of love and light to you and yours. And thank you.

[happyhepper]

Hiya - I do have a hub - he is not a bad man but he is a bit emotionally stunted sometimes - he just says  something like 'oh stop worrying all the time'  - and 'stop going on the internet' - The kind of guy thats sticks his head so far up his arse he will disappear!!!! He is often out of the house as he is starting up a new business - fast food takeaway - hes out in the day and night whilst he is preparing to open and he will be out  from about 2 pm to 3 am when it is open. I am VERY blessed in the fact that I have a 17 year old son who is fabulous with the little one - I just don't want to put on him too much - he will want to go out with his friends and I cant expect him to stay home all the time...........mom died on December 22nd so all in all not much chance of outside help....hey listen at me - some people live completely on their own - my 17 yr old will help me - he is a real diamond of a kid called James. Hope you are well - thanks for the response - it realy does help to talk to other people in the same boat - wish you werent though if you know what I mean!  Lots of love  Sue

[happyhepper]

Hiya - I do have a hub - he is not a bad man but he is a bit emotionally stunted sometimes - he just says  something like 'oh stop worrying all the time'  - and 'stop going on the internet' - The kind of guy thats sticks his head so far up his arse he will disappear!!!! He is often out of the house as he is starting up a new business - fast food takeaway - hes out in the day and night whilst he is preparing to open and he will be out  from about 2 pm to 3 am when it is open. I am VERY blessed in the fact that

[audreywald]

My first 4 weeks I was barely functional. I THINK I still feel very bad, but the truth is I go to the grocery store again, I take my grandson to school, I clean, I do laundry, I made it to the hospital when my daughter went into labor with my new grandson, (and this was 16 hours after shot #4) I hired a lawyer to represent my othger grandson in my attempt to help him get into a theraputic (sp?) school ...

In other words I am living my life. Somewhat limited, not a happy camper too often, but I am still living my life. I cope by telling myself, "just for today you can do this Audrey. Just give it one more day, one more shot, one more dose of riba. You can get through a day, right?"

I learned this way of thinking in AA and NA and it serves millions of us well. Maybe I cannot take 48 weeks of this. Maybe I can't take 12 weeks of this. BUT, I CAN take another day. And that is all I have to deal with. I swear to all of you, that if I let myself think any other way I could NOT DO IT!

I am clean and sober for 18 years and I have done that also one day at a time.

So, by all means,  you can STOP tx.

But can you first just get through one more day?

[cindee]

I guess I should have said I only passed out 2x and that was in the bathroom at home, when I first started tx. It could have been all the meds I was on in prep for Hep C tx. They had changed my ad's from prozac to lexapro and my liver doctor had my shrink increase my lexapro. Also one week-end that I passed out hubby was sick on sofa. So maybe we had a bug, but it just hit me harder, being on tx. You can do this...WE ALL KNOW YOU CAN !!!!! I didn't mean for anyone to scare anybody, but I think you need to know the truth...first hand!!!! (no pun intended)!!! You'll do just fine. I really looked forward to shot day, because Eyedeas always gives us a great song...I myself, loved The Flintstones song...KIM!!!!! But my friend and I both agree we were lied too, when we were told it would be like the flu! But REMEMBER EVERYBODY IS DIFFERENT !!!!! We're here for ya! Much love and thanks to all who is responding. If I had known all the sx. it wouldn't have changed my mind....I was determined to beat the nasty 'ole dragon!!!! I still have a lot to do with my life !!!! Best Wishes and many prayers to you, HappyHepper and all my hep c family. Cindee

[happyhepper]

Hello there - Thank you for taking the time to reassure me - I like your sentiment - I know what you mean about having anger at these little B'S running amok in there!!! Go on shooo - clear off you m----er f------s!! You carry on whupping its bum! I will join you on the 18th!

