side effcts of treatment

[creepymouse]

I am going this week to find out when im starting tx. My question is how sick do you get from tx. Is it possible to continue work or did you all find yo were to sick? Just wanted to thank those of you who offered your input.

[johnny75]

I don't really understand your question. Because of the side effects fr. treatment, I took a medical leave for 3 months. I'm on week 19/24 now going back to work next week.

[Crushie]

I am 4 months into treatment and I have experienced almost of all the side effects to varying degrees.

In the very beginning I got a lot of flu like symptoms with chills and headaches, stomach pains on and off.

Now I have some light flu symptoms not to much and they go away with Tylenol.  I get tired fast and can not as much as I normally do.  I am still working my job full time but I am an Administrator and sit behind a desk and computer.  Then again, I am also a competitive Triathlete and Marathon Runner, I am still doing most of my workouts but at a VERY SLOW pace and I had to cut all my miles, and no racing until I am done with treatment.  The fact that I can still swim 1 mile, run 5 miles and spin for about 1 hour and weight train is good enough for me.

I also experienced some rage, depression and irritability but it is hardly ever, mostly around PMS.  I experience some very mile nausea from time to time, but I still eat pretty normal meals, maybe a little less.

Some added muscle fatigue and sorness.

It is all managable and thank God it is temporary until you complete treatment.

[headshop]

Does your symptoms of hep c mimic the side effects of treatment? I start tx in May, am getting an FMLA form filled out for my employer so I can be out during the bad days, if need be.
I am only 13 months from having 30 years with the City, trying to make it to that and past if health allows. If I have to retire early I would have to pay for my insurance and a lot of out of pocket expenses, the personnel bennefits official said maybe I should look into getting disability if early retirement happened to cover the insurance costs.

Has anyone had any experiences with this stuff and can give me some input.
Thanks

[almanu]

hi mate im starting tx next week and am just as nervous and in the dark as you i guess we just have to jump and see, i just tought id comment to let you know your no alone, this site is a massive help to me i hope it is to you,
all the best
almanu

[johnny75]

Side effects are different on each one. Based on just what I experienced, I'd say take like first 2 or 3 weeks off and see whether you can return to work.
I didn't plan well for the start of my treatment. I sneaked out of work and took my 1st TX at clinic in the morning and came back work. Didn't eat very well as my normal work day. I started shaking up with chills at 4pm and hurry back home. My 1st 3, 4 days were worst with constant headache day and night.
But the headache was gone at week 2, but left with common sides like fatigue, cough, weekness ..
I went back to work at week 3 but lasted only a few days with stress and sleeping problems. Took 3 months off. Feeling much better and going back to work next month with only 5 weeks left of TX.
Good luck and all the best....

[H20Lover]

As stated, all are different and you just won't know until you try.  

I was able to work, but I sit on my butt in an air conditioned office all day.  Have not missed one day of work.  Lethargy though has been my biggest battle.  Just don't want to work, but have to make myself (working hard now you can see).

I stressed over it and then found out it was not that bad, but I have been lucky.  My blood counts got down into the Alert area, but made it without the helper drugs.

Good luck to you, hopefully you will have little sides.  

I don't know if there is a correlation between having a hard time of it and a better chance of clearing.  I have been clear since at least week 4 and hope to be clear forever.  Time will tell.  I would be curious how others feel about any correlation between the 2.

Pam

[merry1244]

I have been on tx for almost 4 months and have had all the side effects so far, I had worked outside in creeks carrying equipment taking water samples in the very hot weather, and have not been able to do that job since i started tx, I would not have ebeen able to even work in an office during this time, I am finally starting to feel better but every time I do something physical it knocks me back for a couple of days again.

[pjhep80]

i worked the whole six months i was on tx...  side effects were head & body aches, slight nausea, about 3 months ini started having gastro problems (bad stomach pains), still have that on and off to this day and i treated over 2 years ago... and the teeth thing, had to have 4 pulled after tx

i would say my side effects were very mild compared to some, i was on virimadine trial and not riba so i did not have the anemia problems many have either

but it didnt work anyway ...

im wondering the people on here with really bad side effects if the tx worked for them and if bad sides are an indication that is working or something...i dont kno...

[mar148]

I have just completed 6 months of treatment.  My side effects were fatigue, mild fever and a nauseous feeling at the beginning.  I did lighten my work load and have rest time in the afternoon.  Most of my symptoms were manageable with tylenol and I did end up on a very mild low dose of a anti-depressant.  I was particularly irritable.

Many people work, there may be a few days that get you down.  Every one is different and severity of the symptoms vary by person and at different times.  You do adjust to them and manage them as time goes on, I found.  Some people do have much more severe symptoms, but many find they can work with the sides.  Your doctor can help with many of them.

Anyway I was scared to death before and it wasn't half as scary as I feared.