Will it ever get better?

I am 13 months post tx and clear of virus.  Never thought I'd get here, but hey, something's wrong.  I am not even up to half my physical capacity that I was pre-treatment, and that wasn't all that great.  Does it ever get better, or do I need to resign myself that I am alive and that is as good as it gets.  I have no energy, I hurt EVERYWHERE, I have memory problems, no stamina, depression, fribromyalgia, chronic fatigue, IBS, you name it.  The worst part is, my labs are all normal.  I try to slowly rehab myself and after 2 or three days of minimal activity, I break down and succumb to some illness, like bronchitis, sinus infections, asthma, flu, SOMETHING.  I have the privilege of working with some great doctors who have tried all the conventional and non-conventional drugs on me, but I have bad reactions to medications and we are down to the bottom of the barrel as far as what to try next.  Has anyone else had this problem, or am I just a headcase.  I am 51, so maybe at this age ya just don't bounce back.  I keep trying but feel like such a loser.....

[meki]

You need to get yourself seen by an internist... get on the right medications.

Once you are balanced on medicines - start eating much healthier....


You need to slowly bounce yourself up with exercise and work yourself into a super positive attitude.

I have exactly the same problems as you - and you know that I've gotten better.

Sometimes I believe through sheer force of will.

I MAKE myself do things.

We are the very minimal group of folks.

Keep positive. Keep a good attitude and FIGHT IT ALL.

Much luck - much love and all the understanding in the world.

Meki

[desrt]

I think diet and exercise are important for everyone and doubly so for those of us who are post-tx. In the last six months I've started paying closer attention to these things and started taking an insulin sensitizer (Metformin). Not saying blood sugar issues are necesssarily your problem, but if anyone tells you your fasting glucose is "borderline", it might not hurt to look into it. There are an awful lot of us who've experienced 'post-tx weight rebound', fatigue, and other problems that can be helped by diet and exercise.

[kitkat14]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and ask if you have been to see a naturopath?  I read your journal and it sounds like a lot of the same ailments that were bothering you bothered me.  (you were a lot worse.)

When I was first diagnosed with Hep C, I was not content to sit around and wait the 4-5 months until I could see a liver specialist.  I did a lot of research on my symptoms and so with the help of a naturopath, we worked at adding and subtracting various things to my diet.  It amazing how a food substance that doesn't agree with your body can throw everything out of wack.  Milk and bread products are particularly prone to bother someone's immune system.  I also got into drinking teas made of leaves, bark etc that are good for the liver.  When I started my foray into "alternative medicines" I felt like complete ****.  I would fall asleep on the train on the way home from work, I hurt all over, everything felt like too much of a bother.  By coming up with my own plan to combat my symptoms, I was able to overcome my fatigue (for the most part) and carry on a normal life until I started treating.  Treating is another story.

I'm not a doctor, but it really sounds like immune system type problems to me.  A naturopath might be able to help you at least cope with the symptoms more easily.

All the best

k