Post Treatment Week 21
I am feeling much better today, chirpy and positively energetic. Completely different than yesterday when I was almost certain that I had “relapsed” and the virus had returned and taken over my body again. Somewhere toward the end of last week I suffered some kind of ‘knock-back’ which I can’t specifically identify. I noticed I was becoming very lethargic, low in energy and very heavy indeed. It affected me both physically and emotionally. I couldn’t find the energy to walk quickly or do anything and I felt very tired no matter how much sleep I had. I felt very pessimistic and gloomy, filled with a nagging sense of not being able to make anything happen or get anything done. By Monday I was thinking about the risk of relapse and that I was headed towards clinical depression. By yesterday I was becoming more certain about both.
And today – I’m fine again. Sure, there is a risk of relapse – 5% statistically. And I haven’t forgotten that I’m due for my 6 month test in a few weeks. Today, however I can’t see this as anything other than a textbook statistical risk (unlike the feeling of certainty yesterday). Clinical depression? I’m not a medical diagnostician but I have worked extensively with people who are diagnosed as clinically depressed and familiar with the symptoms and effects. People who are clinically depressed do not suddenly feel chirpy and positive one day after feeling so heavy and low the previous day.
I can only put this experience over the past few days down to the mysterious post treatment recovery process. Mood swings I guess it’s called. Just when I thought the post-tx period was slowly coming to a close.
Well, not quite so. I have recently seen references to a supplement called gingko biloba and its success in treating Alzheimer’s. That sent me researching the medical sites on the internet and found
Ginkgo Biloba is also often noted for its ability to improve circulation by acting as a blood thinner. It has been double-blind tested many times for its ability to increase the oxygen content to the brain and other bodily tissues. Because of this, Gingko is often taken to enhance memory, increase mental focus and clarity, and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s.
And it’s one of the top five natural treatments recommended worldwide and comprehensively researched. Apparently research has shown it helped improve memory better than placebos (always a good recommendation!).
Just the thing for brain-fog? And for helping the tingling in the ends of my fingers I get when I’m cold?
I’m going to give it a go.
March 8th, 2006 at 9:53 pm
Glad to hear you are feeling better. Just be careful of making decisions whilst in the grip of brain fog, for example the site that Ginkgo Biloba quote is from is about as close to a “medical” site as I am to modesty
March 8th, 2006 at 11:32 pm
Well spotted HepC Boy - I researched Gingko on the Best Treatments NHS Direct, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (part of the US Department of Health and Human Services) University of Maryland Mecial Center and other “medical institutional” sites. Lazily, I grabbed the most concise wording from this less than medical site. The medical sites do say the same information - just more wordily!
Ron
March 9th, 2006 at 11:02 am
Hi Ron,
Your post rung bells for me, up until yesterday I wavered between being convinced that the virus had returned at every headache, sneeze, liver twinge and itchyness, and not daring to think about the possibility that it had gone. I have experienced those transient bouts of slight depression just as you described and have been comparing how I have been feeling to how I was a couple of years before treatment started and seeing some worrying similarities. Up until yesterday…..yesterday I got the 6 months SVR result I hadnt dared even hope for so all my fears were unfounded. Someone once wrote in the Forum or on a blog (cant remember who) that recovery from tx is like running the film in reverse I guess it extends back beyond the start of treatment too eh?
Keep the faith brother. Its only a matter of time until you know for sure one way or the other, then you can move on.
I’m hoping that the news will be good for you too.
Wendy
March 16th, 2006 at 4:12 pm
Dear Ron. Blessed Be!
I’ve been ill with alcoholic liver damage and dehydration. From the age of 40-41 I felt like I only had 2 days to live and the most positive thoughts I could muster were those of people that had been very ill, but recovered and a woman in her seventies who had had cancer 4 times. It turned out that I had lactose (cow’s milk) intolerance. Once I cut out all dairy products (including my favourite food: cheese!) I developed an appetite for the first time in my life and got a lot better.
Very Best Regards,
Alan Wells.
April 1st, 2006 at 2:53 pm
Hi Ron,
I am pleased that you are feeling well now. about virus comming back fear!! this i get as well. i think this is natural thing to think that virus has comback after having same symtoms we had before.
my nurse told me it is not necessary that if you get any thing wrong it is because of you got virus back, it could be because of any other reasons. and an other thing she told me that if you got liver damage it will take time to repair it.
i pray for you for good results in your last PCR tests.
All the best
Ijaz
April 11th, 2006 at 1:20 pm
Hiya Ron,
Glad you are feeling chirpier!
I have heard, can’t remember where from, that Ginko can lower ones immune system. So I have always avoided it.
This could be a load of clap trap of course, but you may want to research it before you try Ginko.
September 25th, 2006 at 9:57 pm
HI, Have you experienced mood swings. My husband is 4 months post-treatment and he is very moody. I’m ready to leave! Is it him or is this something that you or someone that you have heard of experienced. Karen
April 15th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
my husband has been in remission for about 6 years. He recently has had much fatigue and muscle pain and is concerned about a hep c relapse. He had the combination treatment and had genotype 2b.
Has anyone got any information on relapse?
PS The doctor used the word “cure” when he was initially “undetectable” after “completing” treatment.
April 16th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
Hi Germaine
Does your husband have a yearly PCR blood test? I arrange mine through my GP - and plan to continue doing so as it will be reassuring to know I haven’t relapsed - or an early indicator I need some medical attention. Have you and your husband thought about doing similar?
Can I suggest you check out and join the Hepatitis C Forum which I set up? You will find many people posting there and you will likely get a good response to your questions about information on relapse - first hand accounts too.
http://www.ronmetcalfe.com/hepcforum/
Wishing you well
Ron