Even though I've been a member for a few months and posted bits and pieces here and there re pre-Tx symptoms, I want to collate that and use this as my Tx journal.
My Magic Pills arrived yesterday and today i've got my Path results, I'm sick today and hoping i'm well in the morning and I'll start Sof/Dac, a.m., since I take other meds at night.
Daily drug regime is AD - Mirtazepine, before bed as it's sedating; Nexium 1st thing in a.m before I can eat; Tilade asthma preventer; other drugs used when required - PRN - Valium, Lyrica, Endone, Oxycontin.
Vitamins/supps - Omega 3 fish Oil, Calcium + D, Magnesium, Multi B complex, Zinc + Vit C, Super Greens (not when I have diarrhoea), Inner Health Probiotics for IBS.
I have Clinical depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, Asperger's. I also have Osteoarthritis that has rapidly progressed in past 2 years with many sections on my spine 'bone on bone' crushing nerves, Carpal Tunnel and Peripheral Neuropathy - this started a few years ago periodically, intense burning, numbness in hands waking me constantly at night, then my feet, a year ago it set in permanently 24/7 and a few months ago it started on the left side of my face - turns out I have arthritis in my TMJ and swelling is putting pressure on the Trigeminal nerve. An endoscopy a few years ago revealed Reflux and Duodenitis.
I've suffered from migraines for the past 40 yrs too. Otherwise I'm doing great
I spent the 70's as an adolescent experimenting with everything, growing up on the central coast in NSW, beachside, hippie chick. I started smoking pot and drinking around 12-13 yrs, dropping acid and generally partying hard. When I was 18 I was introduced to 'shooting up' a range of drugs by my brother (18m younger) and cousin (a yr older) - typically heroin and Pelfium. We were completely ignorant of needle sharing, despite the disinfecting process and hanging out in Sydney's Darlinghurst district with my cousin's friends in some 'drug den' meant the sharing was very high risk.
I was working full-time in Hospitality and would drive down there for my 2 day binges. It wasn't until I passed out one Sunday arvo, in this place, and someone woke me Tuesday arvo that I thought something wasn't right! I had begun swelling up everywhere and had crushing fatigue. I went to the Dr's and he took one look at me and said, 'OMG! You've got hepatitis we better get you and your family/friends tested!' My results showed ALT/AST's sitting around 1500!! Non A-Non B hepatitis - later to be named Hep C, I also had co-infection EBV (aka Glandular Fever) My skin and eyes were so yellow and my body was blown up like a balloon, everyone thought I had suddenly put on lots of weight, even though I couldn't eat, but it was the Glandular Fever and oedema from kidney dysfunction. My Dr didn't know how I was still alive. At that time I was the only one with Hepatitis but later my brother and cousin were also to test positive but never got as sick as me.
So, they set up quarantine at my Dad's house, looking after me because I couldn't walk from one room to the next without aid. I didn't touch anything other than pot for some time. I eventually moved to Qld to travel and work; lived in Melbourne with my cousin for a bit; went OS; went back to go to Uni in Sydney. So for about 10 years I drank inconsistently and occasionally smoked pot. Then my brother introduced me to 'speed', so a few years getting messed up and 3 rehabs later, my father died unexpectedly at 51 yrs and I knew if I stayed in that town I would die so I moved back to Qld nearly 20 years ago. I've had long periods of being clean but usually end up drinking wine (spirits don't agree with me) especially when stressed. Don't smoke cigs and haven't had pot for about a year.
My youngest brother died suddenly at 41yrs in 2013 from drug overdose. My other brother has HepC and cirrhosis and is hoping to get Tx this year.
After seeing a Private Specialist for around 12-18m, I was referred to the RBWH Liver Clinic and have been going there for 2 yrs+. I had a fabulous GP for 8 yrs here, since moved on, who regularly monitored me. My LFT's have always been out of range and fluctuating. I've been feeling worse in the past 2 yrs. Episodes of diarrhoea that makes me housebound, with sweats, nausea and dizziness. Fatigue that can be so crippling, waking constantly from the intense pain in my hands and feet and now the side of my face. I would do anything for a good night's sleep!
I am a single mother of a precious little guy 10 yo, who has ASD and I Homeschool him. We have no family/friends here where we live.
I have Genotype 3a
In 2013 I had a Fibroscan score - 4.7 kpa F0-F1
Viral Load was only 16 000 IU/ml Log 4.2
December 2015 Path Results
I was given an "Enhanced Liver Fibrosis Score", rather than the Hepascore as requested, don't know the difference just that the Hepascore range is 0.00 - 1.00. My Fibrosis score is 8.5 which apparently puts me in F1-F2 range.
Viral Load 100 000 IU/ml Log 5.00
Total Protein high 86
Albumin high 46
ALT high 89
AST high 70
WCC all in low ranges, have been for a long time.
So, that about some it all up. I plan to take the Sof/Dac in the a.m. since I take my AD's at night.
As long as I don't have diarrhoea or throwing up tomorrow
then i intend to take my 1st dose!!
Wow, can't believe this is happening after years of being told to wait and thinking I'd never get a chance to be rid of this virus and it's finally about to happen. I wonder if these DAA's will knock out the EBV too, as I have had relapses of this.
I'm grateful to people like Dr James Freeman and Greg Jefferys who opened the door and let the light in