Incivek was a Big Distraction

[Revalation]

Since finishing Incivek I feel much better pyhsically, but mentally I think I'm a lot more worried.
Has anyone else found they were so occupied trying to finish the first 12 weeks that when
they got past the "purple bombs" they found they were more  worried about tx?
Hopefully, I'll get past these feelings quickly. I've really got to change my focus.

Reva

[Idyllic]

Hey Reva - I was just noticing you are already on Neupogen. I did not realize. I understand the sides of that med can be uncomfortable. I hope you are OK.

I know what you mean about future tests. I cannot being to describe the fear and anxiety that overcame me when week 24 rolled around.  Even though I was UND (as are you) the mental anguish was unreal.

I hope you are feeling better

[Revalation]

I think you hit the nail of the head. I treated unsuccessfully once before
and although Incevik was hell like you i did have a "sense of comfort" because it apparenty took care of Hep C so quickly.

My 12 week results were still und. Now I'm concerned with future tests.
This whole treatment is nerve wrecking.

Thanks,
Reva

[angel216]

im still awaiting my 12 week lab results..so im anxious anyway,,but i must say when i was done with the incevik i got nervous because at 4 wks i was UND and still dont know these most recent results..but when i treated before with PEG/RIB i was a non responder. so even tho the incevik was hell it gave me a sense of comfort knowing there was an extra drug doing something to kill this thing...

[2mlbb]

Oh....do take your time sweetie. Just want the best for you. Did not mean to push but rather encourage. We are getting there. Do not forget that. Your parents are so blessed with you  :)

[Revalation]

Thanks for your suggestions. I will be trying to move a little more.
I'm low on energy. Also, I've found if I push too hard I will faint.
Not too long ago I was at the city court paying a ticket. (I got my first while on Incivek) The line was long and it was hot and slow. The next thing
i knew EMS was there because I passed out.

I guess I'm a little fatigued. I am my parents only child and they
are both elderly, ill, and resistant to assistance. They exchange
problems day to day.They gang up on me. Add that to tx and I'm really over taxed, but I can't just let my parents go down the tube.

Also, the disappointment of finding no family members really wanted to help
when both of my parents have been so giving  of their time when they were younger and family needed help.

I promise I will be moving more now that I am past Incevik.

Thanks, Revs

[Idyllic]

Oh, referring to the Incivek as Purple bombs is cute. Making yourself do things is crucial on these meds. As far as my emotional or psychological state I have good days and very very bad days.   I saw you finished Incivek 3 maybe 4 weeks ago so I was wondering if perhaps it is not necessarily the Incivek per se but rather the timing itself? If you feel things are progressing and you are unable to shake these feelings then I would see someone about them. They could wear off as time passes but if they do not then would you perhaps consider an AD? I don't make that suggestion lightly and it is just that: a suggestion.  I think we all experience lack of energy and anxiety. I mean a lot of it has to do with what is going on in our lives and the kind of support system we have and to what Orphan Hawke says: making yourself do things - even when you do not fee like it.

I am glad you had a productive day and I hope you have many more. I hope you find a way out of these feeling very very soon. Hang in there♥

[Ironpony]

Thank you for bringing up the coffee....man the caffeine has made my anxiety so much worse. I had to switch to decaf!! My last cup of coffee/riba cocktail I actually got so anxious paranoia set in!! This has never happened to me ever off tx...weird!!

Reva I am so glad you got out for a walk! And the water is excellent! I hope you sleep well tonight and wake up to a good day. :)

[LadyFoxx]

I am on the Victrelis and I worry alot also it's the meds messing with the brain ,,, I have to focus on other things keep busy,  If I sit to long the THINKING starts again hehe... b

[2mlbb]

HI Reva....I am a few days into week 18 of 24 for me. My 2 cents on your post. After the incivek ended, I felt so much better. What I am noticing are the effects of the Riba that stand out a little clearer without the incivek drama overlaying the Riba effects. I feel much more anxiety or more revved up. It is a little harder to fall asleep at night as I am still pretty much on, mentally. Meditation and daily review help to settle me down.  I use the extra energy that I am feeling to do more in my day physically. My physical output is at about 75% of pre treatment. I am running with that for sure. I use to love lots and lots of coffee before the meds. Now, all I can handle is one k-cup of newmans. Anymore than that, look out, way too jazzed. Indeed, the first 12 weeks took so very much to get through. Am pleased to put that effort now into trying to be in my life again doing what I have always done which is, to go about 80....not in my car...So happy that your day went better for you. I wish you many more BETTER days   :)

[orphanedhawk]

I am a strong believer in moving, exercise wise. Get out and walk ! Our bodies are made to move. Stretch, do yoga walk as far or as little as you can. Try to do it daily, every day you can. I strongly believe it helps us through treatment and more importantly, it helps us bounce back after we finish.

