What's New Pussycat?
This time last year I was working as a fundraiser trying to raise over £2.5 million annually. It was about this time that I went along to my GP complaining of extraordinary fatigue and violent mood swings. It was difficult being a fundraiser and a Rottweiler at the same time. I wasn’t happy just nipping at heels, I had to go for the jugular – easily identifiable now as the ‘rage’. Except I had it prior to my tx. And I hadn’t always been a Rottweiler, not even a little terrier – this angst was a new part of my personality. (I still don’t understand why I had the virus for 20 years and it only decided to pop out a year ago?)
So what’s the point of all this – well, since starting tx just days ago, the Rottweiler has gone and in comes the pussycat. Andrew tells me that he cannot believe the difference, it is so marked. I haven’t had the courage to confirm it with dad yet as I feel so guilty at how mean I’ve been these past months……. All the rage anecdotes I read in other Blogs was me – ranting at other car drivers, exhaling dragon flames at supermarkets, flying off the handle at the drop of a hat and then wandering ‘what on earth was that all about’.
Anonymous wrote to me saying that they had a friend who actually felt better on tx. Please anonymous, tell me more. What genotype was she? Did she get rid of the virus? How is she now?
I am worrying because I feel so much better than I did – how do I know the tx is working? It’s supposed to beat me around the head and leave me in a crumpled heap and here I am singing and bee-bopping around the house.
So what’s the point of all this – well, since starting tx just days ago, the Rottweiler has gone and in comes the pussycat. Andrew tells me that he cannot believe the difference, it is so marked. I haven’t had the courage to confirm it with dad yet as I feel so guilty at how mean I’ve been these past months……. All the rage anecdotes I read in other Blogs was me – ranting at other car drivers, exhaling dragon flames at supermarkets, flying off the handle at the drop of a hat and then wandering ‘what on earth was that all about’.
Anonymous wrote to me saying that they had a friend who actually felt better on tx. Please anonymous, tell me more. What genotype was she? Did she get rid of the virus? How is she now?
I am worrying because I feel so much better than I did – how do I know the tx is working? It’s supposed to beat me around the head and leave me in a crumpled heap and here I am singing and bee-bopping around the house.
8 Comments:
Hello Tink,
It is early days yet on treatment and just because it isn't beating you up does not mean it is not working. Go back and read the early days in both Ron and my blogs, you will see that both of us had the same concern that treatment was not making us ill and might not be working. At one point I questioned whether I had accidentally injected the dog rather than me - me sides were so small.
Then bear in mind that both Ron and I have had PCR undetectable results. So in spite of minimal early side effects the treatment did work. (Ron like you is a G1)
Perhaps this might reassure you and rather than worry that the treatment is not working you can celebrate in being one of the lucky ones for whom treatment is starting out as a bearable trip. Did you get round to playing bridge last night?
Keep well
Jonathan
By
Jonathan Colam, at 9:26 am
Thanks Jonathan....I was beginning to feel like a bit of a fraud... and I hate writing that I'm feeling so well knowing that others are getting it in the neck!
Divine intervention crept in with the bridge. I jumped in my car (which had been sitting in the garage since before my holiday) and the battery was dead. By bad luck, we had loaned our jump cables to a friend at the weekend so there was nowt I could do. I stayed home and installed Skype on my laptop - brilliant little piece of free s/w - I am well impressed - especially as alot of our relatives are in Canada. So, I am off this morning to borrow back the cables....
Thanks for the reassurance!
Tink
By
Tink, at 9:50 am
Hi Tink,
Great you are having a smooth start. One doctors quote that sticks in my mind is,
"20% of those on tx just can`t stand it and quit, 20% have an easy time, and the other 60% just slog it out.
Very early days yet. Coninue to treat yourself with lots of TLC. Get plenty of rest and eat well.
You are so lucky to be starting in the spring and have all those long summer days to look forward to.
Paul.
By
Paul, at 10:56 am
Hey Tink,
Don't think of it as fruadulant. When I first looked into starting treatment everyone was doom and gloom. No one was talking about doing treatment and being fit, I got a really hard time on news group for suggesting that I might try to swim while on treatment.
The bottom line is that no one can tell how this treatment will effect you and everyone is different. I think that there is a tendancy for people who are suffering a lot to talk about it. If we are to paint an honest view of treatment then those of us who have an easy time shoudl also talk about it. I try to ensure that I report every day on how I am feeling and whether treatment is having an effect, if I only blogged the bad stuff than I do not think it would paint the true picture. So I say to you celebrate that you feel well and don't be worried about writing about it.
Jonathan
By
Jonathan Colam, at 11:02 am
Ron, there was alot of exclamation marks in your piece - don't be hard on me, I'm only expressing how I feel. You must have felt vulnerable too at the beginning...
Tink
By
Tink, at 4:06 pm
Dear Tink,
I want some of your interferon! Just kidding, actually, I'm not finding it too bad on treatment thus far... the only really hard part for me is after the shots, even with tylenol.
Agree that taking it one day at a time is the only way to go, but no harm in hoping that treatment continues to cruise along nicely for you. Sing and bee-bop away!
Sue
By
Sue, Toronto, at 12:19 am
Hi Tink
Aplogise for incorrect spelling, it would be lovely to have a spell check on these blog.
I saw on Jonathan blog you were asking does he know who Friend is. Friend is someone who loves surfing the next. I am not an expert or work in the health profession.
I am happy you are feeling up to form and there is nothing to add to what your new friends have told you. They have been though it all or living through it and their experiences gives you an insight into what some people go through and what some can expect but not all.
There is no reason why you should feel like a fraudster because you are not experiencing any rib rage, or psychological disorders.
This medication affects everyone differently and I am always a beleiver that if you tackle anything with a postive attitude you can move mountains.
But more on my friend she was exactly like you she was always tired, mood swings before her treatment and on Rx she became a pussy cat as her moods change. Yes my friend cleared and she though the interferon was the best thing she came across.She did experience side effects but in her world they were not concerning to her as her mood was much better ( which was her main concern).
As Jonathan said symptoms do not mean viral clearance or vice versa. So do not worry the treatment is not working or your doctor has given you a dummy interferons. Just take each day as it comes. Pace out your activities, drink plently fluid, eat a blance diet and have a Tink day once a week.
Also I have been reading on the net about alcohol; best avoided on treatment.
Say hello to Andrew and your dad.
Friend
By
Anonymous, at 11:16 am
Hello Anonymous Friend,
Thanks for replying! I am a very positive person so I shall 'move' this mountain - no matter what!
Good news is that my appetite is back to normal too so no chance yet of scraping myself into that small pair of jean at the back of the cupboard. No worries about alcohol either - I have not touched a drop nor even wanted to.
best wishes to you and happy surfing..
Tink
By
Tink, at 5:36 pm
Post a Comment
<< Home