Day 190

Hi All

Went to Gp today and got my ear checked out and has some redness in there so she gave some Sofradex drops which I am not keen on using as I don't like drops in my ears, but will need to do it as laying on that side is most uncomfortable like it is. Also told her of my cough and I think I am getting another bacterial infection, I know the signs now and she agreed and gave me some Ibelex Antibiotics for that.

My weight was the same as last visit, 65kg and I was disappointed a bit cause my eating has picked up, Blood pressure was good and she said that my rash is improving which I feel is as well. I also dropped in my urine sample that I was supposed to do last week, would forget my head if it wasn't screwed on... :lol:

Week 28 Bloods this week, Elft and Fbc on Thursday in readiness for my trip to Liver Clinic in Brisbane, so I hope they are Ok, Have to also ask them for another HBV PCR request also to see how this is going.

Well that it for tonight, be good everyone
John :)

Day 189

Hi

Well not too much to report today other than that I slept most of the day, the usual after needle thing that I seem to get on and off. This time the turn of complete lack of energy and extreme tiredness. So I was happy because at least my irritating rash gave me some peace and also I have learnt not to fight this when it happens.Must have been what was needed as tonight I feel very well and content.

Off to my Share Care Doctors appointment tomorrow and will get my ear checked out, might be an infection starting, not sure, but needs to be looked at. My appetite is improving and the salads and chicken I find very pleasing, be interesting to see if my weight has increased tomorrow, I hope so.....
Good Night All and Sweet Dreams..
John

Day 188

Hello out there

Tonight I had my 28th Injection and another empty box bites the dust, only to have another behind it in the fridge feel like I am getting somewhere when a box is empty. Didn't sleep at all last night, between the Rash and Renee was suffering from her Asthma, so I got her settled down and after that I was still wide awake at 4-00am. Read the forums for a while and then went into the chat area and spent the next few hours talking with Seamo, Cri, Jb, Pixie, Loveablebuilder,eyewomantoo, amh and Loop. It was terrific and had some great laughs, was so good to be in there again having fun with my mates.

Well might go now and have a quick read around and then bed, after last night I am abit tired....
Thanx Everyone
John

Day 187

Me Again

Very quite and slow day today, we had a power outage here for 5 hrs in the morning, so there wasn't much to be done here so just rested and read my Steam Locomotive book and took things easy. Worked out well after the last few days of having some energy to do things, so I thought don't push it. Also a warm day today here again with 30+ Cels temps so being inside was a good option.Last night woke up with blood down my arm, must have scratched one of my rashes and it bled like anything. So up I got and cleaned myself up again and could not get back to sleep, starting to become a creature of the night, the ghost who walks.... :lol:

Made myself a cuppa and just browsed the forums and the Internet till 5.30 am, no wonder I wanted to just rest today. Rash is still with me and I have more potions and pills than a Wizards Shop, but I am getting some small relief from all these meds. Sx have been moderate to good on other fronts and very thankful for that, as this insidious rash is enough to deal with on its own....

Hope you are all well as can be....

John

Day 185 & 186

Hi All
Double post entry tonight...

Wednesday was a good day and spent most of it doing small jobs and putting on Moisturiser and Moisturiser and Steroidal creme to try and combat this demon rash and its horrid itching, seems to help and keeping busy or occupied helps make me forget about it some.

Thursday and I have noticed that as some of the regular Sx are backing off, there are some new ones to take there place, how thoughtful of the Tx Sx, it not wanting for us to get bored or work out managing techniques for its lovely Sides. So along come a different lot of Sx just to keep us on our toes.Don't matter its just the depth that varies and we will confront these just like all the other charming little effects......

