How to Make Your Hepatitis C Treatment Recovery Plan

After hepatitis C treatment is completed, naturally, patients want to resume normal energy and activity. However, hepatitis C treatment side effects can often linger into recovery, making patients question if they will ever get back to normal.

Some considerations about recovery

The speed of recovery can depend on many factors; liver condition, other medical conditions, and medications the patient takes. Every patient’s hepatitis C treatment experience can be different and so can the recovery journey.

Making your hepatitis C treatment recovery plan is just as important as preparing for treatment. Consider this, 8 to 12 weeks of hepatitis C treatment is like climbing a mountain with reaching the summit and completing treatment, recovery is like descending down the mountain. Fighting hepatitis C and treatment did not happen overnight, and neither will recovery. Your body has to have time to recover, rebuild, and heal. Give yourself a break, and take good care of yourself. Look at recovery for what it is- recovery!

Recovery tips

Here are my tips on how to make your hepatitis C recovery plan*:

1. Try to build in rest stops and breaks in your day. Listen to your body. If you’re fatigued and need a nap, take one if possible. At the least, sit down, take some deep breaths, and put your feet up for a few minutes.
2. Nourish your body with healthy foods, such as good quality proteins, fresh veggies, and fruit, nuts and seeds. Avoid processed foods as much as possible.
3. Drink lots of pure water daily, at least 64 ounces a day. Infuse your water with fresh citrus, or mint to add flavor and variety.
4. De-stress as much as possible. Build some time for yourself. Take walks, read, meditate, pray, listen to music, or be with friends.
5. If possible, try not to jump immediately into your busy routine right after completing hepatitis C treatment. Remember, move slowly back into your normal activities, but if that’s not possible, intentionally build in breaks and adjust your schedule for a few weeks.
6. Build a modified exercise routine to build back your energy and flexibility, like stretching exercises, short walks, or lifting weights. Don’t overdo it, start small and build up.
7. Follow-up with your doctor for exams, blood work, and other tests.
8. Join a support group of others who have dealt with hepatitis C and treatment. Encouragement and support is important in the healing process.
9. Avoid alcohol. Remember, your liver is healing. Alcohol is hard for your liver to process, so don’t put extra stress on it.
10. Get your flu and pneumonia vaccines.
11. Don’t get caught up or frustrated with a certain time frame of when you should be fully recovered. Each day is progress.
12. A good attitude goes a long way to benefit your recovery. Count your gains, not your losses, and keep your thoughts positive about your recovery. Recovery is one day a time. Look for the victories in each day and what is good.

*Consult your physician about what is best for you, including diet, exercise, and any vitamins or supplements you may want to take.

I found using all these tips made a huge difference with my hepatitis C treatment recovery plan. A good recovery plan will benefit you in many ways, so you can move forward. Be good to yourself. You’re worth it!