I had blood work done. My rash has become worse so the doctor prescribed a stronger cream. My white count dropped to 3.8 and my hemoglobin actually went uo to 14.9. I thought that was a good thing but the doctor explained I was dehydrated. I need to drink more water.
A bit queasy but not nauseas.
THE BEST NEWS.. After only 6 days on the protocol my viral load dropped to 53!!!! No zeroes attached
53.....it's amazing
Tired and napping quite a bit but really not too bad (yet) : )
Monday, October 17, 2011
And so it begins...week one
October 4th....first day of treatment.
This treatment is 24 weeks. First 12 weeks with weekly injections, ribavirun and the new drug Incivek. After week 4 my viral load has to be 1,000 or less or treatment will not continue. If I am successful the following 12 weeks the Incivek stops and the other 2 drugs continue.
On September 13th my Viral load was in the 900,000 range. Each week I will have blood work and see the doctor.
when I injected that evening it all became very real to me. By the end of the week I had a rash under my arms (expected). The doctor wants me to call the office with any side-effects.
An over the counter cortisone cream should do it. So far so good. A bit fatigued and insomnia but I am sleeping after being prescribed Klonopin. Thank God...the insomnia last time around was torture.
This treatment is 24 weeks. First 12 weeks with weekly injections, ribavirun and the new drug Incivek. After week 4 my viral load has to be 1,000 or less or treatment will not continue. If I am successful the following 12 weeks the Incivek stops and the other 2 drugs continue.
On September 13th my Viral load was in the 900,000 range. Each week I will have blood work and see the doctor.
when I injected that evening it all became very real to me. By the end of the week I had a rash under my arms (expected). The doctor wants me to call the office with any side-effects.
An over the counter cortisone cream should do it. So far so good. A bit fatigued and insomnia but I am sleeping after being prescribed Klonopin. Thank God...the insomnia last time around was torture.
September 12th
I had my first visit with my new doctor at the hepatitis center. I am so excited that she feels I am a good candidate for the new protocol. What a difference it makes going to a doctor who specializes. I feel I am in such better hands now and that my symptoms will be managed.
One of most frustrating experiences with the last doctor I used for treatment was that neither he or his staff had any knowledge or empathy of the myriad of symptoms that come along with this treatment.
If i could make one suggestion to anyone contemplating treatment it would to be to see someone who specializes in hepatitis C. A routine gastroenterologist is not adequate.
Once all of the approvals go through for the medication I will start...the sooner the better.
One of most frustrating experiences with the last doctor I used for treatment was that neither he or his staff had any knowledge or empathy of the myriad of symptoms that come along with this treatment.
If i could make one suggestion to anyone contemplating treatment it would to be to see someone who specializes in hepatitis C. A routine gastroenterologist is not adequate.
Once all of the approvals go through for the medication I will start...the sooner the better.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Some disappointing news
I had my three month viral load post treatment and found out the virus had returned. My count was 330,000.
I was so disappointed...I knew something was up but I was really hoping that my thyroid medication just needed to be adjusted.
I was feeling very fatigued.
I hung up the phone that morning extremely disappointed but by the end of that day I had an appointment set with a new doctor at the hepatitis center in Hackensack.
I know the new treatment is available and I was just hoping I would be a candidate. I didn't want to go on treatment again (who would) but I had about 5 or 6 weeks of feeling terrific post treatment and I really want that back.
I will do whatever it takes to be healthy!
I was so disappointed...I knew something was up but I was really hoping that my thyroid medication just needed to be adjusted.
I was feeling very fatigued.
I hung up the phone that morning extremely disappointed but by the end of that day I had an appointment set with a new doctor at the hepatitis center in Hackensack.
I know the new treatment is available and I was just hoping I would be a candidate. I didn't want to go on treatment again (who would) but I had about 5 or 6 weeks of feeling terrific post treatment and I really want that back.
I will do whatever it takes to be healthy!
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