4 Days post treatment

[Hepsub]

So its been 4 days now since treatment was over... I thought this period would be a joyous one but I'm now more ridden with anxiety than ever. I have nasty headaches and although i don't feel liver pain, the area feels inflamed (like a pulse) when i lay down and i never had that sensation pre tx.   I was on vierkapak + weight based riba for 12 weeks and had anemia induced symptoms the last 5 weeks of treatment. Anyone else have similar or just strange experiences after treatment they could share to either ease my worrisome mind or help me come to terms with whats happening? would appreciate it either way, my trial doctor has been very unhelpful since EOT.

Thanks
PZ

[KimInTheForest]

Hi PZ. Congrats on completing treatment! As for post-treatment issues, quite a few of us experienced post-treatment problems lasting for months in many cases. There are several discussion threads going on that situation. Here is the longest one with nearly 500 comments:

http://forums.hepmag.com/index.php?topic=2053.0

It pertains to Harvoni, not Viekira. But there is probably a lot of similarity.

As for sensations of liver inflammation post-tx, I would not worry about that too much. I know quite a few of us reported feeling twinges or even bigger pains in liver - the kind of thing that we had all come to associate with Hep C. Yet we all went on to achieve SVR12 and were cured.

People have various theories about the cause of the post-treatment 'syndrome' or 'malaise' that some of us experience. Maybe temporarily overactive immune system. But other possibilities too.

Like you, my treatment included ribavirin. And that can certainly take some of us a while to recover from - especially the anemia it induces.

I am now 9 months post-treatment and am feeling pretty good. But that is how long it has taken. Just take good care of yourself and your new body, and be patient. Healing is a process, and one that extends far beyond cessation of treatment.

best,
kim

[Hepsub]

thanks for the thorough and thoughtful response kim,

I am trying so hard to take it day by day but aspiring for the now whilst under the spell of physiological depression is somewhat of an enigma.  Often bringing myself to the present is pointing the gun directly at my face as opposed to dreading in my mind.  In any event, I'm embattled by your post, the stories here, and will keep on keeping on as they say.  Have a nasty headache right now which has become increasingly severe as the days went on.  Trying to push past the pain, work out and eat so that i can promote healing BUT MAN IS IT A BITCH DOING IT IN THIS CITY WHERE I HAVE NO WHERE TO TURN, AM SHAMED AT A GLANCE FOR THIS STRUGGLE IM ENGAGED IN AND JUDGED SO ABSOLUTELY IVE LOST NEARLY ALL THE RESPECT OF ALL MY FRIENDS/FAMILY.. Ok sorry for the dramatic emphasis haha , had to vent somewhere! thanks so much for hearing my story and sharing yours!
Pzed

[KimInTheForest]

Good luck, PZed! Keep drinking plenty of water. That may help with the headache, as well as other things. I found ribavirin to be very drying - dry hair and skin, lots of splits in skin at heels, lips, etc. That lasted quite a while post-treatment. And dehydration can be cause of headaches...

kim

[Philadelphia]

And of course it's worth stating that if you keep feeling this way you really should see a dr. This virus takes a lot out of us, even when it's gone. The sense of depression you are talking about can be debilitating.

[FutureThinker]

Hepsub, these are very powerful drugs to kill this BEAST. You have support here from many other people who uniquely understand what you are going thru, so vent away!! I have found this forum to be a life line, no doubt about it.  I can count on 1 hand how many people I've told I have this disease and none were family members. I know how you feel. But the important thing is that you MADE IT THRU TREATMENT! That is a huge accomplishment and you need to feel proud of it. We are proud of you! Philly's got a good point, consult your doctor if these HA continue.  We are here for you so keep us posted.  FT

[Hepsub]

Thanks all! If the depression continues i probably will see a doc.. I need to get a new primary. i guess its possible the flank sensation I'm feeling COULD be my liver getting used to not being inundated with poison on a daily basis. Today is almost over, my girlfriend is away for passover, so ill be able to sleep as long as i can.. hopefully it helps and tomorrow will be better than today...hope you guys have a great weekend!

[FutureThinker]

You know, a good, long night's sleep can do a world of good! The flank pain could maybe even be gas or digestion, as the stomach and liver are so closely intertwined? Try to take it easy this weekend and get some rest if you can, eat well and stay hydrated.  Hope you feel better tomorrow -- FT

[FutureThinker]

Hepsub, how's this week been going?  FT

[Hepsub]

HI, so got my 12 week labs back.. undetected... not much of a milestone as i wasn't truly off the meds yet.. was doing ok and then... a couple days ago i drank a 1/4th of a pre workout drink with a nominal amount of creatine in it...minutes after my flank and back on right side began to ache...it spread to me left side and lasted for 4 days until i went to homeopath for a remedy which surprisingly worked quickly... still a bit sore but not experiencing systematic effects...developed a rash under my knees that looks like the tell tale hep c rash... the rash on my abdomen that had been dormant the entire span of treatment is slowly but surely propagating again... I'm itching.... trying not to be beset by worry but its hard... haven't exercised in weeks but muscles sore..very troublesome events.... hope you all are well

[Hepsub]

in a week*