Good luck~

[Revalation]

I ended up getting up and out today.
Also took in as much water as I could stand.
The combination of the two helped.
I feel a little better this evening.

Reva

[TeeTom]

I am now post 13 days EOT and I feel great. I still have wobbly knees after about three blocks of walking along with short winded. But I am gaining strength back at an incredible rate. I can really taste food in an awesome way.

Woo Hoo, you can do it too....just hang in there...

[Ironpony]

I can relate to the distraction of Incivek...taking care of the side effects became a full time job. I set my dial to survive and just went with it.

After the Incivek I will agree, the anxiety either became worse or was able to show itself without all of the distractions.

less time worrying about side effects = more time worrying about everything.

If you have enough energy the best thing to do is to keep busy...keep pressing on and have life be your distraction...helps with sleep too.

With anemia it is difficult to stay busy on the feet...or I would have been out there walking and riding bikes with my son, so to keep my mind off the anxiety I stay busy writing, watching shows and when able go on cleaning frenzies...lol.
I am sorry to hear that you have been feeling this way since ending Incivek
I think while we are all relieved to have that part over, it really just makes us realize what drug waa causing what, and without Incivek makes those side effects feel somewhat amplified.

I hope you feel better and the anxiety lessens for you! Sometimes it will come and go, so please enjoy the good days you have and if you ever need support we are here for you and know what you are dealing with. :)

You are doing a great job....this will be over soon enough and you will enjoy the peaceful silence of a calm, anxiety free brain. :)

Laura

[Revalation]

Thanks, for info on coming off Incivek. I will try to find the post.
Naya is a friend and I should be able to locate the information.
Nothing would surprise me as it relates to these medications.

I feel so much better physically I guess I "ve been shocked by feeling
less than positive on the mental front. This too shall pass with all the other sx.
Thanks so much,

Reva  

[Revalation]

I refer to Incivek as  "purple bomb"s because of their shape and color.

Actually, I agree wtih you I normally don't feel this way, but since
finishing the Incivek I have felt rather "off my game."

Apparently, some people feel anxiety when they stop taking the
Incivek. Maybe that's my problem. Hopeful, this phase will pass soon.

I struggled so hard to through the first 12 weeks this may just be the let down after reaching the goal.

Thanks,

Reva

[rivll]

You guys are so amazing. Truly.
Reva, I think it was Naya's thread where it came up that when people stop taking Incivek that it is common to feel anxiety. It has something to do with coming off the Incivek.
I will look for the post, but you will probably find it first.
With fierce admiration,
Rivll

[Idyllic]

What is the "purple bombs"

I read your posts all the time and you are very perceptive and empathetic as well as knowledgeable I would have never guessed you might feel like this - but hey I guess everyone does. I mean it is a year of our lives we are committing to slay this beast. It might not be that unusual to worry or have second thoughts. Feeling that way all the time is a real strain though.

During the Incivek stage when I finally saw UND on a lab report it changed the worry to reluctance. I felt like I was walking on a tight rope until week 24 since I needed UND to keep treating.

Negative thoughts and fear can be overwhelming and put me in a bad place if I let it. I am still scared but I finally had to let go of all the anxiety. I mean whatever happens is going to happen. Today I was thinking of people who treated 48 weeks like Hondapatches and were functional the whole time. I re-read so many of her old posts and it amazes me how much she went through. But she did the whole 48 week stretch and so have many others whose names do not readily come to mind.

I did shot 29 last night and even though I have lost 94% of my hair :(  :( I feel hope that I might make it and even if I don't there will be other less harsh meds that will work.

Sorry but the reassurance there might be better, less harsh meds we can try if this does not work is the only encouraging thing I can think of. We both just have to hang in there and let ourselves feel the feelings and work through them - like writing or talking about them just the way you did by posting your question. ♫