48/48, now what?

[sindog]

Today I do shot 48, then last week of ribavirin. What about all the other stuff I'm taking. I take Clonazepam and Remeron for anxiety and depression, rotating Ambien and Lunesta for sleep, and Neupogen for low white cells. How long does it take to get off this stuff?

[friole]

sindog -- a big congrats.  When was your first clear?  I don't know  about most of the meds you were taking, but I was taking the Neupogen.  My white counts are rebounding slowly.  I did take 2 shots post tx and my hemotologist would have been happy if I took more.  She did say that sometimes after chemo, the blood counts never do rebound to where they were and she said that was not a big problem.  I am not sure about that, and hope they bounce back. WHat are your white and red counts now?  ARe you getting a final CBC and liver enzyme and PCR test next week when you are done with the RIBA?  I recommend continuing the the Neupo for a couple more weeks anyway.

BEAMER --- YOU ARE DONE------------  hooray, my friend.  Now just a week more of riba(?) -- then let the reconstruction begin.  Hope you didn't sell your Indian and you can take a road trip
frijole

[SoCal Lady]

You should talk to your doctor about how best to wean yourself from the medications you're taking.  It's definitely a no-no to quit some drugs, such as anti-depressants, cold-turkey.

Congratulations on completing the treatment!  Now you can get on with your life...

[GrandOak]

Congrats on your completion of tx and praying for your SVR as well.  As for what's next, I can't help you because you've gotten much farther than I, or farther than I may get.  There are several post-tx threads in the archives, might I suggest starting there?

[sunspot]

The last shot. Way to go. Sound the horns and beat the drums. You deserve a celebration.

[OkieJim06]

Congratulations on completing that is a milestone. 6 months post is your next one for SVR. As far as the meds. It is up to the individual except for the Neupogen. I'd make sure to talk to the doc. You don't want too many WBC's in your system they may start attacking good cells talk to the doctor.

[cajunlady]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  48/48 I am so excited for you.  Relax and enjoy things in life now.  On the other meds, check with your doctor.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Cajun

[honey11]

Congratulations Sindog!!  You should be able to slowly start stopping the other meds you are taking for sides pretty quick once you have finished your tx!
SVR!!!!

[NYgirl]

relax and enjoy SVR
and then come and help any newbies that might come in to deal with the life changing experience and tell them how it's worth it because you can be CURED like you were :)

[sindog]

Thanks all for support. I suppose I should feel overjoyed, but it is a little overwhelming. I feel a little lost and nervous. As for my family, they are ready to kick me out.

[SoCal Lady]

Be patient with yourself.  It may take months for you to clear the drugs from your system and to recover from the effects of the treatment.

Keep checking in with us to let us know how you're doing.  People are always interested in post-treatment experiences....

Be well and be happy, sindog!

[rochammer]

sindog

The only thing that is for sure with tx is you have to wait & wait & wait & wait.
Wait to finish the 48 weeks wait to get off all the med wait for the PCR at end of tx (EOT) wait to feel better wait to see if your SVR

I just finished 48 weeks (9/12) still have to wait to finish up the last few shots of Procrit

But you did it 48 weeks -Congratulations it will still be hard but I will get better just have to wait

I know how you feel! The waiting stinks.

Rock

[beamishboy]

i did shot 48 today also...ahhh,now just another week of the infernal pills-GOODLUCK & lets compare notes?

[Moniker]

Congratulations on being done with tx. Congratulations to beamishboy too.

When I finished treatment I stopped the Neupogen too. I've stayed on the antidepressants for a while longer. Talk to your doctor about that.

Good luck to us all.

Bob

[Algernon]

congrats on finishing!  now...in some ways, the waiting is the hardest part.  Waiting to feel normal.  Waiting for those PCR test results.

I slowly but surely felt better.  Took a couple of weeks to even notice much difference though.  Now about 4 months later, I feel about like I did pre TX (pretty damned good).

Still, I'm waiting on test results though.  All those posts above about patience are right on.  

By the way, I got off all drugs right away except the sleep ones.  Insomnia remains at this point.  

Good luck to you.  And remember to enjoy the fact that you are NOT poking yourself with sharp objects anymore.

Algie.

[Myown]

i pray you received svr also.