Sunday, 29 July 2007
Day 72 (29 July '07) Jon's Hepatitis C Treatment
Not much to report really - the cough is still a nuisance and the tiredness always there in the background. But I am trying to just carry on as normal as possible until my body tells me to stop. Then I have a lie-down.
Saturday, 28 July 2007
Day 71 (28 July '07) Jon's Hepatitis C Treatment
As you can see from the irregularity of my postings, things are slowing down a lot for me. I am trying to keep everything going on all fronts, and I am glad that August is set to be a slow month at work - although the autumn will be incredibly busy!
Men are not supposed to be good at multi-tasking anyway, but I find multitasking is getting much harder. I'm fine focussing on one task, for example at work, but increasingly hard to balance several things at once.
Before the treatment I would sometimes have four or five hours sleep a night over a busy period - but that is not possible now as when I am tired I need to lie down horizontally.
My family also say that the treatment has accentuated various character traits that I have. I think I have the irritability better under control but it still comes out from time to time - more in a domestic situation than the work situation.
Men are not supposed to be good at multi-tasking anyway, but I find multitasking is getting much harder. I'm fine focussing on one task, for example at work, but increasingly hard to balance several things at once.
Before the treatment I would sometimes have four or five hours sleep a night over a busy period - but that is not possible now as when I am tired I need to lie down horizontally.
My family also say that the treatment has accentuated various character traits that I have. I think I have the irritability better under control but it still comes out from time to time - more in a domestic situation than the work situation.
Tuesday, 24 July 2007
Day 67 (24 July '07) Jon's Hepatitis C Treatment
Sorry about the delay in posting - I was away on holiday in Cornwall and did not have ready access to a computer or the Internet. The break was good - even though I had to dash up (by train) to a work related event on one of the days.
Am gradually feeling weaker - it's getting harder to do an manual work (such as lifting heavy bags of rubbish for any distance) without feeling tired and a bit drained. Walking is still fine - I can do a lot of that, but am finding it more difficult carrying my work briefcase around with me for long stretches (it tends to be full with a computer and notes etc).
This is a strange phase of treatment - my spirits are good and I think that I have the "rage" (ie when I get very irritated about something) much better under control. The hacking cough is still there all the time.
But otherwise it is about taking the Interferon and Ribavirin (I have a smooth method of ensuring that I do take them as presecribed) and waiting, waiting, waiting......
Am gradually feeling weaker - it's getting harder to do an manual work (such as lifting heavy bags of rubbish for any distance) without feeling tired and a bit drained. Walking is still fine - I can do a lot of that, but am finding it more difficult carrying my work briefcase around with me for long stretches (it tends to be full with a computer and notes etc).
This is a strange phase of treatment - my spirits are good and I think that I have the "rage" (ie when I get very irritated about something) much better under control. The hacking cough is still there all the time.
But otherwise it is about taking the Interferon and Ribavirin (I have a smooth method of ensuring that I do take them as presecribed) and waiting, waiting, waiting......
Saturday, 14 July 2007
Day 57 (14 July '07) Jon's Hepatitis C Treatment
The weekly Interferon injection went fine on Thursday night. I woke up on Friday with a bit of a light-headed headache - with a sort of tingling in the back of my head - made me feel woozy. I decided to work from home and was fairly productive. However, as I'm on holiday next week I had to go into the office. That was a lot more productive, but I felt a heady wooziness all day. I really didn't want to take anything for the headiness.
I felt like yin food (fish fingers) rather than yan.
I went to bed about 10.30pm and crashed out till 7.30am today. I am sleeping fine and don't wake up in the night these days.
This morning I have booked in for a check-up with the chiropractor as I suspect the head tightness is related to tense shoulders (I've been going to a chiropractor for over 30 years, and am down to catch-ups every six months - I haven't been for about eight months now...).
Am ging down to the West Country for a week's holiday. Mustn't forget to pack my injection for next Thursday anmd enough Ribavirin tablets to last the week!
