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Posted 3/9/2011 1:35 AM (GMT 0)

Has his sponsor been talking to him and encouraging him to go to more meetings?  Church would be good, too.  If there's ever a time to be in touch with your HP, it's now when both of you are going through so much.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 3/9/2011 5:27 PM (GMT 0)
david i have a guestion or for any one els out there when you take the shot how dose it effect you a couple of days later or what? and what was your take on sex was it just a turn off at the time of treatment?
Posted 3/9/2011 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
Steph, from what I've read and heard, the pills cause more problems than the shot. As for sex, nobody is interested in sex when they're feeling lousy. Add to that the psychological factor of being ill...lowered self-esteem...and you may be shut out for awhile. Don't take it personally.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 3/9/2011 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
The first time I did the treatment was 2004. I would give myself the shot on Friday morning and late that evening or by Saturday morning, I felt as if I had the flu. Usually my temperature would be from 101-103, but by Sunday it would abate somewhat. By Monday I'd be close to normal. This time (2010-to now) my shots and pills are a third less than in 2004. Having a healthy new liver and less meds have removed the bad side effects. Connie (as always) is correct about the pills (ribavirin). I believe they do more to make you feel bad. Hair falling out, sores on my body and thrush. It sucked. As far as sex goes... The therapy often makes it difficult to get an erection, so viagra or something similar could be prescribed. I did need it for the last 3-4 months and it worked. My hepatologist said that impotence was a complaint from most men doing the cocktail.
Posted 3/9/2011 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the input, David. I am not always right, though. I count on you and others to set me straight. Wouldn't you agree, though, that when one is feeling lousy, one is not much in the mood for sex--regardless of Viagra? Or is the stereotype that men ALWAYS want sex in fact true? Even though Viagra may help in one area, the rest of the body may be screaming NO! Or am I wrong about that?

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 3/9/2011 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
Once again always fined peace of mind on this site. So David you had a transplant from what you are saying? Its not that hes having problems well maybe some times but the lack of interest is there not all the time but some of the times. I have talked to other addicts one being his sponser and he has done treatment twice and both times it didnt work. So are there any success rates as far as doing treatment dose any get rid of it? Or dose it keep coming back when you start the treatment? Sorry alot of questions just wondering what I am up against here.
Posted 3/9/2011 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Connie,
Except the day after the shot, I was fine. Sex was the only thing that was good in my life at that point, so, when possible, I made the most of it. My girlfriend was fine with it, until I got really sick (a year later) at which point she split up with me.
Posted 3/9/2011 10:15 PM (GMT 0)

Steph, statiscally, of people who complete the "combo" treatment, 50% it will work on and 50% won't clear the virus.  Of the 50% who do clear the virus, half of those will relapse, giving a 25% permanent remission rate.  Of course, there are always exceptions.  These were the last statistics I'm aware of.  There is a new treatment plan on the horizon, to be taken for 24 weeks (half the time of the combo), which is showing a 75% clearance rate in those with genotypes 1a and 1b in trials.  Too soon to know right now what the relapse rate will be.  The longer one is on treatment, the more likely that one will clear the virus.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 3/11/2011 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
Ok so wed we had a talk and he finally admits that and reality is setting in that he is gonna feel bad for awhile. I told him up to six months after treatment you will still be feeling bad. We went to church last night and you can tell he was tired but stayed for the whole service and we are going to see a friend take a chip tonight at a meeting. His sponser told him no matter how bad you feel you must continue to do the things you were doing before treatment and I see him trying to do this. Thank go for recovery.
Posted 3/11/2011 6:23 PM (GMT 0)

That's good news, Steph!

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 3/14/2011 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
Ok just to vent Fridays meeting was a mess. He showed up in a very bad mood and all of our friends were just wow. He sat by himself and made himself a total outsider to the meeting. I ended up leaving early but before i left he asked me if i was gonna say any thing, I said what do you want me to say your dick? The next day he tried calling me and when I finally answered the phone I told him I did not want to talk to him at this time. I rode my Harley home in tears the night before and really didnt have any thing i wanted to say that would help the situation so I declined to talk to him. Went by his house saturday night before going to a meeting and there he is getting ready for the same meeting I was going to.It just really amazes me that he can have so little feelings for other people feelings.Any ways I kept my distance for him during that meeting and you could tell he had been beating himself up emotionally all day for the night before. And now he finally admitts to himself that meds are effecting him emotionally and maybe he just didnt want to admit it. He says that doing a trial med would not provide him with the antidepressants even know he coming to gripts that maybe he should be taking but still dose not want to. I really try and have patients with his moods swings but some where down the line i have to realize that my feelings are inportant to not just his. Any ways just really needed to vent thank you all for being here for me cause some times it gets really lonely where I am at.
Posted 3/14/2011 6:11 PM (GMT 0)

Steph, since he's doing a study, it's probably true that he can't take antidepressants.  It would compromise his response to the side effects of the study treatment.

Has he ever talked about his hep C diagnosis at meetings and the fact that he is on treatment, which is very difficult?  It can absolutely be hell for some people.

Also, suggest he do a Gratitude List.  That always brings out the positive.  When people are on a pity pot, it's the last thing they want to do, but it's a mood changer.  And don't forget the basics--Steps 1 through 3.  He just needs to substitute "powerless over side effects" for "powerless over alcohol."  I call it the "1-2-3 dance" and have done it often.  It took me through hep C diagnosis (which I shared at meetings) through liver cancer and beyond--to what does the future hold?

