Which shoulder has the pain? There is a nerve that runs through the liver and the right shoulder. I felt it after my biopsy. So if it is on the rt. side make sure you tell your hepatologist about it. That may mean something to him/her. hang in there, some day this will all seem like a dream
Jmjm stated the other day something like " this is when taking it one day at a time changes from an attitude to a survival technique. ( Hope I'm not too far off) That advice really stuck with me. You are too far in to this to develop too much apathy. I did 70 weeks so I totally understand. Focus on the end result. I did not clear early and then relapsed after being UND for 3 months. Do I regret it. NO. I gained time on this thing and will most probably do it again soon. Push on and wait for the better treatment to come.
I am sorry you are struggling. I wrote the following a few weeks ago during my 22nd week. It's in the archives in a post called "Sick of being sick." Maybe it can help you. I hope so. All my best, Aiuta
Week 22 and needing to vent. I am sick of tx. So sick of being sick. So sick of headaches, hacking, RibaRage, forgetting why I walk into rooms or what I am about to say. Sick of body aches, depression, diahhrea, joint pain, itching, being in bed so much, fear of being with people because of what I might say (I've come up with some real winners and I've gotton to make some extra-special apologies while on tx). I'm sick of pills and shots and dr's visits and trying to hide my illness with people because of their total ignorance and prejudice about Hep C. I'm sick of nosy people at work. I'm sick of anyone, who hasn't been through this treatment, telling me they understand. I'm sick of feeling so sluggish and fatigued. I'm sick of being unable to contribute to life at full capacity. I'm sick of all the unknowns of this illness, that for all we put up with on tx, there are no guarantees. I'm sick of being so angry. I'm sick of trying to conceal that when I'm around others. I'm sick of many things, but I'm grateful for you guys, because you understand and you've helped me make it this far. I WILL stay the course because I know I'm not alone. I know many of you have go through more pain and suffering than me. Those of you who do this for a year (or 72 weeks) deserve a pair of wings and a halo. Thank you for being here for me through this difficult time and thank you for listening to me and helping me make it through today.
Aiuta
P.S. To new people to the Forum, tx is NOT always like this.
Your shoulder sounds like something that would benefit from massage. If you can't do that try hot epsom salt baths or even a heating pad. Good luck.
Thanks to all for the comments, coping skills and verbal encouragement.
What a relief to know I am not alone....
May you all experience positve outcomes as well.
Since you didn't say 'just one more week', I'm guessing that you are a geno 1. During the dog days of tx, and you're in the middle of those days, sometimes it's helpful to seen where you've been and the progress made already. How have you viral load test going, other than being all wrung out - how's the rest of lfe? There comes a time when the place you want to get to is not 25 weeks away but more like the end of this day and the end of this week. Smaller bites. I'm only in week 11 but already feeling the drag. BTW, New York Girl weighs a hundred and nothing, lost her hair, thyroid and spiked-heel boots but she keeps keepin on.
I know it doesn't help you much at this point, but it seems many hit that 6 month wall of being sick and tired of being sick and tired. For me it was probably more the tired than anything else because of the ongoing battle I had with the anemia.
I'm surprized NYGirl didn't pass along her other little secret of pushing in & pressing on with tx, a nice bowl of ice cream!
;-P
I know for me it really helped that I had gone through treatment the year before and was able to draw upon various coping skills to pull me through it, albeit in vain, without A/D's. For me I guess it helped to force myself to continue a regular work routine and to keep engaged as much as possible in service work too. I think by keeping my focus turned out it helped to pull me through the frustration, desperation, etc. that was there whenever I turned my focus inward.
Hope this helps and if you need to jump on a vent away, many of us have been there, are there, or most likely will be there too.
SOOOOOOO SORRY for the way you are feeling right now...Nygirl said it all I think. I am also one that has had horrible mental sx from this stuff... plus I went through apx. 4 weeks of pneumonia and didn't know it until the Dr. told me I was recovering from it! I thought I was just having normal sx. (shortness of breath pain when I breathed out, pain in the back, fever etc.)
I am so sorry you are having the depression, and there is nothing wrong with taking AD's like Nygirl said. And DON'T FORGET...this may be something other than "just side effects" I know it was for me, and I wish now that I would have taken the advice from my "cyber angels" here and went to the Dr.
Good luck and Blessings to you. Keep us informed and don't be afraid to post!!!!
I don't think the burning in your shoulder has anything at all to do with the HCV. You know...we do get "colds" and stuff and aches and pain on treatment and they have NOTHING to do with at all. Time for a doctor visit of one sort or another to iron that out.
My doctor started me on an antidepressent a month BEFORE I started treatment. Interferon can cause HORRIBLE depression - so I took it in advance to give it time to build up in my body and to up my dosage. I've never really had any problem with depression as a result.
Not to say I don't get SICK and TIRED of being SICK and TIRED cause I sure sure do. But I remember the goal and I come in here and post and let some people kick my butt around and tell me to HANG ON! DON'T GIVE UP THE FIGHT! IT WONT LAST FOREVER AND WHEN IT'S DONE YOU WILLLL BE RID OF THIS STUPID DISEASE FOR ONCE AND FOR ALL!
Hang in there Yikes. I don't know your story so I can't guess too much but if you aren't on a good AD (I am on Paxill 20mg) talk to your doctor. He has to know the odds of depression on this poison!
Best of luck (I'm on week 68 of 72 and I'm a BABY if I could do it you can too, I promise!)
Debby