Diary of Hepatitis C Treatment Patient

October 13th 2008

I’m still here so I’ll survive!
All the joints in my legs and feet were stiff and I had difficulty moving around.  I was still having the sweats. Mid-day ‘ish’ I started to feel a bit better. I had something to eat and bang went my head. The pains came back and I’m feeling yucky again.  Back to bed for another sleepless night, sweating and peeing almost on the hour, every hour.

Day 3

Day 5 

Well yesterday was ok (or so I thought). I went to do some gardening and whoosh! I wished I hadn’t. I didn’t realise I was so weak. After getting up and shoveling pills down me with a bowl of porridge I tried, but just felt washed out.
No appetite, but forced a ready meal down me (roast something dinner) could have been anything ha ha .
Feeling very weak and plodding on.  I had a restless night - up and down. Coffee and cigarettes! Not the best combination, but hey I’d run out of custard creams... !
Thursday
I had to get myself together as I promised a client some support. There’s always someone worse off than yourself! Feeling drained, I did what was needed of me and it made me feel better that I’d helped someone else sort their problems out.  I came home and still off food I’ve had to force myself to eat to keep me going. My head says yes, my body says slow down and sleep.
I’m going to try for a good nights sleep. I’m sure things will be better in the morning..
It’s good to know there are caring people at the end of a phone should I need anything. I know I’m not alone. Thank you B.P for your support.  It is welcomed and needed. Things should start to settle down in a few days, when my body gets used to the treatment.

Good morning, well here I am again, last weekend was just a life of bed and sleep but I must have needed it.
 
Monday
I got myself over to Hull for my appointment with the Hep C nurse and explained how I felt. It was no surprise to her as she sees it all the time.  My body  felt like it was giving up and closing down but I was fighting it with all my might. I have lost 3kg in 3 weeks so I’m on liquid feed forticip 3 times a day as I cannot face food.  I have been forcing porridge down me though and picking at things as I fancy them.
I changed the times of my tablets to try and re-start my body clock.  This unfortunately hasn't helped, so I’m going back to the normal times to coincide with my other pills. It’s like a meal in itself ha ha .. I had my injection later in the evening so I could try to sleep off the effects.  This was slightly better but I didn’t sleep very well. Tuesday and Wednesday came and went.  Between bed and the TV, (thanks for Sky) you can watch your favourites when you’re awake.

Well it’s Thursday and I’m feeling a little better today I got a few hours sleep.  My head is clear so I’m going to make an effort and do some pottering about and catch up with general things.  I might even brave the shops.. I’m sure things are going to get a bit easier once my body is used to the extra work its having to do..

Good Morning, it’s me again. Well, I got over the weekend without too many problems. Then it was the clinic again on Monday. The only concerns are my weight and sleep pattern, but apparently this is normal. I was prescribed a sleeping pill but it didn’t seem to work…  I was up at 2.30, then every hour there after…it must have been a placebo lol...
Things are getting easier as the treatment goes along. I think my body is getting used to the Interferon and knows what to expect, so it is dealing with it in its own way. I’m feeling better but still very tired. Next week I’ll have my Hep C virus levels checked and they will be able to see if the treatment is effective. Fingers crossed.  I’m sure it’s working or I wouldn’t feel so crap…