Week 1 down, only 11 more to go!

So, this is my third round of treatment for hepatitis C, and now, in addition to the normal 2-drug combo therapy of Pegasys and Ribasphere, there is the new, added thrill of the telapravir, or Incivek.  This drug is a "first-generation" drug and is the newest anti-hepatitis drug approved by the FDA.  It is supposed to be specifically for individuals like me who have been treated before and relapsed.  Some interesting things with this drug:  1) although the entire treatment regimen is 44 weeks, I will only be taking the Incivek for 12 weeks.  2) This drug is taken every 8 hours with high-fat (20 grams or more) foods (oh, darn!).  3) There is a high incidence of skin irritation on this drug.

So, I started this go-round on Sunday with the Pegasys, and as sure as God made little green apples, I did not sleep a wink Sunday night.  Go figure.  This has always been a problem for me on these drugs, so this is nothing new.  I came home Monday evening and realized that I was COLD - you know the kind - through and through, to the bone kind of cold, and achy - "flu-like symptoms".  Yup, got 'em, so thank God for the electric mattress pad!  Then on Wednesday, I realized I'm getting the "skin sensitivity" they mentioned, so I guess right now I'm three for three.  Not bad if I was playing baseball.

I keep telling myself only 12 weeks, only 12 weeks, only 12 weeks!