Feeling toxic after EOT

[Mmorgan854]

Hi All, I know from this forum not to expect immediate felief from side affects.  I'm really feeling more than fatigued, practically horizontal most of the day.  Is there anything my friend could pick up at the health food store that would detox me at this point? I haven't had a liver biopsy since the 90s an wondering could this tough time I've had be in relation to liver damage that I don't know about?  I'm feeling pretty rough an hoping to maybe help my body clear this medicine. Thanks all.  Take care   Mary

[zarmar]

Thank you for your post.  The power walking sounds fabulous.  San Diego is beautiful and your zoo is world class.  Hard to pass that up even with warmest temps. I live in PA, so our temps are already fall-like.  I will miss flowering plants and the long light days when time change comes.  

Keep staying well -- ZM

[hepc4Sandi]

After all being said (wish we could edit our posts) I hope you regain your strength and energy soon, like I said, it took about 2 months before I could really resume my normal activities. My only Sx still are anxiety somewhat, and forgetfullness at unexpected times. But those are slowly going away too! Cheers!

[hepc4Sandi]

Hi zarmar, I too enjoy vigorous exercise, and have been gardening as soon as I could tolerate the sun, at about 6 weeks eot, and have been doing vigorous exercise since 3 months eot (after a bad rash that developed after Tx). I have been feeling totally recovered since then. I all am self-employed, and work full time, and did so all the way through Tx. I think it is a good thing to listen to your body though, and for me, with my hemoglobin dropping, and my tendencies toward anxiety attacks, delaying exercise until the end of Tx seemed the best for me. Everyone has their own needs that they need to meet, and being able to work, and not snapping at my husband, and not having my Riba reduced any more than it was, were my priorities. My favorite activity at the moment is powerwalking through the San Diego Zoo 3 mornings a week, along with others wjo enjoy the same thing. Right now with 106° temps, gardening will have to wait until cooler temps, about another month. So to each their own!

[Sovaldi13Newbie]

What a great post. You've really got your head on straight. ;-)

[zarmar]

As others have well said, just to add that I also feel that I too have more fatigue since finishing TX last month.  Exercise has been essential for me to feel well.  As often as I can, vigorous, and in a group setting is my preference so I can't be lazy about it very easily.  Also, gardening gives me such pleasure, so if this is an option for you, cover your head with a wide brim hat and get out in the flower beds or yard even if for short spurts.  You are taking care of life and making beauty in a part of the world that you most control.  To me, tending my beds, weeding, fertilizing, making arrangements to give away are metaphors for how I need to work on my own health and recovery.  And I can't do it from my couch ; -)

[Dbzc2]

I am 10 weeks post S&O and find while I'm not as brain numb as I was on treatment, I do have cirrhosis symptoms I'm finding I now have to deal with.  I had blood work done cause I felt so fatigued!  Turns out i am SVR, si it's not the virus--there is NO virus.  (Great news!)

Now, due to the help from several other patients, while I never had any symptoms to even really take notice go (liver ache if extremely stressed), I'm experiencing all kinds of stuff that pretty much feels like I've had the wind knocked out of me and pain. Turns out portal hypertension, which is what I was diagnosed eith just before starting treatment, might be the culprit!

Maybe some meds toxicity? I'm not sure? I did just start back to work and wouldn't you know it just so happens to correlate with when I stared feeling worse! So, it seems I need to adjust my schedule and watch what I do.  I had no idea I would be dealing with cirrhosis symptoms!  I was totally clueless that while I might never have to worry about Hep C, I now kind of have to pick up the pieces in its wake!

Weird that I got cirrhosis suddenly and harsh! Then onto meds, off meds and trying to sort through what's what--including redefining  my life with cirrhosis.

So that was a long response to say, if you do have some liver damage, you might be like me and need help sorting out what's what.

I'm thrilled I do not have Hep C anymore, but I feel like a dummy not knowing or understanding how to live with cirrhosis.  I'm seriously hoping my energy level gets slowly better cause right now I'm at about two to four good hours a day--then it's nap time!

So, to have a bit of a positive twist, I imagine I'll be a frail eccentric professor emerged in what I love to do. Meditation, yoga, painting, writing, and photography.   I'll dress up, since Ebay became a fun activity in bed! : )

I'll def try the massage and try to cut out my only splurge which is sugar.  I avoid salt, iron, processed foods, hard cheeses (they have more salt), and red meat ( I am vegetarian but i do eat/drink milk products and eggs as an ingrediant--like for a French Toast).  The more water I drink the better I feel.  However, I kind of have to watch swelling that is light but there.