Take Care Everyone and fight on
John

Day 184

Hi

Well a bit bruised and battered after my fall last night, but not to worse for wear. Was 35* Celsius here today and at 9.00 pm tonight it was still 24* cels. Looks like Spring has sprung straight into summer. Put my moisturiser and Steroidal creme on after my shower this morning and again tonight, think I might be making some headway, with this leper style rash. Itching is still there, but not nearly as bad, touch wood, now that I have said, I probably turn into one huge sore all over me... LOL

Appetite is a bit down at the moment and starting to screw my nose up at certain foods again, couldn't sleep last night much and at one point at 2.45 Am I made up this big plate of mixed salad and cheeses and lots of Italian Dressing, just had to eat some salad, why then of all times, but it was Delicious and finished it off with two oranges and a Mandarin. Have noticed that the cravings I have had for totally different tastes maybe similar to Pregnant woman's cravings in where as the body needs to have certain foods or minerals, don't know, Bit its food for thought ( no Pun Intended )

Be Safe and Be Well

John

Day 183

Hello again

Well went to GP today and had my usual ob's done again and spoke to her about my Rash again and she thinks that it is eczema and that all I can do is keep up the moisturiser and Steroidal creme at least 2 - 3 times a day. Also mentioned that my urine was darkening abit lately and some what pungent smelling, so I have request to have a sample tested. Lost a Kilo again, now 65, just cant seem to get past 66 kg and then back down to 65 kg. It seems to be hovering around the same markers each week.

She also stated that my Ferritin levels are increasing again and that they will be keeping an eye on those, due to the Heamochromotosis that I have. Apart from that shes fairly happy with my progress.I had a bad fall tonight about 40 Min's ago, while going to shut the dogs up from barking and I tripped over my slippers and went down full weight on my knee's and sort of bashed and burnt them while hitting my jaw and face on the sideboard, scared the living crap out of me and I am going to be sore and sorry tomorrow, well that will teach me for going off at the dogs for no real reason and the fall brought me back to earth real quick.

Have a good Week

John

Day 182

Hi All

Well gave myself a kick up the backside today and woke up to myself and got on with things, don't know where the downer thing came from, sort of right out of nowhere, anyway back on track and enjoyed my day.Have now applied moisturiser twice today all over and added Celestone Creme with .2% Steroid, had helped some but not much.

This I would class as the most irritating rash I have ever had and its not easily soothed. Will be going to Gp tomorrow for my weekly appointment and once again see what can be done and talk about possible referral to a Dermatologist. Many of the Tx sides I have battled through, but this is nasty, well they reckon we pay for our sins.........


Have a good week
John

Day 181

Hi

Tonight was my 27th Injection and truthfully speaking I didn't want to have it, why, because I think I am just plain worn out at times and with all the different mix of Sx, but I thought I have come too far to chuck it in now, but I was questioning it seriously. It all went well and I did eventually have it, so I guess it's on with the show and see what this one has in store for me what ever it is just stack it with the rest of the pile.

Slept most of the day and I think this was from the effects of the phenergan ant-histamine tablets from the night before, don't really like this feeling as it seemed to waste a good day away from the nasty sides.Hopefully be in a better frame of mind tomorrow and back to mainstream fighting off the remaining virus and a bit more relaxed as well.

Keep Well
John

Day 180

Hello again everyone

Another good day today, feels so good to have had some in a row for a while, didn't do much today was basically a chill out day and reflection time I suppose. Beautiful spring weather approaching and I seem to be daydreaming alot lately, which is a good thing as it settles my temper very well and don't feel the rages as much now either. The family is happy about this and the evil grumpy old man is slowly disappearing, thank goodness.

Needle night again tomorrow night and lets hope the good times stay after it, never know the gods maybe smiling on me this week. My cough is starting again and back to the puffers, which help that abit, funny really I have noticed that people on Tx soon build up a huge store of helper items along the way, which become very valuable to us all in times of need.

Maybe one day the drug companies may put out a list of helpful meds to go along with the Tx regimen..

Be Kind to each other

John

Day 179

Hi Everybody

Another fair sort of day today, not as good as yesterday, but still light on the Sx part of Tx the rash is really taking hold now and feel like I want to jump in a pool of moisturiser to try and calm the itching down. Apart from this, feeling not too bad in contrast to the last few weeks.

