Aa
Ribavirin is the spawn of the devil…
…and yesterday evening I took my last two, seven days after my last shot.
________________________________________________
Dear Ribavirin,
You’re a clever Old Scratch, you know that. You hide out in the background, letting Interferon get all the grief and bad press for making treatment such a pain, but you yourself are the one who brings on the most of it. Yeah, you.
While the INF made me quite tired for a few days after each shot, and I did have that icky metallic taste in my mouth, those were nothing compared to your contribution to the whole affair. I didn’t really even mind the Neupogen shots I took for half of treatment because the INF crashed my neutrophils. No, you’re the undisputed Champ of Sides.
After only a couple of weeks of our association, I could thank you for that nice dry cough that I had for five months, and for being completely dehydrated throughout. My sinuses were clogged with thick snot and a post-nasal smudge that just wouldn’t quit. I still feel a kind of crawly creepiness over all of me that scratching can’t begin to quell.
I lost about half of my hair and about a third of my hematocrit. Delightful. I’ve been out of breath like a wheezing old geezer, after starting treatment as a weight lifter and race walker.
Oh, did I mention the sour stomach and indigestion? Those antacid moments are so precious, and having to forego the spicier cuisine that I (once) enjoyed. Swell. Thanks also for the insomnia that made me irritable and a bear to live with. Grrrr.
How about that rash, there, Beelzebub? After about six or seven weeks my forearms broke out in an itchy plague of Old Testament proportions. I would have preferred a swarm of locusts consuming me, one bite at a time. My doc eventually got me a Rx ointment for it that kept it down, but only after enduring a few weeks of wanting to gouge out my eyes and just quit the whole thing. I still get a hot spot here and there on my arm or back, but I guess I foiled you overall. Nyah. I still can’t go out into sunshine, yet, though. UV makes it pop out again.
So, there you go, Snakeface. It’s been something less than a pleasure, but I suppose I should be grateful. Isn’t that ironic. You let INF take the heat, but without you pushing him from behind, he’s just second rate and an underperformer. Thanks a lump, I guess.
Regards, and please go away,
Fnzol
PS
Thought you’d also like to know, Bastardo, my nurse called me later yesterday evening. My 24th week PCR from Wednesday had just come in to her email from the lab. Like weeks 4 and 12, my sample was undetected. How about that? I’m done. You’re a bad dream.
________________________________________________
Dear Ribavirin,
You’re a clever Old Scratch, you know that. You hide out in the background, letting Interferon get all the grief and bad press for making treatment such a pain, but you yourself are the one who brings on the most of it. Yeah, you.
While the INF made me quite tired for a few days after each shot, and I did have that icky metallic taste in my mouth, those were nothing compared to your contribution to the whole affair. I didn’t really even mind the Neupogen shots I took for half of treatment because the INF crashed my neutrophils. No, you’re the undisputed Champ of Sides.
After only a couple of weeks of our association, I could thank you for that nice dry cough that I had for five months, and for being completely dehydrated throughout. My sinuses were clogged with thick snot and a post-nasal smudge that just wouldn’t quit. I still feel a kind of crawly creepiness over all of me that scratching can’t begin to quell.
I lost about half of my hair and about a third of my hematocrit. Delightful. I’ve been out of breath like a wheezing old geezer, after starting treatment as a weight lifter and race walker.
Oh, did I mention the sour stomach and indigestion? Those antacid moments are so precious, and having to forego the spicier cuisine that I (once) enjoyed. Swell. Thanks also for the insomnia that made me irritable and a bear to live with. Grrrr.
How about that rash, there, Beelzebub? After about six or seven weeks my forearms broke out in an itchy plague of Old Testament proportions. I would have preferred a swarm of locusts consuming me, one bite at a time. My doc eventually got me a Rx ointment for it that kept it down, but only after enduring a few weeks of wanting to gouge out my eyes and just quit the whole thing. I still get a hot spot here and there on my arm or back, but I guess I foiled you overall. Nyah. I still can’t go out into sunshine, yet, though. UV makes it pop out again.
So, there you go, Snakeface. It’s been something less than a pleasure, but I suppose I should be grateful. Isn’t that ironic. You let INF take the heat, but without you pushing him from behind, he’s just second rate and an underperformer. Thanks a lump, I guess.
Regards, and please go away,
Fnzol
PS
Thought you’d also like to know, Bastardo, my nurse called me later yesterday evening. My 24th week PCR from Wednesday had just come in to her email from the lab. Like weeks 4 and 12, my sample was undetected. How about that? I’m done. You’re a bad dream.
Lulz.
Thanks all. 6-month post-tx PCR mid-October.
Type 2 and UND since at least week 4 (first PCR), so I'm pretty confident.
Thanks all. 6-month post-tx PCR mid-October.
Type 2 and UND since at least week 4 (first PCR), so I'm pretty confident.
A fine job, congrats on finishing the program
"Ribavirin is the spawn of the devil…" It is that very spawn (high doses of it ) that I directly attribute my SVR to, more so than the 72 weeks of it that I did.
enjoy and best of luck in the end result,
Pro
"Ribavirin is the spawn of the devil…" It is that very spawn (high doses of it ) that I directly attribute my SVR to, more so than the 72 weeks of it that I did.
enjoy and best of luck in the end result,
Pro
Well said, indeed! Brings back no-so-fond memories, but also makes me appreciate even more the distance of eash passing day since EOT. Congrats on your 24 week UND and may more soon follow. Here's to a speedy recovery........Pam
Congratulations on finishing up ..hope you have a quick recovery and on to SVR..