I felt like yin food (fish fingers) rather than yan.
I went to bed about 10.30pm and crashed out till 7.30am today. I am sleeping fine and don't wake up in the night these days.
This morning I have booked in for a check-up with the chiropractor as I suspect the head tightness is related to tense shoulders (I've been going to a chiropractor for over 30 years, and am down to catch-ups every six months - I haven't been for about eight months now...).
Am ging down to the West Country for a week's holiday. Mustn't forget to pack my injection for next Thursday anmd enough Ribavirin tablets to last the week!
Thursday, 12 July 2007
Day 55 (12 July '07) Jon's Hepatitis C Treatment
Went to my monthly hospital appointment today. Saw the specialist briefly, but spent more time with the nurse. They said I was looking paler than last month. Things really start to happen next month when I have my quantitative PCR test which looks at the viral load. The standard they will be looking for is a "2-Log Drop" - ie a major drop in the viral load.
Otherwise my standard blood tests have been fine over the past two months. My liver function test has been in the normal range for the past two months (ALT reading of 37). My white blood cells and platelet reading are fine and while the haemoglobin reading is down from 16 to 14 it is in the normal range.
I understand that patients who use the Roche version of the Interferon get a larger blood drop than those (like me!) using the Schering-Plough version. I'll have to look into this some more.
Came back relatively early from work yesterday (about 7pm) but after helping prepare the food was totally exhausted and had to go for a lie down (which turned into going to bed for the night). From time to time feel I am slowing down a bit at work - not gettuing round to completing or starting things, so I'm feeling behind a bit more than I feel that normally. Still, am on holiday next week, so I'll see if that makes a difference......
Otherwise my standard blood tests have been fine over the past two months. My liver function test has been in the normal range for the past two months (ALT reading of 37). My white blood cells and platelet reading are fine and while the haemoglobin reading is down from 16 to 14 it is in the normal range.
I understand that patients who use the Roche version of the Interferon get a larger blood drop than those (like me!) using the Schering-Plough version. I'll have to look into this some more.
Came back relatively early from work yesterday (about 7pm) but after helping prepare the food was totally exhausted and had to go for a lie down (which turned into going to bed for the night). From time to time feel I am slowing down a bit at work - not gettuing round to completing or starting things, so I'm feeling behind a bit more than I feel that normally. Still, am on holiday next week, so I'll see if that makes a difference......
Tuesday, 10 July 2007
Day 53 (10 July '07) Jon's Hepatitis C Treatment
Following advice and caution from two kind comments, I am withdrawing from taking vitamin and mineral supplements and am falling back on listening to what my body is telling me I should eat on a meal by meal basis. I have a craving from time to time for sweet things. More recently it has been for milk with raw porridge oats.
I think the "rage" has not been too bad over the past few days. When I feel the preconditions coming on I separate myself from the situation - it's strange it comes on more at home than at work.
It's now just over two months in and I've got into the routine. I went cycling with my 12 year old on Sunday and found it very tiring. Again, it's not my legs so much but I feel drained of energy through my chest. I didn't push it and stopped for frequent rests. All in all we only cycled a few miles - but we wanted to commune with the Tour de France UK leg!
Another meeting with the hospital tomorrow - I seem relatively incurious about that effect the treatment is having on my viral load count etc. But I do realise from the monthly group meeting I attend that whatever happens doesn't seem to mean much. People I know have shaken off all trace of a viral load by month two, only to have the treatment end in failure. Conversely others have kept a measurable viral load three or four months in treatment and then cleared the virus at the end of 48 weeks. I shall take it as it comes.
The cough is still there and from time to time gets worse, particularly if I am cold.
I seem to be coping all right at work - the cough comes on from time to time there but I seem to be able to keep it under control. I think I should have had my weekly injection starting on a Tuesday or Wednesday instead of Thursday night. Fridays are generally fine but I get hit with a deep tiredness from time to time over the weekend rendering me a zombie for two or three hours at a time. If I had started the cycle earlier maybe I could have had some of the xombie times in work time and gone sick.
