Hey Shemp,

I just got back, too. I‘m glad to be back... What a trip! More info on that later. I’ve got some catching up to do around here. 

I know you’ll be pleased with the blood test results. They always show significant improvements and that alone is a great morale booster. Stand by to crest that hill and hit the Jake! (Just to let them hear you coming, ha!) The ride down is a lot easier to your finish line.

  World travels?... that must be some truck  

better days! yeah! keep on trucking!

bb, Iris

 Thanks for checking in Shemp, good to hear from you! glad you're feeling better  

welcome back shemp, so glad you are having more good days than bad

Hi y'all

Just got back home from my world travels last night.I have my 6 weeks bloods today.It seems to be getting easier but I still have an off day now and then.I'll keep you posted.

Oh lucky you Shemp, not that we want you to need them....so still opt for you to go to a fine dining place with Tig 

I had to take my pills every 12 hours so no Tums for me for 3 months.... but...hcvfree makes it  worth it. 

Iris,

There are plenty pf women your age driving trucks.My wife was my co-driver for 12 years.She's 4'11 100 lbs and she could truck with the best of them.Go for it.

Nothing wrong with Dairy Queen.  I love the kale and artichoke shakes.  'Glad your packing fresh food.

Best.

Canuck,

My sides seem to be getting better.Just finished my last delivery in Boston so I can put my feet up for a day or two.The world won't end if I hang up the keys for a while longer.There will just be a few less cars in my driveway.I appreciate your concern.

Hey Observer,

My Doc says I can take tums or prilosec as long as it's 12 hours after my meds.Guess I need to dust of the crystal ball.

Tig,

If you're going to Atlanta,there's a great BBQ joint on Marrietta St. just down from the CNN building.Check it out

Hoodie, 

you're always such an inspiration.Sometimes I feel like Mel Gibson in the Road Warrior.Glad you're feeling better though.Happy EOT !!!

Cheddy,

I did stock the fridge in my truck with lot of fruits and veggies.And plenty of water.Whats wrong with Dairy Queen?

5-1,

Great to hear from you to.I trust all is going well.

I always wanted to be a truck driver, there was a school of trucking when I was around 17-18 advertised on the tv all the time but my parents said girls don't drive trucks and wouldn't pay for the school. It still is a fancy of mine but how may 60 year old women are just starting out on that sort of work?? 

Anyway, wanted to send you my best, glad to hear you are feeling a bit better Next time you are at the junction of  CA. hwy 395 and 58, try the Roadhouse at Kramer junction, my Grandmother would always get some pie she said it was the best.

BB, Iris

You make a valid point, Obs! Guess that means we’ll be eating in the finest of restaurants. After all, we wouldn’t want to risk Shemp’s treatment with ill advised indigestion mishaps! I guess waiting four hours after eating to take a rescue antacid would be kind of painful. Ha, ha! Looks like you get to pick the place, Shemp. Make it a good one!

Ummmmm...Tig 

i dont think Shemp can share Tums with you while hes on treatment. (unless theyve changed the rules) 

Shemp, it must be really hard to eat healthy on the road, but hopefully with 25 years of driving you must know a few good places to get a decent dinner 

Take care

Shemp,

Don't believe everything we say!

Speaking of less-than-ideal eateries, I have found (most of the time) I have actually enjoyed hospital food! OH dear, now what on earth could THAT tell ya! other than I am a terrible cook! I hope Tig's rig has a CB in it, then you can give him a handle like Big-Tums-Buddy and tell him where to go (heehee), I guess you always have to pack some of your own foods when you are trucking eh?  

Now about sides, according to most people, it's only the first couple/few weeks that most people have trouble with sides or getting used to DAA's. According to Hoodie and lamassu it is actually only the last couple weeks you don't notice sides, ha!, and for me ... I noticed nothing very pleasant for 12 weeks! - I just got into a routine with it and rolled with it's punches. You can do the same, keep making modifications as required, no matter how it keeps rolling out for you - you have some options you can turn to - EOT is not that many weeks away. At that milestone, you will have less and less need to have to make any modification, to have things cramp your normal style and routines. It will NOT be the end of the world if you hang up the keys again for a while. C.

