side effects

[rsterling]

Hello all,
I know I used another thread for this question, because normally by the time I try to ask a question all is full and I am unable to.  I am about to approach my employeer to discuss my illness with him and the fact that I would like to begin treatment after the first of the year.  I would like a response from all with sides so that he and I can sit down and make appropriate accomodations that will work out for the both of us.  I feel that if he can read from experience we will both better be able to prepare and understand.  Of course I know that everyone reacts differently, so please those with minimal sides would be welcome also.

Thank You,  Robin

[CARUU]

I have been on tx for 10 weeks and will be going to 1/2 time at work after the first of the year.  I'm operating at about 1/3 the effectiveness of before and have to reserve ALL energy for work.  It's hard to walk from the parking lot to my desk, let alone set-up and lead meetings, project teams, move equipment, be a good teamplayer, etc.  I have daily headaches, major fatigue, depression, weight gain, brain fog, skin rash, thinning hair. I'm going to work M,W,F 6 hours per day and T,Th 1 hour per day from home by eMail and see how that goes.  This has been difficult because I was reluctant to talk about the illness at first, until I tried the tx to see what the effects would be.  Now that I know what the sx are, and am less worried about what others might think, I am talking about it more and continuing to make decisions on what I need to do to take care of myself.  Water, light exercise, attitude, talk therapy, ad, fun, friends are all important components of this.  I'm freeing up some time to be able to do what I need to.  All work and no personal time is not working for me.  Part of this is just forcing myself to get up and moving for a little while.  I think it's especially important during any time that I feel even a little OK, because there are plenty of times when I don't.  Oh, and I don't take hot showers, it makes the fatigue worse.  I'm also trying media free times/days (no TV, newspaper, etc.).  I think I've seen every episode of Trading Spaces and What Not to Wear that I can stand for the rest of the year.

[The gaffer]

Hope, I manage a busy, fast pace emergency room. So far so good. 4/26 today. My boss and a few nurses know but that is it. Pace yourself, get the rest you need, find time for exercise, eat right, pound on the fluids.

Best to you

Dale

[hph5477]

I've been keeping a journal of my sx and feelings during tx.  Just did 10/48 yesterday, had a bad headache but the dr had given me Imitrex this time to try.  Was fine after just a few hours and feel great today.  My first 2 wks sx were pretty bad or so I thought at the time.  I could email you my journal if you like (it's in MS Word) but I wouldn't want to scare you off.  Days I feel great don't get much entry into the journal.  Over all, I feel great most of the time; just tire more easily, like everyone else.

[oldhippiechick67]

I am one of those who wont/cant work, I had brain fog so BAD the first 6 months (Im on 48 weeks tx, halfway done), I am feeling a little better now though. And I had horrid Brain-in-a-Vise headaches, dizzy (like spinning on a amusement park ride and cant get it to stop!), itching (esp scalp ears elbows & knees) like I had headlice...UGH!  Those symptoms have finally faded away. I was also extremely tired and got very anemic so would get short of breath with any activity, even talking!  I fell down a few times too.  The brain fog makes thinking very difficult, like I forgot to pay bills, or paid some twice, left food on the stove and forgot about it, burnt my arm on a big pan,  left water running, out driving would forget where I was going, got lost freq. but of course would snap to eventually. Cant lift anything heavy, have lost alot of strength, opening a jar is almost impossible!  The brain fog thing is the worst for me, I wouldnt trust myself to hold a nursing job the way I am.
I dont think I would even be able to hold a simple job, like putting videos back on the shelf!  Oh, and dont forget the riba rage!  Thats another side where you can lose your temper when you are normally a very nice person and rarely snap at anyone, on tx you can turn into a screamin mimi, doesnt take much to get you into a snitfit!  You can hurt ppls feelings so be careful, its the meds not you talking.  Well, hope that helps you rsterling.  Like Erin said, about 1/2 of her hep C patients can continue working full time, 1/4 have to reduce their hours or work part time.  and the other 1/4 get hit hard and cant work.  And your boss cannot lay you off for having this, we are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act.   Hugs from ol CRABBY FACE here.

[oldhippiechick67]

They suggest (oops I cant remember, its so many ounces of water per so many lbs you weigh,  this is Galens expertise)
about a gallon plus some per day.  I weigh around 150lbs and drink at a minimum of 8 24oz bottles of water every day. The meds make me very dry mouthed so it is easy to consume that much.  It is important to be close to a toilet at all times, and it helps reduce the side effects (can you imagine how BAD I would be without the water???!!!)  LMAO, lordy, I am lucky I can function the little I do.

[layla]

Great , thanks. I will wait until JanuaryMaybe my PCR can be done a little early. I'm doing 60 weeks anyway and I believe it's just to make sure I am clear after 48 for their records. LL