One day treating the next day no tx-weird switch

[Wilful1]

It is a very strange, weird, and happy feeling to wake up today and not take any meds. But, I've moved into a different kind of limbo land and it is called the "Waiting and Wondering World."  lol  Anyone else finish tx and have difficulty getting your mind around what comes next?  I don't think I realized how hyperfocused I have been about being a hepper, going to dr appt., taking meds at the exact time, going for blood work, apologizing for being tired or itchy or sores in my mouth or weepy or witchy.  I'm sure I will come out of the fog and figure it out, but I surely thought I would be celebrating with great energy instead of being so contemplative.

[newleaf09]

Finished a few weeks ago after 28 wks.  I was very obsessive about following instructions to a T (I'd rate myself 100 on compliance).  Yet I think I only thought about missing the pills for the first evening.  Never automatically woke up to trudge to the fridge at 6 a.m. again.  Happily killed all the cell phone alarms, filled in the fridge space dedicated to meds and took the cold packs out of the freezer.  You will pe pleased with how quickly the med obsession goes away.

Do remember 2 things: 1) It will take a few weeks for the meds to leave your system and longer for all interferon related interactions to go. 2) Interferon can provide an emotional backlash a few weeks after stopping so don't wean off mood drugs immediately or at least expect a few days in seclusion till backlash goes away.

It takes time for the bone marrow suppression to quit and allow your blood levels to slowly come back up (I'm more excited about seeing my platelets and hgb at the 1 month visit than the PCR!).  When your hgb has come up enough to go into normal activity, you will know.  You'll just wake up thinking, I really want to tackle that project or try that recipe.  Don't go back to normal activity until you get the urge.  It's not worth being put back to bed to recover from overdoing.  Good luck; glad you made it.

[Isobella]

Aww...I'll have a cry with you.  I'm going to fill my last pill boxes today.  Wow. It makes it seem so real.

Ok....some anatomy trivia...do you know why your nose runs when you cry?

Tears come out your eyes AND nose.  

I've always wondered about that....thought I'd share.

((((HUGS)))) to all

[Wilful1]

I think I'm going to have a good cry today just to relieve the stress and toxins lol.

[lapis]

My first couple of days off tx, I was hyper, so excited about finishing (because I was in a trial and did not find out I was finished till the day before my last Riba doses, in other words, they said, no more meds after tomorrow).  So I went around trying to mow the lawn and so on, not knowing that my Hgb at that appt was below 10 again (9.8).  I wore myself out, felt really bad for the next two days, all the while knowing I'd have to wait a month to find out whether I was UND.

I was lucky, only tx'ing for 24 wks, but even so I was really in the "tx groove," with little else on my mind.  I didn't plan anything for the next year, until I found out I was finished, and even then I am slow to make plans.  It's almost like I'm starting over again, what do I want to be when I grow up?  I thought I'd already figured that out!

I'm trying to be gentle with myself in this post-tx period, letting the future plans unfold gradually and trying not to be so impatient.  I totally relate to the limbo world you describe.  We will get through this too!

Lapis

[Isobella]

I may have answers for you next week, lol!...but for now just watching your lead.  One more shot for me.

I have big plans, though.  First on the list is to stop itching.  Followed closely by venturing a little further from the couch.  Which will lead to shorter naps.

Congratulations on finishing!!!

Please keep us posted on your progress.

Isobella

[charm27]

Oh I know and feel everything you have said. Its 6 months for me and I still think about injecting on Fridays and Riba twice a day. We get on such a routine beacause of the long period of time we do this. Its almost like a void when we finish tx.
There's a big space left behind with no RIba and Peg.

However.......it feels so darn good to start to feel better. You sort of feel like you were born again....except for the aches and pains..(lol)

Wish you well- Hang in there!
Charm