Hep C Treatment - Week 41
My how time flies…..
Things have been very good of late, been feeling pretty good and working hard. I’m most pleased about the working hard, I’m not happy when I’m not, some old fashioned work ethic thing or as I like to think of it a sense of duty. The pattern of late seems to be working hard during Mon-Fri, around 60 hours or more, and then crashing for the weekend. As patterns go its about the best I can hope for.
I seem to have settled down since my week 36 negative PCR test, it was a strange mix of emotions. The best way to describe it is like I was running a race, came from nowhere to overtake the other runners and make it to the finish line first. As I crossed the line I heard the bell ring and realised I had another lap to run, that came as somewhat of a shock!
I’m happier now I have a finish date, March 2007, I can work towards that. I will see my consultant shortly to flesh out the details, the neg PCR test raised more questions than it answered and I would like to get everything nailed down so we all agree on how we move forward. My big concern is my hemoglobin continuing its downward drift over the next 9 moths or so giving the danger of a dose reduction. That won’t fly with me, all I’m aiming for is to finish my treatment at 100% of dose, SVR is just a bonus so I am non-negociatable on dose reduction. It seems that the NHS do not offer EPO “blood boosters” to heppers but as I explained to all my medical team…..I’m special. Repeat after me “the normal rules do not apply to HepCBoy”. 
Your inspiration for this week…..
Duty is the most sublime word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less.
- Robert E. Lee
Keep the faith, kill the virus.
June 28th, 2006 at 12:44 pm
It is a shame that your NHS does not cover Epotien/epogen. It made all the difference to keep my dose high. Though it has also affected my white blood cells. Two more weeks left here. Keep fighting the good fight and find away to get Epo treated.
June 30th, 2006 at 12:33 pm
Rock on, HCB! You’re a man among men!
Second the epogen. I’m taking both Procrit and Neupogen after dropping treatment for two weeks. They are horribly expensive at retail, which makes me thankful for my insurance. Outside the US Amgen’s patents have not fared so well and generic versions are available (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erythropoietin). A weekly injection has kept my red cell counts comfortably normal, where only a few weeks ago I was flirting with HBC (?) levels of 8 and approaching 7.
One cautionary note — don’t try to extend yourself in the gym when you’re anemic. My heart was pounding constantly and I was ever short of breath. Being a runner, I did not think the world was about to end just because my heart was beating and I was breathing. But then I learned about Left ventricular hypertrophy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_ventricular_hypertrophy) which can result in permanent exercise intolerance.
Keep fighting the fight!
July 6th, 2006 at 4:38 pm
Hi Hep C Boy,
Lu bought her EPO privately, it may be an option you may wish to consider should the need arise. You can read about it in her blog.
http://lusblogs.blogspot.com/
Good wishes
Miss Poppy