Recovery from treatment is very unique to everyone, some people come back to what they deem as normal, quickly (as in a couple of months), some take years.
The symptoms are different, too. I still have brain short circuits, not "fog" so much as immediately post-tx, but short circuiting occurs.
Age plays a factor as well as gender, IMO. Most of us that are on tx or have treated are in middle age, for females, this throws in the menopausal years. Add in that factor and things get compounded.
Also, the destruction the disease caused BEFORE we treated plays a factor. Some damage cannot be reversed, even though it's been proven that even if a patient cannot attain SVR, interferon does indeed help the liver out. Those of us that attain SVR? Our livers do indeed heal to a great extent.
But, HCV does affect other parts of our bodies, which we all know.
It took me 2 years to start sleeping throught the night without the help of medication (I still take a small amount of alprozalam if I'm having a bad night), but not often anymore.
I fight off viruses better than ever now- this year, I'm not getting a flu vaccine, due to the fact they're throwing in the H1N1 in the mix. This could be a mistake, but last year, I reacted badly to the attenuator in the vaccine for the regular flu shot. I didn't get the H1N1 vaccine. I don't follow the lemmings very well. The media blitz and panic that followed somewhat turned me off. Then again, I'm a conspiracy theorist to a degree. No telling what was in that vaccine, LOL
My skin is in much better shape than it used to be.
Mentally and emotionally, I look at things much differently, but still retain my natural cynicsim about world events in general.
I don't think, nor would advise anyone to discontinue any antidepressants after ending treatment- it takes a long time for your head to get right with the world after that toxic ****tail-
The best anyone can do is force themselves to eat well, get outside and enjoy the day and keep in mind, the virus is no longer destroying you.
But also, keep your expectations at a realistic level. Most of us are getting older and even for those that are healthy to begin with, will not "bounce back" like a 16 year old person would if ill and had to endure a treatment regiment.
Things will get better, yes- but it takes time, some it takes less, some more.
jan said
Oct 29, 2010
Hi Annie,
I am sorry to hear that your recovery from tx is taking it's time but recover you will and soon I hope. It's some consolation knowing that you are no longer pumping your body full of powerful drugs. Is your appetite good and the food tasting like food and not cardboard? When you go for your hospital appointment they will be able to answer all your questions and re-assure you. We are going for a short break before going for my 6 month pcr a week on monday. I wish I could just carry on as I am now and never get to know the results. I want it all to have been a very bad dream.
Love Jan x
medusa said
Oct 29, 2010
Hi ilovelife, I'm still feeling as if I'm on tx, equally as horrible as the last few months, each day I really want to get out of the house, but just feel too weak and in too much in pain to move far. I'm in good spirits, and patiently waiting for a small sign of improvement. My immune system feels at an all time low, since stopping tx I have developed mouth ulcers and gum problems, each little cut or scratch is very slow to heal. I seem to be loosing a lot of hair again, apparently this can take several months to stop after the end of tx, some must still be growing or I'd be completely bald by now! The good news: I've only fainted once in the past 2 weeks, so maybe my RBC's are going up; I have also had some pleasant 'normal' dreams, and more sleep than on tx. My hospital appointment is next Tuesday, not last! I'm very brain-fogged and somehow thought I was a week ahead of everyone else! I hope I will be re-assured when they do all the tests, and have a long list of questions for the doctor. In my present state I'm not very happy about waiting until March for the follow-up 6 month visit to the hospital, and will ask if I can have another appt. in about 2 months time or at least the doctor's phone number. Please excuse me having a good old moan here.........you're the one still suffering the tx! I'm glad you managed to get your interferon. Have you stopped work yet? Take good care of yourself, and keep the end in sight. Love Annie xxxxx
ilovelife said
Oct 29, 2010
Great attitude Annie...and right on the money. How's it going, are things levelling off for you? How did your appointment go on Tuesday?
virginiap said
Oct 28, 2010
Thank you, Annie.
xoxo
D
ty said
Oct 28, 2010
I agree! ty
Cinnamon Girl said
Oct 28, 2010
Well said Annie. People are all different and so have varying experiences of everything in life, and the point of coming to a site like this is surely for mutual support and for sharing information, and we should at least maintain civility even if we don`t agree with everything that is posted.
Peace and Love, Jill xxx
-- Edited by Cinnamon Girl on Thursday 28th of October 2010 11:08:43 AM
medusa said
Oct 28, 2010
It makes me sad that this forum is sometimes not a place for sharing and listening to other peoples experiences with an open mind. We are a very diverse group from around the world, all with different experiences of HepC and its treatment. I don't always agree with what other people post, or expect them to always be in accord with my ideas or opinions. There is no need for insults or ridicule, intelligent discussion would be better. It is good to have alternative views and ways of treating this disease, especially as there are many millions of us who are either intolerant to the interferon/ ribervirin tx, or non-responders, or relapsers, or who cannot afford or obtain this treatment. I would think that they are in a large majority. There are no sure-fire cures for this illness, and the ongoing research and trials into possible 'cures' still seems to be in infancy, or maybe early adolescence. I would like to be able to hear about the experiences of everyone, and to learn as much as I can. Love Annie xxxxx
The symptoms are different, too. I still have brain short circuits, not "fog" so much as immediately post-tx, but short circuiting occurs.
Age plays a factor as well as gender, IMO. Most of us that are on tx or have treated are in middle age, for females, this throws in the menopausal years. Add in that factor and things get compounded.
Also, the destruction the disease caused BEFORE we treated plays a factor. Some damage cannot be reversed, even though it's been proven that even if a patient cannot attain SVR, interferon does indeed help the liver out. Those of us that attain SVR? Our livers do indeed heal to a great extent.
But, HCV does affect other parts of our bodies, which we all know.
It took me 2 years to start sleeping throught the night without the help of medication (I still take a small amount of alprozalam if I'm having a bad night), but not often anymore.
I fight off viruses better than ever now- this year, I'm not getting a flu vaccine, due to the fact they're throwing in the H1N1 in the mix. This could be a mistake, but last year, I reacted badly to the attenuator in the vaccine for the regular flu shot. I didn't get the H1N1 vaccine. I don't follow the lemmings very well. The media blitz and panic that followed somewhat turned me off. Then again, I'm a conspiracy theorist to a degree. No telling what was in that vaccine, LOL
My skin is in much better shape than it used to be.
Mentally and emotionally, I look at things much differently, but still retain my natural cynicsim about world events in general.
I don't think, nor would advise anyone to discontinue any antidepressants after ending treatment- it takes a long time for your head to get right with the world after that toxic ****tail-
The best anyone can do is force themselves to eat well, get outside and enjoy the day and keep in mind, the virus is no longer destroying you.
But also, keep your expectations at a realistic level. Most of us are getting older and even for those that are healthy to begin with, will not "bounce back" like a 16 year old person would if ill and had to endure a treatment regiment.
Things will get better, yes- but it takes time, some it takes less, some more.
I am sorry to hear that your recovery from tx is taking it's time but recover you will and soon I hope. It's some consolation knowing that you are no longer pumping your body full of powerful drugs. Is your appetite good and the food tasting like food and not cardboard? When you go for your hospital appointment they will be able to answer all your questions and re-assure you. We are going for a short break before going for my 6 month pcr a week on monday. I wish I could just carry on as I am now and never get to know the results. I want it all to have been a very bad dream.
Love Jan x
Love Annie xxxxx
How's it going, are things levelling off for you? How did your appointment go on Tuesday?
Peace and Love, Jill xxx
-- Edited by Cinnamon Girl on Thursday 28th of October 2010 11:08:43 AM
Love Annie xxxxx