Thanks for the positives! I’m day 5 in to the treatment and following the doctors instructions to the letter. Insomnia is still an issue for me but that’s also because of the quetiapine no longer being used. I guess I’ll get used to that and hopefully it’ll improve as time goes on. I’m a natural pessimist and that’s hard to shake as because I work very closely with people in suicide prevention I guess its also a kind of emotional “insurance” that I’ve naturally developed in response to losing people from time to time.Also, my support network is small and mainly consists of a dog and cat but this forum is a major element for me now as I don’t do social networking at all. I guess this is my “facebook”!
Thanks for all the support and for the chance to try again. Also, please tell me if there are things I should be doing on the forum that I’m ignorant of as the whole internet thing is something I haven’t really embraced.
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An update.
Almost through month number 1 and the nausea and headaches have stopped which is great!
The one side effect that I found difficult when I did my first treatment with Viekira Pak was the slow build up of depression by the last month. I have suffered from depression since my teens and know how it feels inside and out, but that depression on Viekira was a different, dark experience that took some time to fade after I completed treatment.
I just wanted to know whether depression is a possible side effect of what I am taking at the moment as I think I can feel hints of something starting to move in that have a faint sniff of before. I’m just trying to head things off at the pass as I have 3 more months ahead of me and I will have to be prepared in order to push through if its a possibility that I’m about to be hit like last time.
My specialist has ordered bloods for the end of each month of the treatment so I will post those up if you would like me to when I receive them?
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Thanks for your reply Sven.
Taking stock daily and getting through to bedtime I guess is the key. One bite at a time and eyes on the prize is what Im hearing from you.
Thanks for your wisdom!
Take care
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Hi Dr James.1 week and Ill be at the end of month 2. Attached are the results of a blood test I did a week or so ago. I would appreciate any feedback or comments on the results. I dont have a scanner so these are digital photos. If you cant read them, let me know and ill find someone with a scanner.

Regards

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Thanks Dr James.
To be honest i feel pretty rough. Heres what im going through:
In the last month I have had an ear infection and two bouts of chest in fection. I have psoriasis which has always been under control but its been coming up again in new places on my skin. Also been experiencing some throbbing neck pain which is annoying. Im also feeling low and Im still experiencing horrifying cramps in my inner things, just up from the knees. When I get them at night I cant get back to sleep. My balance frequently plays up and Ill miss the odd stair or fall against a wall or two to help me not fall over.
Some of these might be unconnected to the meds etc

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HI.Sorry for the lack of answer to your query Dr James. I haven’t been on the internet for awhile as I have been off work to help me relax and rest for the last stretch of the treatment. I use Daivobet for my psoriasis which is breaking out at the moment.
I am now almost 9 weeks down and its been pretty hard so far but I’m soldiering on. I have been losing weight at a steady pace and have lost almost 10kgs according to my GP over the last few months which I have not even noticed. My belts are peppered with new holes and Ive dropped from a 38 to a 30 in waist and have had to buy new pants as I’m starting to look like a tramp according to my elderly mother! lol
The cognitive changes and depression have been intense so far, esp the depression and I’m probably going to sign myself off work till the end of the treatment mid Jan. My Dr asked me if I wanted to stop the treatment but it’s my last stab at it so I politely advised him Ill power through. He has offered to sign me on a temporary sickness benefit and rest asap but the drop in money will drive me into a hole esp over Xmas. I’m also unsure because being alone at home for almost two months will make the depression so much worse so I need to keep something going where my colleagues can keep an eye on me.
Wow its been a ride so far and Ill get bloods done on Monday and see my specialist at the end of the month so Ill upload the results and update you all then.
Its like being on the back of a Rodeo Bull who is sitting in the first car on the worlds most intense roller coaster with your hands tied behind your back! Win or lose I will not forget this in a hurry!

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