To All The Warriors

[jules2551]

Good morning!  I was wondering if you had any advice for people pre-treament?  I will be starting in probably 60 days (GT 1b, VL 725,000...liver biopsy tomorrow).  Looking back from what you all know now what would be the one thing you would recommend individuals start doing right now before treatment?  Thanks in advance for all of your recommendations and most of all....thanks for being on this forum!  You all have been a great help!!!

Jules

[brianmo]

Netflicks. You will learn to love it....

[frijole]

First of all, good luck on your biopsy today.  I find it funny that you fear the dentist but not the biopsy, but that is good.  My last one was a breeze.  I hope it shows that you have little damage.

The advice on this thread is excellent.  The only thing I would be hesitant about would be getting on an antidepressent right off the bat.  Now if you do have history, that is another matter.  I personally have never suffered depression on tx to the point I would consider another med.   -- In fact, there is so much med to take with the treatment it is hard for me to continue with vitamin regiments.

The vitamin D deficiency is apparently quite common.  My D was low and the doc changed me from 50,000 units of rx vitamin D once a month to Replesta which is an OTC vitamin D , 50,000 units, which I will take once a week for 2 months, then once a month.

I bought Nioxin #6 products for my hair.  I am not sure that there is anything you can really do for the "fall out" but this was the one recommended on the Nioxin website survey for my hair.

It sounds like you are going into this well prepared.  Good luck.
frijole

[pjhep80]

stock up on vaseline, anti-itch cream, and hemoroid ointment... lol

[orleans]

SAVE SOME MONEY!! All the little things add up. I don't know how much I spent on lotion alone. jerry

[flcyclist]

I had a "hot" tooth a few years ago that needed to be pulled.  I can honestly say I didn't feel anything but a little pressure.  Much easier than I thought.  You might want to take a look at the recent thread concerning antibiotics.  You are pre-treat, so not sure if this is much of a concern.  Good luck to you.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Antibiotics-that-work-for-dental-infection-during-treatment/show/1638588

[jules2551]

Thanks to ALL of you for your advice, comments, recommendations, and especially the sense of humor.  I am trying to go into this journey with an open mind and sense of humor...it definitely could be worse!  This forum is amazing and all of YOU are amazing individuals. Thank you once again and good luck with your journies!!!!

jules

ps...called Dentist last night to see if they had an issue with treating me...she said no, but you might want to call your physician to start antibiotics before dental work.  I have a bad tooth and it needs to go!  Wondering if hrsepwrguy has any pliers and a tank of gas...lol

[suezeeque]

I have no history of depression but wondered, due to all of the recommendations here to get on AD, if I should have.

Glad I didn't.  I'm doing shot 17 tomorrow and have had no sign of depression.  Yet.  ;)

I've been weepy a few times but nothing I couldn't handle and nothing I needed an AD for.  Hopefully that doesn't change.  :D

[beeblessed]

Hey Jules,

Great advice above.  My suggestions would be to:
1.  Stock up like you would for a national disaster; this will keep you from running to the store for every little thing, when you may not feel like getting out as much; you will still be able to, but will appreciate not having to
2.  Clean up/do chores; not that you won't be able to, but you will feel much better knowing you don't have to do chores right away; it's a nice break
3.  Celebrate; we all have blessings we overlook; give yourself a quick vacation, a day at the spa, a day at the beach, go shopping; something to clear your head and mentally get you ready for the next several months

Now breathe.  Pre-tx can often be the worst mentally you will have to cope with.  As for the ADs......I started just prior to tx because.......it takes awhile to get into your system, and also because I felt so overwhelmed.  It is different for all of us.  Go with your gut.

[his3707]

find a good cook that will help you make lots of meals.  Even if you have a partner  might be a good idea anyway.  While on therapy you might need some extra care and your caretaker might be tired also  having good healthy meals planned really makes a big difference for you.   Even if you dont have a lot of sx, we still get tired and just need some pampering

[Aquisi]

Will, thanks so much, just what I was needing.

[willbb]

Hi  Charlie..there are many articles with info about HCV therapy  induced depression. Also there is substantial info. on the question of HCV infection itself inducing depression in some.
Given the literature it is commonly felt that starting an AD for someone who is not ,or has not had issues with depression is not recommended,and that in certain people it may have a worsening effect(possibly in your case) especially if someone is feeling just anxiety.  
Below is a link to one article and  at the very bottom I have linked about  a 30 min . video also that speaks to  possible depression and anxiety by one phyciatrist ,who has treated hundreds of patients undergoing HCV therapy...if you are interested.

Good luck
Will

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/741301

Twenty to 40% of patients on interferon will get depressive symptoms, and then they are more apt to not adhere to their HCV medications," Mary Cassler, RPh, MBA, director of clinical development for advanced clinical sciences and research, Medco Health Solutions, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, who presented her research at the conference, noted in a telephone interview with Medscape Medical News.

