Aa
good moming
I will be starting treatment in november, I have a very demanding job physically and mentally. Has anyone missed time from work from side affects. Thanks
Like Ladybug said it is kind of like being pregnant and going through menopause. The nausea comes and goes. Hot flashes w/sore achey joints & muscles. Moody but a rage I have never known. Fatigue and depression topped with a little dementia and I think you have got it. Everyone is different blah, blah blah.
I was very worried about being able to work a very physical and mental job. Physical Therapist on a Brain Injury unit. Now I feel like one of my patients and have a little more compassion. I have had to miss some work for MD apt and severe headaches etc.
I have dropped my hours a little from 35 a week to 30 and might have to drop again to 20?
I have been OK'd for SDI and could stay at home with an OK salary but I am trying to keep working because when I am home in bed I feel worse about myself. I am exhausted after work and usually go right to bed without much left for my family.
The symptoms come and go so sometimes I am fine at work. It is when I get anemic and my blood counts drop low that I really struggle. They do have rescue drugs for that and they do help. I find if I just get up and go to work even if I feel poorly once at work I get distracted by others that feel worse and that somehow comforts me.
I thought I could power through this and keep up my running and ex. but no it has gotten the better of me. I am 1/2 way through 48 weeks and have been UND since 4 weeks so hopefully this will all be worth it.
I have to take this as a lesson to me to slow down. I always did too much and a lesson to my family to kick in and help more around the house. It brings out the best in others and the worst in yourself. What a long strange trip its been.
As you can tell my the time of this post I have been up most of the night with severe stomach pain and nausea. Then again it is my fault for trying to eat Indian food that I normally love.
Hang in there. You will find a way to make it work and know that you are not alone.
Wishing you lots O love and strength,
Connie
I was very worried about being able to work a very physical and mental job. Physical Therapist on a Brain Injury unit. Now I feel like one of my patients and have a little more compassion. I have had to miss some work for MD apt and severe headaches etc.
I have dropped my hours a little from 35 a week to 30 and might have to drop again to 20?
I have been OK'd for SDI and could stay at home with an OK salary but I am trying to keep working because when I am home in bed I feel worse about myself. I am exhausted after work and usually go right to bed without much left for my family.
The symptoms come and go so sometimes I am fine at work. It is when I get anemic and my blood counts drop low that I really struggle. They do have rescue drugs for that and they do help. I find if I just get up and go to work even if I feel poorly once at work I get distracted by others that feel worse and that somehow comforts me.
I thought I could power through this and keep up my running and ex. but no it has gotten the better of me. I am 1/2 way through 48 weeks and have been UND since 4 weeks so hopefully this will all be worth it.
I have to take this as a lesson to me to slow down. I always did too much and a lesson to my family to kick in and help more around the house. It brings out the best in others and the worst in yourself. What a long strange trip its been.
As you can tell my the time of this post I have been up most of the night with severe stomach pain and nausea. Then again it is my fault for trying to eat Indian food that I normally love.
Hang in there. You will find a way to make it work and know that you are not alone.
Wishing you lots O love and strength,
Connie
Good luck. If you used an antidepressant that worked without side effects, you may want to start again.
There are people who are against a/d's but there are also many who felt better taking them during tx.
I was already taking celexa prior to tx so it wasn't an issue for me. Just the thought of tx caused me high anxiety!
I had an hour and a 1/2 commute each way to a skilled nursing facility while I was on tx. I was able to play around with my schedule somewhat because my caseload for physical therapy patients varied. I have often said that after I got a person out of bed, I had to fight the urge to climb into it!
It's hard to have a job that requires your brain and body, but you can do it if you set your mind to it, I think. Not to say that those with horrible sides just haven't set their minds to working during tx!
I was the same age as you when I treated. It was kind of like working through a horrible pregnacy....slightly nauseous, extremely fatiqued and just waiting for it all to be over with.
Good luck. I hope you have a good dr. and supportive staff who respond to your needs.
Have you talked with your dr about how much bloodwork will be done and how they will monitor your health?
Take care,
Bug
There are people who are against a/d's but there are also many who felt better taking them during tx.
I was already taking celexa prior to tx so it wasn't an issue for me. Just the thought of tx caused me high anxiety!