NEW JERSEY?? That has to be stressing just crossing the state line, lol! Sounds like you had to take the scenic route to get there and then some. I’m heading into Atlanta tomorrow morning and picking up a Class A bus for a drive through GA, NC, WV and TN. Maybe we’ll run into each other at some gut bomb joint along the way! We can share some Tums together...

Slow and steady is the key. Don’t let them run you ragged. Take every chance you get to put your feet up for a few minutes. I hope you get some rest tonight and a decent meal. Be careful out there, Brother!

Great to hear from you Shemp!  Keep on trucking road warrior  I started feeling much much better at the 10 week mark and I just read a post from a guy named lamasu who said the same thing. We were told when we first start taking these meds that the first couple weeks can be a rough period of adjustment. For some of us that first couple weeks is prolonged for about 10 weeks, but I did eventually start feeling better and I trust you will too. Hang in there!

Good to hear from you, Shemp.  

Are you sure you should be back to work now? You're the only one who knows the answer to that question, but I hate to hear of the stress. I hope you are still listening to your body.  Just the fact that you can make it to work shows that you've got lots of fortitude (and new treatment).

I hope you can stock up on some good healthy food. I think it might have been Tig who said truck stops are the best places to eat.  He's a fan of comfort food and Dairy Queen. Kale salad is probably not on his menu.  Right, Tig?! (just playin' with our bro).

Drive well, and take it as easy as you can.  There's an ending to all of this.

Ch

good to hear from you shemp. keep on truckin'

Hey Tig,

Just got to my office on NJ.Had to take the scenic route through Nashville Tn.The things you do for money.I have to admit it's a little more physically demanding than I thought.I'm staying hydrated,road food sucks.Whoever said the best place to eat on the road is a truckstop,had no tastebuds.The stress is kicking in and I'm happy my Doc gave me that prescription for Ativan.It didn't do much for me at home but it's paying off now.When my office wants to push me,I tell them the old me is on vacation.I've been leased on to this company for 25 years,not much chance of getting fired.I'm keeping after it.By the time I get get home it will be time for bloodwork,and another 6 weeks.I'll keep you posted.Thanks for checking up on me.

Hey Shemp,

I got to thinking about you today and wondered how your day back on the road is going? I hope it hasn’t been too difficult. I’m confident that a tough old Trucker can overcome most any adversity on the road, except for Snowbirds in the middle and left lanes. You know what I’m saying!

Check in when time permits and be sure you stay on top of your water intake and don’t forget to stop for a bite. Safe roads and skies, Brother....

Hi Shemp,

I like that staying hydrated mantra. It works. Drinking water during treatment was healthy for me and now all I drink is water with or without gas and a cup of coffee in the morning. I now love drinking water and it keeps me feeling fresh and alive. Keep doing what you are doing! I like that you are listening to yourself and following your own beat for each day. Good for you!!

ps

We’re glad to have you with us, Shemp! Just take it easy, Brother and check in anytime. One of us is always checking in and will keep an eye peeled for your next update. Just remember, No Texting and Driving! Ha, ha! I know you see too much of that already, so I know you don’t have any part of that anyway. It amazes me to see how many people do, craziness...

Good luck, buddy!

Thank you all for the kind words and encouragement.My better half has been more than supportive and understanding.(I've been a bit cranky lately) But as the saying goes "until you walk a mile in my shoes"You guys have done a lot of walking. I truly appreciate you all.When I leave home I spend 99% of my time alone.It's nice to know I can just log on and be among friends.I'll keep you posted.

Hi there, Shemp.  Good to hear from you.  Your common sense is such a great asset.  You're doing an excellent job of treating yourself.

This is really a good thread, so good that I can't add much, but I echo the thoughts.

Thanks for stopping in.  I hope you can continue to do so.

Best to you, Shemp.

I admire your choices about listening to your body, looking after yourself, taking time off work when you needed to.  And I totally agree about the water...its a really good habit that I developed during treatment that I still practice....maybe not quite so much since my treatment but a heck of a lot more and more regularly than I ever drank it before. 

Safe travels friend.

Congrats on starting bottle number 2 Shemp! 

You have shown a lot a good judgement and common sense and understanding, why you are doing so well i think - drinking water well, taking good care of yourself, stopping work when you need to - all important. 

