getting over Interferon/Ribaviron therapy

[heyho]

Hi,
Can anyone share their experience after ending the 48 week Pegatron Combination Therapy. I have heard it can take a few months to 'get over' the treatment. Surely it cant be as hard as being on it?

[nygirl7]

I'm post tx 6 or 7 months of a 72 week course of the meds.

My post is very similar to Chellski's.  I will have permanent thyroid problems and depression probably but my hair is starting to grow back and my skin is starting to look healthy again. My itch scars are fading although the scars on my face from that odd end of 72 weeks eczema will never go away.

I'm getting on with my life and honestly don't regret treating for one minute.  It wasn't a cakewalk but it does get better.  I am sure it will take me longer than most to get back to normal due to the extension period but.........six months later I'm finally seeing a difference.

[chellski]

i am now 16months post tx.  (48wk peg/cop)  NOTHING is as bad as being on tx.  From the 1st day i stopped, just the mental relief is amazing.  Most side went away within 4-6 months.  Hair, skin were much longer to get back to normal (although i still have skin discoloration from itching/scars) - the only two things i still deal with are thyroid problems and depression.  I am on medication for both, and it may be for life, who knows?  all i know is that i feel like all that is behind me and am getting on with my life.  Most of those 48 weeks i thought i would never feel like this again.  There are some permenent changes, but everyone is different and i do not regret treating at all.
good luck to you!  there is a light at the end of the tunnel.   chelley

[meki]

6 months post tx.

Attitude is GREAT --- bones ache... Muscles ache... Brain thinking is disorganized and I cannot keep a straight linear thinking pattern going on for very long, unless I'm on massive pain meds.. Which leads me to believe that my tolerance for pain has grown -- and that I just can't concentrate because of some of it...

I am sleeping good when I don't have ocassional bouts of insomnia... (but that is fairly normal for me).

My skin is looking better... Only occasional red spots - or dryness.

My head is itchy... (and no - LMAO - not because of my recent louse experience...) It's my hair growing back in - thicker and healthier.

My nails are yellow/brownish at the ends --- but are starting to come out pink/white at the middle - which is AMAZING to see. I mean --- Really Amazing... It's like my own little indicator of the toxins my body must have been producing... And I just noticed it 2 days ago. It's very obvious - a complete dileneation line...

Other than a few aches and pains - and the inability to seriously concentrate on tasked projects, (such as paperwork that doesn't interest me), or the lack of organization... I'd say I'm almost better!

My menstrual problems may or may not be related to the chemo TX.  But I'm going to assume they are a different issue entirely.

I see the light coming at the end of the tunnel --- I think in the long run - I'm going to feel healthier than I have felt in a long... long.... long time.

Patience - and looking back at how you feel monthly --- instead of weekly sometimes will help you.

Journaling - Blogging or just noting each day's mood, pains and aches and food eaten - plus any other sides... Will help you know which sides are lasting longer --- or are slowly diminishing.

Good luck - and keep believing!

Meki

[Lady E]

I am a little over 4 weeks post tx...geno 1a 48 weeks tx w/5 add'l weeks from my first doctor.  I started feeliing much better only 1 week after finishing tx.  The brain fog started improving after just one week and so did the fatigue.  I felt it was time for some new beginnings and even got a new job!  I wouldn't have done that if I didn't think I could do it.  I'm doing great and better every day..I feel almost normal again (already). The only sx I am still feeling is the insomnia.  I hope it goes away when this poison is all finally out of my system.

I can't help but wonder if keeping a really positive attitude and having spirit might contribute to helping myself feel better. I put it in my head about some new beginnings and felt determined to take full advantage of being finished with my 53 weeks and to be positive a put it behind me.  

I hope this helps some of you realize that everybody is different, and we all have the same, yet different bodies & spirits.  But I really DO feel great now, so think positive, and hopefully that'll help you get thru it easily.

Best of luck to you all.
Eileen

[FloridaMouse]

I started feeling better within 10 days of finishing.  The first think that left me was my unrelenting nausea.

Missy
Genotype 1a, Stage 3, Grade 3
Finished tx on 4/13/07
Hopeing for SVR in Sept. 2007

[goldenrule]

I am 17 weeks post and i am feeling better every day. Physically I am doing great. Its the waiting game that is getting to me. Wondering... Did it work or not? Did I make the right deceisions?? The first 4 weeks post treatment were really tough, because I thought that I would have much more energy/ stamina than what I did.. But it does get better...... Hang in there and Goodluck

[MaryPat]

Hi,

I just got back from seeing my specialist and I actually broke down and cried because I'm so sick and weak.  I've lost 40 lbs.  He told me to hang in there because the treatment has worked and I will be back to normal.  I'm now in my 42nd week and I've never felt worse.  He told me that it would take a few weeks to get the drugs out of my system.  I'm trying to stay positive but it's been the worse year of my life.  A few weeks is better than a few months to get over the treatment and I suppose as the drugs leave your system, every day only gets better.