Aa
What now should I expect post tx
I took last shot of Peg #48 Thurs and just have a weeks worth of ribavirin left to take. Do most just continue to do the monthly bloodwork until the 90 day viral load test? After the last ribavirin when does the rash, rbc's platlettes, wbc's start coming back to normal? A little history, my biopsy showed stage 0-1 mild inflamation, Im 49 yo male, Hep C 1a cleared at 20 wks (1st test done), does the meds coming off make you feel worse for a while? Just want some feedback from those who have been there and back. And I'm sure I missed a few questions, but like everyone here Im just tired of being tired, been a long year. Hoping I can trade my Dragon sword in for a shovel.
Hi MCF,
I had asked the same questions a short while back, and having finished up on Dec. the 25th 2003, I didn't know what was ahead either. I am going to be 48 soon and was a very lucky 3a with a substancial 7,000,000 viral load and grade 2 liver. I cleared at the virus at 12 weeks on Peg/Cop, but I guess, like the tx itself, everyone is going to react somewhat differently.
I started feeling much better the very first week I was off, and now almost 6 weeks later I really feel almost normal again. It's nearly difficult to describe how good it feels. Sure...I still have some aches and pains. Some of that is just a part of getting older and still having to work very hard on my job, but at least I don't feel sick and have headaches, and like all my strength is never going to return,and very ill, and very uncomfortable, and on, and on.
Everything about me is starting to work like normal again. I definately feel much better now than I did the past two years well before I started treatments.
I don't have my post tx PCR results back yet but I hope based on the way I feel that I won't have to re-treat. I'll let everyone here know as soon as I do. I'd like to share some good news!
I spoke with INDIANA a few weeks back and he said he thinks everybody should wait 6 weeks to do their ending treatment PCR. Mine was more like 4 weeks because of my schedule but that gives you a little while for your system to re-adjust to being off the anti-viral meds and closer to normal statis.
I definately want to have another PCR at 6 months if I'm clear now, and one year out to see how I'm doing. If I relapse, then it doesn't matter. I'll just get in line to schedule some sort of re-treatment and do what ever I have to do.
Good luck with your health, May God bless, and try to enjoy your new life!
Tosser
I had asked the same questions a short while back, and having finished up on Dec. the 25th 2003, I didn't know what was ahead either. I am going to be 48 soon and was a very lucky 3a with a substancial 7,000,000 viral load and grade 2 liver. I cleared at the virus at 12 weeks on Peg/Cop, but I guess, like the tx itself, everyone is going to react somewhat differently.
I started feeling much better the very first week I was off, and now almost 6 weeks later I really feel almost normal again. It's nearly difficult to describe how good it feels. Sure...I still have some aches and pains. Some of that is just a part of getting older and still having to work very hard on my job, but at least I don't feel sick and have headaches, and like all my strength is never going to return,and very ill, and very uncomfortable, and on, and on.
Everything about me is starting to work like normal again. I definately feel much better now than I did the past two years well before I started treatments.
I don't have my post tx PCR results back yet but I hope based on the way I feel that I won't have to re-treat. I'll let everyone here know as soon as I do. I'd like to share some good news!
I spoke with INDIANA a few weeks back and he said he thinks everybody should wait 6 weeks to do their ending treatment PCR. Mine was more like 4 weeks because of my schedule but that gives you a little while for your system to re-adjust to being off the anti-viral meds and closer to normal statis.
I definately want to have another PCR at 6 months if I'm clear now, and one year out to see how I'm doing. If I relapse, then it doesn't matter. I'll just get in line to schedule some sort of re-treatment and do what ever I have to do.
Good luck with your health, May God bless, and try to enjoy your new life!
Tosser
Thats GREAT that you're all done now! Congrats on makin it to the finish line!
If you are "Normal" you should notice a BIG difference within 2 weeks. The Brain Fog should noticeably start to lift. Then I went through a series of Plateaus. I just cruised alond and about every 2 weeks I would catch myself saying "Hey, I feel Better"! This will go on for a few months. Then you should get to a point where you will say..."Hey, I feel GREAT"!!! That should come between 3-6 months post tx. If you don't have that happen then you may want to have your blood tested again.
I stopped ALL blood tests except for the PCR tests at the end of my tx. The CBC counts are assumed to start going up almost right away after you are ALL done with the meds.
Life after tx is usually GREAT. NO withdrawals, NO feelings of disapair anymore, Just a very strange feeling on your "shot night" that you should be doing SOMETHING. That is your cue for SEX! YES, You WILL actually be almost interested in that again! Actually, You will be REAL interested in THAT again. Hahahahaha
SEE? Life will get LOTS better. Warn yuur wife/girlfriend/Husband that this will be comming so they can properly prepare. <<<< That was a Public Service Announcement!
Enjoy being med free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you are "Normal" you should notice a BIG difference within 2 weeks. The Brain Fog should noticeably start to lift. Then I went through a series of Plateaus. I just cruised alond and about every 2 weeks I would catch myself saying "Hey, I feel Better"! This will go on for a few months. Then you should get to a point where you will say..."Hey, I feel GREAT"!!! That should come between 3-6 months post tx. If you don't have that happen then you may want to have your blood tested again.
I stopped ALL blood tests except for the PCR tests at the end of my tx. The CBC counts are assumed to start going up almost right away after you are ALL done with the meds.