Not sure but I think the thrush in my mouth is coming back again, I hope not, spoils all my food tastes and I definitely cant afford not to be able to eat, so back to the lozenges .........

John

Day 178

Hello

Well another nice day again today, woke up during the night with night sweats and changed 3 times, but were not as bad as I have been having, so looks like they maybe subsiding. Went to my psychologist appointment today and had some good talking with him and he also mentioned trying some Paw Paw creme on my rashes, which I will get and try and see how that goes. The rash is becoming terrible, mainly the incredible itching that just doesn't stop at times.

Got some bloods back to day and as follows
07/08/09 17/08/09

Hb 109 Hb 106
Wcc 1.1 Wcc 1.3

Neuts 0.50 Neuts 0.54

Plateletes 63 Platelets 62

Ast 50 Ast 55

Alt 77 Alt 88

GGT 197 GGt 189

Iron 24 Iron 34

There you have it ......
John

Day 177

Hello Everybody

Had a great day today, was the best day on Tx so far, woke up feeling very well and was a bit suspect.... Shock

Not knocking it mind you. as it was a real blessing to savour feeling some normality out of all this madness and did some small jobs around the place and felt good doing them and enjoyed a beautiful sunny day as well.

If this is a taste of things to come, then all this treatment with its lovely sides will be well and truly worthwhile...

Happy as....

John

Day 176

Hi
Today I woke up feeling very seedy and pains across my upper stomach, had to take things very easy and was quite uncomfortable they slowly subsided, but were still there in the background. Went to my Share Care Gp appointment today and my weight is still hovering around 65 -66 kg mark, so not much improvement there, blood pressure good still and I spoke to her about how I have been extremely weak lately, more so than the usual Tx stuff, so she gave me a bloods request for Elft, FBC and Iron Studies, which I went and got done after leaving Doctors.

She also asked how my rash was going and checked it out again, told her at times I want to rip my skin off, it gets that itchy, she said don't do that, I said no, of course not, all my inners would fall out and she just stared at me, no sense of humor some people.....

Feel better tonight, not back to my usual 25 % health, LOL, but better just the same....
John

Day 175

Hello Again

Had a hectic day today, had my family staying over and 2 more lots of visitors arrived, seemed like we had a convention of people.Wasn't feeling real well and had pains and aches, but kept as sociable as I could and its very hard at times when all you feel like doing is rolling up in a ball and hiding away from everyone. They all eventually left and I could once again start to settle, its not there fault, I know its me and the Meds.

Had some more oranges again today, seem to have a craving for them and I enjoy them very much. Still very week on the energy front, took me nearly and hour and a half to put 8 bolts and nuts on a new clothes line, not just the energy side of it, but the concentration span is nearly zilch lately. But that's OK, just have to do smaller projects until Tx is finished, heck I am starting to sound like some old man.
Hang on I am an old man LOL

Take Care and Be Happy
John

Day 174

Howdy

Had a good surprise today, my grandson and his Mum and Dad came up for a visit, I love seeing his expression when he See's us it really is precious and hes a happy little soul. Had my 26th Injection tonight after tea and so far so good, this afternoon the usual wave of tiredness and headache raised its ugly head again, seems to be a regular occurrence lately. Still have my nasty rash all over me and are fighting hard not to scratch when itchy, but very difficult at times. Water intake going well and also had some more fruit today as well, trying to eat as much as I can.

I have been noticing a lot lately on the subject of anger and rage directed at our loved ones, I am one of those people who do this and I know how bad it makes us feel after we have abused or said something in the heat of moment, I know its the meds that cause this, but that's not much comfort to the poor person or partners we have just gone off at, time and time again and for this I apologise to one and all we are not the same people whilst on this medication and hopefully this will not leave any permanent memories of the bad time our loved ones have had to endure from us.

