Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Day 16, Side Effect Hell

Well, since Saturday, I've slowly been coping with the side effects of this medicine, but have noticed an overall change in myself mentally. I'm not depressed or anything, but am suffering lack of sleep. Since Saturday night, I've only been getting about 3-4 hours sleep a night. My head won't stop pounding, and to top it off Riba-Rage is in full effect. Even my wife has noticed changes in my mood, behavior and overall mental state. These drugs are heavy duty, powerful stuff, and I sometimes forget their dragon slaying capability and the repercussions that come from being on therapy. So yeah, my head is jacked up. The back of my head is throbbing again, and I woke up with a very bad headache. Sensitive to light, noise etc... On top of that, I can't think clearly. And I'm going to be real and open for a minute, which is hard for me to be transparent, but I've caught myself being harsh to my wife a couple times. This is definitely not me. Anyone that knows me and my wife, realizes we are like two peas in a pod. This Riba-Rage is really getting on my nerves, but thankfully my wife understands the issue and helps me cope.

To make matters worse, I had a little melt down last night. I was doing laundry, and noticed water pooling under my dryer. By system of debunking the issue, I found that it wasn't blowing air at all, hence the water pooling. In the process of trying to slide the dryer back to have a look at the duct work, I smashed my finger on the door handle by the garage door. my whole nail is purple, and kept me up all night throbbing with every single beat of my heart. My pain endorphins kept me awake most of the night, tossing and turning and grasping my hand to relieve pressure. Being a hemophiliac didn't make matters any better either. So despite being very angry, in a fog, can't think clear, lashing out from Riba-Rage and this other nonsense, I'm going into day 16, another day of meds, another day of rage, another day of sleeplessness, another day of side effects. No one said that this would be easy...

6 comments:

  1. Joe, sorry to hear about the side affects/effects that you have with this. i remember the old skool drugs and the rage it brought and depression and lethargic that follows. Hang in there. Do you know what your levels are at now? when is the first blood test to check and see where you are at and how well you are responding to the treatment.
    CP

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  2. I went in for labs on the 3rd, and get those results on the 11th of a basic CBC with differential. I do a full viral load check on week 4 to see how well it's going and how well I'm responding to Sovaldi and Ribavirin. As soon as I hear anything, I'll be sure to keep everyone updated.

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    1. I don't know if my post is going though, but I was on interferon, and ribavirin for 10 months. ( I know how you feel as I felt the same. I know water and lots of it 1 gallon a day, really helps the headaches. Because ribavirin dehydrates you. Also you might want to get some anti depressant pills they will help with the mood swings. I went into rages also. not fun and not pretty. Good luck my friend <3

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  3. I know how you feel. I was on interferon and riparian, for 10 months. I had all the systems your having. I do know lots of water helps the headache's Yes like a gallon a day. If you don't like water plain, put a little lemon in it. But it will help !! Also your doctor maybe could give you some anti depressants. That helps the moods. I was very sick on those drugs and the water really helped, because the ribavirin dehydrates you. Good luck <3



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    1. Thanks man for the tips. I've drank 3 glasses, each glass about 16oz of water already. And you're right, I do feel a lot better when I am full of fluids. I am feeling somewhat better. Headache is slowly lifting after taking some Alieve, so yeah, upward and onward!

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  4. Praying for you and Alex! Love you guys! <3

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