I had an hour and a 1/2 commute each way to a skilled nursing facility while I was on tx. I was able to play around with my schedule somewhat because my caseload for physical therapy patients varied. I have often said that after I got a person out of bed, I had to fight the urge to climb into it!
It's hard to have a job that requires your brain and body, but you can do it if you set your mind to it, I think. Not to say that those with horrible sides just haven't set their minds to working during tx!
I was the same age as you when I treated. It was kind of like working through a horrible pregnacy....slightly nauseous, extremely fatiqued and just waiting for it all to be over with.
Good luck. I hope you have a good dr. and supportive staff who respond to your needs.
Have you talked with your dr about how much bloodwork will be done and how they will monitor your health?
Take care,
Bug
I want to thank you all for responding to my question. I know it will be a big help to be able to talk to you all during my treatment. I also live In South Florida and and have a long drive to work.I work in the hospital in sterile processing and now with the busy season coming up work will be even more sressful. I am trying to have a positive attitude but won't lie i am having anxiety about missing work and how i will feel when i am there. I do work with wonderful people, but when someone is out it puts more pressure on the rest of the group and there are only 9 of us that works in the department. But enough of that negative attitude and i will hope i will be one of the lucky ones that doesnt have a lot of side affects. Has anyone taken any meds for anxiety during tx.? I dont really want to take a antidepressant if i dont have to did enough of that going through menapause. and have been off of them now for a year and a half. I am 53 Thanks so much again for listening to me and have a great day.
I treated for 72 weeks and missed 3 days. The next year I took 5 days off for colds and stuff like that, go figure! When I was on tx I just forced myself every day to go in to work - it became like a mission to me, much more than anything I can explain. I set my mind to the fact that I just had to get there every morning...and once I was there I could rest.
Its not always an easy thing, not for anybody. If you really set your mind on "go!" function it will help you. The mental attitude you go into treatment with can really really help you.I decided I was going to do whatever I had to to beat this disease at any cost. Ended up having drastic sides and having to treat even longer, for 72 weeks. There were times I wanted to quit and give up. I would come in here and the guys would give me the courage and strength just to hold on a little longer...so I would. Having a good strong community behind you really DOES help - they can hold you up when you can't do it any longer. Really.
Everyone in here has been there and understands. The prize after all the sacrifice is worth it. Just set your mind and make friends in here so when the hard days come you can turn to someone to cry to and they will grab you by the arm and pull you back up. I promise that.
Good luck.
Its not always an easy thing, not for anybody. If you really set your mind on "go!" function it will help you. The mental attitude you go into treatment with can really really help you.I decided I was going to do whatever I had to to beat this disease at any cost. Ended up having drastic sides and having to treat even longer, for 72 weeks. There were times I wanted to quit and give up. I would come in here and the guys would give me the courage and strength just to hold on a little longer...so I would. Having a good strong community behind you really DOES help - they can hold you up when you can't do it any longer. Really.
Everyone in here has been there and understands. The prize after all the sacrifice is worth it. Just set your mind and make friends in here so when the hard days come you can turn to someone to cry to and they will grab you by the arm and pull you back up. I promise that.
Good luck.
I'm starting my 17th week. So far I have called out 3 times because of UTI problems and 1 other time because of migraine. I have reached the point of being totally spent. Taking next week off as scheduled PTO because I need a giant break.
My work is very exhausting - physically, emotionally and mentally draining. I work with terminally ill patients and provide them psychotherapy and case management. I also go where they are, so I drive anywhere from 10 - 100 miles a day, depending. The worst of it is going into homes that have little to no a/c (I'm in SoFL), or places where there are no chairs and I have to stand in one spot for sometimes up to two hours. If I must work through this, I'd rather be in an office, at a desk. Sometimes, it is what it is and we do what we have to do to get through. I've stayed determined to persevere even on days when I'd rather be home watching TV and sleeping.
I get next to nothing done after work. Will probably get a good recharge from taking this break.
Good luck! It's doable.
