"Lucky You"     We are all fortunate to have this place to discuss, rant, help, encourage etc. etc. etc. each other.   As you will find, this is a great forum.  Very knowledgeable folks here.  Most have been through the mill, in some cases multiple times .     Hang around Cathy, you'll be glad you did.  Lot's to learn.  And when you feel like crap, there's always someone to give you support, or tips on dealing with different tx related issues.  Hope you get feeling better.  Hang tough, you're almost there.

I'm certainly not a medical professional but I wonder if you've been given the correct dosage or treatment plan. You mention that you haven't seen your GI. Just a thought. 

And the forum mod said from the top of the computer chip "bring us your Childish bring us your whiny" ok they really didn't say that but they are as we are always here to support....so air it out feel better and hang in there the prize is worth the fight!

Duane

Hi anurse:

Some of the symptoms you are describing are classic side effects of the tx: skin problems, insomnia, etc.   It sounds like you have been experiencing sleep disturbances for some time, however, and not sleeping properly can cause a whole host of issues including depression.  I would consider easing off the Ambien and Benadryl as you are able to.  Also, Ambien isn't really intended to be used as a long term sleep aid and using it for >1 year may be creating some problems for you.  

Try to get out and get a bit more exercise and fresh air.  Side effects that are directly tx related will subside over time once tx is ended, but you don't want to set yourself up for some long term funkiness by gaining a bunch of weight and relying on pharmaceuticals to get some shut-eye.

It is good that you are asking yourself these questions.  No need to stress, but being aware that you are going through some tough times, and that you will need to take an active role in planning your future health is important. 

Hi Cathy,

All of the feelings you mention sound so familiar, not to mention the physical discomforts and the difficulty sleeping. I don't know specifically which tx you're doing(except for Ribavirin) but I can say that you have a 'full plate', so don't feel guilty.

The itching/skin crawling at night is enough to put you in a straight-jacket, but I'm wondering about the 100MG Benadryl dosage- that seems like a lot.   I was on tx I was prescribed 50MG
Benadryl, but it didn't seem to help sleep much.  Sometime later, a former co-worker(an RN) mentioned that perhaps the 50MG was too much, and working counter-productively, or that I could be sensitive to the  Benadryl.     Just a thought.

I have little to offer except:

1. be kind to yourself, don't judge.

2. get as much rest/relaxation as you can

3.drink as much water/fluids as you can stand

4.get out of the house and do something you enjoy, sounds like you may be experiencing "cabin fever".

5.take care, best wishes!

Hi Cathy,

First of all, you're welcome to rant and rave as much as is necessary! I'm sorry you're having to deal with all of this but you've only got 3 more weeks and everything should improve dramatically once the drugs clear. You mentioned a lot of differing problems and surely many of them are drug side effects. The poison ivy you spoke of is most certainly what we call Riba rash. The TAC cream is very good for that, as are limiting baths/showers to every 2-3 days and keep them lukewarm. Hot water can exacerbate the rash, as does scratching. You're taking enough sleep medication (Ambien-10 and Benadryl 100) to knock most people out for a week! I wonder if that isn't causing some of your daily motivational loss? Benadryl is well known for hanging on. Can you ask your nurse for something else and d/c that? I took a benzodiazepine briefly and it worked very well to induce and maintain sleep. All of that will continue to change normal sleep patterns instead of improving them, so try and wean yourself off of it when possible. I took Melatonin while on treatment but it took several weeks to help and you don't have that long left on Tx. You may be left to your current meds unless you speak with your doctor and get some new options.

The emotional roller coaster, the irritability and psych problems are definitely the result of Ribavirin. The good ol' Riba Rage! It will diminish once you end treatment, I promise! Best to understand what sets you off and avoid those triggers like the plague! We ALL suffered from one or all of the common Riba side effects and you mentioned most of them. The only thing you left out was sun sensitivity. Go out in the heat and sun light and you can break out in an all over rash and sun burn. So don't do that!! Avoid the events and people that set you off, it's the best method to keep it in check. But know that it's not you, it's the drugs causing all of these issues. They will go away after EOT, but can take months to fully clear the Riba from your system. However, you'll feel better after that first month, promise! Three more weeks Cathy, hang in there and plan that new Hep free life ahead of you. That will surely put a smile back on your face! Good luck...

Tig

So this is a rant. I Want to share that from the start so people will be forewarned. It probably sounds childish and whiny, but the fact is I have no one else to be childish and whiny with, lucky you.

The first few days of treatment were pretty benign, slight headache after morning dose that only lasted an hour at the most.  And after the 2nd week I thought, cool, no problem.  By the third week I began to experience some different feelings, I can only describe them as an all over skin crawling type sensation after taking the morning dose.  At that point I began to suffer from insomnia, despite the 10 mg of Ambien I have had to take every night since I had foot surgery (one year ago) I can't sleep.  Even when I add 100mg Benadryl I only get maybe 3 hours.  The skin-crawling type feeling seems to have abated some; but now, beginning week 9, I have noticed a significant increase in the RLS (restless leg syndrome) I used to suffer from it only occasionally (again, related to the foot surgery).  I now sometimes (not always) begin to feel the horrible pins and needles in my lower extremities during the early part of the day and last night it actually woke me! I have increased my Ropinerole from 1mg at night as needed, to 2 mg at night and I occasionally need to take one during the day. I picked up what I thought was some poison ivy 3 weeks ago but it spread randomly and was treated successfully with triamcinolone cream (was it RIBA rash?)  I did/do not suffer from any nausea or appetite loss, in fact its the opposite for me. I cant stop eating. Its ridiculous; even if something isnt that good I will finish it. WHAT IS UP WITH THAT?

I am also noticing more psychological, emotional type imbalances. I am becoming increasingly more anxious; easy to set off. I have absolutely NO motivation, to do anything!!!! I have NO energy and even multiple rest periods do nothing to promote any type of momentum to get anything done. Honestly, I sit and look out the window at a beautiful day but can't move, like I'm functionally paralyzed. I work from home (which I really think contributes to the stagnant feeling), and can barely get through the day.  I am short-tempered, un-motivated, depressed (but not overtly so, no suicidal or homicidal thoughts), lazy, bored, and feel generally like a big useless blob.  So, my question for the wise people/participants of this place:  are these feelings (psych and physical) related to the treatment? Or am I using the treatment as an excuse?

All my labs have been WNL. Viral load went from 40 million in May to <15 4 weeks after I started treatment with Sovaldi400mg once a day and Ribavirin 600mg twice a day.  I see a NP (have never even met the gastroenterologist) as required but she is basically clueless. I have gleaned more mind-easing support from these boards than from her. Of note, there are no hepatolgists within 200 miles of where I live (rural MN).

On the home stretch, so I will manage and suck it up. Just wondering without spending hours searching the boards what some of your thoughts are.

Thanks in advance.

GT 2b, diagnosed 1999; no previous treatment.