My 4-week results came in today. The good news: my liver function is almost normal. The bad news: side effects are kicking in. My RBC/WBC are slightly low; so is hemoglobin and a couple of other things (potassium and calcium are barely below accepted limits). My platelets, however, continue dropping. They are down to 55 (from 110 four weeks ago, with normal range being 140-400), which accounts for bruising (the new Pro-Clik left a nasty and strangely-shaped bruise on my belly); low blood cell counts also account for fatigue and general blahness. Yesterday we hiked to Pfeiffer Falls in Big Sur and I was tremendously surprised at the difficulty I had climbing what is really not a very difficult trail. Today, right before my 1700 med-time, I had a fit of crushing fatigue, burning oppressiveness and general awfulness. However, upon devouring a large amount of whole-fat yogurt and eating my pills, I got second wind and finished the night in fair shape, even though a bit tired (I've been sleeping 10 hours a night this vacation). I am interested in finding out whether there is any possibility of developing some mild dependence on these meds, because tiredness seems to hit the strongest 1-2 hours before medication time. Fascinating. The viral loads are not in yet; I guess I'll be finding out soon, but at least so far nobody called me with directions to discontinue then treatment, which is what would have happened if they were still detectable. So in this case, no news are good news.
In other developments, I realize how difficult it is to plan one's vacation activities in one's old stomping grounds without involving going to familiar pubs and drinking endless pints of Strongbow and Boddington. I hiked and ate a lot, but it took some concentrated planning. Having kids along this time made it easier: there are many places that I would have been too bored and familiar with to go to by myself, but new and exciting for them. So it was not all bad.
Heading back North tomorrow...
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Friday, March 23, 2012
4 Weeks
Had my bloodwork done today for the viral load. Will know in a couple of days, I guess. Blecch. Nose still messed up, even though it seems to be improving. Will likely have to have cautery done next month...:(
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
The state of art in special, er, side effects
Currently, after taking medication (3x daily, 0900, 1700, 0100):
within 1 hour: serious pruritis in hands;
within 1.5 hours: horrible thirst (fucking parched! where does the water go?), burning/flushed skin sensation;
within 2.5 hours: a nosebleed (preexisting, aggravated by low platelet count and a bump in blood pressure?);
within 3 hours: fatigue, sleepiness (to the point that I often doze off on the Max on the way home from work).
All gone within 3.5-4 hours.
Recurrent and irregular effects: sore throat, strange abdominal discomforts (flu-like), easy bruising, etc.
within 1 hour: serious pruritis in hands;
within 1.5 hours: horrible thirst (fucking parched! where does the water go?), burning/flushed skin sensation;
within 2.5 hours: a nosebleed (preexisting, aggravated by low platelet count and a bump in blood pressure?);
within 3 hours: fatigue, sleepiness (to the point that I often doze off on the Max on the way home from work).
All gone within 3.5-4 hours.
Recurrent and irregular effects: sore throat, strange abdominal discomforts (flu-like), easy bruising, etc.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Epidemic notes
Some interesting stuff here. I think the current estimates of total numbers have grown to 200 mln, but I find the hypothesis of West African origins to be most interesting.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Another funny thing
The meds are having a definite effect on my blood. I mentioned that my WBC's have dropped below standard range, and my platelets are pretty much in the gutter. The most pronounced (and disturbing) effect of that is when I get my nosebleeds: my blood it noticeably thin. It's like hot red water pouring out of the nose...:) rather than red soup, it's more like red tea.
Interferon note
The side effects of interferon are supposed to peak about 7 hours after the shot. Until tonight, I've managed to sleep through them. Today, I woke up about 6 hours after I took it, wondering why the fuck I felt like utter shit. OK, it took me a minute to figure out.
I note, however, that I notice the side effects more and more with each shot as well, and they do not all wait for 7 hours: 30 seconds after the injection, I get loopy. My speech becomes slurred and my train of thought, derailed in funny ways. Thankfully, these things only last for a couple of minutes...
I note, however, that I notice the side effects more and more with each shot as well, and they do not all wait for 7 hours: 30 seconds after the injection, I get loopy. My speech becomes slurred and my train of thought, derailed in funny ways. Thankfully, these things only last for a couple of minutes...
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Weekly Bloodwork 2
My 2nd week's results are in. According to my doctor, I am "handling it very well"; still, there are inevitable and predicted effects. My white blood cell count is now below normal--although not drastically so. Platelet counts continue to drop, and they were already below normal to begin with, due to liver malfunction. That exacerbates bleeding problems and makes my nasal infection goop blood all over.:) Otherwise, my neutrophils are a bit low, and my lymphocytes and monocytes are a tad high. Like I said, nothing special or unexpected, and I suspect, better than most people undergoing the same treatment.