C
My work is very exhausting - physically, emotionally and mentally draining. I work with terminally ill patients and provide them psychotherapy and case management. I also go where they are, so I drive anywhere from 10 - 100 miles a day, depending. The worst of it is going into homes that have little to no a/c (I'm in SoFL), or places where there are no chairs and I have to stand in one spot for sometimes up to two hours. If I must work through this, I'd rather be in an office, at a desk. Sometimes, it is what it is and we do what we have to do to get through. I've stayed determined to persevere even on days when I'd rather be home watching TV and sleeping.
I get next to nothing done after work. Will probably get a good recharge from taking this break.
Good luck! It's doable.
C
As I've said before treatment can send some to the mattress and that's where they'll stay for the remainder and then there are others who just keep going everyday, working, trying to maintain as normal of a life as possible. It just depends on the individual. Everybody has different thresholds. You won't know until you start treatment. I work everyday, lot's of stress associated with my work and I know it contributes to my constant fatigue but I get through it and I ain't no spring chicken. But that's me, I probably push harder than I should but it's what keeps me going. Something to shoot for, something to strive for. (The money and the insurance are motivators as well.)
Keep a positive attitutude, and if there is any way possible, don't let the side effects take control of your life because they sure will try.
Trinity
Keep a positive attitutude, and if there is any way possible, don't let the side effects take control of your life because they sure will try.
Trinity
I used up all my vacation for "days off" I needed mainly because of fatigue issues. I am 66 weeks into treatment and still working, but it is pretty clear to everyone I work with that I am doggin it. My co-workers have been pretty supportive. Everyone is different, but it seems like most suffer from the side effects to some degree.
Good luck to you!
Good luck to you!
My work is also very demanding both physically and mentally. For this reason I educated myself about the treatment and then worked very hard for over 2 years to get prepared mentally, physically, (I started tx in he best shape I have been in in decades and I have always been in decent shape.)and FINANCIALLY. Not knowing how I would respond to tx was troubling to say the least. Well, I'll be taking my 12th shot Sat nite and there in no way I am funtioning anywhere near a working level. I don't know how pressed you are to tx but I would recommend you take some time to get your ducks in a row as you may very well need them such. jerry
Everyone is different as most everyone has already said. In my case, being fairly healthy otherwise, I had to stop work after 5 weeks of treatment. I also had psychological effects that cleared up with Zoloft. I am on week 18 and am in bed much of the day. I took short term disability and expect to be on it until May. You may or may not have to do the same.
On a more positive note I cleared the virus at week 4 and have been clear of it since.
On a more positive note I cleared the virus at week 4 and have been clear of it since.
I also have a mentally and physically demanding job which requires I interact intensely with about 50 people for 10 hours a day, 5 days a week!!
I have mostly managed to keep working but have had to go home on several days esp when the peak of the interferon hit (approx 80 to 92 hours after injecting). I have been very open with my colleagues and boss and they have been very supportive so far and jumped in to cover for me when needed.
I'm about to begin the second 24 weeks of tx and I am thinking about cutting down a day a week every couple of weeks to give myself a bit of breather now and then.
I have had to keep working as, like many others, I need the money and I will be self-funding for the next 24 weeks.
All the best!
Epi :)
I have mostly managed to keep working but have had to go home on several days esp when the peak of the interferon hit (approx 80 to 92 hours after injecting). I have been very open with my colleagues and boss and they have been very supportive so far and jumped in to cover for me when needed.
I'm about to begin the second 24 weeks of tx and I am thinking about cutting down a day a week every couple of weeks to give myself a bit of breather now and then.
I have had to keep working as, like many others, I need the money and I will be self-funding for the next 24 weeks.
All the best!
Epi :)
I had a physically demanding job. On the fifth week, I started getting dizzy and extremely tired and had major shortness of breath. Pretty much I felt just as Marcia explained. Slept and lived in bed for most of the rest of tx.
They say everyone is different, but I personally was not able to work
Rita
They say everyone is different, but I personally was not able to work
Rita
Hi Donna, welcome aboard! As people have already said, everyone is different. I am coming up on my 5th shot tomorrow and haven't missed any work yet. I intend to work right through treatment as I really don't have a choice, I need the money and the insurance. I am eligible for 3 months short term disability with full pay, which I plan on saving in case things get bad further down the road. I do my shots on Friday night and rest all day Saturday and Sunday, this helps a lot.