"Proactive" depression screening may be a valuable tool to improve treatment adherence in patients with HCV "and may lead itself to better outcomes," she added.


http://blog.texasliver.com/2011/11/psychiatric-complication-of-hepatitis-c-therapy/

[Aquisi]

Thanks Aaron, great chart.

[Aaron57]

Here is a link to a great Tx monitoring chart - CBC's , VL  - it really is a good tool , my Tx folder is about 1in' thick .. this chart helps allot to sort it all out and be able to quickly access older test results ...


http://www.hepatitis-rm.de/downloads/HCV_Treatment_Worksheet_1.pdf?PHPSESSID=4241b89208e9d990fbfc89a6940c677c

Cheers

[Aquisi]

"In approx. 30% of patients undergoing HCV therapy  the medications (particulaly Interferon)  may  have a causel effect of depression "  and these patients are encouraged to speak with their  treating doctor and sometimes a mental health profeesional about the addition of  an antipderessant."

Will, I was wondering about that myself, is there a link or some protocol that you got that info from? I would love to have it, my Dr. put me on Lexapro, I do not have a history of depression and wasn't when I got on it, all of a sudden I was getting all these sides even depression itself so i took myself off. Waiting to talk to my nurse coordinator tomorrow. I'm wanting to start my tx first and if I get depressed then I'll do AD's. Thanks
Charlie

[Advocate1955]

Oh, yay, it made itself into a link!  :
Advocate1955

[Advocate1955]

Here is another thread where forum members talked about over the counter and prescriptions they have tried for side effects:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/What-have-you-been-prescribed-for-your-sxs/show/1605430#post_7359895
Sorry, I don't know how to make it into a link.
Advocate1955

[brianmo]

I did not catch what triple tx your doing but here are a few things.  Get dental work, if you have some pending, done pre. I, like you, feel the same way and unfortunately I waited until on tx to get something done, got a terrible infection, had to go back numerous times. Each time I kicked myself for not getting it done pre tx.

  Get a full eye exam, tell the doctor about the tx you will be starting, mine wants to see me every two months during tx.

I put on weight with tx. I believe it's because I am anemic and have slowed down so much. I am not doing the tx that requires fat with medicine.

Good luck and try not to worry. The hardest part about treatment is starting tx.  

Mo

[jules2551]

thank you very much!

[hrsepwrguy]

Here is the link to the thread advocate mentioned

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Items-I-need-at-home-to-rescue-cue-me-while-on-tx/show/1619415#post_7363894

[jules2551]

Thanks...I would appreciate that!

jules

[Advocate1955]

There was a thread on this forum about a month ago with peoples' advice for a treatment "shopping list".  I can't remember, but I think it was about "managing side effects".  You could try searching it, or if I find it, I will forward the link.
Advocate1955

[jules2551]

I was wondering also if anyone had a "Hep C Grocery List".  It sounds like with all of the "brain fog" due to tx maybe I should be proactive and type one on the computer now.  (I just hope I can find it later once I start tx)! lol

I have all of my notes, labs, bills, receipts all filed.  I just hope I can keep up the organization.  I put them out on the kitchen table so I can't miss them.  

And I am waiting for the dentist to call me back for an appt.  I know...I have to get it done.  Time to be responsible right?  So I will get that and eye appt taken care of.

Hrsepwrguy....I almost fell out of my chair laughing about the gas!  OMG...I need a bumper sticker that says...."Will work for Gas"!  lol

[ninjamonkey]

Some people say stock up on tissues and wipes for your bottom, and ticks maybe, as well as tylenol or ibprofen whatever is approved for you for aches and pain. You might also want benedryl or something similar for itching. Start lotiining up now so you don't have dry skin prior to treatment I start soon so these are just things the guys here have told me. And as always if you have a question ask us and call your Dr.

[Advocate1955]

Those are all really great ideas.  Interesting how proactive and organized we become when we are taking charge of our health.  I did find it helpful, as hrsepwrguy recommended, to start a folder with all of my husband's records.  We put everything into an expanding folder and divided into various sections that helped us organize things and find them quickly.  We also keep an electronic copy of his current list of medications as well as his medical history, which I update periodically.  It is difficult to remember everything, but if we keep these updated, then we can take them to his various specialists or at least have them with us so that we can give correct information.
Once you decide on which treatment you will be doing, there may be some specific things you may want to have on hand at home (things from the drug store or the grocery store) that will help with managing some of the side effects.
Also, once you decide on which treatment you'll be doing, you will want to talk to your doctor about your antidepressant, to make sure that you can take it with your Hep C drugs.  If not, your doctor will advise you on how to taper off and taper on to another antidepressant that is OK with your Hep C meds.
I think another thing that is important is thinking about how much or how little you may want to discuss with others, such as family, friends or co-workers, who may be a potential support system during treatment.
Advocate1955