Tell me about the PAIN.
Linda Freeman
that area? How often and how long did each pain last for you? What
does the pain feel like? Stabbing or what?
Waterspider
"Linda Freeman" <lfreemanli...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:28818-4B2...@baytvnwsxa002.msntv.msn.com...
> Can you alleviate it by doubling over--curling up in a ball or squishing
> that area? How often and how long did each pain last for you? What
> does the pain feel like? Stabbing or what?
>
What pain? Pain related to liver disease or pain that is a side-effect from
treatment?
If you're asking about pain related to treatment, you may (or may not)
experience headaches and muscle aches like you would have with a flu. Some
people have no pain whatsoever and those who do find that it occurs or is
worse for the day or so following the injection of pegylated interferon. I
took 1-3 regular strength Tylenol per day on those days and it worked fine.
My headaches were best described as dull and throbbing rather than stabbing.
Muscle aches were mostly in my legs and felt muscle aches from heavy
exercise. Some people complain of pain at the injection site but I didn't
experience this.
There are many different side-effects that MIGHT occur from treatment. Or,
you MIGHT have no side-effects whatsoever. It's really a roll of the dice,
because no one has figured out who gets strong side-effects and who doesn't.
This is not a good reason to refuse treatment. On treatment, you will
regularly have blood tests to ensure that nothing is causing a
life-threatening problem. There are drugs and tricks to alleviate most every
side-effect you could get (Sara will tell you to drink lots of water, and
she's right), and most people complete treatment.
I will not bullshit you. Pegylated-interferon/ribavirin treatment for
hepatitis C is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. But, I did it
and it was worth every minute of every side-effect. A side-effect that is
rarely mentioned is the personal sense of strength, accomplishment, and even
pride, one gets from going through treatment. It changes you. It allows you
(or forces you) to see what's important in your life, and what's not. It
tests your relationships with others, strengthens the good ones and weeds
out the bad ones. Finally, and this is an odd one... you will develop a
creative passion in your life. You will find yourself immersed and excelling
in, for example, writing or art or music.
I was terrified about the treatment, mostly because I had no idea what to
expect and I expected the worst. So I made a little deal with myself: I
would do one injection. Just one. If it turned out to be so terrible, then I
simply wouldn't do any more. So I did that one, first injection. By the next
week, when the second shot was due, I realized that I had not only survived
the first one and, although I felt like crap, I badly wanted to be rid of
the virus that had been attacking my liver for the previous 20-some years,
leaving me with bridging fibrosis/cirrhosis. I did the second shot. And the
third and fourth and fifth, and all the rest. I completed treatment, and
treatment worked. I no longer have hepatitis c. Had treatment not worked for
me, I would have done a second round without hesitation (but that wasn't
necessary).
If I hadn't discovered this group, I don't think I would have done the
treatment and, had I tried it, I doubt that I would have completed it. The
information I got here, from sound medical advice to tips about baths with
Aveeno products to relieve the dry skin and itching, was invaluable and it
wasn't offered or available from my doctors. Not to mention the postcards
from around the world, the laughter and camraderie and friendship.
So, my suggestion is that you stick around and keep asking questions. The
only dumb questions are the ones you don't ask.
Dwight
WS, I had forgotten about your post cards. I also agree with much of
what you say. I got started playing guitar again, really wanting to
learn how to play. I received many good tips from the people here about
how to get over the itching and the leg cramps. I've met many good
friends through this group (though I haven't met any personally yet). I
have friends that I didn't care for when I first started coming here
that I now consider friends and have felt a true sense of loss when some
haven't won their battles with death, I have also shared in their
victories when they have defeated the dragon. I started a bucket list
many years ago of things I wanted to accomplish during my life. I don't
fear death anymore and my list just keeps getting longer as I keep
adding things that I feel are important to me.
I'm rambling again, as I often do this time of night. I guess the point
I am trying to make is I don't regret going through tx twice, it was
worth the chance. I will try again someday when the medicine improves
improves my chances. Until then I plan on living my life to the fullest
and enjoying every day I'm given.
Dwight (sappy and optimistic)
Waterspider
"Dwight" <no...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:hgcaoj$956$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
Both Geb and Russ came to visit (different times) and it was wonderful to
finally meet my friends face-to-face. I put Geb into the category of friends
I didn't care for when he first came here; we had a proper flame war if I
remember correctly, but it all worked out. Going through treatment gives us
a shared bond that transcends a lot of other petty shit. There are a very
few who have been here that I have no use for, but I even like some of the
trolls :-)
Sara
> "Linda Freeman" <lfreemanlindafree...@webtv.net> wrote in message
Oh, for sure about the water :)) seriously though, it does help with
many of the sides...
the meds are very dehydrating and that can cause dizziness, aches and
pains, palpitations,
nausea, and other feelings of general "yuckiness"... I still drink
quite a bit of water, and my
body lets me know when I'm slacking!
I love this post, Spidey. You're right on about the physical and
emotional effects of TX....
I think the longer you are on the meds, the more toll it takes on your
body (duh), but for
most of us it's doable and well worth giving up a year of our lives to
kill that dragon!
and going off topic, re: my issues with atrial fib... my new doctor
down here in GA hates
Coumadin, and sent me to a Cardiac doc who specializes in the
electrical aspects of
cardiac care.... he hates coumadin too :) so, I'm off the coumadin
and on an aspirin regime
now. A little leery, but quite pleased that I won't have to be poked
or stuck every month any
more! Hoping the aspirin is enough to keep the clots at bay....
Sara
Sara
wrote:
> Can you alleviate it by doubling over--curling up in a ball or squishing
> that area? How often and how long did each pain last for you? What
> does the pain feel like? Stabbing or what?
I never had any pain like this.... any pains I had were aches and
pains from
the meds, and tylenol took care of those quite nicely. If you are
having sharp or
stabbing pain I suggest you talk to your doctor about it ASAP.
Sara
Cactus Jammies
cactusjammies
"Sara" <norminf...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:9c18a787-5b21-4930...@j4g2000yqe.googlegroups.com...