At least I think it's all doable! You just have to figure out what it is that causes the fatigue.... Stress is number 1 for me, and then trying to do too much!  It's like applying the serenity prayer to behavior in reference to disease!  I need to develope a wise way in my approach with my new life without a Hep C, but with cirrhosis.   At least the focus is living beautifully.  That's my new life goal!
A luxurious massage most define toy fits into this!  (TIP.. If expenses are an issue locate a massage school! The lowered cost is great and the students tend to spend more time!).

Best wishes to all who are waiting for answers, treatment or planning new lives!  Dbz

[Dee1956]

Congratulations for getting up and out.  That is great to hear!
I remember how hard it was to finish the tx and not feel better.  Most people go through it and it does pass.
Water and moving helped me the most.  I went kicking and screaming out the door for a walk and it did help me so much.
Then I found that being dehydrated can cause aches and pains so tried to drown myself in water :)
  Everyone here is so supportive, so kind, it helped me to know I was not alone and that what I was feeling was normal :)

[Mmorgan854]

Hi everyone, thanking EVERYONE for all the outstanding advice I've gotten.  I'm hoping today was the game changer for me. Out of bed at 7a.m. An made it to morning service( with my hair an make-up done)  it's been awhile an I was so blessed to experience this beautiful day. Around 5p.m. Realized I had Not one episode of irritability today. Yes, physically I still feel very weak but emotionally, I got a peek at my old self an she's still there!!yea.  Thanks Susan for encouraging me to get out an get moving again. Cannot give into the fear of bringing on the bad days by overdoing it, an in return, doing nothing. Thanking each an everyone of you for all the kindness an caring you've shown me. Will have 4 wk. viral load on Oct 8th.  I'm claiming the victory for myself an each an everyone of you out there.  Take care. Mary

[Sovaldi13Newbie]

You sound like you're doing great things! I'm going for a deep tissue message this week, odd you mentioned it. But I'm a bit fragile so I like for them to do it slowly. Really helps to work out the drugs from the tissues, I think. Singing or chanting is so good too. With me, if I overdue the physical thing, I pay for it, so I pace myself but yes...I try to get in a walk and move and stretch as much as I can. So glad you're taking good care of yourself, you are one AWESOME
warrior!

[susan400]

I have had moments of fatigue hit for short periods since my first day "no meds-which was last Wed.", but haven't been able to give in to it.  That is not to make you feel bad..., that's not my intention.  As you know, my mom just moved and I've been over there 3 times on 3 separate days just since Wed.  It's more exhausting work to me than working out at my gym.., which I've continued to do as much as time will allow.  For the first 3-4 days, I was drinking on this 'healthy greens-organic drink' that I found in Publix.  It had kale, romaine, celery and cucumber in it.  Quite frankly, since I'm very picky, I really didn't like it much.  But, I forced myself to drink it at least until the bottle was done.  I was blenderizing it with melon and sliced cucumbers and diced celery and a couple of tablespoons of yogurt.  And in between that, I was drinking a bunch of water.  Then, last Fri., I went and got a deep tissue massage for 50 min. and drank a bunch owe of water after that, too.  I really believe that this has helped me, the green drink that I didn't like (LOL) and the deep tissue massage.  I hate to keep on beating a dead horse, but any exercise you can force yourself to do, will be better for you than, giving into that feeling of wanting to lay down.  Trust me, I've been on LOT's of treatments in the past, this last one being number 11 and I have done the couch potato, laying around going from the sofa to the bed thing... for several of the earlier treatments and it actually made me feel horrible and worse than the later treatments when I FORCED myself to get up and get moving.  I'm not saying that it's easy to do it, it isn't, but after I do it, I feel TONS better.  Less depressed (and I tend to be a depressed person-tend to feel very negative) and less achy, too.  I sure hope you feel better soon.  I have never been a proponent of milk thistle.  I tried it years ago, in between treatments, because everybody was always saying, "take milk thistle, it's good for your liver" and ..., since I have asthma- the milk thistle caused me to have wheezing problems and also, it did nothing to improve my liver.  So, that was one of those things that ended up going into the trash can.  I did the aloe juice for awhile, too.  Normally, I mixed that up into other juices because by itself, didn't taste that great.., but it didn't hurt me either-so I did that for awhile-a few years ago.  I know from your past posts that you mentioned that you are a church goer.  May I suggest that you put on some of your favorite style of Christian music and sing while it's on?  This helps my mood alot of times, too.  These are just suggesting to you, and it's not meant to be criticizing or lecturing..., I hope you will see that I'm trying to help...   Susan400

