TX end

[txinaus]

I stopped my 48 weeks of tx last thursday - thank goodness !

However I have been experiencing all sorts of problems, similar in fact to when I started tx.

The pressure in my eyes has risen again and I am concerned about the effects of glaucoma.

I am experiencing extremes of body temperature - I can go from 34.3 deg C (93.7 f ) to 38.3 deg C (101 F) in a matter of 10 minutes - and this goes on all day long :(

I am suffering extreme joint pain and muscle cramps, headaches, teeth/jaw pain and various twinges and unexplained pain.

I feel close to having a heart attack - not that I know what one feels like - but I am suffering sometimes severe chest and arm pain.

I DO feel happier though :D.. My mood has already improved and my brain fog is lifting a little. :D
I cannot believe how wonderful it was to go to work this morning and actually have a clue what I was doing LOL

Also my last blood test results were not too bad  -
HgB 8.3
Neutrophils 1.0
Lymphocytes 1.0
Liver function excellent :D
ALT 14
AST 16
GGT 23

Thyroid function is also nearly back to normal.

So I guess I am just wondering if others found that their system went into mild shock when they stopped the tx as well? ( Least that is what I am presuming my body is doing )  and if so does it last long?

I dont expect to be feeling like a fit athlete any time soon :P .. But it would be nice to feel a little bit normal soon - 48 weeks of pure hell is enough I think :)

And to those of you that have treated longer or repeatedly, my sincerest and heartfelt  admiration - you are incredibly strong people. Hooah !!

[CMcH]

I havn't started TX yet just had my biopsy on Friday. I plan on starting TX after the holidays. My question is about the eye's. My vision keeps getting worse and worse. My eye's dry out and get red several times a day. I can't read for long because it hurts my eye's. I can hardly read this screen! I first felt it was age or menapause but is ti the Hep C? I have had it for around 20 yrs I suppose and my Thyroid has gone out along with having pain in my jts. w/RA factor.A lot of autoimmune things but what do people know about the eye's?

[gazebo1]

Great going completing your TX!!  

Some of us had a tougher time - my hep doc kept telling me that meant the INF was really having a full effect on the buggers, but all I know is it was the most difficult challenge in my life so far. Next week I do the 6 month PCR and pray for SVR.  Best of luck in recovery.  I am still struggling along with ITP (low plateletes) and some other side effects.  Hope Spring is coming in quickly "down under".  My Mum was born in Melbourne and moved to the U.S. in the 50's.  I've been back a few times to see relatives and love the Gold Coast.  Regards,  G

[txinaus]

Thanks Grandma - Here in Australia Procrit is not available to Hep C tx'ers so I have never been on it.

My real concern at the moment is whether or not the fluctuating body temperature is due to the virus returning and my body trying to fight it on it's own.

This of course is besides the point that I want to feel better after feeling so bad for so long hehe.

My rational self is telling me to stop worrying and to just allow myself to get better - but as a lot of us know, there is always that 'other' self lurking near by that just wont let us rest :(

[GrandmaA]

NYgirl said she took Procrit for awhile after she did her 72 weeks, she needed it. So I saved one and took it afterwards.

[GrandmaA]

Sorry you are continuing to have so many side effects. I never had pressure in my eyes. Hope it goes away soon. I finished 51 weeks of tx 10 weeks ago and the improvement is gradual. Of course, I have had lots of bodywork and 10 sauna baths to help speed up the process. Are you getting enough exercise? The brain fog takes awhile. But exercise helps. In the first 2 weeks post tx a lot of my brain fog went away. I still have memory issues but I'm 65 years old. I just want my memory to be as good as it was when I started tx. I started feeling "normal" about 3-4  weeks ago.