Treatment week 11 - side effects

[lyrainoxford]

Am I normal??  I just began my 11th week of treatment - 2 more weeks of Incivek!  But I am finding that I seem to be more worn out as the weeks go on.  Is this normal?  I stay tired, I have difficulty getting motivated because I get so exhausted doing normal daily activities.  Is this all in my mind???  I work M-F and I haven't missed a day to side effects yet.  I have to push myself very hard just to make it to work and get through the day.  By the time work is over, I'm exhausted.  On the weekends, the week has worn me out so much that I can barely get out of my house.  I'm beginning to feel like this is all in my head and I'm feeling pretty worthless.  Someone please tell me if this is a normal response or if I'm truly going crazy.  I feel like I'm on the verge of a breakdown.

[pooh55811]

"... but I feel very unproductive compared to what I'm used to."
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That was one of my biggest problems (besides the anal problems, the rash, and the nausea, lol). It used to get on my nerves. I felt so frustrated because I wanted to get some things done and just could not get organized to do them or concentrate long enough to do them or even get motivated. I have more or less (now 6 months into 48 weeks of treatment) come to terms with it. I quit stressing about it. I quit trying to do big things and now concentrate on doing some smaller projects (dishes, vacuuming, cleaning litter box, laundry, sorting photos, cleaning bathroom) instead of getting upset that I can not do my geneology research or even read a book. I do listen to audio books, watch on-line symphony concerts, and  watch educational DVDs. I spend a lot of time researching about Hep C and I spend a lot of time on this forum (which helps a lot). I try to do at least one productive thing every day, I mean things that take some energy, like cleaning.  I have just come to terms with the fact that these meds are doing a big number on my body and I need to go with the flow until treatment is over. I have my eye on the prize (SVR) and I will do just about anything to get rid of this virus. So if I "lose" a year (and I do call this my lost year) it will all be worth it if I can be rid of this virus.

You will do fine. Just stick around here for support and answers to your questions.

[LookingForward12]

Wow!  Am just incredibly impressed that you are still working! I couldn't do that.  Waited until retirement to begin treatment and even with no set schedule, other than some volunteer activities, I am barely making it from day to day.

My own incredible tiredness and lack of motivation, together with cough, was caused by my hemoglobin dropping so low and becoming very anemic. Stay on top of that too. I required a blood transfusion at nine weeks.

Keep checking in to the forum. There is a wealth of knowledge and support here.

[orphanedhawk]

You are so right, nobody really knows what this crazy treatment is like unless they've been through it.

I had shortness of breath and a dry cough which was relieved when my dosage of ribavarin was reduced.

It's important to make a list of questions to bring to your doctor ( hopefully you are seeing a hepatologist) I know if I don't write them down, I forget.
Often the side effects can be managed but you have to let your doctor know.

For some basic hep C information, try looking at hepcadvocate.org

Oh, and welcome you not alone !

[lyrainoxford]

Thanks for that comment, as well.  I think that she's trying to be encouraging and motivational when she says things like that to me.  I don't think she knew how it beat me down... and it did.  It made me feel like I was not handling it as well as every one else or that I was weak.  
It's so weird to go from being so productive to feeling accomplished just because I got my shower and fed the dogs.  My live-in boyfriend, who is also very supportive, works out of town four days a week.  I brag to him all the time when I get the dishes or laundry done.  He praises me like I've won a gold medal haha.  I think he knows that I am doing the best I can.  
It's just easy to get discouraged - the sun is shining here and it's so warm... and I can't even get out to enjoy it.  It makes me feel... lazy.  But it's not laziness - it is legitimate TIREDNESS.  Or at least, I hoped so.  Thank you SO much for sharing your experience with me!  You have no idea what a beacon of hope you truly are!!

[working dog]

sounds to me like your doing pretty good...i wouldn't push it...and just because you stop incivek soon don't expect all the symptoms to go away...stay on the forum and ask questions...theres lots of help here..good luck....billy

[lyrainoxford]

Thank you SO much!  I hope I'm doing this forum right LOL.  When I say I'm on the verge of a breakdown, it is because I haven't had much support.  A huge weight has been lifted just by hearing that what I'm feeling is OK and NORMAL.  I mean, I have had support but not by anyone that has been through this treatment so no one could really tell me if what I'm feeling is standard.  Like I said, I never knew these forums were out here so I have pretty much been doing this on my own.  
I am on antidepressants and for the most part, my moods are FAIRLY stable.  I get upset sometimes and irritable but it is manageable.  I have an appt with my regular therapist at the beginning of April.  My mood is probably exacerbated by the fact that I worked very long hours M-W of this week (830 a.m to 1130 p.m) and was undergoing a regular state audit on Th/F at work.  VERY stressful, very exhausting.  Probably didn't make this weekend any easier.  
I am used to working full time and going to school part-time, along with regular housework.  I had to drop school during treatment but I feel very unproductive compared to what I'm used to.  It is good to hear that I'm not alone!
And I hope that your energy comes back.  I'm glad you made it through Incivek.  I am literally counting down the days :)