A new side effect is flushing and slight sensation of heat—almost a buzz, albeit an unpleasant one—that hits as other side-effects, about an hour and a half after I take my meds.
Next week: Friday, the most important test of them all, so far, that of the viral load. It should be at least close to being undetectable, if not completely undetectable. If it isn't, it would mean that the treatment is not working and will be discontinued. Keeping my fingers and my toes crossed.
A new side effect is flushing and slight sensation of heat—almost a buzz, albeit an unpleasant one—that hits as other side-effects, about an hour and a half after I take my meds.
Next week: Friday, the most important test of them all, so far, that of the viral load. It should be at least close to being undetectable, if not completely undetectable. If it isn't, it would mean that the treatment is not working and will be discontinued. Keeping my fingers and my toes crossed.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Day 18
Curiouser and curiouser: medications boost my blood pressure a bit, I presume. So the disgusting staph infection on my septum opens up and bleeds about 1.5 hours after I drop the pills. Thought you'd be interested; at least I am going to see a doctor tomorrow to take care of that.
For anyone considering this treatment, keep it in mind: these medications act as immunosuppressants, making one much more susceptible to all sorts of bacterial infections. One learns to pay close attention to any cuts and scrapes, and starts washing one's hands with warm water and soap 12 times a day...:)
In any case, being a biohazard, particular attention must be paid to cuts and scrapes anyway: bleeding on something is essentially leaving a little virological bomb that will be active for several days. Anti-viral wipes come in handy. With my recent nosebleeds I have learned and refined basic cleanup techniques, like forensic methodology.
For anyone considering this treatment, keep it in mind: these medications act as immunosuppressants, making one much more susceptible to all sorts of bacterial infections. One learns to pay close attention to any cuts and scrapes, and starts washing one's hands with warm water and soap 12 times a day...:)
In any case, being a biohazard, particular attention must be paid to cuts and scrapes anyway: bleeding on something is essentially leaving a little virological bomb that will be active for several days. Anti-viral wipes come in handy. With my recent nosebleeds I have learned and refined basic cleanup techniques, like forensic methodology.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Day 15
Wow. I must report that tonight's shot if interferon, my third one, knocked me straight on my ass. Almost immediately after taking it, I started xoning out, with rsndom pains and aches moving about the periphery of my awareness and now, two hours and a nap later, I still feel relatively immobilized. I hope it passes by tomorrow...
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Day 14
Second week's blood test submitted today. Will know the results by Wed, I suppose. Most of the effects have mellowed out with more food with each dose of medication and after stopping smoking. Interferon injection spots itch like a motherfucker and are a bit rashy. Grrr. I am full of disgustupating diseases: in another related development (due to the suppression of my immune system by the meds), it appears that I have developed a staph infection on my septum that is irritating, disturbing, tc. Considering my past predilection for MRSA, it is likely to be one and shall be treated as such: another doctor visit on Wednesday, and probably some nasty antibiotic added to my regime of horse pills.
But otherwise I feel great! :D Really!
But otherwise I feel great! :D Really!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Weekly report
1st week blood tests are encouraging: my liver enzymes, although still high, have dropped almost by half since I began treatment! Yay for modern medicine!!! :)
Day 9
Some minor observations: I finally gave up on smoking, after realizing that half a cigarette multiplies the damn side effects by five. Seriously, all the fatigue and aches become much more intense and, you know, it isn't worth it. I've been considering quitting for a while now; this was the final impetus to do so.
And, I am not sure whether the lack of tobacco has anything to do with it, chalk up some mild manic states to cognitive side-effects. Even while aching and glumphing around, the brian races at a million miles a minute and I suspect I am what most people would call "animated" especially an hour or so before medication time (medication tends to put a damper on my jumping around). Interesting, and potentially productive, if can channel it properly.
Nosebleed persisting; it is not a side effect, having begun before I started my medication, but is becoming worrying. Going to see a doctor on the 14th about it. Hopefully nothing that a simple pack or, at most, a cautery, won't fix.
And, I am not sure whether the lack of tobacco has anything to do with it, chalk up some mild manic states to cognitive side-effects. Even while aching and glumphing around, the brian races at a million miles a minute and I suspect I am what most people would call "animated" especially an hour or so before medication time (medication tends to put a damper on my jumping around). Interesting, and potentially productive, if can channel it properly.
Nosebleed persisting; it is not a side effect, having begun before I started my medication, but is becoming worrying. Going to see a doctor on the 14th about it. Hopefully nothing that a simple pack or, at most, a cautery, won't fix.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Week 1, Part 1: a ramble
Owee, I think I am discovering what "acceptable" side-effects are. Remember all those people who told you how harsh this treatment was? They were not shitting you. It ain't interferon, either!
Unlike poor people with HIV I am only going to suffer this horror for 12 weeks, at most. My heart goes out to them.
