scared

[kristincr]

im 20years old and was dx a year ago with hcv. type 3a and my dr said my viral load is 4.6 what does that even mean?! i did my first injection yesterday and have been taking my pills for a week. i havent had any side effects except a slight fever. its been 24hrs and im so terrified that im going to wake up and not be able to move or be puking my guts up.....i have a two yearold daughter and i am a single mom im already experiencing anxiety and i havent ever had anxiety my hole life...i have read so many things about people having memory loss and anger problems..is that common? im just so scared about all of this..my family is understanding enough but its like there scared to touch me because they think they will catch something, i know they cant and they no they cant but it makes me feel so horrible...is all of this NORMAL?

[spectda]

Having anxiety about your treatment doesn't seem the list bit strange. It doesn't mean that it's a drug side effect, although It could be. Treatment for hep c is a lot to put our bodies and minds through. Many drs prescribe anti depressants during tx, you might find that helpful also.
Try not to anticipate problems which may never happen for you. I don't think you will wake up a different person, although you may experience different sides at different times, and you may not. A few people on this forum said they SVRd and never got any or hardly any sides.

I am only starting my fifth week of treatment, and I find the forum very comforting. When you know others have been through or are going through something similar it has a way of removing some of the fear. Welcome and keep going.

I am sorry that you're family is reacting the way they are, if you get rid of the disease you won't have to worry about it anymore. If not hopefully they will learn to relax about getting the disease from you in time since it is not that easily transmitted.

Take Care-Dave

[sunshines76]

Hi! I am 1b on week 38 of daily infergen shots and riba. I was very scared to start the treatment, but then realized that side effects differ from person to person. Some people do feel absolutely miserable on interferon and riba. That is not the case with me. I've been lucky to avoid most of the side effects so far. My twins are going to be 3 years old this fall, so I also remember how scared I was to start the tx thinking of how it would affect my kids. However, everything has been relatively easy so far - no mood swings, no anger, no memory loss, no extreme fatigue. I wish you easy and fast victory in this battle. Just think - you have to go only through 24 weeks of it, and the first week is already over, right? Good luck, you can definitely do it :)

[denisef714]

Welcome! And I too am fairly new on TX. So far 4 injections. I have been lucky a headache and a bit sleepy. You have geno type 3a i believe we both get the 24 week course. Stay strong! I am Geno type 2b. Welcome!