Feeling discouraged

[Ironpony]

I seriously cannot imagine another 24-48 weeks like this.  I really feel like a prisoner to this and it's just my 2nd week. I get winded walking around very quickly and it's keeping me on the couch and in bed all day. I feel useless. What have you all done to get by?

[AKHepper]

you are right, the day after the shot is the worst. It takes about 4 days for me to start feeling halfway normal again. I'm 19 weeks into my second treatment, it has gotten easier the farther in I get, I used to just sit in the chair and moan and groan for 3 days, now it's not as bad.
You just have to take it one day at a time, when it's finally over it'll just seem like a bad dream.

[orphanedhawk]

It really does vary day by day, week by week.

Often, I force myself outside to walk while my body  is saying, 'no take a nap'.
Once I get moving, I feel better. There have been days I don't take my walk, usually a day or two after my shot, but my walks have helped me immensely.

The other thing is to take your mind off how you feel.
Watch old comedies, listen to music you love.
Avoid the news, and keep it light.

If this helps any, let me tell you, I lost my first liver to hep C. You are doing this to save your liver and not to go through the experience of a transplant.
Keep the goal in mind.

Be sure to tell your doctor about all your side effects. Often they can help but they have to know.

Good luck~
OH

[skiyaltr]

Thought and prayers are with you.  It was said above ' Eye on the Prize'.

The triple treatment is working for a lot of people so that makes it worthwhile.  When I did SOC, I tortured through 24 weeks and it didn't work.

Day by day.  

I know you can do it.

[FaithforHealing]

So sorry to hear this. I hope that having all of these kind and caring people standing with you helps.

I am only being screened for tx right now, not looking forward to it although so hoping to have a chance at a cure. It's a rather double edged sword.

My thoughts, which I no doubt may lose sight of in the midst of sheer misery during tx, are that the x number of months of misery may be adverting a possible x number of years of misery, or may extend my time and joy on this earth with friends, family, children, and grandchildren.

I can see myself (down the road) telling someone with these same words/sentiments to me, to go take a hike. Timing is everything and my words are not meant to be simplistic, but rather thinking ahead and trying to take the walk you are walking.

I will keep everyone's suggestions in mind, well actually I am writing them down, for when I have to walk in your shoes.

Take care and know you are in the thoughts and prayers of many.

[flcyclist]

Good to hear the rash and other sides aren't becoming the major issue and very smart to get them under control quickly.  The beginning is truely the hardest part as you try to adjust to these new meds.  It can be overwhelming on some days thinking there's no way you can sustain this for the amount of time necessary.  Its best to think of it as a day to day challenge, each day you make it through, one less day to the end of the week.  Then suddenly that week is over and onto the next.  

Getting up and moving around, whatever you can do is so much better than sitting on the couch all day long.  If I feel exhausted on a given day and decide to do nothing, by the end of the day I often feel worse.  If you can muster up a little energy to do something, you will be surprised at the resulting benefits.  Just do what you can and realize some days will be much better than others.  

Many have noticed that after the Friday evening Inf shot they feel some delay since it is time released, then have a rough Sunday/Monday following.  Then each day gets a little better until the next shot and repeat all over.  At least this has been my experience.  Hang in there and try to do this a day at a time.  We can do this.  Best to you.

[micheall]

I tried icing myself down before bed to help with the itch or walk outside till my body cooled off.I even kept clothes in my fridge to put on before bed to cool the itch.Ice packs work well to.Hope your doing better.Wishing you well and I'm cheering for you.