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A Holiday Wish
I have been undergoing treatments for the last 12 weeks (I have 24 weeks of treatment to do - HCV Genotype 2a, Viral Load of 3.6 million) and have been reading through the threads on here for even longer. First of all I would like to take the time to thank all of you for giving me support and helping me to understand that I am not alone. So many of you have unknowingly touched my heart, talked me down off of a ledge, allowed me to laugh at myself (See subject: “Losing Car in Mall Parking Lot” threads), and given me support merely by posted your words on this site and even. Whether you were responding to me or someone else, your words touch many. God bless you all.
The first couple of times I posted messages on this site I did so under different user names (I actually forgot the other passwords. I still don't think people that suffer from brain fog should be required to remember usernames, passwords or virtually anything). I remember being full of questions due to the lack of knowledge of this illness, but have somewhat educated myself and learned through just going through the entire process beginning with diagnosis and now treatments. Here are a few things that I feel that I have learned about this illness. You have to drink lots and lots of water; Expect a new side effect every week; There is no defining feature that makes a side effect a side effect, therefore, everything is a side effect; Although on some days I can see everything so clearly, that doesn’t mean that I am not going to wake up a bumbling idiot on other days; Griping about how bad we feel bores the **** out of those who are well; Keeping a journal of your experiences, thoughts and feelings is the best coping mechanism that I have discovered since learning I was sick.
Here are a few things I have learned about life along the way. Always be patient; Never say that things can’t get any worse; Think before speaking at all times; Hurry into nothing.
Take the time this holiday season to remember the ones we have lost and the unknown number of people who are unknowingly suffering due to a lack of education of the general public and the medical community of this illness.
Again, God bless you and keep you well. Happy Holidays.
The first couple of times I posted messages on this site I did so under different user names (I actually forgot the other passwords. I still don't think people that suffer from brain fog should be required to remember usernames, passwords or virtually anything). I remember being full of questions due to the lack of knowledge of this illness, but have somewhat educated myself and learned through just going through the entire process beginning with diagnosis and now treatments. Here are a few things that I feel that I have learned about this illness. You have to drink lots and lots of water; Expect a new side effect every week; There is no defining feature that makes a side effect a side effect, therefore, everything is a side effect; Although on some days I can see everything so clearly, that doesn’t mean that I am not going to wake up a bumbling idiot on other days; Griping about how bad we feel bores the **** out of those who are well; Keeping a journal of your experiences, thoughts and feelings is the best coping mechanism that I have discovered since learning I was sick.
Here are a few things I have learned about life along the way. Always be patient; Never say that things can’t get any worse; Think before speaking at all times; Hurry into nothing.
Take the time this holiday season to remember the ones we have lost and the unknown number of people who are unknowingly suffering due to a lack of education of the general public and the medical community of this illness.
Again, God bless you and keep you well. Happy Holidays.
Thanks for that very clear explanation. I was starting to wonder if it was something else that was bothering me and not just the tx. I have been through about 3 different types of lotions and potions so far and nothing seems to sustain me for any length of time...its like my skin builds up an immunity to that particular lotion then it starts irritating me once again.
I might just go with the olive oil idea.
Thanks and Merry Christmas to you as well!!!
I might just go with the olive oil idea.
Thanks and Merry Christmas to you as well!!!
Hope you do great and have a blessed holiday!
sorry about your bad rash...a lot of people have this...
What worked for me was oiling my skin, lanolin at first worked well though a messy hassle, but then my old lamb protein allergy kicked in ...
and so I settled then for olive oil after each shower.
It hydrates the skin, soaks in, has no perfumes, and actually is good oil for your bloodstream (unlike most lotions which are full of mineral oils and waxes which are both unhealthy).
then too I used Benydrl clear gel for the itchiest spots (not around the face/eyes.
and cool rags and/or ice packs can settle an area down.
With this oiling regime my rash quieted down, and I've only had to take an oral antihistamine twice all month.
maybe something in this will help you. Hydrate by drinking water yes, but the skin is an organ that looses a couple quarts a day of moisture....the oil slows down this rate of loss...and the histamine reaction to the Riba is reduced by that maintainence of moisture and natural body oils.
I put the oil everywhere including my hair and scalp, then wash out and rinse off the excess.
My scalp has stopped itching doing this.
the one good thing is you know you are absorbing the Riba if you have the rash, which is very important.
Merry Christmas!!
sorry about your bad rash...a lot of people have this...
What worked for me was oiling my skin, lanolin at first worked well though a messy hassle, but then my old lamb protein allergy kicked in ...
and so I settled then for olive oil after each shower.
It hydrates the skin, soaks in, has no perfumes, and actually is good oil for your bloodstream (unlike most lotions which are full of mineral oils and waxes which are both unhealthy).
then too I used Benydrl clear gel for the itchiest spots (not around the face/eyes.
and cool rags and/or ice packs can settle an area down.
With this oiling regime my rash quieted down, and I've only had to take an oral antihistamine twice all month.
maybe something in this will help you. Hydrate by drinking water yes, but the skin is an organ that looses a couple quarts a day of moisture....the oil slows down this rate of loss...and the histamine reaction to the Riba is reduced by that maintainence of moisture and natural body oils.