[Sovaldi13Newbie]

Hey thanks! I thought this was a good thread in showing Mmorgan that so many of us are in the same boat. Personally, I also thought that taking good probiotics have helped me in SO MANY ways the last few years. I had the best labs in the cancer ward (was the only supplement the docs let me take right after chemos) best labs among all the the other bone marrow transplants, had hep c for what, maybe 35 years? And I only have minimal liver damage. I think (can't prove it but just from all I've studied) that me eating a lot of veggies. fruits and nuts with only fish (and the probiotics, big dose) and yoga exercise or any stretching and walking (and I never eat a lot of garbage, keep down on my salt and sugar, etc...No alcohol or drugs that aren't prescribed or that I can do without...yes, I'm obnoxious that way, ;-) has held me in good stead. I did  a lot of nutty things in the 70's up to the mid-80s but I'm glad I got healthy when I did, or no telling where I
would be now. One thing I'm noticing, all those creepy auto-immune symptoms that I got from the hep c seem to be gone! All the bloating, pains in my joints, and the worst, that creepy, foggy flu type feeling that just wouldn't go away for months at a time...That is all gone! Hope this means SVR for me, and everyone else here...We're in a new age...! Bless you all.

[dontworry_behappy1]

Your answer in this thread is very good.  I hope others pondering how they
feel take the time to read your response.  Its truly a gift of knowledge.

Best to you

[flyinlynn]

Hi hang in there I have faith in you that you can make it.

I have read a "Heart smart" diet is also a liver smart diet and heart smart diet recommendations are easy to find. I personally haven't seen anything convincing about milk thistle there were some trials done with not much in the way of proof of effectiveness coming out but I also haven't seen where it could harm as long as you are off treatment and your doctor is ok if you want to that is your option.

I have also heard Limey exercise like walking can help in many ways. Gets the blood and body moving to help get rid of toxins, exercise can also help people both physically and mentally feel better. People were intended to move not to sit so in general if you can tolerate exercise  I would recommend you go enjoy a walk of course again with your doctors agreement and not knowing any other conditions you may have.

But exercise is good for body and soul.

Hope you feel better soon and make SVR
Lynn

[HolyCats]

Try coconut milk (or coconut water) and or carrot juice to help the liver. Works for me when very ill. Use once a day at least. The tx instructions from pharmacy says stay away from milk thistle.
These are some powerful drugs. Makes me wonder what it's doing to the rest of the body. re: S/O

[Livelife777]

Mary
Listen to your body.   At this point you've finished your meds, but the meds aren't done with you just yet.  Remember, this drugs accumulate in you body as time moves on.   You have just taken your last batch of pills and you are now most toxic then while on Tx.  The drugs are hanging around in your tissues, muscles, organs, you name it.  The only recourse you have is to flush your system with water but its gonna take time.   Patience my friend.
And no, you are not crazy but just trying to feel good again.  
Everyone is different recovering, but it took me about 2 months.  While recovering try not to overdo it as that will cause setbacks and then you will feel worse.  
We are all with you and def here for you.
If you wanna vent know we will listen
Be patient and don't over do.
Proud of you getting thru this as I know at times it was difficult.
Keep marching onward and try to keep the faith!
Take care
....Kim

[Sovaldi13Newbie]

I'm right there with you, the 16th it will be two months since EOT, and for whatever reason, yesterday was one of my worst day in terms of stress...I also have another condition, but my LFTs were still normal, so I think I still am undetected (will know the 16th of Octorber) but I'm glad that soooo many people say they didn't have such a bad time of it on these drugs (Sovaldi and Olysio) but they floored me. (I'll say it again, I might be unusual in that I did 3 chemos and had a bone marrow transplant two years ago) and I'm now 61, but I'm still messed up and it's almost two months. I feel a bit better, but it feels that my adrenals, triad etc took a BEATING. If I overdue it, I feel like I'm drained from the inside out. One of my only things to hang onto is that I "think" I beat this...No hep c symptoms and that's a REALLY good thing, so it's all been worth it.

