post treatment progress and dr

Hey all,
How is everyone? Just wanted to update what

[strator]

So had an appt with doc this afternoon...
Faxed over a rundown of the weekend I stopped, and the changes since so he could read it before I got there. I was a little nervous about it waiting in the outer office, he gave me a smileless nod when he noticed me which kept me wondering his take. I started 2nd guessing

[Kalio1]

So good to see you, wish you werent still dealing with sides but glad they are a bit better than before you stopped meds. That doctor must be so amazed at you! I know I am, how you did that ind of work on tx is beyond me. Awful hard to get by without decent sleep but your sponsor is probably a better one to talk to about it. I dont know wht is in ambien but man, yuo have to sleep so maybe take enough to get ssome shut eye and then your sleep will get bak to a normal cycle? I know in the end you will make the right decision for you.
I just pray you are SVR. You sure deserve it. Take care and thanks for checking in with an update.

[OnAPrettyPoison]

Please don't doubt EVER that you gave it your all!  I don't think it was possible to fight any harder.  Ambien is fine, I had to take it to sleep and had to sleep to work.  I have been off the meds 5 weeks tomorrow, and my sleep patterns are just getting back to normal.  I weened myself off of the Ambien and just take an occasional Simply Sleep (the PM part of Tylenol PM) every now and then, if I drink my coffee too late.  Cut yourself some slack, take the stuff or don't, but you won't end up dependent on it if you just need to get back in the rhythm of sleep.  You would take an antibiotic if you needed it.  You will resolve your sleep issues and take care of that like you do everything else.  I'm and thinking about you and how hard you fought, and wish you the best with your future PCR.

[FlGuy]

In case I don't see you in two days - happy anniversay.  Man, please write a book.

[Morgaina]

So happy to see things are limping along better and better. Sleep is important. You may be sensitive enough to get real help from melatonin, some people get a resistance to lighter supplements because they have utilized too many rx. Valerian works great too but hard on your liver, so rule it out (guess that was just babble then, eh) Good to hear your voice strator, I think I'm getting a crush on you. (dont tell anyone on the forum, or my boyfriend, or your girlfriend) Dam, became another babble!!

[tonybuck]

Hi there.

Thanks for sharing. Congrats on your upcoming achievment that took a load of work of your liver for three years.

I put the plug in the jug just short of 5 years ago. Funny thing is I got the news I had the virus 6 years ago, pulled out my shield of denial and got real busy stuffing that news down deep.

  Today that news and this treatment are working themselves into the foundation of my recovery.

I wish you all the best in your life.

[beamishboy]

hey mister!! good to see your handle here...glad the doc set yu strait-Gave it all+++...i don't like most sleep meds-leave me groggy next day-but i have found melatonin works like a charm...it is available in vitamin/supplemnt rack...not addictive or controlled-just a supplemnt that will put ya gently to sleep...tho it will not last the nite(-:}      Goodluck,be well-tom

[Forseegood]

great to see you here, miss your stream-of-consciousness posts that could verge on poetry -hope you continue to feel better and better, best to you...

[Mister beagle bailey]

Glad your starting to feel better, it's a slow recovery.  I did my 3 month post PCR today.  So when will you be doing your?

Beagle

[cuteus]

may recovery continue full force until the muscles show again!

It would be nice if you could amaze the dr even more by clearing the virus in spite of the cons you are facing.  Hey, you never know!
take care

[Algernon]

Hey guy,

Glad you're feeling better.  I'm now almost 12 weeks post and sleeping is the primary side effect I've still got.  The nights that I do get decent sleep, I feel GREAT the next day.

Regarding sleep meds.  I have very mixed feelings about them.  I'm taking them and they really do work and I take the minimal amount BUT...I feel more like a drug addict than I have since I was a drug addict (almost 30 years ago!!!).  I feel a little bit of panic when my sleep meds get low.  My doc says "don't worry about it--you need them now and you can get off them later."  

I don't have any advice.  And I can honestly say that I'd be a wreck without the sleep that the meds provide.  That Riba rattles the brain for a fair bit post TX--guess we gotta fight fire with fire?

You're going to feel better and better.  Best to you, Algie

[PasoPerson]

Congrats on your sober/straight birthday coming up.  That date is much more important for me than my birthday.  

I can identify with your cramps and charley horses.  I got them in my calf muscles and in my feet.  My hubby, a runner, started me eating bananas again.  End of cramps and charley horses.  For me it was a need for potassium, I guess.  You might want to consider eating one or two a day, see if it makes a difference.

Again, congratulations!

[friole]

Thank you for updating here.  YOu have so many people who care.   Even your doctor seems to care about you on a personal level much more than most.   I have never been in AA but think I do have that addictive personality trait.  I don't know, Don -- is it possible to separate out the medicine which will help from from drugs that are "fun" and addictive in the mind so that you can take the drugs that will help?  I know about not opening doors (with me it is the first bit of sweets leads to the sugar binge)but I sure wish you could take the sleep aid.
kathy
ps - I think you are ready for the PCR

[avidreader]

Hey--so glad to see you doing so well. I'm about a month past treatment and also feeling better. Now I'm wondering how I worked during the last year! I too had trouble sleeping post treatment (and of course during) and my doc gave me ambien and suggested I take it for up to 3 months post treatment till everything is out of my system. I too am in recovery (21 years in May) and don't like to take much, but it's saving me at work. Most nights I take a half an 10 mg pill and that's enough to get me sleeping without too much of any buzz that I might find attractive. I figure when I run out, I run out and that will be that. We shall see. Good luck to you--I've been wondering how you were doing.
Tracy

[cajunlady]

Hi there, it is nice to see you post and give us an update. I am glad for the most part you are feeling better.  I guess each of us will have our own linger sides.  This, I hope will clear up for you.

YEAH!!! How did you work.  I have a h*ll of a time and I have a desk job.

I have the bumps on the arms.  Looks like little blisters under the skin.  Ohhhhh!!!! forbide if I scratch them.  They itch 10 times more if you scratch and 10 times longer to heal up.  I did not have these at the begining.  Not like this.  My last visit to the doc and he put me on advair, for broncial spasms.  Now he thinks I need to see my primary doc and have things looked at again and he also has an interest in lungs.  Started having a tough time sleeping lately at the ending of tx.

You really do need to write a book.  You could inspire many people.  Even those who think all is lost, can be inspired by you.

Keep us updated on the next pcr.

Lanette

[GoofyDad]

Nice to hear from you Don. I used the ambien for about a month affter tx. 5 mg I think. I didn't have to struggle to get off them, it just naturally ran it's course. In the interest of full disclosure, I still pop one every now and then, like every 6 weeks or so, since I have them in the cabinet.

Take care and be well.....

[FlGuy]

hate to bust in while you and Morgaina are....

Today is three years.  You are one strong and persistent guy.  Continued good luck.

[strator]

Hey all,
IThanks for the advice. I talked to a few people in recovery too, I may try it over the weekend. Didn't want to take a chance last night w/a busy schedule today so I can see how it affects me. Did manage a little more sleep lst night so I'll see how it goes.
Morgaina/Lol. I'm still blushing, but every feeling since being off the meds is welcome.
Be well,
Don