Thanks G for your feedback yes I have been living with the virus for decades, consciously – subconsciously things are definitely changing. And no matter how I feel I am prepared to go through whatever it takes to live a HCV free life.
Grief is part of the process although I am not sure thats what I am experiencing. Frankly I don’t really know. Just I have felt livery, foggy and flat the past few days. Although today as the day is progressing those symptoms are shifting and I feel mentally clear as a bell…sharp as a tack..thats a surprise and I don’t know if it will last or not I am just enjoying what is there and the relief from brain fog. Its not until the symptoms have gone that I realise how much impact they have or how constant they are as I am so used to them.

I have imagined what it will be like to feel well & healthy. To most people who know me I am always debilitated and limited either I am having a good day or a bad day. My whole identity has been centred around this persona, however, I can see myself having clarity of mind, strength of body and energy. Thats what I want and hope for however it may take time.

Hi Chejai

Pre Treatment: Over the past few years my sleep patterns have improved. I always go to sleep, I may wake up but will go back to sleep most times unless I have a lot on my mind. I don’t drink coffee (never have) and I don’t eat too late or sugary things. Thats when my sleep started to improve when I cut out any stimulants sugary or frutose. I drink tea but not late usually in the morning – early arvo. Sleep is the key. If I have a good nights sleep I usually feel reasonable the next day.

On Treatment: From my first dose I have had sleep disturbances. This is very different from my ‘normal’ sleep. I can go to sleep easily, however, at around 3am, after approx 3-4 hours sleep I wake up and cannot go to a deeper level of sleep. Usually during this time I will drop in or out and have very vivid dreams or I realise I am not really asleep…very strange. I am not anxious or worried, I just can’t seem to drop into a sleep. The first week I had mixed responses when I woke up. Sometimes I felt ok but after awhile I felt fatigued and other times I felt like I could go straight back to sleep which I didn’t do.

Now I am into my 19th day the sleep is much the same..can drop off to sleep..but wake up after a few hours. Somedays are better than others. I am very flat emotionally and tired and am not sure if its fatigue or sleep disturbance or both. I guess it doesn’t matter. I can manage to do most things (cook, housework, shop, blah) but have cut out socialising as I am feeling quite raw and vulnerable at the moment. Also I don’t really want to talk about treatment with caring friends. I am open about having Hep C and that I am on treatment. I have a supportive family and friends which really helps. Although I am not feeling on top of things at the moment this is all manageable and I am hoping that things will turn soon and I will feel a new lease on life. Even though my LFT’s are normal and I am happy about it I don’t really feel fabulous.

Everyone’s experience is different. There are some people posting that they have no side effects. Others no insomnia. Others who feel energised early into treatment and then get side effects. There are similar patterns but everyone is different and you won’t know until you start. From what I know there are side effects and they do have an impact but are not as brutal or debilitating as Interferon. Its good to get as much info as you can and prepare yourself…hope this helps.

Hello All
I went to have my first bloods yesterday at 14 days into treatment. It was a liver function test and it came back normal!! Yahoo!! its the first time in years n years (12-13) I have had a normal Alt 25 Ast 30!! 14 days into treatment Whew that is amazing!!!

I was surprised as I have been feeling fatigued and have insomnia so I haven’t been feeling too good but the sides are still manageable by adapting my life style..that is resting when I need to and not pushing myself. I was uncertain the test would be normal as I didn’t feel well healthy and bounding with energy.

My next bloods are in 2 weeks (week 4) and then I will have a viral load which hopefully will confirm the absence of the virus. All in all this is the best thing I have done..I am very proud of myself for staying with my decision not to be pushed/scared into Interferon over the years.
When I started to progress, from F2 to F3 fibroscan 17, 12 months ago, at times it was stressful not buckling under the pressure to go on Interferon. Which was really hard as at one stage my specialist said I may have liver cancer and thankfully I didn’t. He then said I should start treatment immediately as the cells in my liver where enlarged/abnormal and Interferon was the best option as it could take a long time for negotiations with Gov n Gilead. …..And now thanks to having the option to make my own informed decision through Fix Hep C..Normal liver functions!! WhoooHoooo!!

Hello
Today is day 10 and I am about to take my morning meds. Sof/Dac. The main symptoms I have are insomnia and fatigue. I go to sleep for about 3 or so hours and then go into a very light sleep like half awake half asleep. But I am starting to wake up feeling ok. Not too tired.

Last week I was impacted with fatigue and rested when I had too and pushed myself to do some social outings which really helped.
I am basically living my life as I would with a strange sleeping pattern and a different type of fatigue which comes and goes.

All in all these side effects are minimal. I was really expecting to be ‘wacked’ by these drugs and so far that hasn’t happened. I am not bedridden and I can socialise, cook, go shopping walk the dog etc. And I am starting to feel better in myself. Like I am not dragging body around. Feel a little spacey and thought this may be what people feel like without a sense of overwhelm 24/7. The absence of overwhelm/anxiety is a relief. No nausea the last few days and thats amazing and I have a ravenous appetite and am enjoying food.
My diet is pretty simple. Steamed veggies, chicken casseroles, lentil stew, Quinoa and fruit. Drinking lots and lots of water. No alcohol or sugary foods. Whats called a clean diet.

Thank you all for the well wishes…this is a really huge thing to do and I appreciate your support. Taking my life into my own hands has empowered me and every day I am reminded what and amazing thing I am doing and how different my life is already. I have no doubts that I will be cured…I just know that I am on a new trajectory and how exciting life is. Who would have thought 6 months ago I would be on the ‘New Treatment’ embarking on this path and with the help of Dr. Freeman his team and many others this is all possible.