wk. 9 of 12 on riba+sov+peg

[rosefoster]

Hi guys. Although this is not a question, im writing this post to open myself up to questions from others who may be starting this treatment,  and are anywhere near as nervous/or scared as I was.

I guess ill start by giving my backround. Im genotype 3a. Im 25, and im not sure how long I have had the disease.  I found out I jad it in July 13, and after my diagnosis I found out both of my parents (who were addicts) had it. So there is a slim chance I have had it my whole life, but chances are I was exposed to it at some point during my life feom one of them. Otherwise I am generally healthy (I id smoke and drink until I started treatment) I did not have a biopsy, but from the u/s and the tests of my liver,  my doc believes there is no damage. The only reason I found out I had it was because I was im the military, and donated blood. Unfortunately led to my separation from the military,  and that I why I chose to treat now, and with the triple therapy as opposed to just riba/sovaldi (12 weeks> 24 weeks).

I was very nervous about treatment.  I scoured this page and others trying to learn EVERYTHING I could. I wanted to know how other preople handled it, so I could be prepared for the worst. I read horror stories of anemia, being violently sick, getting horribly depressed. I prepared myself to experience even some form of ths. But then I started, and I have to admit, its so much easier than expected. I have definently had some side effects, but they are all very managable. My side effects include itchy, irritated skin and sensativity to sun. I think this has been the hardest part of the treatment by far, especially being an active person in the summer in CA, where the only way to avoid it is to basically stay inside. Also my skin gets so irritated just from the riba that I feel like im gonna scratch my skin off. For that I have been using benadryl and hydrocortisone cream. Other side effects are trouble sleeping, lack of energy,  and loss of appetite. Also I have noticed some mood changes (sometimes anxious, othertimes ill cry other something as small as people singing happy birthday). When it comes to interferon,  sides have been for the most party mild. I get achy, diarrhea (sorry I had to throw it in there), and maybe a little more tired. There were 2 occasion however where it did makw me sicker than I have ever been in my life. My 3rd week I fell asleep after my injection and woke up 2 hrs later with the worat flu symptoms ever (headache, fever, nauseaus) but feel back asleep and woke up tired and sore, but otherwise fine the next day. Wk. 5, the day after tge shot, I woke up feeling a little ill, and by the afternoon I progrssed to the worst ive ever felt. Think of your worst flu, multiply it by 10, and thats about how I felt. But again it subsided by the evening and I havent had tbe same since.

So anyway,  there is just a bit about my experience so far. Like I said the purpose of this post is to kind of give encouragement and a chance to ask questions. I just know that when I was researching, the majority of posts (allthough there are posative posts) were how aweful this tx is. My doctor once said to steer clear of these message boards because the only people who write on here are the ones that feel aw3ful, because if tgey fwlt good they wouldn't take the time, and I was giving myself unnecessary anxiety by reading them. I have to say I half agree with him. I havent been very active on here because I have felt so good, but at the same time I feel these pages are a very useful tool for those with HCV. Its not an easy thing to talk about with people because they just dont understand the way we do, and it getts exhausting trying to explain it to people. Anyway I hope this helps someone in someway. Good luck to all!!!

[rosefoster]

Hello. Sorry for a delayed response,  but this week has been a bit busy. So far my blood has stayed in a good range (last CBC shoeed 11.2), so no anemia. As far as food, all my doctor told me was to avoid fast food, because it may make me feel sicker, and to take my morning meds with fat, because it helps the meds absorb. Other than that I suggest you eat what sounds good (but try to keep it balanced). My appetite has decreased quite a bit, as well as my weight because im just not hungry, and when I try to force myself to eat, id feel sick. So whenever something actually sounds appealing, I eat it lol. As preparing I suggest drinking LOTS of water. You can really tell a differnce.  Also, try to set up a strong support group. As embarrassed as I was to tell my friends about my diagnosis, once I did they have become like soliders in my army, battling this disease right along side me. I think having people who understand and give u encouragement along the way is really beneficial. Other than that just try to stay as active as possible...the other comments on here all have good advice too! I took my 10th shot last night...2 more to go!

[libnic84]

Oh yes.   I am someone who gets super tan but on treatment I got sun poisoning twice.  Sunscreeeeeeen please. I was irritable but celexa fixed that.

