Carl - I've been through a lot of **** in life, and can relate to how you think about Hep C. But I spent many years consciously figuring out how to be happier/have less stress/live my life. I'm not talking new age stuff, or crazy therapy - just living my life as comfortably as I can.
So my attitude toward the Hep C is "so what". I have this disease, I need a year of treatment, life goes on. I'm not concerned with what anyone else thinks, really! I'm the one who is sick; why should I care about how any else views it?
It's a trite expression, but it is what it is. And I'm doing what I need to do.
Having said all that, treatment sucks. I have all the usual side effects, had to postpone my wedding, etc. So I do complain a lot about that. But practically, it's a necessary bump in the road. Hell, my own stupidity got me here! And it could have been a lot worse...
So do what you need to do, both for your disease and to make yourself happy.
hrsetrdr said
Nov 4, 2012
Great news to hear, Carl! The sweet taste of success is sweeter than no other! A day to be proud of.
Sunrise747 said
Nov 4, 2012
Thanks all for your support and comments! May I soon very in very company with all of you.
jrc said
Nov 2, 2012
If und 12 weeks post tx per my dr=SVR
Bloomster said
Oct 31, 2012
Congratulations on your results. Reading your post really drew me in. It is a deep, dark journey at times, but it's good to keep the hope alive.
All the very best over the next few months.
Phil G said
Oct 31, 2012
Big congrats on the results. I can relate to most of what you wrote. The feeling for me was great relief, not so much elation.
mallani said
Oct 31, 2012
Hi Carl, congratz on your results. Must be a great relief after the lowered Riba. and the reduced Rx length. I enjoyed reading your post, as it summarises how we all get to feel with this disease and Rx. As I'm doing 48 weeks and really struggling, I was interested in your Rx length. Up to my last visit, my doc. was definite about 48 weeks for me, but he is now saying there is discussion about whether this is too long, particularly with Victrelis ( for patients with an eRVR or sEVR).
Just one more VL to go, then enjoy a Rx and HCV-free life
JoAnneh said
Oct 30, 2012
Awesome news! Hope I hear that same results and like u I will be scared to celebrate too much till that 24 week post. Please keep us posted and thanks for sharing Again so happy for good news JoAnne
Sunrise747 said
Oct 30, 2012
I took my 12-week post-treatment blood test last Friday (Oct 26). I was tempted to tell the doctor not to give me the results on the basis that, emotionally, no news would be better than bad news. I was afraid to even hope for success, lest I be so very disappointed yet again.
What I dislike most about Hep-C is not this symptom or that (because I have none) but simply thinking about it. Dating, social-stigma, worrying family members about my health, me worrying about my health, scheduling the next bloodtest, liver scan, doctors appointment, etc. Its like a constant low-grade background buzz that accompanies my otherwise normal and healthy life. I am happiest when I have completely forgotten about it and was pretty close to that zone during the past three months: Treatment was over and nobody told me it didnt work (as happened last time).
She called this morning to say I am still undetectable. Great news of course but, oddly, I felt no real elation. I am still sorting through why. One reason might be that the industry standard is the 24-week post-treatment test rather than the 12 though its rare to relapse after that 3-month milestone. More likely its because ridding my body of the virus is only a giant step on a life-long Hep-C sponsored journey. Seconds later the conversation with my doctor turned to scheduling a CT scan of my liver. A sobering reminder that we rid the virus but (for most of us) never completely rid the worry. Or the accompanying low-grade background buzz.
Dont get me wrong. On some level I am thrilled to be clear. This wonderful forum (bless all of you!) is a testament to how hard we all struggle to achieve that lofty goal. For me, so far, hep-C is more a mental condition than a disease. Ive no doubt many with cancer, MS or a host of other real diseases would be more than happy to trade places with me because they worry AND suffer every day. And it seldom ends for them in 12, 24 or 48 weeks. So I will proudly mark this day as one I have dreamed about for nearly twenty years. And move on to worrying about the next phase. Is that human nature or just my nature?
