Scared of Horror Stories for Hep C Treatment

[coocoo626]

1st injection Friday morning and i'm scared !!!!!!!!

[Magnum]

Nothing to be scared about, a lot to be thankful for. My father died of Hepatitis C in 1982 because there was no cure. The only thing to be scared of is if there was no treatment available.

So, the bottom line is to be thankful there is a good opportunity to be cured. We're all in this together. There is no one here that at one time or another was not scared, but most of us have cleared the virus, thankfully because of the available treatment you are going through. You will be just fine...

Magnum

[merryBe]

It's not as scary as your mind can make it...

it's really pretty painless...and you may not even get sick at first...it varies from person to person...my first week was fine...

even if you do have sides...you just go one day and one shot at a time...

click your ruby slippers together 3 times, and say...I need a liver to live...I need a liver to live.....

and give Toto lots of pets....and you'll get throught it.

mb

[geterdone]

Yes, I did write it it is “a Day in the Life” of a hepper. Actually, it was a recant in the moments just before the beginning of treatment and a moment of pause before stepping upon the yellow brick road and the journey that lay ahead. Glad it rang a bell for you.

goterdone

[fuzzy1dar]

Did you write that poem?  It really touched my heart!
Best wishes to you!

[geterdone]

Well coocoo, its Friday morning shot day.

Kidding aside, you may feel a little flu-like symptoms later in the day, kind of like an elevator, you know, the kind that drop fast then the bounce when it comes to your floor, but you will feel something or you may feel nothing at all it is different for everyone. There might be a site reaction but you won’t know until the deed is done and by then it’s too late, for its game on and the best way to beat the little buggers mutating inside your liver is to stay positive, keep your spirit by your side and just keep moving forward for the battle has begun and is long and enduring. The path in the journey is full of twists and turns for no one knows not what pitfalls that lay a head as you walk the lonely paths of cobble stones in the journey. Good Luck, God Bless, and May the force be with you.

jasper  

A Heppers poem

I know not what has been ailing me,
for I don’t understand why my body
has turned against me.

Tired and weak for so many of a day,
for it’s now to the doctor that I hope and pray  
to help me find out why I feel this way.

After many test and to my surprise,
for it is my liver that is sick and
has started to die.

Down on my heart and in quite despair
my spirit has been awakened and is standing there.

I shake and scream in the dead silent of nights,
for it is me who shall lead in this silent fight.

I know what I must do as these meds sit before me,
as I sit and ponder what will happen with these.

I am scared and frighten not knowing what to do
or even know who, who to really turn to.

Who will be there in this silent plight to be strong
and supportive and keep my focus in sight.

Who will sit there when I cry out in pain,
for these meds I must take will make me healthy again.

I turn to you in this silent plight, to lean on and
be carried when things don’t go right.

They say it is the darkest just before dawn,
why, oh why must it take so long.  

The day will come, when I’m feeling better and know that
we went through this terrible plight and we were never alone
in the darkest of night.  

[annieCinMD]

I put off treatment for several years largely out of fear. I was also lucky enough to have a choice. Not everyone does...well the alternative is buying the farm, so I think I'd pick Tx in that case. One of my friends was in that category. She cleared on the second attempt and has been in remission for about 8 yrs now.  She always tells me it was SOO worth it. It gave her her life back. My experience was my fears were largely unfounded. The first shot was the worst.  I was most afraid of brain fog, and throwing up.  Neither one has happened to me and I will do #9 tomorrow.  I won't tell you it's a picnic, but it's entirely tolerable.  Take a couple tabs of PM Tylenol or Benadryl, and chances are, you'll sleep through the worst of it.  I take mine between 6 and 8 pm most of the time.  Good luck.

[portann]

Things could be worse than waiting to do your first injection tomorrow. You could be waiting to go onstage on Dancing with the Stars or waiting for the judges' comments.

It's entering the unknown that's hard.  It's happened to most of us. It's perfectly normal to be nervous.