Best of Luck..Will
It's a dilemma to be sure... Wait for a not so toxic treatment and gamble that the situation will not worsen meanwhile, or take the new treatment, suffer and hope it will work. This gives a new meaning to the word dilemma...
Magnum
Magnum
Itch, itch, itch (what was that RX). Ditto all the same thoughts, sx and feelings about Riba. I've still got a long way to go but congratulations to you!!!!
Sherri
Sherri
I lend you my Hep C dragon-slaying sword to stab that sucker one more time to make sure it is dead! I also emit a Howard Dean girlie scream to salute your completion of treatment! YYYYEEEAAAGGGHHH!!!! LOL ~MM
Congrats on toughing it out. Your send up will inspire others to carry on despite hardships. Your revenge will be SVR!
I couldn't agree more. Congrats on being DONE !
Wishing you a speedy recovery and SVR of course.
Well done,
James
Wishing you a speedy recovery and SVR of course.
Well done,
James
Dear Ribavirin,
"As evil as you are I thank you for killing something that is even more evil, Hepatitis C. You perhaps spared me from a horrible death or even worse suffering from liver disease. You and I have been apart for a few years now but I still think of you as you have left me with permanent side effects. Hope to never see you again! "
Just thought it deserved a little credit. Trust me it would be a lot worse if it didn't cure you.
Congrats on your 24 wk unde.
"As evil as you are I thank you for killing something that is even more evil, Hepatitis C. You perhaps spared me from a horrible death or even worse suffering from liver disease. You and I have been apart for a few years now but I still think of you as you have left me with permanent side effects. Hope to never see you again! "
Just thought it deserved a little credit. Trust me it would be a lot worse if it didn't cure you.
Congrats on your 24 wk unde.
Huzzah for getting through it and getting to done. The irony is that you and Bastardo were teammates and without you pushing both INF and Riba from behind, neither of them would have been able to do their dastardly best. So kudos to you, Fnzol. Congrats on the UND at 4 weeks and will be a pleasure to celebrate your SVR. Hope you post those results.
Happy Recuperation. :)
Trish
Happy Recuperation. :)
Trish
Fnzol, if I may:
Dear Ribavirin,
I would also like you to know that whatever command you have on Fnzol, you also have on me. As I experience the same life-altering side effects previously mentioned; but I'm sure you're aware that already and rejoice in its comfort. Your "Satan-like" grasp has reached into the very core of my being, like a vulture, whose wings are dull realities. It is more than probable that I am not understood. But I fear, indeed, that it is in no manner possible to convey to the mind of the non-treating, an adequate idea of that nervous intensity and apprehension with which, in my case, I experience twice daily, when I consume my ration.
Your presence is daunting and we know of their effects to be a source of disparaging discomfort. Yet the conundrum in experiencing your distasteful remedy, is removing you from the prescribed delivery method; "Press and hold 2, while pulling on 1 to remove the required dose"; RIBASPHERE- "Ribasphere may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide". That's it, isn't it? You desire a dominance over me that can only be repudiated by wielding a kitchen knife and stabbing the number"1", to make it easier to grasp. Upon pushing on the number "2", and holding it in, I find that you won't give up your bounty so easy, so I rip you from your package, only to pop you out and consume you.
Ribavirin, how I hate you, and yet I love you.....
Dear Ribavirin,
I would also like you to know that whatever command you have on Fnzol, you also have on me. As I experience the same life-altering side effects previously mentioned; but I'm sure you're aware that already and rejoice in its comfort. Your "Satan-like" grasp has reached into the very core of my being, like a vulture, whose wings are dull realities. It is more than probable that I am not understood. But I fear, indeed, that it is in no manner possible to convey to the mind of the non-treating, an adequate idea of that nervous intensity and apprehension with which, in my case, I experience twice daily, when I consume my ration.
Your presence is daunting and we know of their effects to be a source of disparaging discomfort. Yet the conundrum in experiencing your distasteful remedy, is removing you from the prescribed delivery method; "Press and hold 2, while pulling on 1 to remove the required dose"; RIBASPHERE- "Ribasphere may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide". That's it, isn't it? You desire a dominance over me that can only be repudiated by wielding a kitchen knife and stabbing the number"1", to make it easier to grasp. Upon pushing on the number "2", and holding it in, I find that you won't give up your bounty so easy, so I rip you from your package, only to pop you out and consume you.
Ribavirin, how I hate you, and yet I love you.....
Congratulations and best of luck. Hopefully you'll be reporting your svr before long.
-Dave
-Dave
Ha, for some strange reason its a relief to read your symptoms cuz mine are the same....its a double edged sword for sure
congrats
congrats
Member ‘Meakea’ had similar feelings after she completed her treatment; she got closure by having a little bonfire :o)
http://www.medhelp.org/user_photos/show/96461?personal_page_id=74175
Congratulations, Fnzol; if the opportunity arises let us know how you do six months from now. Time to heal; I hope you do so swiftly and painlessly.
Take care-
-Bill
http://www.medhelp.org/user_photos/show/96461?personal_page_id=74175
Congratulations, Fnzol; if the opportunity arises let us know how you do six months from now. Time to heal; I hope you do so swiftly and painlessly.
Take care-
-Bill
I'm laughing too hard to write!! Well put!! Riba is evil and vile and I can't wait until May 19th when I take my last three pills. Some sort of ceremony will need to take place. Maybe I'll ceremoniously flush the remaining pills down the toilet.
Thanks for making my day.
June
Thanks for making my day.
June
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