TOPIC:

Hiya! My last day of meds was 4 days ago, but I wanted to wait until I got my EOT labs back before I posted anything.

So...forthwith...the awesome things...

1. Day 2 after EOT, my insomnia side effect disappeared. I haven't gone to bed this early, slept this long and soundly in MONTHS. Maybe years actually. It's even better than before tx because now my hep c is gone*.

I mean, I never had a lot of side effects of Hep C that I could identify, but spiritually and mentally...I KNEW it was there, and shoved it way down and never spoke of it unless I had to. It affected my quality of life in a very large way.

2. Day 3 of EOT, the achy/creaky joints side effect is about 1/2 gone. Everyone doesn't get that side effect, but I did and it wasn't fun. In the big picture, totally not a big deal. Honestly NONE of these side effects are a big deal in the big picture. But it's still nice when they're gone.

3. Day 3 of EOT, the extreme tiredness is already gone. It was gone last night actually. I was so excited to go to bed because I'd had a full day and it was time to go to bed, instead of because I'm so exhausted I can barely sit up anymore. I woke up in such a good mood today. I literally POPPED out of bed at like 8am. That has DEFINITELY not happened during tx. haha

4. There's a funny interesting spiritual change I've noticed. It's a result of realizing I'm actually going to live a long time. I just feel giddy and enthusiastic and I take great enjoyment in the perceptions of life...smells of pine and coffee, the cold floor under my feet, the sounds of neighbors walking heavily upstairs, birds outside, my space heater's white noise. I'm excited to do more christmas shopping, and go look at things in town from my windows as I drive to the mall. Little things. You feel me? These little perceptions are SO important to me.

5. I will update my sig in a few minutes, but the quick rundown is that all my tests that were out of range are now in range. My ferritin is still slightly low but that will come back up a bit as the daclatasvir leaves my body. And my virus is again...UND.

6. And...GUESS WHO'S HAVING A GRAPEFRUIT TODAY??? THIS GIRL. Hahaha. Probably most people don't care about not being able to have grapefruit, but I really like it. So I'm kind of excited.

I will update more as I notice more things, but so far I couldn't be happier with everything. Big hearts to Dr. Freeman and Jan, who've been my people through all this. And all of you on here who have held my hand as well. I love you guys. Seriously.

(*I KNOW....it's not SVR 24 yet, but for last 4 weeks it's und. I'm going to call it "GONE" from now until SVR24 and beyond.)

Hi Erica,

Thanks for the update on how it's going and your kind words. Jan is fabulous!

Fingers crossed for SVR.

James-Freeman-facebook wrote: Hi Erica,

Thanks for the update on how it's going and your kind words. Jan is fabulous!

Fingers crossed for SVR.

Thanks so much, Doc! I will keep you posted.

Hi Erica,

Congratulations on those results and thanks for such a wonderful and personal post. It made me reflect again on all of the subtle but significant changes that I have experienced since getting this monkey off my back. I hope that your post will encourage others who may be holding back a little on getting treatment to jump on in and know that it is better on the other side.

Keep on enjoying this Hep C free life.

Coral

coral wrote: Hi Erica,

Congratulations on those results and thanks for such a wonderful and personal post. It made me reflect again on all of the subtle but significant changes that I have experienced since getting this monkey off my back. I hope that your post will encourage others who may be holding back a little on getting treatment to jump on in and know that it is better on the other side.

Keep on enjoying this Hep C free life.

Coral

Thank you, Coral. That is EXACTLY my hope, as well. This wasn't even possible just a few short years ago. I figured I'd just...die from Hep C, far too early, and that would be that. My gratitude and amazement is just...I have no words. This, today, right NOW is our NEW life. There is an infinity of enjoyable experiences to be had, small and large. We've got some catching up to do! LET'S GO DO STUFF!!!!

I've got 51 Epclusa pills down, 23 to go, estimated EOT of April 28. UND at 4 weeks, pristine abdominal scan. I am blessed.

Now my focus is how soon I can get the Epclusa out of my system after April 28. My only side effects are (i) a bizarre dehydration which keeps me from spending more than 30 minutes in HR zone 3, and (ii) boundless HR zone 1 and 2 energy, which I suppose could be considered to be insomnia.

It sounds from others here that it only takes a few days to clear out. It would be good to get a long, hard ride in the weekend after 4.28.

When you stop the tablets you get rid of 1/2 every day so:

1 ->1/2 of 1 = 1/2 left
2 -> 1/2 of 1/2 = 1/4 left
3 -> 1/2 of 1/4 = 1/8 left
4 -> 1/16 left
5 -> 1/32 left
6 -> 1/64 left
7 -> 1/128 left

So within a week you are down to 1% of the drugs left. 2 weeks and it is 0.01% and at 3 weeks you have only one millionth of the blood levels you had when you stopped.

Thanks, Doc. That information is very helpful as I plan my post-treatment regimen.

I'll just add my 2 cents....

Just over 2 years now since becoming undetected. I recently reached a new level of well being, it really feels like every 6 months or so things become even better. Mostly energy level, but also mentally. Just great.

As one of the brave explorers who took the leap of faith that this site was legit and that generic meds would work you earned it GF!

Plus all rhe encouragement you’ve given others over the years....

I feel the same more than a year after becoming undetected as I did before treatment. The awesome thing that happened is that a nightmare of worries and not being able to work for a year due to exosure prone procedures beimg part of my work is behind and I live my life without even thinking of it. I hope very much I will be able to direct other people stuck in that nightmare to this website so that I do at least tiny bit of useful action in return to those people who made it possible, in particular you , James.

Thanks countless,

Hep C is interesting in the way it impacts people. Some are very symptomatic and see dramatic changes with treatment, whereas others seem to be weathering the storm in a t-shirt and shorts.

The psychological part is neglected - it's nice to know you and your blood are no longer infectious, and of course if exposure prone procedures are part of daily life...

Greedfighter wrote: I'll just add my 2 cents....

Just over 2 years now since becoming undetected. I recently reached a new level of well being, it really feels like every 6 months or so things become even better. Mostly energy level, but also mentally. Just great.

Hey GF this is pretty much what is happening to me! Good to hear you are doing well.
I have to admit to unexpected effects when I got the first SVR ,3 months post EOT. I never thought it was going to be such a Big Deal and so tough to process. But I'm good now (started treatment in March 2016).
Physical health is hugely improved apart from cholesterol. (I suspect my sub optimal liver wasn't making much of it, and when it got better it made up for lost time). Mental sharpness and learning ability have also improved out of sight.
Keep on enjoying life!

Hi beaches!

I'm glad you are doing well and feeling great like me! It really does keep getting better over time after being infected for so many years. My only advice to you would be just watch the cholesterol and fat levels in the food you eat. My Father died from a stroke that was caused by a high fat/ high cholesterol diet. You really do have to watch what you eat. I've become a food label hound

So true, greedfighter!
My total cholesterol level jumped from low 4 to mid 6 within 6 months of clearing the virus, as my newly healthy liver set about making cholesterol with a vengeance. Dammit!
But still, the feeling of well-being continues to increase. It's good to know I've been given back some quality time so yeah, it's worth actively monitoring all the other health indicators.