Question for anyone who has reached EOT

[Fl_Gator]

I see that everyone’s experience differs in varying degrees while on the meds but what about when you're done? Is there a hangover from the meds?

[Isobella]

Hope you are feeling better today.  Listen to the bod....get some rest.....snuggle squish!

Isobella

[GrandmaBRZ]

I have been off tx since 11/13 and I have had the same experience with the sleeping - 36 hours after having been up for 30 hours.  Also will sleep for 1 hour and when i wake up think it is the next day!  However, I did get 8 hours last nite.  I agree that we just need more time to get evened out.  Also, am still tired and fatigued but not as bad.  I just think it is a slow process.  I wanted to feel normal the moment I was done with tx but of course i don't always get my way.

Jen

[charm27]

Im just off tx a week and cannot stay awake no matter what I do. I fall alseep and when I wake up I think Ive been sleeping for hours- Turns out Ive only slept an hour!

Im totally fizzled, fried and fatigued.

Just some more time is needed and we'll be cookin' again!
I hope!

[jmjm530]

Dr. Dieterich mentions "interferon hangover" as a potential consequence of treatment in the Expert Forum and says it usually goes away within six months although can last up to a year. Some here have reported it lasting quite a bit longer than a year and others report feeling better within days/weeks of stopping the drugs. It's very individualistic.

Took me close to two years for my post treatment skin problems (rosacea) to mostly clear up , but still have issues such an increased metabolic syndrome, as well as some psychological issues. From what I've read, some of us experience something akin to post traumatic stress disorder post treatment and that can take time to recover from.

I'd just take it day to day, hope for a fast recovery and accept/deal with anything else as best you can. Can't really compare yourself to others because it really runs the gamut. It's all in the archives here -- the good, the bad and the ugly.

-- Jim

[Trish77]

Pretty much the same for me ... first couple of weeks still a fair bit of fatigue although different fatigue.  Brain fog lifted gradually - didn't know I had brain fog while on treatment until I got much more clearheaded 3 - 4 weeks post treatment.  Now I'm at 4 weeks and my mind is obviously more alert, my energy is increasing and I notice the difference.  My hgb finally went up into the 13's and my ANC is 2.* - I have some other counts that aren't rebounding quite so well but that's another story and will give those time.  Only issue remaining for me is a depression I dropped into post treatment that wasn't there during treatment and on AD's now and will have to ride that out and see how that shakes out as I go.  That's probably my worst side yet in all this.

Ribavirin takes 6 months to clear and I'm told the Roche interferon takes 4 weeks or so while the Schering one is shorter.  It's been a long time on these drugs and give yourself that recovery time.  Good luck, Gator.

Trish

[Fl_Gator]

tks..since camping I know I didn't drink enough water... I will ramp that up along with the excercise as you and jd have suggested...

[Fl_Gator]

...tks for the input...I was starting to think that the virus was coming back....freaks me out a little bit....I'm sure I'm just over tired.

[sunshine585]

The 1st few days after tx, I felt the same, no better. By the end of the week, I actually felt worse, flulike symptoms, for about a week. Wondered if maybe there was some element of withdrawal. Now almost 3 wks later, I'm having more good days. I feel brighter, more energy, sides are less.
  Continue drinking lots of water, and as jd is doing, start ramping up the execise as you start to feel better. I was singing yesterday, haven't done that in awhile. I'm starting to see glimpses of the old me.

[jdwithhcv]

It took me a couple of weeks to start feeling better.  The first days off meds I was euphoric just not to be taking the meds any more, but my body did not really shake off the medicated feeling for 2-3 weeks.  By 4 weeks post tx I was feeling pretty good, hgb bounced back and sx were pretty much gone.  The brain fog cleared slowly.  I started to ramp up my exercise as soon as I finished tx and I think that helped a lot.  

Hang in there and give it time.  You will feel better soon.

jd

[mkp13]

The drugs take a while to clear your system.  Interferon goes away relatively quickly, but ribavirin lasts a whole lot longer.  Somebody else can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the half-life is 2-4 weeks.  So in a few weeks, you'll have half your regular dose in your system.  Long half-life means it will take a while to get fully back to "normal".

[Fl_Gator]

bump....how many of you have ended tx and how did you feel the first week or two? I felt ok the first day or two but today I feel bad...maybe I'm just tired...been camping since Thursday (not sleeping in my own bed) but I thougut I would start to feel better.....Anyone else have anything to say?

[GrandmaBRZ]

I have been off 72 wk tx for 2 weeks.  My attitude has greatly improved.  I still have good days & days where I am worn out but those days are less frequent than the good, which is a change.  I still itch but not as badly and sleeping is getting better.  Lots of luck to you.  Loved your tribute to your Grammy.  Jen