Just take it as easy as you can easing back into the workload again - you will know what to do and when (and why) - just make sure you are always number one - you are doing an exemplary job on everything that has been thrown at you thus far, i have every confidence in you that you are going to get through all of this just fine. 

I like your new mantra - me too, that water was a foreign friend in my early life, even though i knew better. Funny the things that teach us important lasting lessons - like ... how there really are nice people in this world, and that many of them are found right here!  C.

good luck at work shemp

That's an excellent report, Shemp! Made my evening to hear your upbeat tone. That's what it's all about, Bro, that and a few thousand of your fellow Dragon Slayers to cheer you on. We have the best bunch of friends anywhere. Kind of oddly nice, to have people you barely know, turning out to be the best you ever will.... I love this place!

Don't push it and I'm glad to hear you've found some things that will keep the blood flowing and mind sharp. You're absolutely right, keep your hydration program up and don't wear yourself out under any circumstances. Do your best to stay rested (as well as a Trucker can, right?) and don't miss any of your medication. Keep that in your log book, too!

Check in when you can and be careful headed up the road. It's a mess right now!

It's been a while since I've checked in here.I think it was around my 12th day of Mavyret.I'm now on day 28,56 more to go.I can't say it's been a breeze,but it seems to be leveling off.At first it was more bad days than good but it seems to be turning around.My brothers and sisters on this forum,you have taught me so much.I know without you all I would be truly lost.I went back to work yesterday and by the weekend I'll be headed off to the northeast.I learned a little exercise helps get the blood moving makes me feel better.I'm not saying go run a marathon,but take a walk it helps.STAY HYDRATED is my new mantra.I used to hate water,now it's kinda growing on me.I know there's not many here taking Mavyret,but if you are and you find this place I'll try to give you answers.We're here to see each other through.

I’m glad you let dispatch know you’re out of service for the time being. I imagine with all the flooding and road closures right now, the road would be particularly stressful for you. You don’t need stress right now. Listen to your body and all that common sense you’ve learned over 1.5M miles. You’ll know when the time is right. I think you’ll start coming around in a week or two and if you feel up to that, maybe a short haul would be possible. Avoid the heat, that seems to be the most difficult thing to tolerate during treatment. Always have some water with you, wherever you’re at or headed to. 

Tig,

I can't tell you how much your advice and encouragement means to me and all the other newbies just starting our treatments.I can't imagine what you must have endured back in the day when treatments were experimental.I keep holding off my office(they're trying to load me) but I've been honest with them.I don't think I'm ready to go back to the grind yet.Maybe next week.Oh by the way it's a Freightliner not a Kenworth.I bought her new back in 98'.1,500,000 miles and still going strong.We're just two old timers driving toward the sunrise.Thanks

It really does take a lot out of you, Shemp. Imagine the changes going on inside you right now. These drugs zap something that until recently wasn't routinely zappable. Even the strong chemo therapy agents were laughed off more than half the time and it came back with a vengeance. Keeping that in mind, these drugs are essentially doing the exact same thing, just twice as effectively and thank God, you're not suffering for an entire year with those old standards of care and the damage they caused all by themselves. That doesn't mean you're not experiencing your own time in the trenches, none of this is easy and we're all here to offer as much support as possible. I wish I had some better advice to help you on those days when you're under the Dragon, instead of on top of it. I do know that these days will get better and I want to say that should happen sooner than later. Just don't expect to feel like a 20 year old going into October. I'm going to put the order in, but sometimes Pony Express isn't part of Amazon Prime service. You'd think for the price of AP and these drugs, there would be some magic included in regards to the side effects. The magic is in the medication though, I can assure you of that. They're like a new Kenworth on steroids and rocket fuel. All you gotta do right now is steer, do your 12 hours and hit the rest stop. Fuel, water and rest and you'll arrive on time and in good shape. Mark my words...

Tig,

Thanks for the advice.I kinda figured it flows like the virus.Peaks and valleys.That is a great album by the way,I'll have to dust it off.And those days DEFINED getting in trouble.Thanks again

Are you keeping any kind of a journal? I used to note everything I did, food, fluids, sleep, you name it, it got entered. Those days or series of days  when I felt exceptionally worse, I could often see a pattern. Of course, there are going to be days during the first two to three weeks, when you just feel like whale poo. Ebbs and Flows like the tides. Some days you're the Dog and others you're the fire hydrant, know what I mean?