Anyway, this is a Saturday ramble, as opposed to a Sunday attempt to be rational. This is what happens, and what goes through my mind, especially in the 3-4 hours after I eat my incivek+ribavirin (which is about half of my waking time; side-effects begin about 30 minutes after ingestion, peak out around 3 hours later and fade rapidly. Notice that my essential disgust with the medications (which may still grow into hatred) does not affect my continuing rational approach: it is simply what must be done, and it will be done. However, I reserve the right to piss and moan about it.
Incivek is a rather dull purple colour, and ugly a priori--you should trust this pill no further than you can throw it in high-gravity environment, and perhaps not even that far; ribavirin is a pretty deep celestial blue pill (not sky-blue, unless you are on some poisoned world): the colour one associates with alien venoms, with toxic waste, with visitors from the planet where all organic life was brutally destroyed and replaced with self-replicating pretty bright blue pills. :)
Taste, irritability, flu!
Taste: as I was eating a chile verde chicken burrito the other day, I suddenly realized that it tasted like a cross between some swampy mushroom and the smell of a meat dumpster rotting in the sun. I thought that my burrito was off, but the next day, eating another one, from a different package, I realized that that is what all of them are going to taste like now. One of the side effects is the alteration of taste perception. So far avocados and peanut butter and cheese are still edible; thinking about Thai food (!!!) caused mild nausea yesterday. Thai food!!!!!!
Irritability: I have noticed that my default response to people is getting snippier by the minute. I have never had much patience with idiots, online or otherwise, but was polite by default in the past; I think that now I could be called a curmudgeonly militant atheist asshole with some justification. Finally! That's not a bad thing, really.
Flu-like symptoms: Since I have not had flu since at some point, er, sometime before I lost my virginity, I didn't know what to expect. This is what flu feels like? Flu-like symptoms? Fuck this shit. I feel sorry for all of you people who get it om a regular basis: from now on I shall never skip mt flu-shot, just to make for sure for sure that I don't feel like that ever again.
So that's a recap of my side-effectiveness this last week, the first of 12...:( And now, let's talk about the virus itself. The fucker is an amazingly nifty little beastie: it is not highly pathogenic, and is only weakly transmissible (you pretty much HAVE to take blood from an infected person and rub it into fresh cuts in your skin to get it) but yet, it is incredibly hardy. Here's a dichotomy for you: 25% of the people clear it by themselves. 8-28% develop cirrhosis (over 20-30 years). (Hah! look at that spread in numbers: that reflects the fact that heavy(ish) drinkers have almost 7 times higher risk of developing it). 2-7% die from cirrhosis and liver cancer. That's from CDC. Again, I am not entirely comfortable with such a spread. So yes: it is weak and not that big of a deal--at least until your liver hardens up and begins to scar, at which point things can deteriorate rather rapidly. On the other hand, the fucking monsterling can survive for a long-ass time outside of the body. As in, 48 hours or more; compare it to the wimpy half and hour after which HIV gives up whatever ghost it possesses. And, its systemic effects are also a cool demonstration of evolutionary principles: by interfering with liver function, it messes with your clotting factors and lowers your platelet count, thereby increasing the frequency with which you bleed (my nosebleeds are a good goddamn example!) and the amount you bleed out before it clots--thereby sending trillions more of copies of itself into the wild blue yonder, to look for another warm and friendly home to fuck up. Damn, I swear the viral colony in my bloodstream and liver is planning ahead, and not half-badly. The nastier side-effects are probably due to their attempts to manipulate my behaviour to get me to drop out of treatment. But I won't! Nyaah nyaah stupid virus!!!
The funny thing is that I feel just fine mentally (perhaps even TOO fine--haha! heehee! on occasion, I do get quite manic). I am walking around, singing three tunes at once, while writing this and contemplating the problems of the effects of complex feedbacks on the albedos of Terrestrial planet atmtmospheres. All the while my body feels like it's been stuck in a blender with a half a ton of bricks and set to pulverize for an hour or so. Yet somehow that does not dampen my generally awesome mood. Weird, that. My hypothesis is that after the awful oppressiveness of achiness and spaciness and inability to remember my ABCs for about half an hour after my 1700 dose of medicine, regularly nasty "flu-like symptoms" come as a bloody relief and my mind responds with happiness and glee.
I can only hope that in 11 more weeks I'll be able to dress like John Cleese, and with a Hungarian phrasebook in my hands go to a tobacconist where I'll be able to tell some cute punky maid, "Come to my place, bouncy bouncy. I am no longer infected!" :D
Unlike poor people with HIV I am only going to suffer this horror for 12 weeks, at most. My heart goes out to them.
