Poll on working through tx

[Lady Lauri]

  I was at a toss up on which side to post this, decided here.

  In a post it was quoted as -possibly, not a 'study' - that maybe 95% of people work thru tx. I have 'guesstimated' less in reading here, so curious to have a 'poll' on this. I was out (of the physical part) of work by week 4, and I really intended, expected and tried to work. I was slammed at week 4 and was surprised! My last 2-3 days 'on the job' .... a son went with me and customers ended up helping and making me sit down! I hadn't said a word, looked like I was going to fall on my face (was about to! Stubborn.)
This may be hard to 'poll' as I know many did work, while suffering badly due to couldn't afford not to, loosing job, etc. How about.....

A.) Could not work at all. Adding type of work (physical or desk type jobs.)
B.) Worked, suffered through it.
C.) Worked and was okay.

Also, In my opinion...... the easier we take it on ourselves (if possible) the better our body can fight and heal, so during tx many things just need to be 're-prioritized' to give yourself the best chance.

Just curious as this is some rough meds!                          LL

[alagirl]

I'm with you, had the entire pre-existing blood condition that made HCV tx more difficult.  I'm finding though that if and when I can keep my hgb up and if and when I can largely stay out of pain, its much easier for me to focus on the work I need to do.

And boy do I need to do it.  I'm the money tree in this house, and if I don't work I can lose my sales accounts seemingly at the drop of a hat!  LOL

Actually, I have to admit that as long as I bring them in business, the plants, especially one in particular here, have been just tremendous in supporting me through my "chemo for my liver" as they think of it - that's about as much info as I've given them about my diagnosis.  I'm on their cobra bcbs at the moment, and they plan to put me on their insurance when that finishes, and they are letting me do jobs for them, much of which I do over the phone.  They understand that the mornings are the times I am most sick to my stomach so they schedule meetings with me in the afternoons.

[SJL]

As we all know treatment affects every one differently.I attempted to work through my first round of therapy, but ended up going on long term disability. I have done a total of 102 wks., trying all 3 interferons/riba. I even tried maintainence. My job was both physical and office work. Another thing I would like to see is a thread or add-on to this~~~~~~~~How many people have contracted other attaching diseases? The Doctors will not admit to the fact that Interferon usage for Hep C can cause additional problems. As a healthy person prior to therapy, I now have croglobulemia and Neuropathy.Their is not a doubt in my mind that this are directly related to therapy. I just did 4 wks. of Rituxin therapy and my enzyme numbers dropped by about 30 points. As for age I am 64, female, biopsied as carrying Hep C for at least 30 yrs.~~~~~~~~~~Great post Lauri.

[Lady Lauri]

  Hi all. Re-started poll (sorry for all that already took the time to answer.)
Gives 5 choices. Will run awhile than talley up.

Wyntre, robeire, have to agree on the driving. I limit my driving, ( a vehicle, my motorcycle has been totally parked since week 2 :{ , as just too sick/scattered some days. My truck now has a brand new big dent in the bumper from one of those days! And I really should have seen that BIG tree! :}
  I could not drive 5 hours at all most days, so feel bad for those having to do that. Could not imagine trying to drive 'over the road'!

While I agree keeping busy during tx is good, I do that at home and am really glad I am able to stay home thru tx. I 'putt' around on days I can, do 'desk work' on good days and am able to stay in bed all day too. It is a luxury in this tx to not HAVE to be anywhere. And God Bless this lap top as saves my sanity on those in bed days!

Anyway, sorry to restart and I can talley from here too so ya' don't all have to re-post.

                                                                                        LL

  

[wyntre9]

I know what you mean about the driving problems.  I have a 5 hour RT to see my gastro, too, and the longer I'm on TX the harder it is to feel safe behind the wheel of a car.  I get dizzy, lose concentration, not good in tri-state traffic.

wyntre.

[robeire]

I did six month treatment for geno 3a ,neg pcr  from wk 8   virus back 1 month after finishing -yuk- that was 3 yrs ago- never been the same since - shortness of breath-chronic blepharitis- depression etc
I didnt work ,I am on long term disability here in ireland- i was really very asymptomatic before treatment- driving was dangerous- nearly killed myself several times having to drive a 5 hour roundtrip each week to the hospital-Got arrested for losing the head with some people who were cutting down trees near my property!
I was 46 when i did the treatment
could age/being asymptomatic before treatment be major factors to look at re working?
wish you all well /Gods Light upon all  Rob in Eire

[toughluck]

Only good thing is I can come and go as I please will make those doctor visits easy, as long as I can make a weeks pay and not go broke.