Till Next Time
John

Day 173

Hi There

The Rash from these darn meds is really nasty, they remind me of cigarette burns and they just don't know when to stop itching and they seem to appear in random spots, so far have not had any on my face, thankfully, otherwise between my weight and hair loss and these wretched sores, must look like a Leper..

Received a nice sample pack today from the Shering's Support Centre and it was a Benetine Mouth Wash , Special Toothpaste and a Dry Mouth Gel have tried the dry mouth gel and seems to help a lot, they also send me news letters and How To Sheets on TX as well.
Felt pretty good today overall, but I did nearly forget to take my night time Ribas, and was 2 hours late, I just forgot all about them, definitely need a keeper...

Take Care All
John

Day 172

Hi

Well today I got the best news I have had in years regarding my HCV and that was I am now UND When my Clinic Nurse rang me this morning and told me, I thought I was hearing things and didn't know what to say. It took a while to sink in at first as this is the first time in 37 years that I have not had a positive return status with my virus, next time I go to Liver Clinic next month, I will get another PCR request for my HBV to see whats happening there.

Still cant believe it, sort of felt numb all day and butterflies at times, very strange feeling indeed, Sx were good early in the day but late afternoon the dreaded tiredness and headache was returning, probably too much excitement......

Take Care All
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgcoBKWTW14
John

Day 169 to 171

Hello everyone

Have been a away for a few days as we had a funeral to go to and was away at my daughters place visiting caught up with some people I haven't seen for some time and was good to do so.
Haven't got my 24 week PCR back yet, hopefully maybe tomorrow it will be ready, fingers crossed.The rash I have is getting worse as in spreading, so may have to see a Dermatologist as advised here before.The Creme is helping quiet a lot, but the itching drives you mad at times and is unbearable to say the least.

Got some Bloods Back
23/7/09 07/08/09
HB 105 HB 109
Wcc 1.8 Wcc 1.1
Neuts 0.74 Neuts 0.50
AST 53 AST 50
ALT 82 AST 77
Iron 30 Iron 24

Well see you tomorrow night and hopefully more news on the PCR front Good night All
John

Day 168

Hello Again

Today was a good day, first one for quite a while after my needle, the day was nice and sunny and had some visitors around and three and half hours with them seemed to go quick and I enjoyed it, Cheryl tells me tonight she thinks one of the tyres on the car needs air, checked it and looks like another puncture... Grrrrrrrrrr, so put some air in it, but I think I will end up changing it in the morning.

But I will be doing this ever so slowly, don't want any adverse reactions overdoing stuff, funny once this sort of thing wouldn't have been an issue now its a major drama and very exhausting, the itching was better today as well, I am off to my Gp tomorrow and hopefully get some bloods back.I think its too early to get my Pcr results yet, but the others should be there....

Be Good
John

Day 167

Hi There

Today was fairly good, as I lead up to my Injection, woke up at 5.40 Am and had a cup of tea and watched the sun come up and listened to the early morning birds, was really peaceful. The rash I have is still with me, sometimes it's unbearable with the itching and other times I don't notice it, still using the Celestone creme and it does help alleviate there progression. Have also noticed my appetite is increasing for salads and fruit, which cant be all bad.

Had my 25th Injection tonight at 8-00Pm and open a new box of Interferon and through the empty old one out, woo hooo only 23 to go and hopefully this weeks needle will be kind to me. Noticed my hair is still coming out in my brush and is getting very thin now, don't matter to me, as long as I am giving the Virus crap, I don't mind......

Take Care all and Have a great Week
John

Day 165 & 166

Howdy

Well I have been good today so far, touches wood, went down to town this morning and had my bloods done and a 24 week PCR as well.So hopefully something good will come from that, been a warm sunny day here today and nice to be out and about in it.

