Aa
Just Touching Base
Okay, it has been almost two months since my 6 month SVR, so I wanted to keep y'all updated; I took a trip last week, and I had to drive to San Diego. I knew it was going to be too much driving for me (my hubs doesn't drive, but him and my son wanted to visit his family), but I felt obligated...I will never do that drive again! I had a panic attack, in rush hour traffic, by the L.A. X airport, an had to pull over in Irvine...not good.
My husband was confused, and said, "you never got tired when you drove across two states, to Utah" (I'm in San Francisco) Well, for one thing, nobody told me people in L.A. drive 90 mph on the freeway, etc. Also, I am now 50 yrs old, not 47 yrs old, and I hadn't done 28 wks of Triple Tx with Interferon, 3 yrs ago.
I dont want to blame everything on the Interferon, but I am still out-of shape, from the experience. I am about half-way back, but I havent started swimming laps yet (next week, when swimming pool opens) and I still have the 10 pounds around my middle section, that I gained, while taking 18 pills a day, and injecting both Interferon and Procrit, into that tummy flab.
That's why I like being here with other people who have "walked in my shoes". For those who dont know me,
I documented my time on Boceprevir here, starting a year ago. Triple treatment is an extremeley difficult treatment, so for those who have other pre-existing health problems which may conflict with this Treatment, and are in the position to wait, I would suggest waiting for Sofosbuvir to be approved, within the year.
I wasn't in the position to wait, unfortunately, because my platelets began slipping suddenly...not good. I am
extremely happy to report that my platelets were back in the normal range, at my 6 month post treatment labs, as well as the fact that I achieved SVR. Since my platelets are back to normal, my doctor thinks it was my spleen being affected by the HCV, that caused the drop, and not cirrhosis. Many of us get enlarged spleens, before cirrhosis sets in, with HCV. I never even knew we had spleens, before this Treatment began, because I didn't go to high school, and take the basic courses.
The people on this website have helped me to learn so much. I know I was extremely impulsive, when I was first on the meds, and I think the Riba made my mind very active...okay, over active! But I do love all of you, and welcome to the New-Comers! I dont have a computer right now, but I have many in the house, to borrow. My top priority right now is: goint to the Dentist! I have just had a new set of xrays taken, as the Treatment was hard on my gums and teeth. My second priorty is turning my Tx flab into tan and buffed out muscle! We have to work even harder, in our fabulous fifties!
Please feel free to private message me, if you have any questions about Victrelis. I will be checkeing my messages every few days xoxoxoxoxoxo<3
Oh yeah, and one other thing I forgot to mention: I have had two crappy colds, since my Treatment ended; one that lasted all of January, and another that startred a couple weeks ago, right before Ihad to take my trip :( I noticed that along with the sinus and respiratory issues, some of the joint pain that I developed during treatment (mainly in my hips) did reoccur. I am thinking that perhaps the Interferon I took may have caused my own natural Interferon to react stronger then usual...alot of sneezes and aches, more then any other year. I am hoping next cold season will be better :D
My husband was confused, and said, "you never got tired when you drove across two states, to Utah" (I'm in San Francisco) Well, for one thing, nobody told me people in L.A. drive 90 mph on the freeway, etc. Also, I am now 50 yrs old, not 47 yrs old, and I hadn't done 28 wks of Triple Tx with Interferon, 3 yrs ago.
I dont want to blame everything on the Interferon, but I am still out-of shape, from the experience. I am about half-way back, but I havent started swimming laps yet (next week, when swimming pool opens) and I still have the 10 pounds around my middle section, that I gained, while taking 18 pills a day, and injecting both Interferon and Procrit, into that tummy flab.
That's why I like being here with other people who have "walked in my shoes". For those who dont know me,
I documented my time on Boceprevir here, starting a year ago. Triple treatment is an extremeley difficult treatment, so for those who have other pre-existing health problems which may conflict with this Treatment, and are in the position to wait, I would suggest waiting for Sofosbuvir to be approved, within the year.
I wasn't in the position to wait, unfortunately, because my platelets began slipping suddenly...not good. I am
extremely happy to report that my platelets were back in the normal range, at my 6 month post treatment labs, as well as the fact that I achieved SVR. Since my platelets are back to normal, my doctor thinks it was my spleen being affected by the HCV, that caused the drop, and not cirrhosis. Many of us get enlarged spleens, before cirrhosis sets in, with HCV. I never even knew we had spleens, before this Treatment began, because I didn't go to high school, and take the basic courses.
