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?

[working dog]

keep up on that blood work!! if your tanking there are things that can be done to help...when you first tank its awful..i didn't even know what anemia was when i first started tanking...my hgb dropped from 15 to 8 in a couple weeks...once i got through the incivek the really low hgb was easier to tolerate...3 months post i'm still low at 12 but feeling pretty good...i was doing 2 cbcs a week for a while to keep track of things.. exercise didn't work for me..i was too out of it..my gf took my pulse a lot and it went way up trying to get that blood around...can you post new cbc #?....good luck...hang in there....billy

[crigger]

Hang in there.  Somedays I feel like a prisoner in my on body. I try to stay in the day. If you think of weeks and months to come that's when you want to give up.  Set very small goals for each day.        I was walking in the begining but now I can not make it down the drive way. Hbg 8.3    I am now on week 18.

[pooh55811]

I do agree about the exercise, even if just a little.

[can-do-man]

" You're going to hate me for saying this, but if there's any way you can exercise for just 20 minutes a day, you will feel better, I promise!"

100% agree with stormy, this early into treatment and staying in bed all day will only make things worse... Best to you.

[pooh55811]

I am in week 23 (starting week 24 today with 24th inj.). I felt pretty wiped out on Incivek. I think not expecting too much in terms of energy is a good start. Some days you will have more energy and other days you may have none. I don't plan many things and don't do much either. I do try to do at least one constructive thing a day. I really got tired on Incivek and winded also. It is better now off Incivek but I won't be running any marathons any time soon.

One thing, keep a good check on your blood count. Your Hemoglobin can drop fast and it will make you feel really tired and weak if it is low. Mine never dropped below 11 but I still had a fast heart rate and felt pretty exhausted. I had my blood counts drawn every week but some do every 2 weeks. You might want to call the doc and get one soon.

As far as feeling like a prisoner, well, I have to say, I call this my lost year. I think if you try to do your best and don't have too high of expectations in terms of what you will get done, you will manage. I think a person just has to accept the fact that the drugs can make one feel pretty crappy and if one wants to get rid of the virus, a few months of feeling crappy may be what it takes. I let just about everything go (house cleaning, etc.) and do what I can. I don't plan much so I am not disappointed when I feel to crappy to do anything. I do plan a few things for my best days (for me that is Sunday and I have season tickets to the symphony and season tickets to a chamber music series on Sundays). I don't try to do anything in the eve as I am way too tired, even now, plus, frankly, the every 8 hour fat ingestion and med taking takes all of my time and energy. It does get better once you are off the Incivek. I noticed the difference almost immediately.

I think just try to get through it. Try not to think of how you don't know how you will make it another few months. Thinking months of feeling crappy is very depressing and discouraging. Take it day by day and, believe it or not, it goes fast. And, you will, feel better off the Incivek.

Incidentaly, Interferon can cause depression so if you think you are getting depressed be sure to talk with your doc and see a psychiatrist. You may need antidepressants during treatment. Many of us are on them and they do help a lot.

Keep your eye on the prize, geting rid of the virus. That is the goal and you can make it there. Best of luck.

[stormy456]

I understand how tough this is.  But as Susan said, you won't necessarily feel this way throughout your entire treatment.  You're going to hate me for saying this, but if there's any way you can exercise for just 20 minutes a day, you will feel better, I promise!  I've had to practically force my husband to move his body some days, but he ALWAYS feels better after.  Nothing strenous, maybe just a gentle walk.  Getting your blood moving seems to help immensely.

You'll find great support here.  You can do this, so many others have before you, just don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it - from your doctor, friends and family, and this forum.   Best - Stormy