Losing stamina

[hopefulgirl38]

Hello all,

My poor partner is only on week 2 and quite sick from the treatment - Its hard for him to do anything and I feel like I am not much support,  He is genotype 2 - but has early cirrohsis so we are both not all that optimistic.  His treatment is 24 weeks, but at week 2 we dont feel like we are going to make it.  Thanks for everyones support

[justme53]

Please, please try to hang in there. With early cirrhosis, things are not going to get easier down the line as his liver disease worsens. Like some of the others said, at least hold on until a 4 or 12 week PCR. I went UND at 12 weeks and it gave me a HUGE emotional lift...still does. I also have cirrhosis and am just 2 months shy of finishing tx. He may need a boost if his hemoglobin tanked and Procrit works wonders. I thought I would tough it out without alot of other meds, but, I take what I need to get through it because that's my focus now.

Above and beyond 'helper drugs', it does take alot of focus and committment and if you dig deep enough, you and your partner will find it. One day at a time, one foot in front of the other...all those cliches apply here. You can do this!    Pam

[Marcia2202]

Treatment is tough, but please hang in there. I didn't treat as long as many others here on the board. But 32 weeks of this was plenty. I was bedridden through the whole ordeal and it was hell most of the time.

BUT.... I must say that it was well worth it, since I am SVR / cured!

Try to keep your eyes on the goal. Especially since your hubby has cirrhosis. This is his ticket out ... he will be able to save his liver this way and become healthy again.

Make sure to get a 4 week PCR done. It has to be done BEFORE his 5th shot. The outcome of this test will determine how well he is responding to the meds. It is a very important milestone of treatment.

Hugs to both of you! You can do it!!!!

[hcbyebye]

I'm on week 21 of 24 for genotype 2. All I can say is that this treatment really *****, but the first month or so was the hardest for me.

The biggest thing that has helped me is to drink a ton of water. It doesn't work instantly, but I can tell you that every time I started to feel really bad, I realized that I hadn't been drinking enough. After a day or two of downing a ton of water, everything is a lot better for me. Also, I had a lot of trouble sleeping at first and I little ambien really helped with that. And getting good rest will help everything else.

Also, the people that do 48+ weeks are amazing. I'm not sure I could deal with that. I know 6 months seems like a long time, but there is an end in sight. I think part of the difficulty at first is not really seeing any progress towards the end of treatment.

With genotype 2, we have such a good chance at killing this thing, I really hope both of you hang in there. I'll tell you what, that first undetectable viral load test really helped my outlook.

[nygirl7]

Quite often the worst weeks can be the first few as your body gets acclimated to the meds.  Lethargy however is very very common - just about all of us have gone through that.  24 weeks is NOT a lifetime...with having early cirrhosis it's just crucial that somehow he continue onwards.  Many of us had less liver damage but went on a lot longer than that. not trying to make it seem easy just that yes, we understand and he just has to do it.

Try and remember that this treatment is NOT forever. It does have an end date to it.  I used to say all the time (and drove some folks) you just gotta suck it up and do it - it's not easy but in this case especially.........whatever it takes is the answer.

I rested every minute I was not at work. I don't know if it helped but it made me feel like I was getting a reward for making it through the day (sometimes hour even it seemed).

As Bill said we don't know what exactly the problem he is experiencing is but talking to the doctor is important.  Also making sure he has tests done to keep an eye on the things going on inside (hemoglobin etc) and a 4 week PCR as well.  If you get an undetectible at week 4 it will give you both hope which is sounds like you are lacking.

Believe me Bill went to 96 I think? And I went to 72 weeks. We do understand......but he just has to keep going one way or another.

Good luck.

[Bill1954]

Tell him to hang in there; this can be a little challenging at times. They (the treating doctor) can help with some side effects; but they won’t know unless they’re informed. An example could be prescribing antidepressants, things to prevent nausea, mouth sores, etc.

If he’s working, can his employer help out with shortened hours/limited schedules somehow?

Try to help around the house, make sure he’s drinking fluids, and eating properly. Short walks outdoors will help him sleep, if that’s an issue. Other than that, have him read through some of the posts, and remind him to keep a sense of humor somehow; rent funny flicks, maybe?

Most of us manage one way or another; sometimes it ain’t pretty, buy perseverance will see him through. Best to you both—

Bill