The people on this website have helped me to learn so much. I know I was extremely impulsive, when I was first on the meds, and I think the Riba made my mind very active...okay, over active! But I do love all of you, and welcome to the New-Comers! I dont have a computer right now, but I have many in the house, to borrow. My top priority right now is: goint to the Dentist! I have just had a new set of xrays taken, as the Treatment was hard on my gums and teeth. My second priorty is turning my Tx flab into tan and buffed out muscle! We have to work even harder, in our fabulous fifties!
Please feel free to private message me, if you have any questions about Victrelis. I will be checkeing my messages every few days xoxoxoxoxoxo<3
Oh yeah, and one other thing I forgot to mention: I have had two crappy colds, since my Treatment ended; one that lasted all of January, and another that startred a couple weeks ago, right before Ihad to take my trip :( I noticed that along with the sinus and respiratory issues, some of the joint pain that I developed during treatment (mainly in my hips) did reoccur. I am thinking that perhaps the Interferon I took may have caused my own natural Interferon to react stronger then usual...alot of sneezes and aches, more then any other year. I am hoping next cold season will be better :D
Congratz on your SVR! It definitely gives the rest of us hope. And I'm glad that your platelets have returned to normal. It gives me hope that the hubby's spleen has a chance to at least go back down in size!
And LAX is no joke! Or their rush hour traffic. LAX was the closest airport I lived near for over 4 years and I hated that drive every time! I was only in my early 20's back then but I drove the entire way "white knuckled"!
And LAX is no joke! Or their rush hour traffic. LAX was the closest airport I lived near for over 4 years and I hated that drive every time! I was only in my early 20's back then but I drove the entire way "white knuckled"!
Glad you are doing OK.
In some ways I feel like I just fell apart after treatment. I guess I tried to resume to much too soon. I did not feel like that is what I was doing but it turns out I was. I injured my knee and that has forced me to take things slow. People are like, "Aren't you supposed to be OK now...." and all that but I can't let that get to me.
It is easy for me to say it is going to take time and you have to pace yourself but that is really what it takes. As far as driving in LA from what I remember it takes lots of reflexes, patience and gumption to drive in or around LA. You are either going 90 to nothing or sitting in gridlock.
Hang in there. It is good to hear how you have been doing. I hope you continue to check in and share your progress & experiences :)
In some ways I feel like I just fell apart after treatment. I guess I tried to resume to much too soon. I did not feel like that is what I was doing but it turns out I was. I injured my knee and that has forced me to take things slow. People are like, "Aren't you supposed to be OK now...." and all that but I can't let that get to me.
It is easy for me to say it is going to take time and you have to pace yourself but that is really what it takes. As far as driving in LA from what I remember it takes lots of reflexes, patience and gumption to drive in or around LA. You are either going 90 to nothing or sitting in gridlock.
Hang in there. It is good to hear how you have been doing. I hope you continue to check in and share your progress & experiences :)
Hey Bo, what a nice post, thank you for writing it.
I am so happy for your SVR!
You impulsive?....never...hah
Again so happy to read your post and hear your wonderful news
Dee
I am right there with you and the weight gain, ugh, it will get better.
I am so happy for your SVR!
You impulsive?....never...hah
Again so happy to read your post and hear your wonderful news
Dee
I am right there with you and the weight gain, ugh, it will get better.
Haha, thanks people: I was singing that old song, "Do you know the way to San Jose", as I drove thru it, just as I had, as a child, when my parents drove us to L.A (when I hadn't a care in the world)..but I forgot that next line~:L.A. is a great big Freeway"....so ,many many lanes, so many cars...wow.
I still havent actually gone to a Rheumatologist, to see the actual cause of the joint pain (which kind of arthritis, etc), but what I do, which seems to be working, is this: When I have a good day, with no joint pain, then I exercise, but I try not to over-do it. During a flare up of joint pain, I try to tone it down alot, so I done exacerbate the flare up.
I still havent actually gone to a Rheumatologist, to see the actual cause of the joint pain (which kind of arthritis, etc), but what I do, which seems to be working, is this: When I have a good day, with no joint pain, then I exercise, but I try not to over-do it. During a flare up of joint pain, I try to tone it down alot, so I done exacerbate the flare up.
I'm glad you're feeling better and your platelets are back to normal. Thanks for the update. It's nice to hear how people are doing post treatment.
I'm happy for you to move forward. You have some good pans. But stay away from L.A. freeways. Great to hear your story!!
Glad to see a post from you...months ago I remember you telling me in a post it is easier to replace a knee than a liver (when I was complaining about joint pain) I often repeated that to myself throughout treatment as a reminder and was able to finish last week. Thanks :)
By the way...we drive 90 mph on the freeways here in L.A. :)
By the way...we drive 90 mph on the freeways here in L.A. :)
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