Injection #5
Having taken on an extra shift at work, my injection was a bit later than normal tonight. I took Sue's advice, keeping the bevel pointed upwards, glad to report no repeat of the 'pin the tail on Alan' routine. The injection this week was actually harder to get out of the box and physically 'do' this week due to me being slightly worried about the same thing happening again. So i'm glad it's done, and since its number 5, I'm now in the 'teens' with regards to injections still to do. It's a minor milestone but at this early stage they all count. One thing I haven't been able to get over is the thought of injecting into my abdomen. I just have an aversion to doing it there but i'm fairly tall so hopefully I can stick with my thigh, my handy red patches serve as a map so I can use a new spot each time.
My mood has improved too, the weathers been nice this past few days and i've even ventured out in a short sleeved shirt, despite the bruise on my inner arm from my 'bloods'. I also noticed that my 'sharps' container now makes a healthy rattle when I shake it and that sounds good. I'm no longer a 'newbie' on here having got by the 1st month and dare I say it...my 'sides' do seem to be settling slightly. I don't get as many aches and pains as I did in the 1st few weeks and my concentration has improved. I just wish the dizzy spells would ease though, I had a few moments in work tonight when I suddenly felt a bit faint. I found sitting down drinking some water and taking deep breaths helps this but since my employer isn't aware of my status or that i'm on treatment, it's not always possible.
I've been wondering if anyone else has suffered from eyesight problems, not from treatment but as a symptom of HepC. I noticed over a short period, approx 6 months, that I was straining my eyes a lot trying to focus. It was getting worse and after an eye test I got my 1st pair of glasses, couldn't manage without them now. I also feel that my reaction to light has changed, in the dark for instance I cant see as clearly as before and in daylight my eyes tire quickly. I suppose i'm hoping that this will improve if treatment is successful.
My mood has improved too, the weathers been nice this past few days and i've even ventured out in a short sleeved shirt, despite the bruise on my inner arm from my 'bloods'. I also noticed that my 'sharps' container now makes a healthy rattle when I shake it and that sounds good. I'm no longer a 'newbie' on here having got by the 1st month and dare I say it...my 'sides' do seem to be settling slightly. I don't get as many aches and pains as I did in the 1st few weeks and my concentration has improved. I just wish the dizzy spells would ease though, I had a few moments in work tonight when I suddenly felt a bit faint. I found sitting down drinking some water and taking deep breaths helps this but since my employer isn't aware of my status or that i'm on treatment, it's not always possible.
I've been wondering if anyone else has suffered from eyesight problems, not from treatment but as a symptom of HepC. I noticed over a short period, approx 6 months, that I was straining my eyes a lot trying to focus. It was getting worse and after an eye test I got my 1st pair of glasses, couldn't manage without them now. I also feel that my reaction to light has changed, in the dark for instance I cant see as clearly as before and in daylight my eyes tire quickly. I suppose i'm hoping that this will improve if treatment is successful.
posted by Alan at 12:43 AM
9 Comments:
Hi Alan
This is my first contact with you so, Hi! Have been reading your blog and have a few thoughts.
Re: injecting into abdomen, I have only done this twice but actually not at problem at all. I did however find my side effects were worse (maybe coincidence) those two weeks. I prefer to use thighs only and they have coped for the last 29 injections! And I'm not even tall! Yes, a good map too with those red/purpling blotches!
YES weather makes so much difference doesn't it?! And dizzy spells - I've found a homoeopathic remedy that has helped (phosphorous)so maybe worth investigating.
Eyesight problems - I've only had them since treatment which makes it hard to read. However I have had 'floaters' in my vision for about the last 17 years which may be connected.
I am full of admiration that you are continuing to live your life as normally on this treatment - and taking on extra shifts is quite something!!
All the best
Lu
Hi Lu,
It's always good to meet new people on this journey, thanks for your comments.
I agree totally about the weather, i'm glad i'm not on treatment through winter. Getting up in the morning with the sun beaming through the window is always a positive start to the day.
I think work for me helps me to deal with things, gives me less time to dwell on treatment. I've managed to arrange work around my injections so that makes it easier. Also I find, since I work in the evenings, I won't sit all day thinking about the upcoming 'jab'.
Stay well
Alan
Hi Alan,
17 shots all in my thighs, no chance that I will stick a needle in my tummy. I go inner, outer and lower middle thigh alternating left to right. Actually thats what I planned to do now I just look for an area without a red splotch and shove it in there.
The eyesight thing is interesting, one side effect of hep c that has been documented is floaters in your vision, something I have had for years, even had a referral to Moorefields to check it out. When I started treatment I did report that my eyes felt too big for my head.
Breaking treatment down into milestones worked well for me, I remember "being a teenager". With your next shot you will by a quarter of the way through.
Jonathan
Hi Alan,
I favour abdominal injections probably because I have a big target area! Seriously though, they seem to be less painfull and you can get to the area without a ridiculous strip tease. I could never be confident that deteriorating eyesight was down to the virus, rather than just age, but my sight has also got worse in recent years.
So is it now 'Teenage Kicks' in preparation for the 'Highland Fling'?
Martin
Hi Alan,
I do all my injections abdominally and was told not to use my thighs/legs (not enough fat). No pain on injections at all. Switch back and forth between right and left sides and move from upper to middle abdomen, staying well away from a six cm radius around my naval, where there is an increased number of blood vessels.
Have not had any eye problems. Had heard some peoples eyes get better on treatment and was hopeful, but no luck there - glasses continue to be a part of life!
Re: dizziness/vertigo - it's a reportable side effect here - I'd suggest telling your physician/nurse about it.
Agree that doing things to take mind of shots is helpful coping tool - I had one early shot go awry (my redipen blew up), and I was extremely nervous about the next few. Seems to have passed now and I can do them without the butterflies in my stomach.
Congrats on shot #5! Sue
Hi Alan,
I have eyesight problems, I was really squinting to see anything, I dont know if its hep c connected but I am now the proud owner of glasses.
All the best
Steve
I can`t believe that no-one seems to know how the eyes can be seriously affected by hepc and combo.
Will do a post on it soon.
paul.
Hi Alan,
Just done a post on eyesight problems if you want to take a look.
Paul.
Hi All
Thanks for the replies regarding eyesight problems.. just off to read Paul's post..
Stay well
Alan
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