for me exercise non sugar diet and coffee really helps. with out those things i do not feel well. i have never been on treatment.

What kind of work do you do? Is it physical? Do you have any sick time or vacation time?

It's very hard to say how you will be effected. Everyone is different. But we already discussed in your previous post that Riba commonly causes anemia. Low red blood count causes one to be fatigued and often experience shortness of breath even on mild exertion. Some have continued workings through it, some have had to stop tx or reduce the dose. Everyone is different.

Discuss your concerns with your doc or nurse.

For me, I have some side motivation. I have a great employee, but he calls in sick at the drop of a hat. I want to be able to say yo him: you want off for a cold and I didn't miss a day during my treatment!!!!

My best advise is to keep in close contact with doc while txing and report side effects. Do not be afraid ot ask for sleeping meds. Insomnia, also common from Riba, increases the fatigue.

WG, I work 3 to 4 nights a week. I am a waitress, so it is a physical job. If I have to take off work for a bit I can, but I'd like to continue on with as much normal activity as possible. I will take a lot of advice from people here. I will stay hydrated and try to eat a healthy diet. The good news is that its only a 12 week treatment. I also am trying to keep a positive mindset. I think that plays a big role in treatment. I am prone to depression and anxiety so that's another fear. However, I am so glad that I am educating myself as much as possible. Again, you guys are the best! Truly, truly helpful and encouraging! Thanks!

I just had my Riba dose lowered, actually cut in half just yesterday, and today I feel so much better.
It was due to my anemia getting so bad, and my heart pounding so much - also other blood levels dropping.
I am on for 6 months.

I was so shocked that he lowered my dose on the Riba....Now even before he lowered it, you get a type of energy from the Sovaldi. For me anyway....Call it crazy, but after one week, I wanted to do things again. I do more now than I did before starting tx.

I think this SOVALDI is really great!! Lots and lots of water sure helps too!!

I could not exercise due to anemia and shortness of breath. I was a late responder so no dosage reduction for me. My hemoglobin dropped below nine but at that point I didn't feel as bad as I did earlier in treatment. The only advice I have is rest as much as possible, ask for help caring for your child. Stick with treatment, you can ask for a riba reduction but the answer will depend on your labs.

I had dose reduction on Riba and it resolved the anemia, shortness of breath and heart pounding - which is very SCARY.

From what I have read of people's experience, it seems 600-800 mgs are tolerable. 1000-12000 are tolerable for SOME but others run into these anemia-related problems. Everyone handles these drugs differently. In a small number od cases I've heard of docs have stopped Riba altogether when anemia couldn't be controlled otherwise. With older tx protocols they treated the anemia with Procrit and in severe cases with transfusion, but now it's all done with dose reduction or stopping if it's extreme.

So dose would be a big question to discuss with your doc. 600-800 is very doable and 1000-1200 CAN BE reduced if you're not feeling well enough.

Riba can also cause insomnia but I was prescribed medication to help with that. It can also cause nausea and there is medication for that, and it is VERY sun sensitive! It's challenging, but 12 weeks of it is NOT impossible or anything like what INF or other txs from what i have heard. You need to keep in contact with your doc and report any of these sides because they can be treated.

Working as a waitress i would imagine you would not want to share your personal health issues. The cover story i used to let people know i was not up to par without revealing HCV was saying I had non-iron deficiency anemia and the doctors are trying to find the cause and treat it. It worked very well....