Treatment for Your Hepatitis C Treatment

I found the best way to help with the duration of treatment for hepatitis C is to keep focused on target goals, which I call treatment for the treatment.

"Treatment for the treatment" refers to small, realistic goals you can achieve each day. This keeps your thoughts active, purposeful, and positive.

Treatment can be tough - physically and mentally

When in treatment for hep C and fighting liver disease, it’s common for energy levels to fluctuate. When energy is low, you can be proactive with doing something each day. The key is to focus on what you can do instead of what you can’t do.

If you’re dealing with treatment side effects, don’t allow your thoughts to take you on an emotional roller coaster. Remember what you’re experiencing is temporary. It will get better. You will get on the other side of this. Many treatment side effects cycle out.

Change your perspective

Look at projects through a different lens. Look through a positive perspective. Purposefully design projects to fit into how you’re physically feeling and what you’re able to do.

Boosting your mental focus with projects gives you a sense of accomplishment. This is uplifting and helps boosts your mood, which ultimately helps your immune system. Helping your body fight hepatitis C and helping your treatment is a double win.

Here are some examples of daily goals during treatment:

• Walking (the dog) a short distance
• Doing a load of laundry
• Washing your hair (some days, even that was a big deal for me)
• Working a puzzle or reading (keeps your mind active)
• Going for a short drive or running an errand
• Talking on the phone with a friend
• Working on a project for 15 to 30 minutes at a time, then taking a break
• Making a thankfulness list (Focus on all the good that’s going on in your life)

Try to do as many normal activities as possible, but listen to your body. You’ll know when to push yourself a little and when to stop. Small steps made consistently make big differences!

My go-to: Journaling

Journaling is excellent treatment for the treatment. This serves as a great outlet mentality and emotionally. You’d be surprised how much better it makes you feel. When I was in treatment, I made an online treatment journal which helped me focus and keep my mind active. Journaling helped me see how I was improving throughout treatment. My treatment journal also helped me see how temporary side effects were. When I wasn’t feeling great, I expressed it, which let out frustration and ultimately helped me to feel better.

The danger zone is when thoughts are stagnant. They drift into a sinkhole, whirling, pulling you down. They become like a consuming fire, dwelling on negatives. This road is isolated, and dark. This dark road doesn’t lead to a happy place. Be on the lookout.

My advice

Treatment warning tip: Don't watch sad or violent movies while on treatment. You may not be normally upset by them, but treatment meds can magnify your emotions. A good recommendation is to NOT go there!

Be proactive; get your mind off of yourself, think of something you can do for someone else, reach out to a friend. It made me feel better when I talked to a friend on the phone. If you feel like reading, be mentally upward by reading a devotional daily, or listen to some uplifting music.

I found reading the Bible daily is great treatment for the treatment. It's like taking a spiritual vitamin that fortifies you with hope and renewed strength. For many, being grounded in God’s word is nourishing to your whole being which keeps your thoughts active and positive.