Started this Morning

[DesertGuy]

I'm on Solvaldi/ Rib  for 24 weeks, genotype 3   --took 2 months to  get the insurance stuff correct. I'm a guy that has bounced on the edge of depression a whole lot. So that is one of the side effects I will be watching. 24 weeks. 49 pills a week( includes two I already take a  day)  = 1176 pills if I don't add anymore
Guess I am already getting carried away. I hate pills, I think this is one reason I look healthy. When I had a biopsy in 2005 and found out I already had cirrhosis of my liver, I stopped alcohol and any pills that were not needed. I had known I had had Hep C from 1986 from an insurance exam, and blew it off because of not knowing. The VA offered me interferon and it scared the hell out of me. Had not ever planned on getting treated, then a few months ago was told about Sovaldi. so now the ride begins. I will post a lot as I am retired.

[jberlin]

Congrats on taking your first steps toward ridding yourself of this virus.  And no interferon is great! The time will pass quickly and we look forward to your updates and progress!  Best wishes, jack

[Mikey M]

 You're gonna love it.  You start feeling better and better very quickly. 

[DesertGuy]

Honestly I can't say that the Hep C has made me feel bad-----except that I think I have hepatic empatholgy. I have been having some mental issues over the past few years . when I discovered this Hepatic thing and read the symptoms, I couldn't believe it. I had 9 out of 10. Like I said, physically I don't feel bad, my function numbers have always been fair even with the cirrociss. Viral load off the chart tho. The Dr. treating me doesn't seem interested in the mind thing, so I could be on my own there..

[canythingbutaverage]

Do you mean hepatic encephalopathy? if that's the case your doctor can do something about that.

Ususally it's a result of your body not processing ammonia like it should. it isn't just memory, you react differently to scenarios than you would otherwise. Lactulose is usually the balancing agent, but it will give your GI tract a little more Giddyup.

I had some pretty bad encephalopathy, luckily Lactulouse has helped in this. The trick is figuring out the dosage that works for you. I'd recommend talking to your doc about it. If hepatic encephalopathy is what you're talking about lactulose can improve your life.
seriously.

If you're noticing an issue and your doctor doesn't have an answer, ask other doctors/medical professionals. They may be able to provide more insight, so that when you next speak with your doc you're better informed and he'll be able to more precisely deal with the issue at hand.

[lporterrn]

Yes, canythingbutaverage is right about hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Your symptoms can also be from brain fog, a common hepatitis C symptom. Your doctor should screen you for HE, and treat if necessary. Much better to treat early than let it get out of hand.

[DesertGuy]

Never heard of brain fog--and yes on the Encephalopathy word , that's it. If the hep C goes away--so does the fog, correct?

[lporterrn]

Yes correct. Brain fog is a term that patients coined. There are a lot of theories about the cause, but the research supports its existence. Between PET scans and other tests, we see the hep C brain is affected by the virus. And yes, if there is no cirrhosis, it resolves when there is no infection. However, if there is already cirrhosis, it doesn't necessarily resolve.

[Mikey M]

The 'brain fog" does go away, or it has for me.  I am still amazed at how much better I feel after only 6 weeks.  I'm halfway done, and feeling better than I have in a long time.  Its amazing. 

[DesertGuy]

Day 7 today--only a few things I have noticed--for about 48 hours my sense of smell was greatly enhanced--gone away--jittery in the mornings after taking pills--and yesterday twice it felt like a mule kicked me in the side of my head--also gone away
Without a pill container--both am and pm--,It would be hard to keep track of so many pills