FEELING BETTER AFTER TREATMENT??? Re: A Open Letter of a Private Dark Journey

[Guest guest]

TO KATHRYN,

Thank you.

I never finished the full 24 weeks program, only 19 1/2.

I had to quit the viral meds on October 20th.

I can relate that I too was told I would be feeling better from a couple days

after I stopped up to 6 to 8 weeks. Compared to how I 'felt' during treatment,

I obviously felt better a couple days after I stopped. The only real advice

that is true is that it is gradual.

It is now going on 2/12 months. Regarding physical health, I am able to do light

house chores a few hours a day. I DO BELIEVE that since I was bedridden for

over 19 weeks that I need to Exercise as much as possible because all the drugs

are out of my body and most related side-effects decrease all the time.

Exercise!!! I couldn't go outside, and taking walks or piddling around in the

yard helps a lot.

Depression has not been my main issue. Though I try to believe that my feelings

of anxiety and fear are Normal considering the traumas and shock I've been

through. I too fear that when my final viral load blood test is taken, I may

not be cleared of the virus.

I am learning a bit how to better Relax, chill out. Doing small household chores

to help my wife, a, also gives me a boost in self-confidence.

HEP-C1 is awful. Interferon, Ribaviron, and Encivek are real 'nasty' as many

people confirm. I come to realize it is different for each person afflicted

with this disease and recovery from the treatment. I am 61, and have had

fatigue symptoms for many years.

WHAT ALSO HELPS ME IS TO PUSH MY BOUNDS, ALLOW PAULA ENCOURAGE ME TO PUSH MY

BOUNDS AND SOCIALIZE, MAKE PHONE CALLS TO ALL WHO PRAYED AND SUPPORTED ME, WRITE

EMAILS OF THANKS, AND START ALL OVER.

PERHAPS YOUR HUSBANDS DEPRESSION IS ONLY BASED ON ALL HE HAS BEEN THROUGH AND IS

NOT CHRONIC. MY SENSE OF BEING COMPLETELY DEPENDENT ON MY WIFE, HELPLESS, A

COMPLETE DRAIN 'WAS' IMMENSE. I'M SURE OTHER MEN (AND WOMEN) FEEL THE SAME.

HOWEVER, IT SEEMS THAT FROM OUR EXPERIENCE FRIENDS AND FAMILY MOSTLY FOCUSED ON

SAYING " How is Joe? " What a went through was 'terrible' and she felt

invisible. She felt guilty to be so scared and worried and drained all the time

as our Funds depleted. I was incapable of emotionally relating to her. Her

greatest fear was if I would ever be normal again. In my opinion what she went

through, , was worse than what I went through because all her senses and

mental awareness experienced all my suffering and slowly dying, etc. She can

never forget all that. As for me, I feel like it happened to someone else. Not

me. I was pretty much shut down from emotions, mental processing, and even

memories.

My heart goes out to you. a was caregiver for 10 years with her first

husband. She says NO ONE understands what it's like to be a caregiver unless

they've been through it.

Now I am becoming better able to function, she is finally able to vent all her

pressure built up inside. Sometimes, she is grumpy. That to me is normal, and

is just letting out steam so SHE TOO CAN PROCEED WITH HER RECOVERY.

take care, Joe

>

> Lovely story Joe,

> I have a question for those of you who have finished treatment. How long did

> it take you to return to normal or did you return to normal?

> My husband finished 6 months treatment in October and he is not the same

> person. He said to me yesterday. " I've changed " . I asked him to explain,

> but he couldn't. All I know is he still has no energy, mild to moderate

> depression, has gained belly weight and well.. I agree he isn't really the

> same person.

> It would be helpful for him to know if he will feel his old self again. The

> nurse who was his treatment resource isn't very helpful. I told her his

> headaches were gone, but his depression and fatigue were not changed and her

> reply was " glad to hear his feeling better " . Dah..

>

> Anyway, thought I would ask you all who have finished treatment, if and when

> you got back to feeling somewhat normal again and if you have any

> suggestions.

> Thanks and

> Happy New Year to you all

>

>

> " What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what

> is woven into the lives of others. " - Pericles

>