It’s estimated that almost five million Americans may be dealing with Hepatitis C. While some of them may not know it, those who are diagnosed with a chronic form of the disease will be prescribed an appropriate treatment regimen. These medications, however, usually come with side effects that many people find to be difficult to handle. If you’ve been diagnosed with Hepatitis C, it’s good to know what to expect from the treatment and how you can cope with the effects.
The first thing you need to know is that there is no one-size-fits-all treatment for Hepatitis C. Your doctor will need to assess your overall health, your liver, and your blood to decide which medications will work best.
Your treatment can be a single drug or a combination of drugs that have been shown to be most effective when taken together. Depending on what you’re given, you may need to take the drugs for up to 24 weeks.
Some of the options include:
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As you might expect, different drugs have different side effects. Common side effects of Hepatitis C drugs are headache, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, itchy skin, weakness, confusion, rashes, trouble sleeping, depression, joint pain, hair loss, and flu-like symptoms.
In some cases, existing conditions may flare up, you may have severe shortness of breath and your blood count may fall. The drugs can lower and affect your heart to the point where you need a pacemaker. Certain drugs can also affect the effectiveness of birth control.
When you’re discussing treatment with your doctor, make sure the side effects are clear. You should discuss any other medications you’re taking as well because there might be harmful interactions.
Many of the side effects can be handled through over-the-counter medications and changes to your routine. People who are experiencing flu-like symptoms can get relief from taking cold and flu medicines.
If fatigue is the issue, it might be easier to take some time to rest directly after taking the medication or going to bed earlier. When medications cause nausea, it’s a good idea to eat smaller meals and eat foods that combat that feeling such as ginger.
Sleep problems are also common so the experts recommend developing a calming bedtime routine. You should also avoid things that disrupt sleep such as alcohol, large meals before bed, and caffeine.
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Of course, if this doesn’t work you should talk to your doctor about sleep-promoting medications.
Another issue that might need your doctor’s intervention is depression. While your doctor may initially recommend non-medical measures to deal with this issue, they may not always work.
If you’re experiencing serious bouts of depression, it’s important to reach out to your doctor so you can get the help you need.
While side effects are expected with all medications, make sure to tell your doctor if what you’re experiencing is more severe than anticipated. This situation may be a sign that something else is going on and could call for a change in your regimen. As always, never stop taking your medication without consulting your doctor.
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