2nd shot team how are ya'll doin'?

[OkieJim]

It's not so Okie Dokie Jim,
Lost some strength this week.  Still movin' not laid up. Still fightn'. I was praying for all last night. Giddyup,cc2, and myrtles I know yours is tonight I already said on for you. I probably missed someone out there and I'm sorry.

[crazycoony]

Hi everyone.  My husband was told he had Hep C in 2000. His count at the time was 800,000 + His liver test showed no damage. He did the treatment for 1year. He got so sick and weak(never missed a day of work while on it) and lost a lot of weight. After the treatment he was tested again and his count was around 40,000. He went to the Dr, 2 weeks ago for blood work. Everything is fine but the Hep C count is 5,000,000+. He has already said he will not do the treatment again. I have tried to talk to him but he says NO. Can this cause heart problems? He now has to see a heart Dr.

[giddyup]

Yeah, lets win this battle!

[myrtles]

Yes, I am better!!  Thank God!!  Yep, I just kept thinking I need to hang on, it will get better.  I had some crackers and a little sprite a bit ago and so far so good.  I am drinking water too.  Thanks for the prayer OkieJim.  I know God listens and cares for us so much.

I will take TessTube's suggestion and let the dr know about the bruising.  I am supposed to go in at the end of the month.  I wanted to get some blood work done b/4 going in to see how things are going.  This will be my first visit since starting tx.

I can not even begin to tell all of you how much you mean to me.  You guys have given me so much encouragment.  Thank you seems like so little but really THANK YOU!!!  OkieJim I feel like we are kin since we started the same night.  I know God has brought us together.  My husband reads some of the comments that everyone makes to each other and he is glad to see that we are all here for each other.  God bless you all and chin up!!  We are going to win this battle!!

[OkieJim]

Howdy there? How are you? I feel alittle better now.  Stomach still feels like there is a rock stuck in the bottom of it. It does hurt. Lets see I have had FLU symptoms the night after the first shot and they were gone the next day. Low grade fever since shot #1. A little itching going on all over but not bad YET!! I say that because since its here now it will probable stay. I'm very tired. Can't work as hard as I used to. Still keeping busy though I know I have to if I want to stay in shape. My right side (liver) has really been hurting also off and on. The more water and gaterade I drink the better I feel. God, please help my friend myrtle. She is a great person and I know you love her. She needs our help to get thru this very difficult time. Amen.

[TESSTUBE]

Be sure to alert your doctor to the problem with bruising - he/she will probably want to take a look at your blood counts.

Good luck with your treatmet.  I'm praying for you and Okie Jim.

[myrtles]

Okay, I made it through shot 2 but I feel like I have been run over several times by a mack truck.  Today is the worst yet.  I have been in the bathroom more than anywhere else this morning.  Yesterday was sleep, sleep and more sleep.  My headache was severe.  I couldn't eat I was so nauseated.  My husband did get some clear broth w/crackers in me and coaxed me to eat a very little ice cream.  He knows that's my favorite so he is trying anything to get me to eat.  Please pray for me Okie and all.  I am trying to hang in there and work but this is bad.  Really I don't mean to whine.  I know it is like this for a lot of us.  I am praying for you too!!

God bless and keep up the good fight!!

[OkieJim]

Being new to all this I don't feel right with giving advise. On this matter of having a date a month away and waiting for it to happen I can tell you about.  That was the worst part for me. Try not to think about it too much.  Start getting used to drinking water NOW!! it will help.  Try to get as many loose end that require hard physical labor do now. Know that we are here and want everything to go perfect for you. God be with you.

[jevs2]

I did third shot on friday am on 800mg Ribavirin as I am type 2.
Blood results today: WBC 3.4, Neutrophils 1.2, Hb 9.4, Platelets 123.
My gums are bleeding all day long. My doctor took more blood today and said that if results keep dropping will have to review treatment.
He has never heard of Procrit(I live in the UK) so I have just printed out all the info that I can find about it to show him on Monday.
I really do not want to stop treatment, I really want to beat this!
Best wishes,Joanna.

[myrtles]

You are so right!  I am fighting this battle to be able to live longer and spread the gospel longer!!  My husband and I were in a prison over the weekend and it was a blessing to take the Word of God to a hurting bunch of ladies.  They were blessed and so were we.  I can't imagine having to quit because of these meds.  I am determined to keep up the good fight.  Thank you for reminding me that Jesus is here.  I know that in my heart and to tell you the truth I am feeling better since I put my prayer request out to you guys and some others.  Prayer always works!!  I want to be a good witness to God's goodness and his mercy!!  I know that God will honor that desire too.  If you can, Okie, try some hot tea.  Ginger tea if you can get it.  That will help.  I just fixed me some too.  I will toast you and all those out there who are feeling it this morning.

