Hi Beachy,
You don't have to continue the treatment if it doesn't work out for you. May I suggest going into it with a positive attitude? Its a chance to rid the virus, recover from chronic fatigue, & salvage your liver.
If the treatment makes you feel worse, you can stop. I'm not on the new stuff yet but people here seem to have mild, if any, sides. I'll let them tell you their symptoms.

Thanks Trissa. I know I sound like a baby compared to others who have gone down the interferon, year-long tx road, etc.. but I am just really anxious about all of it. I think there's some depression mixed in there too. I appreciate the kind words.

Beachy- I am on week 5 of the new treatment, sovaldi/rib. My baseline CBC labs were normal, liver panel was not. Within two weeks, all my liver numbers were normal and I'm HCV undetectable! The first week I was nauseous, calmed with crackers, ginger and peppermint tea. Second week, my brain fog cleared for the first time in 20 years! I do feel like I'm on medicine but am able to function, pain free! I have missed no work. Sleeping is an issue, hard to relax on the ribavirin. I'm now anemic, my rib. dose has been reduced to 600mg. I expect to be back to full energy soon. I'm happy, hopeful and can visualize myself without HCV. Attitude is everything. You have to be ready, because this will be a challenge- with a wonderful potential! The doctor can manage your depression during the treatment, just be upfront with him/her.
Good luck Beachy- this journey is well worth a few weeks of discomfort.

Thank you so much Kathy! I'll keep in mind to be stocked with crackers, ginger ale and such. I am anxious to get started, but knowing that first week may be rough AND also my son's Spring Break week where I had planned to take him on some day trips to Sea World, Savannah, etc... I may hold off a week just so that I can handle all that walking and driving. My Riba dose will be 600mg, so hopefully that can help keep anemia at bay. Thinking of the fog finally lifting sounds heavenly.

I am SO GLAD to hear you are doing so well in such a short period of tx time! That's fantastic!

Thank you again for sharing with me. Knowledge is power. :-)

I am anxious to do the new meds when my combo is approved but having done 2 failed txs with IFN/riba as well as Incviek I can tell you that the anemia was difficult to manage. I think the riba dose you are on will help. Depression & anxiety meds were also useful for me but it takes a few wks for those drugs to get into your system so if you think you might need them I'd discuss that with your doc now prior to tx. I was a full-time caregiver to my elderly mother-in-law who had beginning dementia. Being her sole support system while grieving the loss of her only son while I was on tx myself was the most challenging thing I have ever done. My doc was wonderful & the sides I suffered with were manageable. The new meds seem to have much fewer side effects & that's a plus. Definitely doable for 12 wks but like Trissa said, if you can't manage it you stop. Wishing you the best not only for yourself but your son & a long healthier future together!

That's great you have such a low riba dose. This should be helpful in not becoming anemic. I'm on week 8 and am kind of wiped out and would be okay if some recent stresses in my life could be quieted down. Maybe the riba does cause a little 'edginess' after a while because if I miss a dose of my anti-depressant I feel very mad and critical of others ! Definitely get some anti-depressants and take them daily if you don't already do. Eat food with the riba to coat your stomach and keep your energy level sustained. Best wishes to you - keep us posted ;)

I think your apprehension is normal. My first go around I postponed tx because I was thinking it was going to be really really bad. It wasn't a joyride but it was doable, especially the first 24 weeks. I think you will do great, especially since the treatment time will be less and your riba dose is less. Right now I'm on triple therapy with Sovaldi/Riba/Pegasys and 1200 mg of Riba.
Just be prepared, try to focus on the outcome, being hep c FREE!!
Try to get help with your son as much as possible, let your family and friends know you will be on tx and WILL NEED HELP. Don't be afraid to ask. You will want to have as much quality time for yourself as you can, and relax as much as you can.
If you're not already on some kind of antidepressant, it might be a good thing to call your doctor now and get on it. It can take a couple weeks for it to kick in. I think Riba can worsen any depression. One thing also that might help is don't take the Riba close to bedtime. Leave a few hours gap at least. It keeps me awake sometimes.
And drink PLENTY OF WATER. And always take the Riba with FOOD. Ok, I'm done. :-)

I am just finishing week eight. I was crying uncontrollably at week 2. Started on celexa, no more crying. I never felt depressed but it was like my hormones were out of whack. Week three my hemoglobin started falling. I was getting annoyed at the smallest things. My normal positive attitude was failing me. By week five I felt horrible and still not UD. Feeling better as I end week eight. Still tired but my heart isn't racing. Started on green smoothies, raw food maybe that has something to do with it.

Please keep us updated.

Sunscreen, water, lotion, benedryl at night and B-12. Oh I forgot to add celexa, all are helping get through treatment. Just tell the Dr about all meds and supplements.

I have not missed a day of work but I am not going to lie, some nights I was exhausted!! It is all I could do order food and make my way to the door.

Thank you everyone for being so honest and sharing your experiences! It's what I need to know going in. I have my doc appt today to sign consent forms and to get training. Then I guess I am going for it. I will talk to Gastro doc about prescribing Celexa for me in addition to this. I have Xanax (low dose PRN "as needed") but may not be what I need on tx. It already knocks me out as it is. LOL.

I am trying to get my son signed up for spring break camp (will cost me a fortune) but I need for him to stay busy and give me some time alone just in case.

Well, off I go!