Sunday, April 1, 2012

SIDE EFFECTS: at 1 Week

I thought I'd add a regular posting that lists and describes the side effects I've experienced or am currently experiencing at a given time in Hep C treatment.

In no particular order:


  • Fatigue
    I felt this from the start.  However, it is common among Hep C patients before treatment even begins, so... Earlier in the week, I wasn't sure if the fatigue was new or if I was just more aware.  As the week progressed, my early morning energy didn't last as long.  By Day 7, I was still tired even when I woke up.
  • Shortness of breath
    This increased in proportion to the fatigue. I notice that it gets worse the longer I go without resting or the longer I exert. This may slow down my exercise but it's not gonna stop me!
  • Nausea
    Most apparent when I needed to eat
  • Lack of appetite
    Somehow or another, my hunger pains have disappeared.  My appetite is suppressed.  The nurse warned me about this and cautioned me to eat and not diet! Ok...OK then!  I really don't know I'm hungry unless I feel nauseous, extremely tired, or became aware of how long it's been since I last ate.
  • Rash and pruritus (itching)
    Found all over my body - neck to ankles.  Difficult not to scratch, which only irritates it more.  I now use hydrocortisone cream and non-comedogenic lotion and body wash. My hubby helps apply the cream to my back. Perhaps if I had started out using those products - before the rash onset - my skin wouldn't be so irritated (?? maybe...??). Should have listened to my nurse. The rashes are of differing types: some splotchy, some red and blistery, some white and flat, some very fine.  But ALL itch, even where there is no visible rash. Ugh.  This is likely due to taking telaprevir, mainly.
  • Other minor skin irritation 
    This one is located under the behind (ya follow me?). Telaprevir is known to cause hemorriods, but it's not nearly that bad - yet...??? Ugh... the thought if it...
  • Emotional irritability
    Well, I lost my temper with my oldest daughter the other day - over a cupcake.  A cupcake. Really? Well it wasn't really about the cupcake, but you know what I'm saying... Now if you ask her, she may say losing my temper had nothing to do with the treatment. But I'm the one blogging here so...
  • Sensitivity to acute loud sounds and bright light
    Mild but present.
That's all I can think of at the moment.  As I type, my itching has increased and I'm noticeably more tired.  Perhaps, I'm tired simply because it's getting late.  Go figure...

In less than 90 minutes, I'll be taking my last dose of oral pills today, AND giving myself shot #2!  I'm tired.  Good night.

12 comments:

  1. Shellie - thanks for keeping us posted! Keep up the great attitude!

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    1. Thanks Michela! And thank you for posting! I'm so grateful and humbled by all the support. I also hope this blog raises awareness and helps those that come after me in the treatment process.

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  2. What a great idea to start this blog! I have one too and it's neat to read back and see where God so faithfully brings you! I love you, sister and I am continuing to pray!!!

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  3. You go Shellie-girl! I'm praying for you to be strong in the Lord and His mighty power! annie

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  4. you are keeping your sense of humor through it all - love it - I smiled over the cupcake :) how bout oatmeal baths for the itching?? can that help? know that I am continously praying for you and loving you through it all

    Mariann

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  5. Thank you Shellie for sharing your "wellness" journey to healing. Now we don't need to tire you out any further by asking questions! You are a courageous God fearing woman and I have faith that you will conquer! Love you!

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    1. Your words are encouraging! Thank you for reading my posts and sharing the blog site!

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  6. Just want to be there to cuddle with you and hold my baby girl close. I know... I know... but no matter your age, you are always my precious "baby girl".(-: God will carry you through this, my child. That I am certain! And He will use His earthly servants to keep as much "normalcy" as possible for you and your precious family. We are so thankful for the network of Christian friends and families that are there for you. It brings us peace as well. Your dad and I are in continuous prayer for you, my darling. We love you beyond measure!!!! (hugs/hugs/hugs/hugs)

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  7. THE LORD JESUS HAS ALREADY TAKEN SICKNESS AND DISEASE FOR US AMEN!! SO WHATEVER THE DOCTORS SAY WHATEVER THE TEST SAY WE CLAIM HEALING THE SPIRIT OF SICKNESS AND DISEASE IS DEFEATED!! AMEN AS THE WOMAN WITH THE ISSUE OF BLOOD HAD SPEND ALL HER MONEY GOING FROM DOCTOR TO DOCTOR TO FIND A HEALING SHE HEARD ABOUT JESUS AND SHE MADE UP HER MIND AT THAT MOMENT THAT ALL SHE HAD TO DO IS JUST TOUCH THE HEM OF HIS GARMENT SHE WOULD BE HEALED!! SO GOING AGAINST EVERY LAW SHE WENT OUT TO SEE JESUS AND GET CLOSE ENOUGH NOT TO TALK TO HIM BUT TO TOUCH HIS GARMENT AND WHEN SHE SEEN HIM SHE GOT CLOSE ENOUGH AND TOUCHED HIS GARMENT AND IMMEDIATELY!!! SHE WAS HEALED AND HEALING WAS SO POWERFUL JESUS FELT POWER GO OUT FROM HIM AND SAID WHO TOUCHED ME AND SEEN THE WOMAN AND SHE FEARING WHAT HAD HAPPENED SHE WENT TO JESUS AND FELL DOWN BEFORE HIM AND SHE TOLD HIM SHE TESTIMONY AND JESUS SAID YOUR FAITH HAS MADE YOU WELL GO IN PEACE AND BE HEALED OF YOUR AFFLICTION AMEN!!! MARK 5:25-34 I BELIEVE THIS IS THE TIME FOR US TO GET BACK TO THE SUPERNATURAL!! WE MUST SPEAK THE WORD OF THE LORD AND DON'T LET ANYTHING COME IN OUR SPIRITS THAT DON'T LINE UP WITH THE WORD OF GOD AMEN HEAVEN AND EARTH WILL PASS AWAY BUT THE WORD OF GOD WILL NOT PASS AWAY IT WILL STAND!!! GOD IS A GOD THAT HE CANNOT LIE AMEN!!! ISAIAH 53:5 BUT HE WAS WOUNDED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSION. HE WAS BRUISED FOR OUR INIQUITIES; THE CHASTISEMENT FOR OUR PEACE WAS UPON HIM, AND BY HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED. I SPEAK HEALING OVER YOUR LIFE SHELLIE AND BELIEVE THAT GOD HAS ALREADY HEALED BY YOUR FAITH AND THAT GOD IS CONTINUALLY COVERING YOU FROM THE FERVENT PRAYERS OF THE RIGHTEOUS ONES AMEN!!! GOD BLESS AND HEAL YOU NOW!!! FATHER IN JESUS NAME AMEN!! I LOVE YOU SMOOCHIES:-*

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