WHEN DO I FEEL BETTER?

[kevinj1234]

Hello, everyone. I took my first shot of Interferon on Friday, 3/1/12. I have my last shot this Friday, 1/25/13. I have been taking 1000mg of Ribavirin every day since 3/1/12, and there was another medication i was taking that lasted the first 12 weeks (of 48). I believe it was called Telaprivir, but I'm not completely sure.

Anyway, many months into the treatment, I developed abnormally low blood count and it has been getting worse as time goes on. I work full time and go to school full time, so obviously, life has been rough on the treatment and I am excited for things to go back to normal.

I have blood results in front of me from 11/12/12. My WBC (white blood count) is 1.9. My RBC (red blood count) is 3.2. My hemoglobin is 10.6 and my Hematocrit is 31.3.

My question is, because I finish the 48 week treatment in 12 days, when can I expect to start feeling better? Obviously, I know it's different for every person, but I would like to know if anyone can share their own experience.

THANKS!

Kevin J. Reinstein

[slideman]

I fooled myself into thinking I felt better than I did and over did it about a month eot. Take it easy, your body will let you know. I felt better within a week of stopping. Knowing that tx was over was such a relief, as it will be for you too. You are a true warrior to go as long as you have, be happy and proud with that for a few weeks. Its all good and you will recover!!

[rk2761]

I was on 36 weeks of treatment. My Hgb was pretty low (9.7), my thyroid was low and I felt pretty bad. Still working full time but I was pretty tired and really foggy.

The first week off I still felt like crap.

I started feeling a bit better that second week after my last riba pill. I didn't have tons more energy but I had a bit and I was more alert and felt more positive. I'm sure some of that was mental.

At my six week blood test my levels were up to 2/3 where they were when I had started. They were also in the low end of the normal range. My rashes were gone by then. Six or seven weeks after treatment I went skiing which was hard, but I did the whole day.

10 weeks after treatment I was able to keep up with some friends hiking for two hours. Last week (week 14) I started zumba classes and kept up, did yoga classes without having to rest and I can ski as hard as my friends. In fact, I can go harder than some of them.

My hair is growing back. I feel very alert at work. Right now, I'm just anxious and worried about that six month blood test.

So the sides don't go away overnight and they don't all disappear at the same time (I'm still a bit stuffed up and congested). They go away in stages and it is different for everyone.

Congratulations for getting through such a long journey and best wishes going forward.

RK

[orphanedhawk]

Your blood levels will improve by 4 weeks post tx. It can take a good three months to feel 'normal' again.
Eat well, exercise and keep a positive attitude.

[belle19]

i started feeling better 3-4 weeks after EOT.  be patient.  it takes a while.  but it'll be worth it.  good luck to you.  belle