I have some important news to announce.  Last week I started on treatment for my hep C again, six years after my previous treatment failed.  This time I was fortunate to qualify for the Early Access Program for Boceprevir treatment.

This treatment consists of 4 weeks of Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin, which is the current Standard of Care in Australia, and at week 5 we add the Boceprevir tablets for a further 32 weeks.

Last Friday night, the 28th of October, I took my first Ribavirin tablets and my first shot of Pegylated Interferon.  I took two panadols in case I felt some effects from the injection but I wasn't aware of any immediate side effects at all.  I slept quite well but the next day I felt extremely tired.  I did struggle a little through the day but overall I felt quite well, considering how I responded to my first shot when I did my first treatment 7 years ago.  That time I spent the first few days in bed, barely able to get up.  This time was much better and I functioned normally, if tired.

On Sunday I was less tired but in the afternoon I felt a few aches come over me.  I took two panadols right away so it wouldn't get any worse and that worked.  I felt fine.  By Monday I was excited at my response and thought I might not have such a rough time of it.  Through the week though I felt quite fatigued and struggled a bit.  I lost my internet for a week due to a fault with my phone line and the stress from that seemed to trigger some side effects, mainly tiredness and crankiness.  I got very annoyed very easily.

Two nights ago I had my second shot, again with two panadols.  And again on Saturday I felt extremely tired.  I actually got a bit frightened, trying to imagine how I would get through a whole 9 months of this.  But last night I slept very well and today I'm fit and ready to tackle whatever life throws my way. 

It's an odd journey, treatment.  I have already found myself quite obsessed with how it is all going and how I am responding.  I can't tell whether what I'm feeling is due to the medications or is just a response to normal life events and stress.  Stress has always made me feel tired but this does seem a bit extreme so I think the meds are already affecting my moods and my energy levels. 

I will be getting my first blood tests done on Wednesday and will see my doctor on Thursday to discuss the results.  I am really interested to see how the first two weeks of treatment has impacted on my body.  I'm not sure yet when my first PCR test will be to discover how much my viral load has decreased.  That, of course, is the big test. 

I am hopeful that this week will be a good one and I will feel less tired.  Getting my internet fixed helped me feel more connected and organized so I am less stressed.  Today I am happy and settled.

I will keep you posted with my side effects and my  blood results.  Have a great week!