Just need to vent

[onemistakeat18]

I started my treatment on 1-30-09. I am so tired. I do my shot on Friday nights and I have such bad diarrhea on Wed and thursday I can't stand it. My white counts are dropping and so are my platelets. they are sending to me hematology/oncology this week. I feel at times I could loose my mind. Noise bothers me. I'm not sleeping much at night, but am scared to take a sleeping pill for fear of the "hung over feeling" and having to go to work.
I really don't have any questions, this is the only place I feel I can say how I really feel. I find out next month if tx is working. I pray to God it is since I have felt like hell now. I have'nt missed any work or any of my kids functions though-I am pushing myself to function. Trying to drink lots of fluid and get some exercise--haha not much exercise though.
I just feel like the meds are building up and I'm gonna start to get sicker. I have an odd rash on both of the tops of my hands--near my knuckles--any one have such a rash on treatment?

[Isobella]

I'm glad that you came here to vent. That's what we're here for.  I am so sorry you are feeling rough right now.  

I always seem to have some type of itchy rash somewhere and I use a prescription cortisone cream.  Maybe try some of the OTC stuff like Meakea suggested and if that doesn't work ask to see a dermatologist.  Don't let it get away from you though....better to get relief sooner that later.  

In addition to the prescription creme, I take atarax.  It helps with the itchies and helps you sleep-with no hang over.  

Hang in there.  It's tough right now, but it won't last.  After you get through this initial adjusting....you may coast along for a while.  

We're all pulling for you =)

[kittyface]

I admire you for working and taking care of other people through tx and sleep deprivation.  Please take other's advice here about sleeping aids.

Rash is common.  For diarrhea you may want to buy some good probiotics at a health food store (refrigerated).  Keep switching to different ones because there's thousands of types of bacteria in our colons.

If just finished 48 weeks and couldn't get out of bed most of the time --  if it makes you feel any better, the discomfort is a vague memory now.  This will pass.  Take one day at a time and please try to rest more.

Best regards,

Kittyface

[DB 0]

I used Trazadone also,it was a great help to get the rest you need.

[jdwithhcv]

Weeks 8-12 were really hard for me.  Week 8 I was hospitalized for transfusion, started on procrit, and went out of work on disability.  After a month or so the procrit helped and I became accustomed to some of the sx.  It took a while to adjust, but eventually I did, and so will you.  Hang in there and good luck.

jd

[charm27]

We know what your going thru! Its OK to vent , thats what the forum is about. I didnt have a rash, but noise even the slightest sound drove me nuts! God forbid they mowed my lawn a few times Ihad to tell them to stop I couldnt tolerate it. Even talking to people was almost impossible for me. What your going thru is normal. ALL I can say is hang in there I did 55 weeks and it was hard for me however I made it thru. Its a long journey, try to rest and move slowly thats all I can suuggest and DRINK as much as you can.
Water and liquids) Wish we had a magic cure. My fatiguE was bad too due to very low HGB.
Just know you are doing your liver good! One day at a time.
Be well.
Charm

[meakea]

Hang in there, it most likely will get better for you.  I was hit hardest in the early weeks of my TX and, now, at week 30 I'm actually functioning better than I was in the beginning.  I really don't do anything except go to work and then come home and do the bare necessities and then rest to go to work the next day but I am doing it.

As far as the rash...very, very common.  If it's in a small area, such as your knuckles, you might try over the counter hydrocortisone cream mixed with aquaphilic or something like that.  Hydrocortisone cream can dry out the skin so mixing it with a lotion helps the dryness.  

Good luck.  Taking care of children and working is quite a challenge while on TX but pace yourself and say "no" as much as you can to extra curricular duties.

[jankar]

I take Zopliclone - as for the hung over feeling - how can you tell? Which comes first, the chicken or the egg - in this case, the Interferon, the riba, the sleeping pills or anything else we have to take to get through.  

I got pretty sick the first 16 weeks but now on Week 26 things are better. Or maybe I have put in some comping strategies that help me manage better. I say No a lot and only work two days now instead of full time.  I gave up exercise - short walks is alI can manage, I get so tired and breathless.  Weights are supposed to be good, or Pilates.

[nygirl7]

Ambien didn't give me any hung over feeling at all.  Compared to the feeling of 72 weeks of treatment it was nothing.

What you are feeling is actually very common, you really can't do anything except hang in there and remember WHY you are doing it and what the goal is.  Once you get the news of SVR - you'll get this treatment amnesia and you won't even remember what this was like.

Promise!

[GSDgirl]

Hi, sorry that you are feeling pretty right about now.  I didn't get the rash but I think others did, or if I did I was too miserable to notice.  My PCP put me on trazadone (or trazodone) to help me sleep, no morning after hangover feeling.  He started me at 50mg and said that I could take as much as 100 or 150 mgs.  Good Luck
Denise