This is the first blog for seven days! Firstly, I had thought that my side effects were mild and becoming boring to report. However over this week I have discovered what effect the treatment is beginning to have - more psychological than physical.
As I say in my previous postings I have got off very lightly on the physical symptoms side - the crushing tiredness at times and a but woozy at others - but nothing that a quick horizontal lie-down doesn't help.
However, I have become very irritable. I had not noticed this creeping up - it was family who warned me. At times I feel very claustrophobic - for example, if there are too many people in a too confined space buzzing around. I just feel the need to get out. But I also feel the need to express my irritability verbally, and have at times been quite rude. That has spilled into work too - particularly when under pressure or confronted with some nonsense - I have fired at least a couple of emails off from the hip which I reretted.
Now that I fully appreciate what is happening and more aware of the warning signs, I am making especial efforts to not respond, to wait 15 minutes before doing anything, writing drafts of emails first and then waiting. All the time I tell myself - this is not me - this is the reatment.
The other thing I've picked up over the past two weeks is a hacking cough - I mention it in some of the earlier postings. From talking to people it appears to be an asthmatic type cough - I have this rasping dry cough when I move from one room to another or encounter diferent air temperatures. It's about once every ten minutes or so. I have never been asthmatic - and it is beginning to look as if this is part of the treatment side effects. On principle though I will not take anything for it just yet.
Otherwise the sixth injection was smooth - am beginning to dread it a bit, but bite my lip and continue.
Will write again when I have something to report.
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2 comments:
No need to apologise for anything:)
Ok down to business, the cough is sadly normal. You are 6 weeks in and you will just about have the full dose of meds in your body. Also the 'rage' appears to be manifesting itself! Have you considered anti-D's? Please don't throw your hands up in horror. You are right in saying it's the meds, but you have a way to go and it might help you (most important) your family (just as important)and work (depends how you feel about them) cope a little better.
I have seen far too many times that the family don't understand this treatment and get hurt, please make sure you make them as aware as you are, that this is not you!
Thank you again, Carol.
I am lucky in that my family do realise it is not me and that it is part of the treatment. They also recognise it is a long haul.
Yes, you are right - of course it's the rage building up, as one or two people in my monthly group have referred to. Until you called it that it hadn't quite clicked - so I must be very careful.
I have never taken anti-D's. It's not hands in horror, but I have an innate concern about additional side effects from multiple medication (not that I've had much medication in my life!). I wil watch this carefully. Thank you again.
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