Really don't know what to do next, I do feel my bed calling me, but I have been avoiding it as much as I can, not going back to being a Hermit and a Recluse.......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNasE2bYuDk
John

Day 164

Hi All

Well wasn't last night the night from Hell, felt OK during the day and also in the evening, decided to go and have a shower before I chat with my Tx Buddies and get Cheryl to put some Creme on my rashes on my back. Well after she had finished that, she reached over the sink from the side to wash her hands and I said, hang on I will move out of the way, so you don't stretch your back, so I just went to step around her and it was if someone had pushed me off a huge cliff, I felt my self spinning and falling and nearly passed out, Cheryl had to hold me up, otherwise I would have fell through the shower screen. All my balance and co-ordination went and I had huge pains in my upper stomach and my Liver felt like it was expanding.

Cheryl managed to get me to my bed and only just as I could hardly hold my self up and I was freezing cold again, cold to the bone, the last thing I remember was Cheryl trying to give me my Ribas and Happy pill and I just sunk into this strange but very eerie sensation and managed to go to sleep, woke up once and went to loo, still very wonky and then again about 5-30 am in a massive drenching of sweat and soaked to the bone and bed as well. Got up and changed everything and back to sleep till 7.30 am and at 8-00 pm got up and had my Ribas and thanked up above that I was still here...

It was so scary and extremely upsetting, that I nearly went down and got a will made out, I kid you not. I never want to experience that again, I don't know why or what happened, but it was as if something very big was going on inside me last night. Today I just collected my thoughts and rested and are worried that it doesn't come back again.
Over the worst of it now and getting back on my feet, ever so gently does it..

Take Care my Friends and hope you are Well

John

Day 163

Hello

Well today started of slow and couldn't focus much on anything, felt like I had to do something, but couldn't figure out what. Then I started to pick up and felt very good till the late afternoon, I think its just the winter weather and the TX, cant seem to keep warm at all, this rash thing is giving me the what for with the itching, feel like I want to tear them off my arms and back, so on with the Sorbeline tonight and my creme for the rash and see where that goes. I awoke early this morning and it felt like I needed no more sleep, somehow 3-00 am isn't time to get up out of bed.

All in all, was not a bad day as such and I did make the most of it, have to grab the good times with both hands and run with it on this stuff...

Take Care all
John

Day 161 & 162

Hello Everyone

Sunday was a mediocre day here, felt not too bad in the morning, but in the afternoon, just felt like heavy flu coming on, it wasn't, it was just the Tx, but it did knock me for a six and had a mother of a headache, so just did the usual, took panadol and went and laid down and just slept through it, maybe it was too much excitement from Saturday night.....

Monday went to my GP appointment and have lost .5 kg in weight, had her look at my rashes and dry skin, told her the itching is getting worse and driving me nuts, not that I wasn't to start with, she said to use the Celestone Creme and also put moisturiser on more and if I need to take an Antihistamine of a night. Never had these much till now and they have come with a vengeance, nasty little critters, what next in the Seven Plagues of Egypt, be careful what you wish for John ........

Hope this finds you well
John

Day 160 and the Halfway Mark

Hi

Tonight I had my 24th Injection and I am now at the halfway mark, I have been waiting for this for some time and at times wasn't sure if I would get here, but I made it. I had a 3 way phone conversation with Linda and Robert tonight as we often do and I had my Halfway Injection while we were talking and as I finished the Injection, Cheryl bought in a package for me, I didn't know what to make of it, turns out my Tx Buddies had bought me a special gift for my halfway point. It was a book on British Steam engines and is terrific. I am building my own model railway at home and I love anything to do with steam and railways, you could imagine how i felt, what with them both congratulating me and the surprise gift, I was over the moon.

The three of us have come along the journey together as a team right from the start and it has been such a pleasure to share my journey with them as with all my friends here on the forums, who would have thought we would meet each other and end up becoming mates for life I should think and helping each up after we have been down. I know how important it is now to have support and friendship, not just while on Tx, but in life as well, something I will never forget.....

Sleep well everyone and be happy
John