Friday, August 27, 2010

Oops! It's a side effect!

So I totally forgot I had a blog. For anyone still interested, I'll remind you that I'm doing a 48 week treatment to kill the hepatitis C virus from my body. Tonight I did shot #37 which means I have 11 weeks to go.

How's it been? Crappy. I was having eye problems and so my treatment was stopped for a full week which is a HUGE deal but I had no choice. I then resumed with the doctor's approval and since then my side effects have gotten pretty bad.

Brain fog is obviously pretty serious seeing as how I forgot I had a blog lol. I've also had major skin rashes, joint pain, muscle pain, nausea, diarrhea and mega-hemorrhoids. I can't say that's a real word but I did have to include "mega" because it involves pain and blood. The fatigue is pretty bad as I can barely get up for work in the mornings. Showering is a major chore and it seems to take forever to do. I always did take long showers but I have no energy to get through them now. I've lost weight because I have practically no appetite. I can't eat spicy foods anymore, my taste buds have changed greatly, and often times I eat only because I need to take my pills with food. Not because I'm hungry. I get way too out of breath to exercise thanks to my anemia (anemia due to meds) and so I'm no longer going to the gym. I tried swimming but that didn't work out. I walk dogs now, that were rescued from euthanasia and that is the extent of my exercise.

On a good note, my hair stopped growing and then began falling out and so I cut it short. Then it stopped falling out and is growing again. My eyesight has actually IMPROVED which is a rare side effect from treatment but it's probably only temporary.

I've made some amazing friends on my support forum (hepcnomads.co.uk) and I've seen people start and finish and move on with their lives. Lucky bastards only having to do 24 weeks while I do 48. But hey, awesome for them and now they're my cheerleaders.

So, I hope I remember I have a blog and can update all those interested.

Peace out!

Adam