The End is the New Beginning...Hopefully

[Mr. Pink]

Did my last shot on Fri. (#24). I know that I should keep taking the rib. for another week; but I have enough for maybe five days after that. Am I kidding myself by continuing to take the rest of rib. after offical end of tx? I know intellectually that I should stop and just hope for the best, but my fear of relapse is the final dragon that I need to slay. My wife and I also want to celebrate after tx and go have a very nice meal with an expensive glass of wine. But I am terrifed that that drop of alcohol will kick the virus back into gear?
Will let everyone know what happens with follow up tests. I want to thank everyone here for being that shoulder as well as that kick that one needs to keep going when one feels that they cannot take tx any longer. In general, tx wasn't that bad, give or take a few days. Below are the major sx from tx that I felt during my 24 weeks:

[ladybug52]

Congratulations, I say have a glass of fine wine, But expect to hear a lot of pouring gasoline on a fire comments re: the liver and alcohol.
BTW, didn't you post about a rash on your face that was embarassing to have around students? I may have the details wrong, but I thought you posted about kids being mean and having to deal with a rash on your face. Wrong person?

[SandyBreeze]

Congratulations!

[bobbyullc]

RE: GLASS OF WINE. ONCE IT IS DEAD IT CANNOT BE MYSTERIOUSLY BE BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE. GOOOOOOD LUCK. LETS US KNOW.

[pigeonca]

Congratulations on finishing.  I sure understand that desire for dinner and wine; wine's what I think I miss most about this regime. For myself, I plan to wait six months after tx before I use any alcohol.  Maybe overcautious, but I do not want to go through this again.  

Living in California, I can't wait to go tasting again at my favorite wineries and to discover new wineries anywhere in the world.  However, I've also decided that the nightly glass of red is out, maybe forever.  Hopefully I can have a nice bordeaux once or twice a week, when the meal is good enough to merit it.  A votre sante.

[honey11]

Hey Congratulations on finishing up!  Personally,,I would restrain from having a glass of wine. Your mission is to reach SVR and you are just now finishing up.  Just my opinion but I'm sure others may think no harm.  Hope you are reporting SVR soon!!

[traveler65]

Great for you Mr Pink. Glad to hear you made it through. I can't believe that a glass of wine could bring it back. If that is so, then it is not really ever gone. I would probably wait until my 6 mo post tx pcr, and if still SVR treat the rest of life like anyone else.
I am gen2 also, and am at 5 weeks. I was RVR at my 4 week pcr. so far the sx are not to bad. Hope I can make it through.

[wyntre9]

I'm so happy for you!  Congrats on finishing TX.

[doxzee]

Thank you for the heads up on your major sx. I am new to tx. 1st. wk. but so far no sx. I am geno 2 also. I wish you the best & to remain SVR. Have that glass of wine when you can! Thanks again & take care!

[Penelope1911]

Congratulations!!!!! BUT YOU MUST FINISH THE RECOMENDED RIBA DOSAGE!!!!! Cross that finish line COMPLETELY!!! I won't even comment on the "glass of alcohol" issue, sorry. But again, WAY TO GO!!!!!!!! Mequila.

[Mr. Pink]

1. Was not very fatigued until the very end. Today I was so winded that just trying to keep up a conversation felt like I needed a shot of pure oxygen. Mornings are the worst for me, it takes me forever to get out of bed, and even the idea of doing something becomes a challenge at the moment.  
2. Flu symptoms where not that severe, though here and there I was hit harder than usual.    
3. Occasional depression would come and go in a blink of an eye. It always happend at the worst moments and the most public of places. Kind of funny, actually; I would be in tears for the equivalent of somebody stubbing their toe, or even something of less conseqeunce.(These reactions made no sense to any one, and they were probably thinking that I was loosing my mind!)  
4. Rage was something I had to keep in check more than anything; especially because my work consists of heavy interaction with people.
5. Rashes were not that bad, though I did get them around where injected. I would also get sores in my mouth; and even when I did not have any I would wake up in the morning spitting out traces of blood (this was way into tx)    
6. Two dire events that really rattled me. One time, somewhere between shots 18-20, I was standing in a check-out line, when everyting started to blur, I thought I was going to go blind right there on the spot and was the scariest thing I ever felt in all my 47 years (besides the first notification of HCV!). Another time I was in a cab and all of sudden I was getting so dizzy it felt like the cab was veering literally on one side. This feeling of intense vertigo was located in my eyes/vision.

*When I started tx it seemed like forever before it would end. I just hope this is it and to everyone on tx: keep your head up and remember, you are never alone in this fight.

That is all for now...till later

Mr. Pink