But yes, also remember to take care of yourself.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 3/14/2011 8:08 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Connie,

But he is really not doing much at all with his recovery dosent share it out loud in a meeting. Its his program and he admitted he not doing any thing for himself in his recovery. He talks to people on the side but other than that wont share in an open meeting and i cant make suggestions to him cause he gets on the defense about it so i just dont. Thank god i have a really great program and lots of support on my end if not I would be going crazy. lol hugs to you connie

Posted 3/14/2011 8:16 PM (GMT 0)
Being on a study should not stop him taking antidepressants. I have known lots of people on studies and heaps of them have taken anti-d's. Interferon messes with your brain chemistry, if he needs extra help with getting through this treatment get him to see his doctors as soon as possible and get it prescribed. Treatment is hard and he needs to do whatever it takes to get through it! Lots of people on treatment do not want to mix with other people as they feel like crap mentally, so his behaviour at the meeting is understandable.
Posted 3/14/2011 9:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hepmom, if the study involves what side effects the participants experience (on the treatment with the 3rd drug being added), wouldn't antidepressants or sedatives make for an "impure" study? I know that people on "the combo" are regularly given antidepressants when they start treatment...but I thought the study would be a different thing. If he CAN take them, he certainly should.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 3/15/2011 5:14 AM (GMT 0)
Well, if it is found he would benefit from an anti depressants they would have to give them to him and note it. As he did not need these sort of medications before treatment they could note it as a side effect of the treatment if that's what they need to do for their study. He is no longer on the trial drug so the depression and emotional problems are not a side effect of the trial drug, it is interferon which causes these side effects the most.
Posted 3/15/2011 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah I dont think they will let him take other meds cause it wont give them clear results. He went to the clinic yesterday to get his shot said he woke up and said he head was hurting. But he did try and get to a meeting on his own where his sponser was at but only stayed for an hour. I decided he should do that meeting alone with out me so he could have a chance to get some recovery not worry about me. Not really sure what today is gonna bring he is still probably still in bed sleeping I hope. He dosent talk much about when he goes to clinic and I dont want to push so I just give him his space after he does the shot. I am so grateful for this site and for the friends I have made on here. Thank you all for the support you give to me. Hug every one
Posted 3/15/2011 4:43 PM (GMT 0)

Steph, it might be worth his asking about taking an antidepressant.

I wasn't suggesting that he share in a meeting.  I didn't when I had liver cancer.  But a Gratitude List is a personal thing.  He doesn't even need to share it with his sponsor.  It's just a tool to focus on the positive.

My thoughts are with both of you along this bumpy path.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 3/16/2011 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
so today and yesterday has been a very depressing day for me. I keep trying to get out of my feelings by writing and working on my 11th step and i keep asking god to show me the way. i cant understand why i stay with some one who for the most isnt even nice to me any more. every thing always seems to be about him what about me and how i feel. his depression has filtered over to me and its not a very good place to be. i really want to get out of this relationship and let him deal with the treatment on his own but that is very difficult my heart gets in way and the depression almost feels paralizing at times for me.
Posted 3/16/2011 6:36 PM (GMT 0)

Steph, those are natural feelings in this circumstance.  It's really important to realize that treatment is doing a number on him...and, by default, on you.  As a long-time AA member, you know that working the steps and going to meetings are not always enough.  Perhaps you need to seek out counseling for yourself to deal with the depression.  Are you being singled out or is he being nasty to everyone?  From what you've said, he seems to be isolating a lot.  Quite often, people target their anger and frustration on those who are the closest...it feels "safe."

Have you tried talking to him?  Keep it simple:  You know he is feeling like crap on treatment, but you will not tolerate his taking it out on you.

Hugs,

Connie


Posted 3/16/2011 7:16 PM (GMT 0)
Connie I just being feeling depressed the last couple of days, it dosent stick around very long for me but just been feeling down. I talked to him he keeps saying he will take a look at it but it dosent last very long. The tone of voice just makes me wonder why do i even bother to call if he is just gonna make me feel bad.
Posted 3/16/2011 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
It's a hard decision to make, Steph, but it may be time to back off some. Don't call as frequently. Don't go to the same meetings he does. Whatever you decide, I hope your feeling blue will pass quickly for you.

Big hugs,
Connie
Posted 3/16/2011 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
Omg my prayers are working he said he is concidering taking some anti depressants and i talk to the lady at the clinic. I tried to explain to him its not a bad thing and she said they could perscribe some thing mild reminder he is not taking trial med any more just the basics the shot and the R meds
Posted 3/17/2011 2:12 AM (GMT 0)

This is good news, Steph.  I hope he follows through.  Remember, though, that antidepressants generally take a couple of weeks to start working.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 4/26/2011 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, Everyone

Its been awhile since I have logged in to say hello. We are still doing the deal and life is still very unmanageable for him still. They lowered his dose and now he is able to take his shots at home. He is still working but still very moody. As for me the support I am still hanging in there all though alot of times I ask me self why when most of the time he dosent even treat me like he likes me. I know he is just not happy and that its not me and coming back on here and reading all your past post brought me back to reality its not me. Things are at a low right now for me. With all the clean time he has and working as a driver for a treatment center you think it would prepare you for all the ups and downs that you go through doing treatment but it dosent. The year seems so far away, he is still showing no signs of the hep c. You can still tell when we do things together he is doing it to make me happy and hes not really there even if its at a meeting.

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