Sleep is very important, try to follow a routine and don't stray from it. At least it's one more thing you can be sure of. Force some fluids, eat something nourishing and find a chair to kick back in and watch something easy going. Many folks have great success with music. One of my favorite albums to zone out with is Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. If you have a set of headphones and haven't listened to it for awhile, it'll take you right back into the 70's. Back to a time when we thought we had the world by it's tail. Remember those bullet proof days? They're probably what got me into trouble, lol!

Try to relax buddy, I guarantee you, there are better days ahead...

So,today is day12 of my 84 day Mavret journey.Days 1 through 10 were a mix of fatigue stress and nausea.I highly recommend Tig's home made ginger ale .It really does help with the nausea.Day 11 was like a blessing,I actually felt pretty darn good.Even had a little pep in my step.Stayed up to watch Monday night football.(go steelers)Had a lot of problems going to sleep and I was up after 5 hours.Today,day 12 I feel absolutely horrible.I don't know if it's from lack of sleep but it's the worst I've felt since I started.I know the side effects come and go but this really took me by surprise.I thought that after a while they kind of level out.I didn't do anything different as far as meds go.Anyone else on mavyret have any issue with this?It won't change my mind about treatment.Maybe someone further along can enlighten me.Any help would be much appreciated.

Outstanding! So glad it gave you some relief

Tig,

Just wanted to let you know I brewed up a batch of ginger ale and it works really well.Nausea gone in a few minutes.For anybody that wants to try this a word of advice.Less is more.My mixture was a little off the first time and it was INTENSE!.Thanks Tig

Hi Canuck,

Thanks for the 2 cents.I think for me a lot of the anxiety came from starting the treatment and wanting it to be over .I do that to myself alot.Acceptance of the situation helped me calm down.I did try the Ativan and to be honest,it didn't do much for me.The stress part comes from being self employed.No work=no $$$ coming to the house.My wife of 35 years is quite understanding and happy about my treatment,but I know she worries.She was my co-driver for 12 years so she knows life on the road is stressful.We're learning to cope with it.As far as my Dr. goes,he really needs to brush up on theatment.The first script he wrote me for Mavyret said Take 1 pill 3 times a day with food.REALLY? I thought my insurance company would just chuckle and say NO.But once again I pointed out his mistake and prevailed.The good part is I can tell him I want every test known to man and he'll agree,so I will get a full battery of bloodwork at 6 weeks and especially EOT.Thank you and everyone on this forum for checking in and checking up.i know a lot of you are (cured) but you still hang around to advise us newbies.That says volumes about the kind of people you are.Thanks for the kind words and the encouragement.

Hi Shemp

Good update - can I throw in my 2 cents?

So, live and learn ... the experience you had with work/heat, and, how you felt (as you said) was a lesson, and not just for you, but for all of us, it's very good feedback, important to know and share and especially for those of us who have not done treatment yet or are just starting, to see what you and others experience and why - what can create or prevent bad feelings.

We can take an experimental test approach and see how we do and react, or we can be much more cautious.

Stress and ativan, what did you end up deciding? I am betting that maybe you are a little less stressed now? and that you were reluctant to try the ativan and so didn't? I never did know if it was day and/ or night stress, but if it was stress affecting your seep, did you ever try the ativan at bedtime, just once to see if it helped you? Perhaps especially knowing when you would not be working or driving the next day? Just wondering how all this part is going. 

If a big change of pace (such as NOT working for a while) would normally be something that would be stressful to you ... then that too you will have to find ways to deal with. Negatives can be evoked by "working" OR by "not being able to work" when you are on treatment!

I think you are finding your way.

To me, it was a little unusual that your doc chose week 6 (out of your 12 week course) for a "VL only" and was going to leave out the LFT's. So many in North America have and do get VL's and LFT's at week 4. Re: other differing timings for LFT's ... one example could be with folks taking ZEP - some of those folks might, instead of getting LFT's at 4 weeks, have their LFT draw delayed to occur at week 8 or week 12, when on 12 or 16 week courses of ZEP (respectively). But regardless of the exact timing, their LFT's WILL still be drawn and done during treatment.

So, I agree with you for requesting a LFT be done along with the VL he planned to do at your week 6.