I think the "rage" has not been too bad over the past few days. When I feel the preconditions coming on I separate myself from the situation - it's strange it comes on more at home than at work.
It's now just over two months in and I've got into the routine. I went cycling with my 12 year old on Sunday and found it very tiring. Again, it's not my legs so much but I feel drained of energy through my chest. I didn't push it and stopped for frequent rests. All in all we only cycled a few miles - but we wanted to commune with the Tour de France UK leg!
Another meeting with the hospital tomorrow - I seem relatively incurious about that effect the treatment is having on my viral load count etc. But I do realise from the monthly group meeting I attend that whatever happens doesn't seem to mean much. People I know have shaken off all trace of a viral load by month two, only to have the treatment end in failure. Conversely others have kept a measurable viral load three or four months in treatment and then cleared the virus at the end of 48 weeks. I shall take it as it comes.
The cough is still there and from time to time gets worse, particularly if I am cold.
I seem to be coping all right at work - the cough comes on from time to time there but I seem to be able to keep it under control. I think I should have had my weekly injection starting on a Tuesday or Wednesday instead of Thursday night. Fridays are generally fine but I get hit with a deep tiredness from time to time over the weekend rendering me a zombie for two or three hours at a time. If I had started the cycle earlier maybe I could have had some of the xombie times in work time and gone sick.
Friday, 6 July 2007
Day 48 (5 July 2007) Jon's Hepatitis C Treatment
Am just about to have my seventh injection and am writing this while waiting for the Interferon to warm up to room temperature. Have had another busy couple of days. Same side effects - the dry asthmatic type cough that comes on when I move to a different room or when there is a change of type of air. The cough is less intrusive and less frequent than it was three or so weeks ago.
The tiredness is there, but mainly when I exert my upper body (for example carrying a heavy briefcase around London is energy sapping, but I can walk for long distances without feeling at all tired - strange!
Have made major efforts to lessen the irritations "the rage". Am recognising the early signs and use yoga breathing and/or avoidance. Am learning to wait half an hour before firing off an email - but had my knuckles rapped yesterday when I sent an email over my boss's head to his boss without pre-thought!
Although the family and I all want to lessen my irritation, otherwise known as "the rage". We are all agreed not to rush into anti-depressants. I do appreciate that the Interferon reduces the serotonin in the brain and anti-depressants replace that. But we are looking first at typical mineral and vitamin deficiencies that often accompany depression and I am looking to have some mineral supplements (especially zinc, but also manganese, potassium, iron, calcium and magnesium). Will start this weekend and report back to the blog.
I'll then look at the B-complex vitamins and also ensure I am getting enough Vitamin C (at the start of the treatment I had more home-made smoothies than I do currently - will certainly up the intake there!).
I did hear at the monthly group meeting that the side effects can be cumulative through the treatment - I hope not. But I do keep telling myself that many have it a lot worse than me _ and I see them - and also I am inspired by the people I meet for whom treatment has failed.
I meet people who having endured 48 week treatment only to have it end in failure, who have picked themselves up to go through the treatment process all over again. One or two I have met have been successful second time round. Others have not been successful even after two rounds of treatment, and work hard at living with Hepatitis C most effectively through diet and lifestyle (the Hepatitis C Trust has lots of advice and special physical workshops on this).
There is so much admirable fortitude and strength of mind that I come across.
The tiredness is there, but mainly when I exert my upper body (for example carrying a heavy briefcase around London is energy sapping, but I can walk for long distances without feeling at all tired - strange!
Have made major efforts to lessen the irritations "the rage". Am recognising the early signs and use yoga breathing and/or avoidance. Am learning to wait half an hour before firing off an email - but had my knuckles rapped yesterday when I sent an email over my boss's head to his boss without pre-thought!
