Thank you everyone for your replies. I am feeling a lot more positive today and ready for the challenges ahead! I have researched quite a bit and have questions ready for the nurses. And I honestly do see it as good news that I've been given the chance to try treatment. I think in terms of my personal life now is the best time.......if there can ever be a "best" time to pump toxins into your body that will make you feel rotten!!
Bills said
Jan 14, 2013
Hi D
Everyone agrees it's a lot to handle mentally. I was more terrified not to start. Because of my symptoms I felt I better do it while I could. I Even had a fear I would transmit by accident. I can always quit if its too much. It seems to me waiting years I would get weaker and sicker. But I am stage 3 and had Hep C 25 or more years untreated. even my doctors advised better do something. This Forum took a lot of fear out of it and the knowledge you get about treatment is endless. Compassion and encouragement is all over here. I wanted a life back without Hep C and a chance to get healthier. If all the stars are lining up treatment Insurance good doctors and the doctors suggestion to start are all there. You'll need to get some test first the may give you some time and the test will give a better picture of how far along the Hep C is and the liver damage ( if you have it ) That really the driving factor when to start. Treatments may get better easier but how long can you wait? But please keep asking questions Say whats on your mind you'll get answers that apply to you personally There is a lot of help here Nobody will be telling what to do only sharing their experiences and present you with options etc. Stay with us.
Good Luck D
BillS
-- Edited by Bills on Tuesday 15th of January 2013 12:21:01 AM
Cinnamon Girl said
Jan 14, 2013
Hi again Dopey, I can understand you having mixed feelings after such a long wait, it`s only natural as you`ve probably put all thoughts of this tx to the back of your mind until now when it`s suddenly looking like a reality.
Probably the best way to approach it is by just taking it step at a time and letting yourself gradually get used to the idea. Go ahead and make the appointment, write out some notes for yourself about what questions and topics you`d like to bring up, then go along and see what your consultant has to say. You don`t have to make the decision straight away.
I must say I find it very encouraging that you are getting the option to do the triple therapy...I call that good news!
Best of luck, and keep in touch...we are always here for support and encouragement! ~ Jill
Caryn said
Jan 14, 2013
Hi Dopey,
I understand your fears! I am due to start the triple tx in a few weeks - the meds have been ordered. I am terrified of this treatment and not even sure if I am ready...whatever ready is, BUT I try to look at the big picture and my future. This virus depresses the hell out of me mentally as well as taking it's toll on my physically. I want to live my life again without always having this crap pull me down. I want to make decisions based on something other than this virus. That is all I can do for now...just hope for a positive outcome and hope to leave the virus behind. Good luck to you and I hope all goes well. Just know that there are so many other people out there feeling the same way you do!
news said
Jan 14, 2013
I find it refreshing and encouraging when I read about people having serious thoughts about starting treatment. It tells me they are serious about their own well being, and think things through before making a leap. I jumped right into treatment without thinking. I was diagnosed in late October, 2011, began treatment November 21, 2011, and if it weren't for pure dumb luck it could have been a catastrophe. I am the lone working member of a busy and happy family, but the busy and happy part would change fast if I couldn't work. Miraculously, I only missed three days of work (unscheduled) in the entire treatment. I took one week of vacation, and there were a few holidays, but I was at work if I was supposed to be. That is a miracle. So many have decided they should not work during treatment, and if they had not had the presence of mind to think things through, and schedule appropriately, their lives would have been seriously affected. Please don't misunderstand me. I advocate for treatment in almost all cases. But being smart enough to think things through is an important part of proper decision making. We need to destroy this virus, but we must also try to preserve our happiness, and that of the people who depend on us. My family are so proud of me and so glad I survived. But if I had become unemployable or unable to provide for them, I would feel terrible. I hate to drag other people down.
Alan
12Step Guy said
Jan 13, 2013
D, keep opening up like this and the journey might not be a rough as it could be. Making the decision to enter into months of side effects is something to be apprehensive about. If you weren't, I'd recommend a brain scan (LOL).
Many of my friends question my decision, they would rather I had waited for something major to strike me down. And part of me also wished there was a smoking gun pointed at me. Problem is that the consequence of putting it off, might be more then I could overcome. Sugar coating the possible positive outcome, doesn't make the road ahead much smoother. For me its just about leading with my chin and learning to tough it out.
Keep posting, misery loves company and having company makes the misery less (go figure?).
Vern
2willy said
Jan 13, 2013
We each handle life in different ways and it is ok because we each have only one set of finger or eye prints we are each unique. I was also scared to express many of my fears and questions and I was a peeper, watched the forum until I searched many of the information parts, espacilly the myths about hep C. It seemed for me once I learned more about this Hep C the more acceptance I had about my condition and could move forward. The only place I try to stay out of is my head if I go their alone it is a scarry place. I found took a while to find some in my area who had gone through the treatment or had refused. The more calmer I became the more at peace I became with my direction. Yes I still get frustrated and have side effects but I look at it for me as only 32 more weeks. and some time in recovery, I do not know what the final out come will be, but just for today I am OK
Bill and Family
Dopey said
Jan 13, 2013
I received a letter from the hep c nurses asking to make an appointment to be assessed for triple treatment.........now considering I have been waiting for this letter impatiently since what feels like forever, why now that its arrived do I feel anxious and scared!!? I have moments where I feel ready and willing for the challenge but moments where I just want to ignore the letter and not even think about treatment.
