Any good stories

[Willfightit]

I just finished reading a post out of the archives despicting how dreadful treatment and post-treatment symptoms are plaguing them.  The post appearing to be strongly attempting to dissuade other from pursuing treatment.  If you have any positive treatment stories, please share?  I know or have come to believe that treatment has the potential to be aweful for some and only a minor inconvenient for others, but I want to hear, first hand, what are some of the current experiences.  In the mist of the grueling treatment, does anyone have a normal or great day?  Does anyone have no, few, or just minor post-treatment adverse effects?  People in the post were complaining that as a result of optingn for treatment, they now have to deal with another set of health problems?  I respect there stories and feel bad for them.  Share you positive stories.  

[charm27]

You've are free !  Like a bird.

What a post. After having HCV 20 years....I can only IMAGINE the feeling of being free.

YOU GO!!!!!!!

[mremeet]

Thanks for the kind words. And although the side effects of treatment were just awful, even that has a silver lining. Going through all that really gives you a perspective you just can't get any other way. The old adage is true: "The sweet is never as sweet without the sour."

Health and happiness to us all!

[charm27]

what a story....and real! It gave me goose bumps---So sorry you had to go thru all the cr@p. Reading this really made me feel I have hope of one day getting rid of it.

Your heart sounds so happy,, mine would be too.
I wish you all the good stuff.

Health & Happiness!!

[mremeet]

I had a pretty awful treatment, no sugar coating here. Anemia, hairloss, horrible itching and one sonofab!tch of a rash (VX950 trial participant). But you know what? Now that I'm about 4 months post tx, I feel flippin' fabulous! I really feel good, I think getting rid of the virus has probably done me some serious good. I've battled with chronic fatigue for about 25 years now (i.e. how long I've been infected) along with a mixture of other HCV related maladies, and my god they seemed to have resolved themselves. It's a common theme around here and on internet support forums in general that people feel the same or are usually worse off after treatment. Not to discount those people's experiences, but believe me there's another side to that coin (and you've probably seen our debates on that subject here). At least I can say that so far there is. Maybe I'll slowly degrade right back to the way I was in another year or so? But somehow, I just don't see that happening. Sure I'll continue to grow older, and now that I'm in my 40's I'll have to deal with the usual infirmaties of middle age and eventually the more serious infirmities of old age. But at least I don't have to sweat cirrhosis and other liver related problems exacerbated or caused by a longstanding HCV infection anymore. And again I feel great! I can't tell you how happy I am with what's happened with me after a *very* trying treatment. I just have to finish regrowing my hair and hopefully get my feet and ankle joints back in order, otherwise I'm so happy I could sh!t! It's like my whole life is one big music video now. Chugging beer, zooming down the road in my sports-like car (not after chugging beer of course ;-) cranking the stereo up with the sunroof open and sun streaming in. Mountain climbing, hiking,  camping, smooching and visiting with friends. Life's good right now and I think it's going to be good for a good long while. F*ck HCV! It belongs in the gutter, OUT of your body! It can happen - believe it!

[ShoshanaPNW]

My partner is fatigued but in good spirits, not in pain, usually not itching at all, and able to work about 3/4 time. She's sleeping pretty well and has some nausea, but this is from potassium supplements, not the HCV drugs. After the Pegasys she runs a little fever but not over 101. She's 1a and has had 18 Pegasys shots and 2 Procrit shots with 6 ribavirin a day. Her advice is to drink plenty of water. It has a direct effect on her side effects.

[GrandmaA]

Many people need tranquilizers on tx. but I don't do well on those drugs. I had some natural ones that were recommended by Dr. Zhang (he doesn't make them). I only took them at night because I had to function during the day and insomnia was my biggest problem. I did not like the meds at all and I'm delighted that I'm finished.

[GrandmaA]

I spent a great deal of money (about $150. every 2 months) on Dr. Zhang's herbs that I religiously took every day. So I had no rash and no itching.and minimal side effects. I had the emotional ups and down and would obsess about people's problems now and then, but it wasn't bad. When I was working my boss was mean to me (some people have no empathy or heart) and I'm glad I could retire after 33 weeks. But if I had treated for only 24 weeks I would still be working. I worked 9 hours a day at an office job and had every other Fri. off. I got a lot done on those Fridays. I was in 2 minor auto accidents both my fault, fortunately no one was hurt. So it was not a picnic. I lost 17 lbs. Gained about 3 back.  It seems like I have lost a year of my life.  I have taken Dr. Zhangs herbs for over 4 years. I have about 1 1/2 months supply left.

[Willfightit]

I am glad your pre and post-treatment symptoms were not that bad.  It is good that you were able to tolerate the meds.

[Willfightit]

Thanks for your response GrandmaA.  It appears you had minimal symptoms during your treatment.  It sounds as though you were a soldier and the treatment is doable.  There are, however, posts in the archives that seemingly attempts to discourage people from undergoing the treatment.  Did you experience fatigue?  How did you manage it?  Fatigue is a common complaint.  The complaints is the archives were much more serious than fatigue, some were reported as debilitating.  You make a good point about age and health status.  Some reported that they were in good health at the beginning of treatment and experienced major health problems post-treatment.    I am glad your pre and post-treatment symptoms were that bad.

[GrandmaA]

Everyone is different. The condition of their liver, are all different. How old they are. How strong their immune system is, etc. etc. If they treated before. So many factors to consider, including other health issues.

The biggest problems I had on tx was nausea (and sometimes vomiting - I lost 14 lbs) and waking up too early. Sometimes I would wake up at 1 a.m. wide awake. Time to start your day! I learned how to nap after that but it gave me very vivid dreams.  So  I was mostly sleep deprived the 33 weeks I treated while I was still working full time (actually 9 hrs. a day - I had every other Fri. off).. I'm glad I lost the 14 lbs. I'm just about the right weight now. So that is a positive. As long as I don't gain it back - LOL.

I have just finished tx. 2 weeks ago, but so far my post tx sx are not bad. Still have interrupted sleep but not as bad. I guess all the riba will be gone from my system before my sleep is back to pre tx.
I solved the nausea by pills and taking fat with my riba. The brain fog is leaving me little by little but a watercolor artist I met over the weekend said you might be able to paint your best work while you have brain fog - she wasn't kidding. So I will try it.