hub's side effects - physical or mental?

[juli4591]

good morning to everyone, and thanks for taking the time to read my post.  My husband is in week three of triple therapy with incivek.  He's had issues with rash, (which is currently under control ) as well as tiredness, shortness of breath,etc - a lot of things that seem to pop up and change daily and that many of you have posted about. My biggest concern is that he feels like this treatment is poisoning him and that it is going to kill him before the hepC does.  He treated once before with interferon/riba and responded well but relapsed.
Have any of you experienced this overwhelming feeling that you won't survive the treatment? This morning he had a very difficult time taking the Incivek, almost feeling that is was suicidal to take the pills. He is 58, has early cirrhosis but never had any symptoms/side effects from the hepc. He is taking welbutrin 2x a day as part of his regimen.If anyone can offer an encouraging word or advice I would surely appreciate it.  This is such a scary process, and how can you know what to be alarmed about and what to try to work through? Thanks.

[juli4591]

That's a good suggestion dontworry - I know hub doesn't want to take an ssri but sleep deprivation doescontribute to serotonin loss.  Last time he treated he ended up sleeping all day and being wide awake all night.  It was like his natural rythmns for his sleep cycle did a 180.  

[juli4591]

Yes, that's part of the hell of it - you feel great before starting treatment and then you feel like dying while your liver is getting a rest! I hope you hang in there. It is a life-changing experience and good personal growth can come out of it, especially when on the other side. best wishes back at you!

[juli4591]

Carl I read hub  your reply and he chuckled - that's exactly what he feels like this afternoon.  This morning was good; PM not so much.  

[dontworry_behappy]

Make sure your hub gets something to help him sleep.  I don't know
HOW anyone can do this treatment without sleep medication.  I never
took sleeping medication before and did every night while on treatment.
You really need your rest to cope with all this.  I had a very successful
outcome and do believe getting rest greatly contributed to better health
during treatment.  FYI - just about everyone who went through treatment
at the same time I did - took something to help them sleep.  

[timothy141]

I am not as insightful as so many others, and being a 3a not sure my input would be of much help! Only that Friday I injected my 15th pegintrferon-alfa2a shot. This morning ingested what amounts to 197th dose of ribavirin (78800 mg total). This is my first "rodeo", am 54 years old and feel as if I have aged a 1000 years in the last 99 days,and look it too, scary realization.  I had not had a RVR, but was UND at week 8 and of course medical advise suggests I tx for 48 weeks. LOL At this point in time my sx are such that everyday I fight with idea of being healthier before I began this journey and desire the opportunity to make that decision again. After all I wasn't sick at all, on the surface, and hey in the scheme of things I am only a 3a! RIGHT!!
There is nothing good about this, other than an extension of life, and the gained insight of my own integrity and lack of at times. Bottom line so much time has passed and seeing what I have put others through thus far causes me to continue on and not focus on the moment but surrender to goal and let others carry me during that time comes. And has become almost daily, of course there are....good days, not many but I cherish them in laughter, joy and unconditional love. Without which I could not have come this far.      
Best Wishes!

[Carlhcv]

I'm on week five, triple therapy. Geno 1. The shortness of breath is terrible. Yeah, sometimes I feel like I'm going to die.