Your just going to have start treatment and hope for the best. Go in with a positive attitude, that helps a lot. Think of it this way, if things get to the point where your too sick to work, you always have the option of stopping and waiting until something else comes along, especially if you have no other options. I worried about work just like you are now and so far, I've been able to do it. I also have over an hour commute to and from my place of employment and believe me, it's not easy. You might just be one of the lucky ones who doesn't get any side effects at all.
Good luck!
Linda
Your just going to have start treatment and hope for the best. Go in with a positive attitude, that helps a lot. Think of it this way, if things get to the point where your too sick to work, you always have the option of stopping and waiting until something else comes along, especially if you have no other options. I worried about work just like you are now and so far, I've been able to do it. I also have over an hour commute to and from my place of employment and believe me, it's not easy. You might just be one of the lucky ones who doesn't get any side effects at all.
Good luck!
Linda
I don't want to scare you, but I have been mostly home bound with extreme fatigue for about 5 months before starting tx. Since almost the beginning of tx I am bedridden most of the time. I manage to go to the hospital twice a month and can sometimes make it down to the shop down the road. So I actually live in my bed.
Marcia
Marcia
Yep, everybody's different. I couldn't work at all during TX (college professor) but I started having having problems with fatigue and fog a few years before diagnosis and TX. I was approved for disability during TX and am now on it permanently. I felt better after TX, but no better than I did before TX, and I did not have SVR.
But I have heard of people who not only worked but kept up regular jogging and exercise routines. Don't anticipate the worst, just be prepared for anything and know that even though it may seem like it at times, it is NOT forever.
May God walk with you through this trial.
But I have heard of people who not only worked but kept up regular jogging and exercise routines. Don't anticipate the worst, just be prepared for anything and know that even though it may seem like it at times, it is NOT forever.
May God walk with you through this trial.
Hi Donna,
I started tx in mid Jan, I too have a very mentally and physically demanding job. I worked until the beginning of May, and up to that point had phoned in sick many times. When I was at work, I was very fatigued, short of breathe, dizzy on occasion, and mentally foggy, forgetful and difficulty focusing. I spent all of my breaks laying down, I went to bed as soon as I got home from work, and my days off were mostly spent in bed recouping. I hated to make the decision to stop working, but I needed to take care of myself, and also realize that my inability to work to my full potential, would also affect others. My boss was very understanding, as I had forwarned her at the outset, that I may or may not be abe to work through this. My position will be held for me til I get back. Money is very tght at the moment, but I'm getting by,and my health is important.
Having said all that, everyone responds to tx differently, and we all have dirrerent jobs and demands in our lives. Some people work right through, some cut their hrs. a bit. Good luk to you, and I hope I haven't scared you, my intent in sharing was hopefully so you could better plan.
I started tx in mid Jan, I too have a very mentally and physically demanding job. I worked until the beginning of May, and up to that point had phoned in sick many times. When I was at work, I was very fatigued, short of breathe, dizzy on occasion, and mentally foggy, forgetful and difficulty focusing. I spent all of my breaks laying down, I went to bed as soon as I got home from work, and my days off were mostly spent in bed recouping. I hated to make the decision to stop working, but I needed to take care of myself, and also realize that my inability to work to my full potential, would also affect others. My boss was very understanding, as I had forwarned her at the outset, that I may or may not be abe to work through this. My position will be held for me til I get back. Money is very tght at the moment, but I'm getting by,and my health is important.
Having said all that, everyone responds to tx differently, and we all have dirrerent jobs and demands in our lives. Some people work right through, some cut their hrs. a bit. Good luk to you, and I hope I haven't scared you, my intent in sharing was hopefully so you could better plan.
As Andiamo1 said, it varies tremendously from person to person. You just can't know how it will affect your work until you give it a try. I am on week 7 of TX and I am still working full time but I have modified it a bit. I had accrued vacation that I am using to take Mondays off so that I take my shot on Friday night and then I have Sat, Sun and Mon to give myself extra time to rest before I start my work week. It is working well for me. I, however, do have a desk job that takes me to task mentally but, of course, not physically.
Best of luck to you!
Best of luck to you!
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