Anyway, this is a Saturday ramble, as opposed to a Sunday attempt to be rational. This is what happens, and what goes through my mind, especially in the 3-4 hours after I eat my incivek+ribavirin (which is about half of my waking time; side-effects begin about 30 minutes after ingestion, peak out around 3 hours later and fade rapidly. Notice that my essential disgust with the medications (which may still grow into hatred) does not affect my continuing rational approach: it is simply what must be done, and it will be done. However, I reserve the right to piss and moan about it.
Incivek is a rather dull purple colour, and ugly a priori--you should trust this pill no further than you can throw it in high-gravity environment, and perhaps not even that far; ribavirin is a pretty deep celestial blue pill (not sky-blue, unless you are on some poisoned world): the colour one associates with alien venoms, with toxic waste, with visitors from the planet where all organic life was brutally destroyed and replaced with self-replicating pretty bright blue pills. :)
Taste, irritability, flu!
Taste: as I was eating a chile verde chicken burrito the other day, I suddenly realized that it tasted like a cross between some swampy mushroom and the smell of a meat dumpster rotting in the sun. I thought that my burrito was off, but the next day, eating another one, from a different package, I realized that that is what all of them are going to taste like now. One of the side effects is the alteration of taste perception. So far avocados and peanut butter and cheese are still edible; thinking about Thai food (!!!) caused mild nausea yesterday. Thai food!!!!!!
Irritability: I have noticed that my default response to people is getting snippier by the minute. I have never had much patience with idiots, online or otherwise, but was polite by default in the past; I think that now I could be called a curmudgeonly militant atheist asshole with some justification. Finally! That's not a bad thing, really.
Flu-like symptoms: Since I have not had flu since at some point, er, sometime before I lost my virginity, I didn't know what to expect. This is what flu feels like? Flu-like symptoms? Fuck this shit. I feel sorry for all of you people who get it om a regular basis: from now on I shall never skip mt flu-shot, just to make for sure for sure that I don't feel like that ever again.
So that's a recap of my side-effectiveness this last week, the first of 12...:( And now, let's talk about the virus itself. The fucker is an amazingly nifty little beastie: it is not highly pathogenic, and is only weakly transmissible (you pretty much HAVE to take blood from an infected person and rub it into fresh cuts in your skin to get it) but yet, it is incredibly hardy. Here's a dichotomy for you: 25% of the people clear it by themselves. 8-28% develop cirrhosis (over 20-30 years). (Hah! look at that spread in numbers: that reflects the fact that heavy(ish) drinkers have almost 7 times higher risk of developing it). 2-7% die from cirrhosis and liver cancer. That's from CDC. Again, I am not entirely comfortable with such a spread. So yes: it is weak and not that big of a deal--at least until your liver hardens up and begins to scar, at which point things can deteriorate rather rapidly. On the other hand, the fucking monsterling can survive for a long-ass time outside of the body. As in, 48 hours or more; compare it to the wimpy half and hour after which HIV gives up whatever ghost it possesses. And, its systemic effects are also a cool demonstration of evolutionary principles: by interfering with liver function, it messes with your clotting factors and lowers your platelet count, thereby increasing the frequency with which you bleed (my nosebleeds are a good goddamn example!) and the amount you bleed out before it clots--thereby sending trillions more of copies of itself into the wild blue yonder, to look for another warm and friendly home to fuck up. Damn, I swear the viral colony in my bloodstream and liver is planning ahead, and not half-badly. The nastier side-effects are probably due to their attempts to manipulate my behaviour to get me to drop out of treatment. But I won't! Nyaah nyaah stupid virus!!!
The funny thing is that I feel just fine mentally (perhaps even TOO fine--haha! heehee! on occasion, I do get quite manic). I am walking around, singing three tunes at once, while writing this and contemplating the problems of the effects of complex feedbacks on the albedos of Terrestrial planet atmtmospheres. All the while my body feels like it's been stuck in a blender with a half a ton of bricks and set to pulverize for an hour or so. Yet somehow that does not dampen my generally awesome mood. Weird, that. My hypothesis is that after the awful oppressiveness of achiness and spaciness and inability to remember my ABCs for about half an hour after my 1700 dose of medicine, regularly nasty "flu-like symptoms" come as a bloody relief and my mind responds with happiness and glee.
I can only hope that in 11 more weeks I'll be able to dress like John Cleese, and with a Hungarian phrasebook in my hands go to a tobacconist where I'll be able to tell some cute punky maid, "Come to my place, bouncy bouncy. I am no longer infected!" :D
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Day 5
Side effects of incivek are beginning to kick in for real. Although they are mild, there is definitely nothing psychosomatic about them! :)
Incivek Side Effects
Yes, I realize this is a bit monotonous, but these daily updates are the best I can do on weekdays. Informative posts on the aspects fo the disease and therapy itself will be weekend fare...
Incivek Side Effects
Yes, I realize this is a bit monotonous, but these daily updates are the best I can do on weekdays. Informative posts on the aspects fo the disease and therapy itself will be weekend fare...
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