The treatment is meant to save your life. You have to "stick it out" to survive. I am a delivery driver for a small laundry. I chose to work through the treatment, I think it helped me through it, rather than laying around and feeling miserable. I will tell you that a treatment that recently became legal in Colorado helps alot with the side effects ;-/
It's hard to read and decipher all the info when you're so tired. Have you considered asking a friend or family member to help you navigate this? I know it's lonely when you feel so sick and can barely hold your head up, much less figure out how to keep going to pay for treatment.
The Guide is great! Get someone to help you understand it. You've made it this far. I too hate to see you stop now. Karen:)
there seems to be such a disconnect and lack of concern and consideration for how i am feeling everyday
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I hope you do not have to stop treatment. You are right. If your doctor won't support your decision that you are unable to work then you will have a hard time since you need him to confirm and documentation your debilitating symptoms
Is there a way to make your doctor understand what is happening to you is far worse, different or severe than fatigue or flu-like symptoms? If so this could be the way to manage and treat your side effects.
It sounds as if you do not quite have the level of support and understanding around you while you treat. It is odd since we basically look the same so people tend to expect the same level of performance. Many of us do not want to come of as whiners or high maintenance so we keep how we feel to ourselves. This is what is hopefully a short period of your life that does not have to be quite the struggle that it is.
I do not know your circumstances but you sound major stressed out and overwhelmed. Something has to give and I hope it is not your treatment. I think and hope that if you can address what is happening in this area that perhaps you will not need your short term disability.
To specifically address short term disability: It does take a degree of planning to file and get that ball rolling. I would start with your employee handbook or the HR department as well as getting your doctor on board with what has to happen.
This Guide to Hepatitis & Disability is from the HCVAdvocate site:
http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/Disability_Guide.pdf