Although the family and I all want to lessen my irritation, otherwise known as "the rage". We are all agreed not to rush into anti-depressants. I do appreciate that the Interferon reduces the serotonin in the brain and anti-depressants replace that. But we are looking first at typical mineral and vitamin deficiencies that often accompany depression and I am looking to have some mineral supplements (especially zinc, but also manganese, potassium, iron, calcium and magnesium). Will start this weekend and report back to the blog.
I'll then look at the B-complex vitamins and also ensure I am getting enough Vitamin C (at the start of the treatment I had more home-made smoothies than I do currently - will certainly up the intake there!).
I did hear at the monthly group meeting that the side effects can be cumulative through the treatment - I hope not. But I do keep telling myself that many have it a lot worse than me _ and I see them - and also I am inspired by the people I meet for whom treatment has failed.
I meet people who having endured 48 week treatment only to have it end in failure, who have picked themselves up to go through the treatment process all over again. One or two I have met have been successful second time round. Others have not been successful even after two rounds of treatment, and work hard at living with Hepatitis C most effectively through diet and lifestyle (the Hepatitis C Trust has lots of advice and special physical workshops on this).
There is so much admirable fortitude and strength of mind that I come across.
Monday, 2 July 2007
Day 46 (3 July '07) Jon's Hepatitis C Treatment
Have just returned from my monthly Hepatitis C Group meeting and feel very positive. Iam not able to say anything about what others said at the meeting but midway through the session I raised the question of dealing with the "rage" - the irritation which wells up inside me from time to time. This sparked off a discussion which was very beneficial, although I am still not sure about the course of action.
It is likely that I am a bit depressed, although I don't think of myself that way. The question was whether one should take anti-depressants or not - first raised with me by Carol, in one of the comments to a much earlier blog (thank you Carol!). It depends on the individual, but I was advised anti-depressants do cut down the anger feelings and also do not leave you a zombie, and that, although a bit addictive, if you stop them as soon as you stop treatment, you should be OK. I'm not a die-hard, stick-in-the-mud about this, but I still have the innate concern about side-efects. Maybe my family should decide if and when I really do need to take them?
I was, as always, able to draw a lot of strength from the group. You can a huge amount of reading, web-browsing and blog-watching but nothing beats talking to a group of people at all stages of treatment - including those for whom treatment has not been successful.
It is likely that I am a bit depressed, although I don't think of myself that way. The question was whether one should take anti-depressants or not - first raised with me by Carol, in one of the comments to a much earlier blog (thank you Carol!). It depends on the individual, but I was advised anti-depressants do cut down the anger feelings and also do not leave you a zombie, and that, although a bit addictive, if you stop them as soon as you stop treatment, you should be OK. I'm not a die-hard, stick-in-the-mud about this, but I still have the innate concern about side-efects. Maybe my family should decide if and when I really do need to take them?
I was, as always, able to draw a lot of strength from the group. You can a huge amount of reading, web-browsing and blog-watching but nothing beats talking to a group of people at all stages of treatment - including those for whom treatment has not been successful.
Day 45 (2 July '07) Jon's Hepatitis C Treatment
I've had a bit of difficulty getting near a computer over the weekend so this blog is later than intended. I think I';m keping better conrol over the irritations I get which I have, over the past month, realised are side effects of the drugs. I am looking forward to discussing this at my monthly Hepatitis C Group meeting this evening where I get the opportunity to hear how others are getting along.
I have meant to do more widespead reading in to Hepatitis C and keep an eye on other peoples' blogs but have had so much to do that I haven't had time! I will do though over the summer. It's strange, I did a lot more general reading before I had the treatment. Now it is very narrowly focussed and very personal.
Will write more tomorrow.
I have meant to do more widespead reading in to Hepatitis C and keep an eye on other peoples' blogs but have had so much to do that I haven't had time! I will do though over the summer. It's strange, I did a lot more general reading before I had the treatment. Now it is very narrowly focussed and very personal.
Will write more tomorrow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)