Before I started the treatment I took both my sons to see a Hep C Councellor at MOSAIC so that they were well informed of what sort of side effects I would be going through to help them be understanding and patient with me, as well as help me during this time, which I advise anyone to do with family members or close friends that are going to be there with you the most.

I did the treatment in February 2004 for 24 weeks, 180ml interferon and 200mg x2 daily ribavirin. (some say I was under-dosed).

I had to go see a psychiatrist before I started to make sure that I could cope with the side effects, and because my depression levels were quite high, I was put on anti-depressants to help me cope with this during treatment.

Listed here is some other things I was taking during treatment, I would not have taken the Iron, Elimitona or antacid whilst on treatment if I knew what I know now, eg: iron replicates the virus.

During the treatment I was also taking:

2 x 30mg serepax - to help me sleep.
20mg cipramil - anti-depressant.
20 mg Losec - antacid. (some antacids should not be taken whilst on tx).
250mg vitamin E.
Milkthistle.
Iron plus (I had low Iron levels)
10mls Elimitona for 20 days - liver detoxifier.

Please always ask the doctors/specialists their advice before you take any form of medication, herbal supplements, antacids etc whilst on tx.

Within the first week of treatment I was tired, weak, sore legs and hips, back and shoulders. Pain down the right side, rib area, headaches.
The rash came within 3 days on my back, elbows, chest and the Brain Fog started.

I was lethargic and vague. I became forgetfull and disorientated, weary, nauseaus and living in a state of confusion. I tried to rest as much as possible, read quite a lot of books. (and re-read quite a few pages as well..lol). (lol=laugh out loud).
I became quite emotional in the next month (march), to the degree where I left home and went to stay with my brother, I just wasnt coping with home life, housework and needed peace and quiet. I did return home after 3 weeks to a much quieter place.

The side effects above were constant throughout the whole treatment and panadol was the only thing I took to ease the pain and aches.
I became quite a hermit in those days, but hey, I did go out now and then to family get togethers or a special function, but it was hard to try and be 'normal' (whatever that is). Fortunately I have a great group of friends that understood what I was going through. But on the other hand, there was also another group of friends and family that I couldnt tell I was hepatitis C positive let alone being on treatment, which was very hard to cope with.

Having no stress surrounding you while on treatment is very important.

When it got to the final month, that last injection, I can tell you what a relief it felt to have finished it, I was getting very tired of feeling the way I was.   I had done it, completed treatment.

I was undetectable during treatment, but after the blood tests 6 months later I had relapsed. I was devastated, but all-in-all I had given it a try and completed it to the end, I did my best.

We are all different, it just didnt work for me, but hey, something else will come along, just a matter of waiting.

Be prepared before you go on the treament, get all the research you can and have all the help you will need set up.

Id also like to recommend that if you can, just try and do some form of exercise, we lose a lot of muscle while on treatment, plus a lot of weight, and I can tell you that it is harder to get that muscle back when you are finished, it comes back as flab when you gain weight.

I now find myself taking vitamins and supplements to help me with the symptoms of hepatitis C and to maintain the liver.

Treatment Decisions  - (my opinion)

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