Doctors and Nurses
I had my second appointment with the GI nurse on wednesday and was able to discuss the attitude my GP had on monday. In his opinion, due to the sides i'm experiencing, i should "stop treatment immediately"... so there i was, explaining the consequences of not following the treatment through to the end, to my GP!!
Since i took a fair amount of preparation to start treatment, in terms of mental attitude and reorganising my life to fit around hospital appointments, I dont intend stopping treatment. Anyway back to my app on wednesday, when i explained what had happened my nurse rolled her eyes and said they've had problems with GPs before and perhaps i should see another doctor at my surgery. I'm mildy put off at the thought of explaining everything to another gp but needs must.
The good news is my liver functions are near normal, I suppose i'm a lucky as they've never been too elevated, but its good to know the drugs are working.
On the emotional side, one of the hospitals here has an infectious diseases unit who treat many other hepc patients. I dont think they have a counselling service for patients, but they do have a consultant psychiatrist who sees patients undergoing treatment, so my nurse is going to refer me. Could take 5 weeks for an app though.
I told the nurse about my sleeping problems and she was able to provide me with a short term supply of sleeping tablets (zopiclone). So i finally got a full 8 hours of chemically induced sleep on wednesday night.. it was better than 8 hours of chemically induced insomnia. It was good to get some sleep but of course the other side of the sleeping tablets is that you dont exactly wake up feelling refreshed, but maybe i'm splitting hairs now.
I've felt fairly good this week, despite being a bit listless I got my bike out yesterday, next step is getting it out of the house.. hmm..
Alan
Since i took a fair amount of preparation to start treatment, in terms of mental attitude and reorganising my life to fit around hospital appointments, I dont intend stopping treatment. Anyway back to my app on wednesday, when i explained what had happened my nurse rolled her eyes and said they've had problems with GPs before and perhaps i should see another doctor at my surgery. I'm mildy put off at the thought of explaining everything to another gp but needs must.
The good news is my liver functions are near normal, I suppose i'm a lucky as they've never been too elevated, but its good to know the drugs are working.
On the emotional side, one of the hospitals here has an infectious diseases unit who treat many other hepc patients. I dont think they have a counselling service for patients, but they do have a consultant psychiatrist who sees patients undergoing treatment, so my nurse is going to refer me. Could take 5 weeks for an app though.
I told the nurse about my sleeping problems and she was able to provide me with a short term supply of sleeping tablets (zopiclone). So i finally got a full 8 hours of chemically induced sleep on wednesday night.. it was better than 8 hours of chemically induced insomnia. It was good to get some sleep but of course the other side of the sleeping tablets is that you dont exactly wake up feelling refreshed, but maybe i'm splitting hairs now.
I've felt fairly good this week, despite being a bit listless I got my bike out yesterday, next step is getting it out of the house.. hmm..
Alan
posted by Alan at 5:22 PM
5 Comments:
Hello Alan and welcome on board the merry go round.
I have found that you have to make allowances for GP's. It won't be long before you will know more about your virus than they do, if you don't already!
My sleeping problem happen at the other end of the day, I am almost incapable of lying in and get up at 6 every day ever weekends. Though this is more to do with the call of the toiet than anything else.
Best of luck
Jonathan
Hi Alan,
Found your blog from Wendy's and hope you're okay with linking yours to mine. Welcome to treatment land! Sorry to hear you've been having problems sleeping, but glad that the meds have provided some improvement. I only have difficulty with sleep on shot night and have used lavender as an aid.
Will be following your blog! Best wishes!
Sue
Hi Alan,
Suggest you print off a copy of the NICE guidelines, and the Interferon/Ribavirin data sheets, and present them to your new GP.
At least that way he will have all the basics.
Martin
Hi Alan,
Yes the insomnia is a bummer and on this treatment you need your rest.
I use chamomile tea and valerian drops. Real knockout stuff but no hangover.
Good to see you prepared for the tx beforehand.
I`m originally a Geordie from Newcastle and was married in Wishaw just outside Glasgow.
Have a good journey on tx,
Paul.
Thanks for all the comments..
I notice a few people have lost their posts, the same happened to me. I found when i logged back in, above edit post window, a button with 'recover post'. I clicked it and got my post back, just as well really as i was about to throw my pc out the window!!
Ever get the feeling your on a rollercoaster, but you didn't buy a ticket?
Stay well
Alan
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