For those of you looking for reassuring stats (as I always am!), here are a few: After nine weeks on Incivek my Riba dose was lowered from 1200 to 600mg due to anemia and remained at that level for the duration of treatment. Against my doctors recommendation I only did 34 weeks due to a job commitment. I was UND for the duration of treatment but am a relapser (combo in 2001) and likely have cirrhosis so 48 was prescribed. So far it appears neither the lowered Riba dose nor the shortened treatment window harmed my success. But everyone is different!
Thanks all!
So my attitude toward the Hep C is "so what". I have this disease, I need a year of treatment, life goes on. I'm not concerned with what anyone else thinks, really! I'm the one who is sick; why should I care about how any else views it?
It's a trite expression, but it is what it is. And I'm doing what I need to do.
Having said all that, treatment sucks. I have all the usual side effects, had to postpone my wedding, etc. So I do complain a lot about that. But practically, it's a necessary bump in the road. Hell, my own stupidity got me here! And it could have been a lot worse...
So do what you need to do, both for your disease and to make yourself happy.
Great news to hear, Carl! The sweet taste of success is sweeter than no other! A day to be proud of.
Thanks all for your support and comments! May I soon very in very company with all of you.
If und 12 weeks post tx per my dr=SVR
Congratulations on your results. Reading your post really drew me in. It is a deep, dark journey at times, but it's good to keep the hope alive.
All the very best over the next few months.
Big congrats on the results. I can relate to most of what you wrote. The feeling for me was great relief, not so much elation.
Hi Carl, congratz on your results. Must be a great relief after the lowered Riba. and the reduced Rx length. I enjoyed reading your post, as it summarises how we all get to feel with this disease and Rx. As I'm doing 48 weeks and really struggling, I was interested in your Rx length. Up to my last visit, my doc. was definite about 48 weeks for me, but he is now saying there is discussion about whether this is too long, particularly with Victrelis ( for patients with an eRVR or sEVR).
Just one more VL to go, then enjoy a Rx and HCV-free life
I will be scared to celebrate too much till that 24 week post.
Please keep us posted and thanks for sharing
Again so happy for good news
JoAnne
I took my 12-week post-treatment blood test last Friday (Oct 26). I was tempted to tell the doctor not to give me the results on the basis that, emotionally, no news would be better than bad news. I was afraid to even hope for success, lest I be so very disappointed yet again.
What I dislike most about Hep-C is not this symptom or that (because I have none) but simply thinking about it. Dating, social-stigma, worrying family members about my health, me worrying about my health, scheduling the next bloodtest, liver scan, doctors appointment, etc. Its like a constant low-grade background buzz that accompanies my otherwise normal and healthy life. I am happiest when I have completely forgotten about it and was pretty close to that zone during the past three months: Treatment was over and nobody told me it didnt work (as happened last time).
She called this morning to say I am still undetectable. Great news of course but, oddly, I felt no real elation. I am still sorting through why. One reason might be that the industry standard is the 24-week post-treatment test rather than the 12 though its rare to relapse after that 3-month milestone. More likely its because ridding my body of the virus is only a giant step on a life-long Hep-C sponsored journey. Seconds later the conversation with my doctor turned to scheduling a CT scan of my liver. A sobering reminder that we rid the virus but (for most of us) never completely rid the worry. Or the accompanying low-grade background buzz.
Dont get me wrong. On some level I am thrilled to be clear. This wonderful forum (bless all of you!) is a testament to how hard we all struggle to achieve that lofty goal. For me, so far, hep-C is more a mental condition than a disease. Ive no doubt many with cancer, MS or a host of other real diseases would be more than happy to trade places with me because they worry AND suffer every day. And it seldom ends for them in 12, 24 or 48 weeks. So I will proudly mark this day as one I have dreamed about for nearly twenty years. And move on to worrying about the next phase. Is that human nature or just my nature?
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For those of you looking for reassuring stats (as I always am!), here are a few: After nine weeks on Incivek my Riba dose was lowered from 1200 to 600mg due to anemia and remained at that level for the duration of treatment. Against my doctors recommendation I only did 34 weeks due to a job commitment. I was UND for the duration of treatment but am a relapser (combo in 2001) and likely have cirrhosis so 48 was prescribed. So far it appears neither the lowered Riba dose nor the shortened treatment window harmed my success. But everyone is different!