[happyhepper]

Thanks Cindee for taking the time to reassure me - I am just a big ol baby!!!  I hope you and your family are well and that whingers like me don't p---s you off too much!!! I guess everyone feels like this sometimes - especially at the start. I just worry about my five year old -

[happyhepper]

Do you know - you always make me laugh - I am so glad you are there... I hope all your side effects disappear and that you get 110 per cent better real soon - I will have a word with 'the guvnor' and see if he can do this for you.... Okay mum - I will let that nasty ol man with the needle make me better! Gulp...............I feel sooooo embarrassed - I am such a baby!!! I keep imagining the 18th and driving up to the hospital and picturing myself pass out when they get out the first shot...............I'm afraid I am a catastrophic thinker - I am the type to expect an allergic reaction to the first shot - you know the type of reaction - the one not known to man type of reaction - the type that no one else only me will have had...............Just listen to your self hepper!!! I can do this!!! I can do this!!!! Hey - do you weant to know something real funny???  About 15 years ago I used to act and I was working in a theatre in York - that is Oold York NOT New York and I was cast as..............The Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of OZ!!!!!! HOW APPROPRIATE! DID MY DIRECTOR KNOW ME OR WHAT????  I do believe in spooks I do believe in spooks...........dooooooooooooooooooah!  Okay Hep C - PUT EM UP! PUT EM UP!

[Showboat]

My husband "was" a 1a.  He cleared and has been SVR for almost 2 years.   I am a 3a.......and I am hopeful.  I did a lot of research and felt that combo was right for me, and I still believe this to be true, even with the sx.  I am not a masochist, but would do tx again if I had to.  I hope I did not add to your apprehension.  If I did, I apologize.  There are many people who have little sx on tx.  I know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and if I am SVR after tx, all the much better.  I remember someone posting (quite awhile ago) that sometimes we on tx just need to "unload" about our sx, and in retrospect, it may sound more dire then we intend, and I quite agree with that.  I commend you on your path....you are informing yourself....that is really wonderful.
Good luck, this site is a fantasic place to receive knowledge.
Peace

[liv4GOD]

I'LL KEEP IT SHORT, AMEN. HANG IN THEIR AND TRUST IN GOD, STAY IN THE WORD IT'S OUR BEST HEALER. GOD BLESS YOU   LIV4GOD         PS GOD BLESS EVERYONE   - ROBERT   ACTS CH.4 VERSE 22 READ THIS.

[honey1616]

LOL  Wow your posts sounds exactly like me!  Just got out of bubble bath and was sooo relaxing.  Same here..after 6 weeks...things are seeming normal here.  I'm looking up to the sky as I say this and hoping I don't get struck down LOL

[Fubarcat]

I did shot #9 last night.  Today, I got up at 9:00 a.m. and attended my son's Little League baseball game, went shopping for some home office supplies, went to Target for some cheap clothes for my kid that won't stop growing, came home, took an hour nap and got up and washed my car.  Trust me, this stuff affects everyone differently.  I used to be incredibly fatigued and had to take 2 hour naps every day.  One weekend I was in bed for 36 hours straight.  But, since about week 6, I feel pretty danged good.  I do still get a little short of breath, but I know what causes it (going up steps, too much exercise) so I take it easy.  I lost about 5 pounds, but have gained 3 back (dammit!); I work full time, I am a mother and wife.  Occasionally I get tired and irritable, but for the most part, I exist without too many of the sides.  You just won't know till you try it. Expect some side effect, hope for the best and roll with the punches.  If the sides get to be too much, talk to your doc and see if you can get some help.  But, give treatment a try and see how it goes before you totally dismiss it.  It's 10:30 p.m. and I'm going to take a nice bubble bath and go to bed.  P.S.:  I've never felt like I was going to pass out, never got dizzy, never vomited, never had bloody noses, and have only missed 2 days of work in 9 weeks.

[jonihs]

I guess I missed on the point I was trying to make. Most of my side effects were caused by too much, or the wrong type of other meds, not by Pegasys/ Copegus. Also I was told by this forum and by the Dr. I came back to, that this was to hard to try as isolated as I was. It' my stubborn Irish that decided to ignore everyones advice and come hell or high water, I  was gonna do this. Thankfully God spared me(I was  on verge of liver failure again)and now am doing it right.
  But if my liver had not been as bad as it is, if I had years, I still would have treated because I take personally these millions of little basta*** in my body whose sole purpose is to kill me. I'm a  survivor, through alot I'd never discuss on this board, I'm not about   to let anything destroy me as long as I have God on my side and his strenght to pull me through. If I die from this disease, it'll be because it was my time, not because I didn't fight w/ all I had.    Love , Joni