My first shot was like Rain's and Paul's and I wish I'd pre-dosed the Tylenol the nurse recommended and prepared a wool hat and electric blanket to deal with my chills and chattering teeth.

So many people here say they hardly feel a thing on their first shot but I did, like Rain and Paul. I've now done 45 of 48 injections, never had another 'scene' on injection night and don't do Tylenol, let alone plug in an electric blanket.

Good luck tomorrow. I loved the little instructional CD my nurse gave me, which is also online. Maye your nurse will give you one tomorrow.

[hopeful587]

I had terrors concerning starting Tx for years...turns out they were totally UNFOUNDED. Nothing has been as bad as I had built up in my mind.  Started 7 wks ago, mild sides, very manageable.  Followed everyone's advice, was already on AD's.  Checked out Marcia's list of otc lotions, mouthwashes, lip balms, Tylenol, etc.  Most I have not needed, esp. on regualr basis. Some fatigue, but  I'm learning to read my body, not over-do, get rest AND exercise, and DRINK LOTS OF WATER.  Rash improved after several weeks, now none.

  I know we have a long way to go, But with God's help and friends here to support the road is made much easier.  Be positive and know that you are being PRAYED FOR...for peace and successful Tx.

God Bless You,
Hopeful587/Toni

[Isobella]

Nice....makes more sense to me now then it did when I saw it before tx, lol!!!

Riba should come with a warning:  May effect sense of humor.....taking it to the dark side, lol!!!

[GSDgirl]

I think getrdone is loocoo ................haha

[medicmommy]

getrdone is coocoo...LOL

[Rockerforlife]

The first shot is like catching the flu...no biggie.

[geterdone]

Be afraid, real afraid it is not an occult treatment but it will put the fear in you to the likes you have never known before for it will look in the eyes but one must warn others that you may be changing in the near future and for a prolong period of time in the depths of night to dance in the fire of hepperville… Ah hahahha…

Only to wake up 48 weeks later from a bad dream

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtyJbIOZjS8

Vincent Geterdone

[nygirl7]

Just take that needle and jam it in as quickly as you can and then you'll be done with it. :)

The anxiety we all feel is one of the worst things - you will get very used to having patience with this disease...always waiting for one test or another, always waiting to see if some side pops up - in time you will just move day to day in your life and then it will be over.

It's doable for almost everyone who tries it - while all sides do seem difficult the really horrific ones are very few and far between.


You'll make it I promise!

[paul14]

We all react differently, when I took my first shot I went home and I was shaking so bad you could hear the change in my pocket ,and I could not get out of bed for two days! I'm not trying to scare you. It did get better after a few weeks.but was never easy.Many people report mild symptoms but for some of us it was hard.If it gets bad just know your not alone and your doing the right thing.The thing that helped me the most was a friend who had a real hard time and he never sugar coated it He told me what he went through and I knew I was not alone. My prayers are with you  

[meakea]

Welcome coocoo.

Yup, those pre-treatment jitters were very bad for me too.  After I took my first shot, I was soooo relieved and a few hours later I went to bed and was still scared that I wouldn't wake up the next morning (more treatment jitters).  Well...I did wake up and I did feel "hung-over" and achy but nothing like I expected.

I am currently in week 30 of 48 and I feel better the past few weeks than I did during the first 12 or so weeks of tx.  So, you see, many people have posted that their first weeks were a breeze but mine weren't.  My first 4 months were worse for me...but doable...and I have continued to work full time.  Just another example of how treatment is different for everyone.

Try to ignore the "horror" stories and think positive...you could very well be one of those with very few sides at all!  

[Rockerforlife]

FACT:

10 % have heavy sides...10% have no sides....the other 80% fall somewhere in between...whatever group you fall in  a roll of the dice

[coocoo626]

Words can't express the gratitude I have for you all taking the time to share with me. I'm not as scared as I was and I no longer feel alone. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You !!!!!!!!

