hep c therapie

Hi,
my boyfriend will start his therapie (he has hep c 1a and 1b) in two weeks. I am kind of anxious as far as the adverse effects are concerned. Can someone give me some details and how to handle it ? I also wonder what I could do to support him in the best way. Grateful for your replys !
sabine

[Wilful1]

Hi sabine,
I have only been on tx (treatment) for four weeks and the effects of it can be harsher on one day than on another other for me.  If you read some of the posts or rantings about (sx) side effects, you will realize that there is a spectrum that one can fall into at any given time.  For me my worst sx right now has been being very irritable and short-tempered.  If I say something hurtful or curt, I wish my boyfriend would not respond to me, but instead he gets pulled into and takes it personally.  I'm afraid I will drive him away.  It will be a long haul and hope he can ride over the big bumps.
Best wishes
Wilful

[nygirl7]

FYI - having 1a and 1b is relatively rare - but I did.  It freaked me out because I thought having two strains would be harder to kill off, although the doctors told me it didn't matter a bit. I just wanted to say that I did end up extending treatment to 72 weeks but I did kill them both off.

it's a long road and sometimes his temper might get the best of him (reaction to the meds) remember - it's NOT you it's the meds that can drive you crazy.  That was one of the luckiest discussions I ever had with my family. One time I yelled at my daughter for "breathing so loudly" (really). My family looked at me, laughed and said wow those meds are something else! Of course that made me even angrier but.....I realized I was out of control and needed to give myself a big fat timeout.

:)

[jbells]

Hello Sabine,  Sounds like your one the right track.  Your asking questions!!!!.  I think being patient with him is the best thing you can do.  I try very hard not impose my uglyness on my family or friends and he needs to understand that he has that responsibility.  For me walking away from what ever is starting to spin me out of control works.  I actually dont spin that often, but I can recognize it coming on.

nygirl, you made me lol with your daughters story.  Here is one for you.  Over the forth of July our son, daughter and her family where visiting.  We (they) decorated our sail boat for the night parade.  That night I was at the helm and there was just way to much activity for my pea brain to obsorb.  Everyone was talking (imagine that), I couldn't see where I was going because of people standing and of couse a zillion lights on the boat at night.  Finally everyone went to the bow of the boat.  My wife asked me a very simple question and I freaked.  I was all but frosting at the mouth.  It took her by such suprise that all she could do was laugh at me.  That really got me going.  It didn't take me long to calm down and I had to laugh at myself.  The rest of night went well.  My son took the helm and we won "Best in Show".  Too bad mr ugly had to visit but it happens.  Jim

[Wilful1]

I just yelled at my grandsons for not telling me where they were going, and they said, "Nana, we looked right at you and told you we were going to Dillon's house."  I have no recollection--OMG, I'm scaring myself!!!

[sabine24]

Thanks for your replys - I already know that hard times are coming but I am scared that reality might be even worse than I can imagine now... however I am prepared and try to think positive !
What about those sx I often read about like head aches, general sickness, fever, beeing tired all the time.... is there anything that can make it easier ? I heard about ayurveda massages (with sesame oil for instance) that are supposed to make you feel better and a little more relaxed- ? Have you tried that or anything else ?
all the best for you
sabine

[tcmBob]

sabine - with massage or other therapies like acupuncture or Chinese herbs can really help manage the side effects of drug therapy.
Each person is unique and therefore a bespoke mode of treatment like acupuncture, which can directly contact the organs and substances individually (Liver, Blood etc), can really help treat the unique presentation of each person. The rage people experience is the liver itself - Anger comes from the liver, as does depression - look at the range of reactions drunks have (angry drunks, depressed drunks).
Pre menstrual anger or tears come from the liver - perhaps if you have experienced either you can imagine how he may feel.... you know you are inappropriately angry, but FEEL so angry you must express it.
Exercise is important to if possible, enough cardio to move the blood but not so much as to exhaust the patient (10-20 mins plenty) and yoga or Tai Chi to move the energy of the organs. All that twisting and bending in yoga pushes and pulls blood and energy through the organs.
It is not written in stone that the therapy will be hell, there is a great deal you can do yourself.
Best wishes
Robert O