HOW TO DEAL WOTH HEPATITIS C TREATMENT

[kayeslouise]

I started treatment 3 weeks ago and have since been acting really doolally almost like onset of dementia and I’m always tired anyone help!?!v😷🤕😐😖😢

[AyrshireK]

Hi kayeslouise, it might help folks share their personal experiences if you were to share which particular Hep C treatment you are on as they all seem to have their particular individual side effects.

I have no experience of this myself only what i've read on here over the years.

Hope it's temporary and you get an all clear at the end of it. Do you already have cirrhosis? At what stage is it, one of the issues with cirrhosis can be toxin build up which can affect the brain in a condition known as Hepatic Encephalopathy. It might be worth running by your medical team if you do already have cirrhosis as HE can be serious but can also be treated with meds to reduce it's effects (which can be a brain fog, confusion, issues with cognitive function etc.).

All the best, Katie

[kayeslouise in reply to AyrshireK]

Sorry I thought it appeared after I answered my questions lol... I’m on maviret big pink tablets 3 a day in morning usually depends when I get up out my bed coz my back is still agony from my youngest I can barely walk on top of everything else, my liver showed no scarring thankfully so I don’t have cirrhosis, thanks for your well wishes x

[AyrshireK in reply to kayeslouise]

Listed side effects of that particular medication are "Side-effects: Most people don’t experience significant side effects – but if they do the most common adverse reactions observed with treatment with Maviret for 12 weeks are headache, fatigue, nausea, feeling weak or lack of energy."

As you don't have cirrhosis then your confusion issues are unlikely to be HE so it would be worth mentioning to your medical team at next clinic. Just in case there are other issues.

Just found this info. on a NHS Patient information page about the medication.

Looking after yourself during your treatment

You can help to lessen any side effects of your treatment by:

• drinking two litres of water a day

• keeping your skin well moisturised

• avoiding alcohol• using sunscreen

• eating little and often

If you have cirrhosis, tell us if you experience any of the following:

• confusion or disorientation

• swelling of your tummy or ankles

• yellowing of the whites of your eyes or skin (called jaundice)

• coughing blood, vomiting blood or passing any blood in your stools (this can look like black tar)

Contact your nurse if you experience any of these side effects or if you develop vomiting and diarrhoea.

Hope the treatment works for you and you get the all clear very soon.

Katie

[moonbeam4]

I think Katie has covered the main points, just to reiterate as she said make sure to keep your fluids up, it makes such a difference to how you feel. I had terrible fatigue during my treatment and for about a month after I had completed it. As my liver nurse told me " there is a war being fought in your liver at the moment, so fatigue is normal " just look after yourself, plenty of good nurition. I used the ensure shakes ( or complan ) which i got from the doctor if i didn,t feel like eating, actually thinking back i practically lived off them for most of my treatment! 😂😂 The battle is well worth it, so batten down the hatches and hang on in there. We are so fortunate to have the new anti virals, the old interferon treatment was brutal and I think you only had a 50% chance of it working, i,ve spoken to many folk who cauldn,t handle the side effects and gave up. If you need extra support, or have questions the Hepatitis Trust run a fantastic helpline manned by nurses and volunteers who have been through the treatment themselves. And, of course we are here for you😀😊 Just think you are already a third of your way through!!!! best wishes, here if you need to talk, and watch out that you stay well hydrated. 😉😃