My advice? Eat a lot of veggies and fruits. Lots of melon, melon is full of water and good enzymes to replenish and nourish, hydrate. Course youre hydrating, a lot. Be really GOOD to yourself and be patient. Think of the many years you had this, and in just a question of months you might have gotten rid of it. And that not everyone is going to just slide along tx and slide along withdrawal from TX. Some of us are going to be hit harder than others, particularly if we're older, etc. But you're almost there, you're through the most important part, you finished tx!!!! I thought of the many people who used to have to take a year with much worse drugs, and almost a year to withdrawal...or longer. I had some friends who had to really take two years to feel themselves. At least with us it's a question of months. I just ate a lot of healthy food...listened to guided meditations on my kindle (they are cheap and kept me from going insane sometimes, just what I do) I know when you read how so many people tx'd then felt better in a month make you feel there is something wrong with you, but just look at this thread, there are many of us who have had a harder time...Believe me, there were many days that I just got up to go to the bathroom or the kitchen. That was IT. I tried to make myself move a little bit to get the blood pumping and to not get de-conditioned, but I am a bit de-conditioned. I'm just starting to take my dog for small walks and I feel it. But I do know that I will get better and better if I do the right things, and by all means...try my damnedest to keep A GOOD ATTITUDE, which is yes, a lot easier said than done, but I actually psyched myself into feeling worse a few time, we can do that...I thought for sure I had relapsed because I got that pain in my liver area again, I tried to dismiss it but I couldn't. I started to feel really bad then. Then I went to take my labs and found out I was still undetected. I felt better after that and not so dragging to my car. Our mind can take us down or up. That I know from experience, hah! So just hang in there, and keep your eye on the fact that you will get better!!! This board was invaluable to me because I did see other treaters who were in the same boat that I was in, it helped me keep sane in that I thought sometimes I was dying, ;-) And I could see that I wasn't...just having some REALLY bad days. We also treated in the summer and I don't know about anybody else, but the heat wreaked havoc with me, so glad it's about to go. Hang in there! We're all on this waiting bench, but we'll be off it soon!

[sue4hula]

You're normal! Or at leat as normal as me!  I went through the exact same thing a month ago.  I think it's the physical part combined with an emotional release/awareness.  Be gentle on yourself and know it gets better.  I felt better a couple weeks in and then woke up today (4weeks post treatment) feeling like I had the flu... My first thought was "oh no, it's back.."  Trying not to assume, but it's hard not too."  

Bottom line is... It will be what it will be.  We will keep up the fight regardless and I am glad I treated and try to believe it did work until otherwise told.  
Hang in there my friend.   Sending virtual hugs!!!!

[patra_]

Liver friendly foods, equal fresh fruits, veggies, chicken, turkey, fish, portk (theother white meat), nuts, 'good' fats, i.e., nuts, yogurt, cottage cheese, cream cheese, avocado, to name a few.

If you go on line and enter 'liver friendly food' a couple of good sites come up with lists, naming the most useful veggies, fruits.

Do away with salt, sugar and red meat, as much as you can.  As for milk thistle, I have heard for years that it is good for the liver, but at this point, I am not sure what to advise you - you might call your Dr's office to see if they have a stance on milk thistle and other natural herbs after tx.

Good luck and keep on keeping on - it is still one step at a time -  try NOT to worry!  Pat

[hepc4Sandi]

What you are feeling is totally normal. Don't panic. You are the most satutated now. So keep drinking plenty of water and eating and staying out of the sun. It took almost 2 months for me to feel like I was recovering. My skin and hair got worse after Tx. So give yourself a break, the meds are still in your system and will be for quite a while. Hang in there.

[Mmorgan854]

Thanks so much Pat.  Every little bit of advice I get helps tremendously.  Any advice on "liver friendly foods" was wondering about milk thistle, would that help? I'm trying to stay positive but the way I feel, my mind is saying" this didn't work". I mean, I don't understand how I can feel this way when I felt fine starting treatment?  I'm in the company of all these strong "warriors" an all I can do is cry, feel like such a wimp.  I'm trying to be strong, just feel like I'm heading to the dark side, FAST.. Just need to de toxify my body.  Can it be done?  Any suggestions please.  Thanks all.  Wouldn't have made it this far without everyone.  Computer has been down soo sorry to hear  about your relapse, Lynn an Nan, my prayers are with you an your husband.  Take care. Mary ( a very greatful woman to have friends on this forum)

[patra_]

M:  I am sure some who are EOT plus will have advice for you, but have seen a nu,ber of posts where sometimes the sides were a little worse after - or seemed that way as you were not taking the meds.  I beliece I have seen that they lasted somewhere upwards of 2 months, but then improved.

Hope this helps,  Good Luck and don't worry, just rest and get outdoors when you can, walk a little as ou can, but don't push things.  Pat