I put the oil everywhere including my hair and scalp, then wash out and rinse off the excess.
My scalp has stopped itching doing this.
the one good thing is you know you are absorbing the Riba if you have the rash, which is very important.
Merry Christmas!!
I could have worked outside of the house. It would have altered my treatments a bit. I decided to take my shots on Sunday night so that I could have weekends in case we wanted to do anything...no one ever told me that I would feel like doing anything until weeks later. I haven't had thryroid issues but understand you can have them post tx.
We ALL hope we aren't beating dead horses....
We ALL hope we aren't beating dead horses....
could you have worked outside the house?
and about the TSH, did you have a thyroid issues?
I hope I'm not beating a dead horse here. Thanks for answering
and about the TSH, did you have a thyroid issues?
I hope I'm not beating a dead horse here. Thanks for answering
Have you seen the movie Jumangi? Tx is just like that, you never know what will hit you next. If you watch it, you will see what I mean. I had awful sx's and never knew what would hit me next, mostly different. It did get better at times and after the first 12 weeks I sort of calmed down and just rolled with it. I was one of those that spent most of my time on the couch during tx. Don't feel bad, lot's of people don't get the sx's and many do. I would like to read about that car in the mall. One time i almost broke into someone elses car in the mall. It was the same model and I threw my shopping bags inside, but couldn't get the driver's door open. Sure had to appologize when the lady came out and saw me. Glad I wasn't arrested!
I have the luxury of working from home to start with and I have a very, very understanding boss. I find that every week holds a different side effect. Some last longer than others and there is no telling when it will hit whether it is the day after the shot or a couple or three days afterwards. I dont know what causes them so I dont try to figure out how to fix them, I just ride them out.
If there is anything that I have learned about tx it is that anything and everything can be a side effect from the shots. We can relieve the pain and suffering from the side effects, but we cannot avoid the side effects themself.
If there is anything that I have learned about tx it is that anything and everything can be a side effect from the shots. We can relieve the pain and suffering from the side effects, but we cannot avoid the side effects themself.
The first couple sides seem common. About the 3rd, did you find out what caused it and are you normal now? Have your Doc's been checking TSH lvls?
If you're at a 9-10, are you coping at work?
Also, does it hit you hard each shot?
If you're at a 9-10, are you coping at work?
Also, does it hit you hard each shot?
My 3 worse sx's would have to start on day one. After the first shot, 2 hours later I felt like the gates of hell had opened up on me...chills, headache and my entire body went into a ****. I felt like there was a demon inside of me that was tearing my insides out trying to get out. I learned to take a couple of Motrin an hour or two before my shot.
I have had a itchy rash that about drove me insane...the Doctor put me on Pepcid over the counter 4 times a day and Allegra twice a day. The rash has gone away but I think I am all itchy scratchy due to my skin drying out from the Allegra so I have since stop taking it, but am continuing the Pepcid only twice a day. I think that despite what the Doctors say, you treat as they advise, but you have to know your own body and know when to lay off this or that. Such was the case with the Allegra.
My other side effect is iffy. I was on blood pressure medicine prior to beginning tx, but having stopped drinking and dropping 29 lbs thus far, I found myself light headed all of the time. During one of my labs they decided to check my blood pressure and found it to be dangerously low, so they took me off of my blood pressure medicine.
On a scale of 1 to 10 I would have to be up around a 9 if not a 10. My advice to all would be strap in and hold tight because it's a long hard ride.
I have had a itchy rash that about drove me insane...the Doctor put me on Pepcid over the counter 4 times a day and Allegra twice a day. The rash has gone away but I think I am all itchy scratchy due to my skin drying out from the Allegra so I have since stop taking it, but am continuing the Pepcid only twice a day. I think that despite what the Doctors say, you treat as they advise, but you have to know your own body and know when to lay off this or that. Such was the case with the Allegra.
My other side effect is iffy. I was on blood pressure medicine prior to beginning tx, but having stopped drinking and dropping 29 lbs thus far, I found myself light headed all of the time. During one of my labs they decided to check my blood pressure and found it to be dangerously low, so they took me off of my blood pressure medicine.
On a scale of 1 to 10 I would have to be up around a 9 if not a 10. My advice to all would be strap in and hold tight because it's a long hard ride.
Great words and advice.
Favor, would you briefly describe your 3 worst sx's in order and what you do to treat them?
On the PITA (pain in the @$$) scale, 1 thru 10, 1 being no pain, 10 being nearly unbearable, what would your rating be? I'm talking about the effect of the virus on you not you on... well you know what I mean.
Favor, would you briefly describe your 3 worst sx's in order and what you do to treat them?
On the PITA (pain in the @$$) scale, 1 thru 10, 1 being no pain, 10 being nearly unbearable, what would your rating be? I'm talking about the effect of the virus on you not you on... well you know what I mean.
Don't worry about being the only person to forget their password...I think I'm up to NYgirl 7 or something and I started at just plain old NY girl..............
you're already half done and on the downward hill now.......I hope it's the easiest half of them all!!!!! :)
you're already half done and on the downward hill now.......I hope it's the easiest half of them all!!!!! :)
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