Further to this, i agree with Tig, I would also prefer to see an additional LFT and VL (both) done at EOT. Just cuz.

You seem a smart cookie, with a good head on your shoulders, nice you have support at your home base - I am betting you are going cope with this time of treatment just fine.  C.

Tig,

Thanks for the info.I'm still at home and I know that my better half has some ginger root in the ol' fridge.Think I'll whip up a batch.Thanks again

Shemp,

I just thought about something and for me, that’s something special! With your nausea in mind, I want to give you a recipe that has helped many of our fellow Warriors here. This homemade ginger ale is very good and very effective. As an old trucker, I know you have more skills than busting gears, so whip out your Coleman stove and cook up a batch. I know you must have one in your road kit!

Seriously, it’s good stuff and if you take a look at our Nutrition section, the Green Smoothie Ranch, has some very nutritious ideas. Remember, treat yourself like royalty while on treatment!

Homemade Ginger Ale

Thanks Hoodie.

dictionary says fatigue is extreme tiredness, typically resulting from mental or physical exertion or illness. I say if you are in treatment and trying to work full time,it's like trying to build the great pyramid....ALONE! But there's lots and lots of blue sky at the end.Hang in there.

Thanks Tig,many people find it hard to change the way they live their lives.I learned a valuable lesson.During treatment I'm certainly not the old me.I know it will come in time but,for now I need to cool it.

Hey Shemp,

It’s very important to take it easy during the first few weeks. Your body is adjusting to some very powerful antiviral medication. I try to stress to people, even though these drugs have a low side effects profile, just try and consider what they are doing to you. Destroying a killer virus, that until recent years was nearly impossible to get rid of. Then along comes the systemic poisons, Interferon, Ribavirin and the fun of either Incivek or Victrelis. They made us deathly sick, felt like it anyway and really forced us through no choice of our own, to do as little as possible. I remember having to save strength to get up and use the bathroom, get a bite to eat, when you could hold it down and then make it back to my chair. It would’ve been physically impossible for me to work at the time.

I want all of you to realize that while you may feel okay, with some bad days thrown in there, your body is still fighting the same battle mine was. It still requires the right things to click, to make treatment easier and successful. Stay out of the heat, eat a balanced diet, stay active, but don’t overdo it. Above all else, hydrate, add some electrolytes and take it easy.

Shemp, good for you, the liver panel is an important test at that stage of treatment. I would throw in a CBC, too. Week 6 is as good as week 4 and will be a good indicator of your progress. I would ask for another at EOT. That’s a great way to finish up the 12 weeks of hard work. You‘ll be done in no time, but make the next 11 weeks a time to treat your body like a shrine. It’ll pay off all the way through treatment and the rest of your life.

I moved this thread into the On Treatment section. You graduated from New Member status!

Short on time so Ill keep this brief: hang in there champ and thank you for your update. Ive got a lot of friends who dont really understand how hard this is. Some friends who even went through treatment and had an easier time. So its really hard explaining why Ive got so much fatigue I finally narrowed it down to the fact that Im still working a full-time job and when they were on treatment they were completely off work, however I have a lot of respect for those of us who went before on the Stone Age treatments. Peace out TTYL

Hi everyone,

I started my treatment 09/13/18.The first seven days weren't to bad.I had some nausea,slight headache,and fatigue.All to be expected.Yesterday day 8,I decided to big rig to my office(about 75 miles south of my house) to remove packing I had left over from a delivery I had done several weeks ago.The trip down was ok but physical labor in 95 degree heat really took it out of me.Now I'm in pretty good shape for an old guy,worked hard my whole life.I was not ready for the side effects to double or triple.I drank plenty of water,took a lot of breaks,but in the end the heat won.I finished up and started the drive home.I felt like I might as well be driving to the moon.I'm ok today but I guess a word of caution to folks taking Mavyret.Try to limit your physical activity especially in the heat.You may think you feel pretty good but that changes quickly.Physically you are not your old self.Hydrate,I know you've heard it before but it is vitally important. My doctor put me on 12 week treatment so he dosn't want bloodwork until week 6.I guess I don't get the 4 week good news.The worst part is he wanted viral load only,I had to argue that I wanted a complete liver panel as well.He finally gave in but I don't think I should have to tell him his job.He's not paying for it.That's it for now.I'll keep you posted.