[susan400]

I've done MANY treatments.  With every one, every time, the fatigue is always there.  It hits me probably worse than the other side effects.  And brain fog!!  And irritability.  But, with that being said, my long time experience has taught me that I have to force myself to get up and get moving even when it is SO HARD, because when I lay down all the time and stay in the bed or on the couch, I feel worse.  I feel more depressed, more emotional, more muscle and bone pain.  So, even though off of treatment I go to the gym about every day, when on this treatment I've cut it back to like 3 x a week and on the days I don't go to the gym, I do light exercise here at home by walking on the treadmill like 20 min, rest, come back a couple of hours later, do another 20, then, do some on my stationary bike. Lift my little 3 lbs hand weights and do yoga-like stretches.  This all helps SO much with depression and everything.  But, I don't use an antidepressant because the side effects of the antidepressant for me is worse than skipping it and doing the above.  I also have extremely sensitive skin to the sun so, even though it's summer if I have to go outside, I am going to need to be in long sleeves, long pants and a visor cap with sunscreen on my exposed skin.  I try to do my errands in the morning so that this is easier to handle.  Drink lots of water.  I also want to reinforce to always take the Ribavirin with enough food to actually do some good.  If you take it with a cracker or a scoop of ice cream, that is probably not enough food to help it absorb.  I know it's hard to eat much on treatment, but the Riba is absorbed better when taking it with a meal.    
Susan400

[libnic84]

When I did triple therapy with vic last year i was scared because of all the terrible things i've read.     The month lead in was fine i was still at the gym alot of days. When i started vic i became so anemic.  I wasnt sick i was just beat all the time.  Cant really complain too much.  I relapsed though.. I am about to start my solvadi treatment today or tomorrow.  My doctor seems to think i will have very minor side effects since she thinks its was the victrelis that was so tough on my blood levels.   Even though i was close to blood transfusions all  the time i still worked full time 12 hour days 3 days a week and had a second job had a 6 year old and am single.   I think people who do breeze through tx tend not to post.

[beckland]

Hi, thank you for your post. I will be starting riba+sov+peg for 12 weeks in August.  I am 48 yrs. Old. I found out three years ago i have hep c. I think ive had it for 25 years from a tattoo. Im genotype 1 mild inflammation and mild scaring. I was scared to do the treatment three years ago and i am still, but knowing its for only 12 weeks make it better..So were u ever anemic from the treatment?  And what type of foods do you need to eat with the meds? What do you recommend for me to do to get ready for treatment?  Thank you for posting.

[rosefoster]

I think my doc more or less was just trying to make me feel better because I did have alot of anxiety about treatment before hand, and reading some of the stuff had me worried and calling him lol. Luckily he is a really good doctor who always took my calls to ease my fears, and didnt want me to back out before even starting because I was scared. I do however think once I chilled out the forum did become really helpful, especially when it came to managing side effects. I had initially planned on being very active on this board during my treatment, but I felt like initially I didnt have much to say. Its just that now im so close to the end, and cant believe it flew by so fast, and just wanted to let people know it was totatlly worth it for me. But like I said, this is just my story.  I know everyone is affected differently,  and just because it was mild for me, doesnt mean that it wont be worse for someone else.

[dontworry_behappy1]

"My doctor once said to steer clear of these message boards because the only people write on here are ones that feel awful, because if they were good they wouldn't take the time, and I would give myself unnecessary anxiety by reading them".  
_______________________________________

Wow isn't that interesting.  I feel great and have posted with many others who
take the time to help with the questions doctors don't seem to have answers for.  I didn't come on this forum and complain about how bad treatment was.
I came here for support to know when the doctor told me I was just fine...
and wasn't ......I found the answer and told my doctor exactly what I needed.
Hepatitis C treatment is a heavy drug therapy and effects everyone differently.  Being able to communicate with others going through treatment is a must and a prescription should be written that you will be provided 24/7 support.  Not everyone has good communication skills to deal with health issues because they simple don't know what to ask for for the most part.  
This forum helps those people like yourself.  

I'm glad you posted and I enjoyed reading your story and your hand to help others who really need the help.  Hepatitis C is a never talked about subject.
Your right!  People don't know what the heck your taking about.  I won't lie..
I didn't have a clue what I was doing starting treatment.  Treatment can be complicated for some people.  You have to learn a new language.  Really!
Yes you really do and it would have been nice to have been directed to this forum for support.  I treated with one of the most difficult treatments- Incivek.
I didn't have bad sides but avoided them many due to this forum.  Your doctor is wrong about this online board.  My anxiety would have been over the top without it.  

Again, glad you posted and best to you.  

DWBH