I am going into week 30 of tx and looking forward to another 18wks. I was functioning pretty well weeks 12-23,but the last 6 weeks I have been feeling totally burned out and sick of the fatigue,mood swings, depression and especially the hair loss! I know that so many people have it worse, but I still feel like having a one woman pity party and I know that I can vent here and everyone will understand that I just have to get the "poor me" feelings out before I lose it! I am trying to stay strong through prayer and faith, but I am struggling everyday to get out of bed,get myself and two little ones ready to leave for the babysitter and then go to work,pick the kids up and go home to do it all over the next day.I am tired of a two hour task taking me fours to accomplish and then feeling like I spent 8 hours of energy on a four hour shift. I am considering taking FMLA for the last part of my tx, but I am worried about $$ and keeping my benefits. I am tired of trying to work full time and be a full time Mom to my kids, without my husband around to support me, Any advice out there from you working single parents? I am torn about this, I have always been able to work and take care of my family, but I am really burned out and need to make some changes so that I can give my full effort towards getting better while taking care of my kids. I am grateful for any comments because I know that all of you can understand the toll hepc and the tx take on the body and mind.

I learned that I was hep c positive in Jan.02. Tried to get mortgage insurance and after a physical was sent a letter denying coverage due to the hep c positive result.How many others have learned that way and said what the hell is hep c and how do I deal with this? I had my first biopsy in June of 02 and doc. said I could wait for treatment due to my age and the slow progression of virus,etc. I tried to get into a study, but ended getting pregnant before I could get into the study. My daughter was born with many heatlh problems and was later diagnosed with cerebal palsy,diabetes insipidus, optic atrophy. I had to put off treatment again and gyn would not prescribe birthcontrol pills because of hep c, liver functions,etc . Long story short I got pregnant again with my 3year old, I have a 16 yr old son in addition to my younger two and two teen age step daughters. In addition to trying to work full time. Talk about FATIGUE!!! Also my husband is in recovery for addiction and has been since March, he will not be out until Sept. Praise the Lord though that I am the only member of my family hcv positive! I started a study in Nov. with Interferon inj, 1x week and the ribaviran 5 times a day. After four weeks of treatment I started on the study drug-don't know if I had placebo or not.The study drug is boceprevir and after week 6 of treatment levels of virus were undetected! Praise the Lord, I was told I had a 40% chance of responding to treatment w/ my genotype (1). The side effects have been up and down. The first week I was in bed ridden but I changed my diet added only water cut out fats,sugars,red meats. Added fresh fruit,veggies,fish,chicken,whole grains. I lost 25lbs (yay! The baby weight is gone!) I was feeling great March thru May. June hit and the fatigue and depression are hitting me hard. I am considering taking medical leave from work until treatment is over in October. I don't want to give into this, but I am getting burned out and I am only making enough to pay daycare and insurance. I am staying with my Mom, a foreclosure on my home of 11yrs because my husband was too strung out on suboxone to work. That **** is evil! If anyone else out there is familiar with suboxone you know what I mean. I finally had to tell my boss why I am working reduced hours (thank God I have a job that affords me with the ability to work flex hours) I couldn't hide my sickness any longer and that was actually a liberating experience for me. I am not a lazy person and can not stand being too sick to give more to my kids and to my job. I feel like I am slacking in all areas of my life, but I dont know how much harder I can work before becoming completely run down. I am sick of being sick and just want to feel good again.I am praying for strength and guidance from God to keep on keeping on!