scared s-less

[babs824]

i am finding that reading all the postings has me more anxious than i was. i dont start treatment for about 9 days and i am doing it by choice. doc did not push but favorable genotype and being semi retired helped me decide to put this part of my life behind me. im having second thoughts! yikes!

[blondie717]

It would be nice to hear more from people with no symptoms. I have heard of a few on this site and another I was just on. One dude drank tons of water hrs before shots and then 4 to 6?liters more after. then he went to gym to ride a bike. he said he never did have any side effects. Wow I imagine he sweat alot of bad stuff out, maybe detoxed his system? and wore himself out so he could sleep. kept busy so he did not get depressed? I think he took milk thistle too. Good luck to you. My mother died of the final stages of liver failure. She was a vodka drunk. (straight vodka instead of coffee) We were on the outs as her drinking made her bad company. How ever had I known she was in hospitol I would of been by her side. Some buero of maybe vital stastics? found me 2 yrs later. Im in OK and they were looking in Oregon. They found me through my ok drivers license. I called the mourge where her ashes were and the hospitol. They told me she suffered for over a month alone with no visitors. It is said to be a horible death. I would not wish that on anyone. Look into all that you can do for your self. like lots of h20, vit D? milk thistle, calomine tea, and Perhaps a B12 shot or 2 for energy. Good liver diet if ya can afford it. and exersize if you can? for sleep and depression. good luck to you and god bless you.

[Isobella]

I can so relate to the pre-tx anxiety.  The relief of finally starting carried me through the first weeks so I didn't really notice any sx in the beginning.  And when they did hit, they were mild.  Marcia is correct in that we don't hear much from the ones that aren't having many problems.  

I also based my treating on it being a good time in my life to do so, worked part time and going to school part time.  It allows us control that will make it easier to listen to our bodies when they tell us to slow down.

It's good to be able to come here and vent, post your troubles and look for advice in handling your sx....no matter what it is, chances are good someone can help.

Good luck to you.....if I'm doing the math right you should be starting right about now.

Let us know =)
Isobella

[Diane12855]

Your wait is almost up. You can do this.

As said above, the sx aren't pleasant, but they are doable for most people. During my first month I had the mistaken idea that every new sx was going to be with me for the duration, and that scared me really badly. Now I know that the sx come and go some days are bad, or some hours are bad, but then they go away and things are better. Since you are semi retired you can lay down when they get uncomfortable and reassure yourself that they will go away in a little while and you can get on with what you were doing. Just keep expectations of yourself to a minimum and when you can do more, you will be pleasantly surprised.

Diane

[Steve']

babs824 I urge you to relax mentally & let each day pass by, do not think too far ahead because nobody knows the future. Go ahead with the Tx I did it for the 2nd time with the best possible results SVR ... yes it got tough at times but I always kept the thoughts in my head that nothing would be as bad as having liver failure from severe Hep-C complications ... Be strong in your head ...

[babs824]

thanks frijole for your kind words. yes i have been in the closet for decades as i have been in the food business and the h word scares everyone! finally i retired so i can come out!!

[frijole]

The pre-treatment anxiety is horrendous.  I think we all remember that.  But it does get better as soon as you take that first shot.  The reaction to treatment is so variable that no one can tell you what your reaction will be.  One thing for sure, though, is that you will find at least one person and probably a slew of them that have been through the same thing.  That is why I found this forum so valuable (I treated in 05/06 and relapsed so I am constantly checking here for what is new and to say hi to old friends).

Most of us have found that as you progress in the treatment the outside world does not understand.  Whether you have chosen to tell everyone or not (I chose not to tell) they won't understand, but we will.

So, although no one can resolve your pretreament anxiety, rest assured that you have found a good home here.  Welcome to the forum.  In 9 days your anxiety will be history.

frijole

[Marcia2202]

Hi Babs, this might cheer you up a bit

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Thanks-to-Everyone/show/1334713

[Marcia2202]

Please don't be scared. I remember reading all the possible terrible things which happen to people during treatment. It helped me prepare myself for the worst, but hope for the best.

It's not tough for everyone. And most of the people who have quite an easy time do not post on forums.

What genotype are you, 2 or 3?

[Fmulder]

What are your biopsy results, Iv'e had it for 30 years and my results are still mild (F1), I choose not to do the current treatments with NO regrets!, Better treatments are around the corner, Unless your liver is seriously compromised I would consider waiting!, My opinion....

[portann]

Yup, reading all this stuff can be a two-sided coin - it can prepare you or scare the dickens out of you.

I somehow plunged into learning about side effects by experience, instead of first reading about them.

In hindsight, that was a good thing for me.

If you're an easy genotype, and it's a good time in your life, then go for it. You may have easy sides but if not, there's always a way to get through the tough stuff, with help and support.

[carol411]

You are in a great position to get through this and get on with your life.  Being semi retired gives you the freedom to slow down when your body wants to.  Most of my problems are because of work and the inability to go lie down when I'm feeling bad.  And pushing through just makes me feel sicker.  I wish I'd waited to retire, but I'm too far into it to even think about starting over some other time.  Don't let us scare you!  There are a lot of people we never hear from because they aren't having trouble treating and have no questions.  I hope you are one of those lucky ones.