I know I don't participate in discussions on the forum but I do look in regularly on people's progress........I don't know I just find it verrrrrrry difficult talking about how I feel. I guess I have to keep it together and I'm scared if I write things down they are brought to my attention and not stored away in the vast filing cabinets of my brain lol
Hi D
Everyone agrees it's a lot to handle mentally. I was more terrified not to start. Because of my symptoms I felt I better do it while I could. I Even had a fear I would transmit by accident. I can always quit if its too much. It seems to me waiting years I would get weaker and sicker. But I am stage 3 and had Hep C 25 or more years untreated. even my doctors advised better do something. This Forum took a lot of fear out of it and the knowledge you get about treatment is endless. Compassion and encouragement is all over here. I wanted a life back without Hep C and a chance to get healthier. If all the stars are lining up treatment Insurance good doctors and the doctors suggestion to start are all there. You'll need to get some test first the may give you some time and the test will give a better picture of how far along the Hep C is and the liver damage ( if you have it ) That really the driving factor when to start. Treatments may get better easier but how long can you wait? But please keep asking questions Say whats on your mind you'll get answers that apply to you personally There is a lot of help here Nobody will be telling what to do only sharing their experiences and present you with options etc. Stay with us.
Good Luck D
BillS
-- Edited by Bills on Tuesday 15th of January 2013 12:21:01 AM
Hi again Dopey, I can understand you having mixed feelings after such a long wait, it`s only natural as you`ve probably put all thoughts of this tx to the back of your mind until now when it`s suddenly looking like a reality.
Probably the best way to approach it is by just taking it step at a time and letting yourself gradually get used to the idea. Go ahead and make the appointment, write out some notes for yourself about what questions and topics you`d like to bring up, then go along and see what your consultant has to say. You don`t have to make the decision straight away.
I must say I find it very encouraging that you are getting the option to do the triple therapy...I call that good news!
Best of luck, and keep in touch...we are always here for support and encouragement! ~ Jill
Hi Dopey,
I understand your fears! I am due to start the triple tx in a few weeks - the meds have been ordered. I am terrified of this treatment and not even sure if I am ready...whatever ready is, BUT I try to look at the big picture and my future. This virus depresses the hell out of me mentally as well as taking it's toll on my physically. I want to live my life again without always having this crap pull me down. I want to make decisions based on something other than this virus. That is all I can do for now...just hope for a positive outcome and hope to leave the virus behind. Good luck to you and I hope all goes well. Just know that there are so many other people out there feeling the same way you do!
I find it refreshing and encouraging when I read about people having serious thoughts about starting treatment. It tells me they are serious about their own well being, and think things through before making a leap. I jumped right into treatment without thinking. I was diagnosed in late October, 2011, began treatment November 21, 2011, and if it weren't for pure dumb luck it could have been a catastrophe. I am the lone working member of a busy and happy family, but the busy and happy part would change fast if I couldn't work. Miraculously, I only missed three days of work (unscheduled) in the entire treatment. I took one week of vacation, and there were a few holidays, but I was at work if I was supposed to be. That is a miracle. So many have decided they should not work during treatment, and if they had not had the presence of mind to think things through, and schedule appropriately, their lives would have been seriously affected. Please don't misunderstand me. I advocate for treatment in almost all cases. But being smart enough to think things through is an important part of proper decision making. We need to destroy this virus, but we must also try to preserve our happiness, and that of the people who depend on us. My family are so proud of me and so glad I survived. But if I had become unemployable or unable to provide for them, I would feel terrible. I hate to drag other people down.
Alan
D, keep opening up like this and the journey might not be a rough as it could be. Making the decision to enter into months of side effects is something to be apprehensive about. If you weren't, I'd recommend a brain scan (LOL).
Many of my friends question my decision, they would rather I had waited for something major to strike me down. And part of me also wished there was a smoking gun pointed at me. Problem is that the consequence of putting it off, might be more then I could overcome. Sugar coating the possible positive outcome, doesn't make the road ahead much smoother. For me its just about leading with my chin and learning to tough it out.
Keep posting, misery loves company and having company makes the misery less (go figure?).
Vern
We each handle life in different ways and it is ok because we each have only one set of finger or eye prints we are each unique. I was also scared to express many of my fears and questions and I was a peeper, watched the forum until I searched many of the information parts, espacilly the myths about hep C. It seemed for me once I learned more about this Hep C the more acceptance I had about my condition and could move forward. The only place I try to stay out of is my head if I go their alone it is a scarry place. I found took a while to find some in my area who had gone through the treatment or had refused. The more calmer I became the more at peace I became with my direction. Yes I still get frustrated and have side effects but I look at it for me as only 32 more weeks. and some time in recovery, I do not know what the final out come will be, but just for today I am OK
Bill and Family