[medicmommy]

Okay, a funny story...I too, had the pre txing jitters. When the day finally came for first shot, I literally had to back up against a wall so I could get up enough nerve to poke myself with out getting away from it...Here's the pathetic part...-I'm a Paramedic...LOL Well, I waited for the world to end afterwards, and when I only had a bit of chills 24 hrs later, I thought,"THAT"S IT?!? YOU"VE GOT TO BE KIDDING!!!" The shots became easier in the weeks following -I even tried to make a happy face with the sites...:) and now I am 8 months post tx and SVR baby!!!Whoo hoo! Death to all Hep C dragons!!! I wave my dragon slaying sword in your honor and emit a Howard Dean girly scream! YYYEEEAAGGGHHH!!!! may your jouney be short and your sides be few! (((HUGZ)))~Melinda

[Rain6866]

I just had shot #4 last night. My first one was March 10th. I was scared out of my mind and just knew I was waking up dead the next morning. I took my shot at 9am which I regretted. I wish I would have waited until midnight or so.
At 3am, 6 hours after shot I woke with a high fever and Id never been so cold in all my life. My entire body hurt muscles and joints.. But at least I was alive. by friday I was feeling better and on saturday i actually made it out of the house for a friends wedding.
Now Tuesday rolled around again.. My head was spinning Ugh I was dreading waking up the next morning. When I woke I thought something was horribly wrong! I didnt have a fever, I barely had body aches I was freaking out calling my husband, calling the doc office telling them something must have been wrong with the redi-pen. It wasnt the medicine. It was the fact that the sides were better than the week before. Its an experience. Learn from your body. Dont take nothing for granted. Stay on your Doctors tail and READ READ READ!

Best of luck and God Bless

[Isobella]

We can all relate to those pre-treating jitters.  I was so impatient to get started those last few pre-tx days were worse than anything I have experienced so far. I just did 37/48.  

The first shot was totally anticlimatic.  Only with the last 2 shots have I really noticed that I get a headache about 5 hours later.  And my muscles feel like I have had a good workout.  Tylenol brings total relief.

Just listen to your body and pace yourself according to what you can do.  You will figure out pretty quickly your energy level fluctuations.  Most of us are able to do the daily things we need to get done...work, school, ect.  While not fun...it's doable.  I've only forgotten to go to work once the whole time, lol!  And my house may not be as neat as it used to be, but tx has taught me that vaccuming and dusting are both totally over-rated.

Make sure to drink enough water. For me that, and light excercise generally make me feel better no matter what.  

Between us, we have had most of the usual sides to varying degrees.....so if you run into trouble with any sx someone here can probably help with practical advice. (of course-always check with your doc)

I agree with Lala...determination (and attitude) will be huge in helping you...especially when the sides do hit.  But in the end it is all worth it to be free from hcv.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

Isobella

[lalapple]

you can do this, everyone responds differently, my first 30 weeks was a breeze, then all the troubles come.  but if you have the determination to do this, nothing can stop you.  be prepared.

[jonney4141]

Hi there! i know it's easier said than done, but try not to worry, i know i was experiencing all kinds of things because i was so scared, and the first shot on a friday too was nothing (i did not even feel it) i waited and waited for something to happen and all i got was some slight chills and maybe a headache, the first 21/2 weeks were a breeze for me, after that things started changing, and now i know what all of these people are talking about. you will figure out how to handle things. when i have questions i come here, and bingo somebody is ALWAYS here with information and it helps. I am thankful that i found this place. The thing that keeps me going is knowing that there is a fight going on in me, and I'll be damn if i come out the loser. I want this poison out of me. you may have some bad days (i do) but just knowing that it is not going to be forever and that when it's over your gonna feel much better makes it worth while.... stay strong!!!!!!!!!!!

[GSDgirl]

I didn't word that right, as usual, The treatment is well worth the end result.  When I got diagnosed all I wanted was this thing out of me.  I was nervous too.  Some people have no side effects or very little.

Denise