bruised and confused

[Penney]

Hi everyone.  

Had my 3rd injection last night.  Gave it to myself for the first time.  Immediately had a huge black and blue.  I know I hit a vein shawn  Made my girlfriend stay on the phone with me while I did it (I was nervous), then cried like a baby feeling sorry for myself....

Anyway, I went to my nurses visit yesterday and I received my beginning blood results.  My Viral Load was good 137,000.  Elevated liver enzymes, AST 69 and ALT 157.  They have sceduled me to see the doctor in 4 weeks and go for a liver ultrasound next week.  The pain in my side has apparently raised concern.  It is not my gall bladder since that was already removed.  I can't imagine what the problem could be.  I mean my "liver" hurt me before treatment, but this is more of a constant side stabbing.  It almost feels like my ribs were bruised along with the stabbing.  

They also started me on Excedrin PM to help me sleep.  I took it last night.  Didn't work so I'm gonna try the Tylenol PM next.  If that doesn't work, they will give me Ambien.......

I have my first therapy appointment next Thursday.  Boy do I need it!

Well, that is all for now.  Feeling a bit tired and sad today.  But, it is a gorgeous day here in Ohio, so I think I will go fishing when my hubby comes home from work!

Penney

[Shawn]

Nervousness will "stick" you everytime!  

I feel your pain - I stuck a vein on shot 21, it left a dark mark about the size of a dime, but went away in a couple of days. Not a big deal...believe me.

Try not to do it holding the phone next time, concentrating on more than one thing at a time can mess up the results every time (Now I know women can multitask better than men, but when you're doing something like that it...it usually takes a lot of concentration because you are more than likely anxious about it) - I don't let the dog in the room when I am doing it, she distracts me.

Don't worry about your liver hurting a little - mine did that too at the beginning - it always felt like the bottom section of my ribs were bruised - I believe an inflamed liver pushes on them from the back side.

Now if it feels like a stabbing pain then that might be something you want looked at - mine only felt brused. Although that might be a combination of gas and IBS, I had a stabbing pain in my right side about 3-4 in below my rib cage (it hurt bad), but that has gone away completely since I started therapy. It was gas getting stuck in my intestinal tract because my intestines were constricting from major stresses.

HCV does a lot of other stuff to you body in the gastrointestinal area, I had a bad problem with reflux before therapy also. That's gone now too. Don't worry - a lot of this stuff is caused mostly by stress, as much as you may not like to admit it right now - all the stuff that has happened recently in your life is EXTREMELY stressful.

Stress will beat you up more than the virus! I will tell you this (from experience) that the hardest part is accepting that the bad stuff did and will happen and then moving forward. I dwelt on my misfortunes for about 2 months at about the 3rd month in of therapy and I know it only made things worse.

Man...a woman that goes fishing (how cool!) You're a rarity!  

Good luck, I hope that your next shot goes easier next time. Have fun fishing. Fishing is such a great Zen sport. It's good for you.

Shawn

[Jackie]

Penney , Penney....

Have you not heard of hands free?  . I will say you are braver than me. My hubby is giving me mine.

I, like you, love to fish. It is so relaxing! The stress just melts away. I have not been in a few years because I have been so busy with school. I was taking classes last summer...3 of them. This year I'm not so maybe it's a great time. I would love to go to the bay and do some crabbing....

You will get better with the shots......

Have a great night.....time for me to do shot 3.....
Jackie

[hyperhepper]

 Penny I got the same black and blue on my third shot.
I still have the same red rash on my arm from the lst shot, l month ago. The doctor told me hydrocortisone (?)would take care of that.
I got no marks from my 4th shot, but I wish I had instead of what I got. Wow, what a night.  

[Penney]

Shawn you are so funny I really had to laugh at some of the things you wrote and you are also very knowledgable!  My husband feels the same way about me loving to fish....

I definitely have reflux problems and just hope these side pains are as simple as what you stated.  I will, of course, let everyone know what the results are.  

Jackie, hands free!!!!!  ha, who'da thought?!  

Marina, I am so sorry to hear about you night last night.  I hope you feel better today.  I had flu symptoms after my first shot only.  I still can't sleep.  Taking Excedrin PM (the nurse told me to) does not help and I feel like I was hit with bricks when I wake up.  So, I think it is time for the ambien.  

OK...had a minor argument with my husband last night and realized how 'needy' I have become.  If you all knew me you would know that I am NOT NEEDY...it must be these wonderful meds!  

Lordy Lordy, I feel Forty!!!  Oh wait I am forty!  Or at least will be in October!

Have a great day everyone and thank you for all your advice and suggestions!
Love,
Penney

[Jackie]

You guy's crack me up!

I'm gonna get excedtine pm......I have had trouble sleeping and wake up feeling it! Dr said it's ok to take asprin.

Jackie

[Penney]

OK.  I was re-reading these posts and realized that it was David who had mentioned hitting a vein and getting a bruise.  Just needed to mention that.  A bit airheaded these days.......

Excedrin PM is not working.  Nurse has called in a prescription for Ambien.  I also received a call from the nurse letting me know of a support group in my area that meets once a month.  She said she has been thinking about me this weekend and wanted to let me know about the group incase I was interested.  I thought that was soooo nice.  She also told me that my liver ultrasound has been cancelled.  They are going to do a different test to see what this pain is...I will find out more in a day or so.  

Now...on my list this week.....Tonight, Greif counseling group....Wednesday night HCV support group.....Thursday night, first therapy session......geez, you think I need some help!?!?!??  Gonna be a busy, emotional week.......

Marina, how are you feeling?

Penney

[hyperhepper]

 Hey Penney, I think the support group idea would be wonderful for you !
You'll soon find something to help you sleep I'm sure. That's got to be the pits, especially having to get up the next day to go to work. I heard the one you mentioned, ambian (something like that) is suppose to be really good.
I'm better, but boy oh boy, that Friday nite shot caught me by surprise. Left me kind of listless for about 2 days.