Emerging from the Fog (and other posts)

[PhilaGuy]

Hey Everyone:

As I was coming to work this morning I decided to write to all of you on treatment and hopfully offer a little hope in the process!

Today and yesterday are the first days since ending treatment last month that I feel like I used to feel before treatment.  I think my feelings of malaise and the symptoms of brain fog, fatigue, etc., etc., came on and developed so gradually, that I never really knew how much they were affecting my daily life.  They just slowly but surely ground me down.  

A good example is my work.  I'm a writer, and writing became such a chore for me.  Lately, the words have been flowing again.

Today, while walking to work from the train station, I noticed a spring in my step that hasn't been there for quite a while.

I woke up this morning after only 6 hours of sleep and am functioning!  I needed at least 8 while on treatment.

The list goes on and on.  I just feel more alive, more aware, happier and more even keeled than I did just a couple of weeks ago.  For example, I always use to blubber like an idiot at Extereme Home Makeover (where they re-do a house for a needy family) while on treatment - last episode, no tears!  :-)

So, hang in there everyone.  It ends, and it gets better.  Something that helped get me through was when I heard Chev say "remember, it's only temporary," and she was right.

I know what I'm thankful for this year...

[Califia]

Happy for you and grateful for the reassurance that it will all come quickly back.  Phew.

[DonL]

Philaguy--I know exactly how you feel. I am 2 months post-tx and within a couple of weeks I had started to feel like myself again. I also write and under tx, I could manage three paragraphs and that took 2 hours. Now, I churn it out--not as fast as before and I still have some memory issues (searching for the right word or name), but enough to make me happy.

As far as ED goes, under tx, I sometimes had trouble finishing (to be delicate), but no ED problems. None post-tx, though I would say further study is indicated.

[Amerabrit]

I'm a girl so can't offer any help but I think your question and concerns are really important.  DD's  suggestion of a new thread sounds like  a good idea to me since I believe the title of the thread is what people respond to and we don't all read every thread (time constraints, interest level, etc.)
Good luck with finding answers...

[Amerabrit]

What a great post to read, so uplifting.  I am totally delighted for you; thanks so much for sharing:)

[scruffy]

I agree-but lets see where this goes first. Sides should definitely be known and discussed. Thanks D.D.

[DRAGON SLAYER]

Hey PhilaGuy,

Welcome back! It's a great feeling to get your LIFE back on track again.
What were your lab results after terminating Tx?

PS-I know that you had same genotype as me.....that's 2B or not 2B as Chev sys...hehehee....LOL.

Good luck to all,
pluto-kid

[DoubleDose]

Maybe we should post the ED question under a new thread, in order to get maximum viewing and response from the forum.  I will leave that to you to kick off.  I will be happy to add commentary as needed.  I think this is probably a very important issue, that is under-discussed, due to the sensitivities, etc.  It needs to be explored openly, and we need answers, solutions, etc.  AND, why have the interferon makers not 'fessed up' on this subject????  I have run into several other post-tx'ers with the same issues.  It may be very prevalent.  We need to find medical approaches to restore function for the long term...not just ED drugs that mask the problem.

[scruffy]

Philaguy, hope I did'nt minimize your feeling better(by inserting question) as I know that feeling myself-and it is SWEET! You done good to share that with those who need hope and I wish you very very well.Thanks.

[scruffy]

Thanks for the cheerful info Philaguy and also the op ,once again, to ask for input on erectile dysfunction possibly caused by tx(likely cause). I'm talking no erections or half mast if I may be explicit(and I am). I posted under CPT: 307 on 11/21/2004 and got some welcome responses but was hoping for other personal experience and solutions? Help?