Post Hep C treatment

[DARKONE666]

I am experiencing the same if not worse side effects of my treatment a month after finishing the course.I find it near impossible to convince my doctor of this.In my present state of health work is not an option yet without medical support claiming benefits is severely compromised.Any suggestions to help with my predicament would be much appreciated.

[DoxieMom04]

I am 5 years post treatment. Had my gallbladder removed before treatment and have Crohn's disease, many many years.

I cleared. However have diarrhea so severely am on permanent disability. Flare ups make life difficult. Can't get away from potty more than 30 feet.

Anyone else with similar issues?

[meakea]

Darkone...  "medical support" would be your doctor filling out the forms and listing your current symptoms.  Contact your doctor again and be very specific about your symptoms.  Example:  Don't say:  I feel the same or worse than I did on treatment.  But do say:  I feel exhausted.  I feel weak.  I feel constant dizziness.  I feel nausea.  I feel...  These are examples only.  Fill in the blanks according to your specific symptoms.  Be very, very specific.  If you are having ongoing fevers (I had fevers for about 6 weeks post treatment) say so.  If you are having ongoing rashes, say so.  My point is that, if you are specific, you doctor should have no choice but to report your specific side effects on the disability forms.

I would say that it took me more than a month to feel as if I felt any better after treatment.  I would have reactions every weekend just as if I had taken a shot and that lasted at least 4 weeks.  

Give it some time and you will improve...but, in the meantime, get with your doc again so you can get help with the disability stuff.

My best to you.

[Diane12855]

I'm 2 months post, and I'm afraid I can't offer any support either as far as getting medical people to help out. I don't think they can believe that we feel so rotten because there is no test to show that. Our blood counts are going up so it seems we are getting back to normal. I've had days when the naps James is talking about were the only way I could get through the day... and I slept through all kinds of stuff going on around me. Thankfully I work for my husband and he understands that I can only deal with a few hours a day. Like James, I have found that aerobic exercise helps pick up my mood... some days.

To the rest of the world, we should be getting back to normal by now... thank goodness we have this forum where we can talk with people who know what we are dealing with, even if we can't tell you how to make it better. It does help to be understood.

Hang in there,
Diane

[James10500]

Sorry to hear this.  I am close to 4 months done, some days are better than others that's for sure.  Today I had one of those shut-down naps like on tx when i had no choice just basically passed out.  I notice my balance is way off to, went mountain biking today and trails I typically ride pretty fast were dicey.

I notice that exercise makes me feel a little better.

I am sorry I can't offer you any advise, as I am in the same position.  If I feel like this in a year I'll be pretty frustrated but now I feel its just a unfortunate part of it.

[babs824]

this does not address how to deal with medical support but i think u may need to try to wait a few months for drugs to leave your system. ribavirin can take 6 mos. many folks say they were not themselves for a year. at the same time u need to plan for longterm disability, i hope u can consider that this could still be temporary sx. it is unlikely u will be in better health than u were when u started. as u know 30 years drug abuse takes a toll and its ravages can show up more as we age. this is not a judgement but a fact. best of luck to u, babs