Life after tx is usually GREAT. NO withdrawals, NO feelings of disapair anymore, Just a very strange feeling on your "shot night" that you should be doing SOMETHING. That is your cue for SEX! YES, You WILL actually be almost interested in that again! Actually, You will be REAL interested in THAT again. Hahahahaha
SEE? Life will get LOTS better. Warn yuur wife/girlfriend/Husband that this will be comming so they can properly prepare. <<<< That was a Public Service Announcement!
Enjoy being med free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Indiana I needed a laugh, ESP? I also appreciate the information. I feel I've had a good Doc but like most of the good ones, busy as hell, and like the song "NOBODY KNOWS THE TROUBLE IVE SEEN" (EXCEPT ANOTHER hEPPER) and I'm sure my wife will be thrilled with the expectation of SEX on a much more regular schedule lol, but my last RBC was 3.8 and WBC 3.4 so the last week of tx has tuckered me out, glad to hear they should start coming back up quickly. (another maybe tommorow night Dear) lol Thanks again Indiana have a great day.
I'm glad you brought up the sex thing - because I am starting to worry about my poor neglected husband. I guess just being so tired all the time, I just don't have the energy or interest, but I do make the effort once in a while. Is lack of interest in sex a common side? Any of the newbies having this problem?
Just had to add my comment. I've noticed that I've gone from almost 20 years of none to not much interest in sex to a profound interest in it. I will do shot 48 out of 60 tomorrow and I can't help but think ridding myself of this virus which I contacted 22 years ago from a transfusion, may have something to do with it. My hubby is very happy about this new turn of events, to say the least. Only problem now is he thinks he needs Viagra to keep up with me!
Wanta talk about sex? I'm your man here. Hahahahaha
Seriously, these meds take our counts down SO low that it's hard to walk around on a level surface let alone have sex. We are WORN OUT...ALL the time! Lets just start with THAT.
Now I can't speak for the women, but for the men...look at what we're facin'. A whole LOTTA work for "several" minutes....maybe longer. We just can't muster up the strength to do that on tx.
And for ALL, it's a big mental thing too. We are already feelin BAD. Boy, I sure am nOT in the mood for sex when I'm feelin like re-heated Broccoli. I just wanted to lay down...ALONE...and die. I sure wasn't interested in something as physically hard as sex. My brain said GO...but my body said.."NO WAY".
I know the gals have it differently. Thats cuz they "usually" don't have to work as hard at it....(ok, NOW I'm in trouble here). "Normally", the guys have to do much more of the physical stuff. We just can't on tx. The gals apparently need more of the mental stimulation. RIGHT! Try to get ANYTHING mentally right on tx. It just doesn't happen for most folks. Our mental state is WAY too fragile already.
I guess the whole point here is don't be surprised if your sex life is NOT "normal" on tx. It DOES come back. As you get further on into your tx it "might" become better....but not always. For the gals....Hope for the best. For the guys....Give it up...the GOOD stuff is over till tx is done.
Now AFTER tx is something else. You will find a newfound interest in it all then. All the fears of transmission and such are gone. It makes EVERYTHUNG better. Plus, without the Brain Fog, we can assemble the "Swings and Ropes" MUCH better. Hahahaha
HC Avenger....You have just Jumped the Gun.....so to speak. Hahahaha
Have fun you all.....It's something to look forward to
Seriously, these meds take our counts down SO low that it's hard to walk around on a level surface let alone have sex. We are WORN OUT...ALL the time! Lets just start with THAT.
Now I can't speak for the women, but for the men...look at what we're facin'. A whole LOTTA work for "several" minutes....maybe longer. We just can't muster up the strength to do that on tx.
And for ALL, it's a big mental thing too. We are already feelin BAD. Boy, I sure am nOT in the mood for sex when I'm feelin like re-heated Broccoli. I just wanted to lay down...ALONE...and die. I sure wasn't interested in something as physically hard as sex. My brain said GO...but my body said.."NO WAY".
I know the gals have it differently. Thats cuz they "usually" don't have to work as hard at it....(ok, NOW I'm in trouble here). "Normally", the guys have to do much more of the physical stuff. We just can't on tx. The gals apparently need more of the mental stimulation. RIGHT! Try to get ANYTHING mentally right on tx. It just doesn't happen for most folks. Our mental state is WAY too fragile already.
I guess the whole point here is don't be surprised if your sex life is NOT "normal" on tx. It DOES come back. As you get further on into your tx it "might" become better....but not always. For the gals....Hope for the best. For the guys....Give it up...the GOOD stuff is over till tx is done.
Now AFTER tx is something else. You will find a newfound interest in it all then. All the fears of transmission and such are gone. It makes EVERYTHUNG better. Plus, without the Brain Fog, we can assemble the "Swings and Ropes" MUCH better. Hahahaha
HC Avenger....You have just Jumped the Gun.....so to speak. Hahahaha
Have fun you all.....It's something to look forward to
It's really weird how we all are wired differently. I have 0 sex drive...and I'm 3 months post tx. I had no interest in sex while on tx. either. I did make time for my husband from time to time, and we were married 1yr this past Jan2nd. But then I have a friend on tx. and his wife told me, he couldn't get enough and was wearing her out!!!!! Heck I didn't have the energy and I hurt so bad. I am making a better effort to please my husband and give him more time. I think that's the best way to say it!!!lol Also I had a very very rough time on tx. and I met another girl almost my age, she had an easy time on tx. until the end. She said if it wasn't for her son, she'dgo into the hospital, she feels so bad. She finished on Christmas eve. So there ya go. Like we've all said 1000 times....everybody is different! Prayers to all, Cindee
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