Week 21 of tx

[hotnicks27]

I was diagnosed with HepC last August.  I know I got it from a 7-yr IV heroin addiction.  I am a 27/male and started tx in January.  I was undetectable at week 12 and all my levels have been great so far.  In week 21 of 48 now and havent had any side effects that I couldnt deal with (although I have a high tolerance for pains).  I had been smoking pot multiple times daily since 3 yrs ago, but stopped 4 days ago and am feeling a little depressed, but besides that ok.  My beginning VL was only 200k, which my doctor said was very low.  Im praying that I stay RVR and continue to SVR...from what I hear my chances are great if I was undetectable at wk 12 and still am at wk 24...am I right?

[rita863]

sounds like a great trip you have planned!  you will do it to!!! i am not a big water drinker either, i like green tea but the one thats crappy green tea!  anway, i try and alternate between water/selser and my green tea.

this weekend's shot went smoothly, hoping the next 20 something go the same way!  Damn rash is driving me crazy.  
Anyway i have an appt with a new doc in philly tomorrow, i want a second opinion.  i;ll keep you posted.

Peace
Rita

[hotnicks27]

Well Rita863, looks like we are on the same track!  I have a few sides such as restlessness around 4 am-6am, rashes on my elbows that itch like crazy sometimes, and a little depression about the length of tx, but I am also working a full-time job which is actually fairly physical and have been ok.  My pot use was over the top before tx and I knew it had to end or at least slow sometime, so I guess now is better than ever.  I may still smoke socially, but not consistently like I was multiple times a day.  I really need to get myself into drinking more water but I hate plain water, so I squeeze half a lemon into it and it makes the water much easier to stomach for me.  I was a soda freak and I find it hard to drink flavorless beverages with food, but Im getting better.  Good luck to you also and Ive added you as a friend so I can track your treatment along with mine.  We will prevail and achieve SVR!!!  I have a 10-day roadtrip planned to the western US next May as a reward for hopefully successfully completing treatment.  I want to stand at the top of Pikes Peak in Colorado and feel like Ive climbed a mountain, because thats what we are doing.  Do you have a reward planned?  GOOD LUCK!!!

[rita863]

i also started tx in january, und at 12 weeks i am in week 21 also.  i have some sides, rash, ulcers, shortness of breath and tired.  i still manage to work full time.  i smoked a bit in the beginning of tx because i had no appetite and i was loosing too much weight.  i havent smoke in about 2 months.  i have some brain fog.  Brain fog and pot = idiot hahaha
anyway good luck to you in your tx, hopefully in nov we will be getting ready for SVR!!!!

peace
rita

[hotnicks27]

Thank you so much.  I really appreciate it!  LOL on the Rocky thing...but I will fight like Balboa...

[merryBe]

yes if you continue to stay UND and don't miss shots or doses your chances are good.
the best chances go to those who clear earliest, since they have have the weakest virus it can clear in days or by 1 month...but the thing not factored into that thinking has to do with absorption rates.  Karen Lindahl in Sweden did studies on the correlation between absorption and time/rates or clearance and proved definatively that the higher blood levels of Riba translated into higher clearances....
so you want to make sure and eat your Riba with a little fat, or an oily vitamin in the meal which will help it absorb...and eat it with a low fiber meal as fiber interfere with Riba's absorption.

Kudos on getting of the pot.  You are bound to feel a little lost and uneasy for a while...Pot is of course a great tranquilizer..  But you are doing the absolute right thing for you liver so GO ROCKY!!   (had to say that to a philly guy).
hope you win this battle....live long and prosper !!
mb/

[hotnicks27]

Oh, and my tx is 180 Pegasys once/week and 1000mg Riba/day