Okie have you had any other sides?  I have a rash.  It is itching but not too bad.  My muscles ache too.  I know all of this is "normal" whatever that is.  I have started bruising too.  Really for no reason a bruise will pop up.

Any suggestions for these anyone?

[LvdByGod]

glad you succeeded in your 2nd shot and your okay okie...i just got my starting day put off until oct. 9th. i'm doing my base line blood test this week on tuesday. will see how much my viral load and ast and alt has gone up in one year. found out last year at this time and put off tx until now a year later.  that was stupido. anyway, i wonder what other people got checked for on there baselines? i'm getting checked for thiroid,alt,ast, and quantity of virus per iu. is there anything else i should be checked for. i hope they will do blood counts too but i'm not sure on that one.

[OkieJim]

I will continue praying.  GawLee I wish this wasn't so bad.  I have been not that well either if that helps.  I've been doing gaterade and water.  My wife wants to get me good food I just can't find a desire to pick one and then find out I can't eat it. That's not fair to her.  We are going to try some stew tonight.  Last night I went through what used to be a final battle on illness for me. High fever,sweats, and then it would be gone.  Not so now these meds are hard, but you know something myrtles, Jesus is with us. He will watch for us. He is listening and the final end path of all of this is to get better so we can spread his word for many years to come.  Don't forget that part.

[whybabe]

I used a humidifier (SP) in my bedroom and living room while on TX. It really HELPED (that's when mine was worse) at night with the dry hacky cough.  Drink clear jucies as well; they stay the body longer and add needed calories.  I had to dilute cranberry juice with water, however, cause the acid upset my stomach. Good luck and God Bless1
Deb

PS My period was very regular, very light and NO cramps while on TX.  I wish it was now??? And my sex drive was outragous. Wish it was now???
DEb

[shebee]

Way to Go....
You have survived your 2nd shot!

You'll do fine.  They do get easier after your body starts adjusting to them.

You're goin' make it,
Shebee

[mikesimon]

Wishing you the very best and congratulations for making it through. Mike

[meandhepc]

shot 55 yesterday, my LAST one next weekend!

Galen's last shot too!!  Can't wait!

Get my PCR in 2 weeks to see if I am still undetected,

cross your eyes and fingers for me!  Thanks!

[Tosser]

It's funny, how you hit a certain point, and then crave water constantly. Just like American Express, I never leave home without it. Somebody here suggested buying purified drinking water, as much as we consume, because we probably don't need all the extra minerals and trace chemicals that are commonly found in our water supply. The liver has to try to metabolize these things too. Otherwise, you probably should be at least taking some multi-vitamin w/o iron, and some extra anti-oxidents like vitamin E and C, that are easily washed out of your system.

Well, it sounds like everything's (sx) normal with you guys. I'm in week 11, and, although they come in waves, it's getting easier. Work is ten times harder than it use to be, and I still hurt all over most of the day, but other than that, things are okay.

I really enjoy reading everyones posts, and hope I don't get in the way here too much ;-) ...I'm just another victom of past poor decisions that got bit by the dragon and am going to get that sucker, with all your help. May you all get to feeling better soon! Thanks for being around.

Hey downthisroad...I am going on that trip, but forgive me, we aren't taking the kids this time. Our destination in January is one of the largest honeymoon resorts in the world, so I think we are going to just relax in the moonlight and play in the sun, and, well who knows what else, HE HE ! ...but I better go now and get some rest. I need to keep my strength up you know!
Tosser

[ked13]

After 1st month I was drinking up to 2 gallons water a day, too. But I found it was never enough. I got tired of peeing 4 times an hour (difficult at work) so I gave up and started drinking less water. I'm at 4th month and drinking several quarts a day. Haven't had my period in more than 3 months. Feeling very tired all the time. Taking Procrit, which has helped, but I'm still tired.

But, attitude is everything. Friends tell me I seem to be doing well.

But, when Riba rage kicks in I think I hate everyone.

[OkieJim]

I'm so glad to hear from you.  Yeh we are still movin' on. And yes we have a long ways to go.  I will be fighting with you the whole way.  I did get some things done this weekend after all.  It just took me soooooo looooong to do it. Other than the tired part the other side are bearable.  I have been running a fever last two days, and the bottom end has loosened up. I'm hoping for a good day tomorrow for all of us.  Myrtles has been quite this weekend I hope she is alright.  Keep up the good fight my prayers are with you all. God Bless Us All.

[TravisB]

I drank a gallon per day during TX so I agree that drinking a ton is important.  But I think you can do too much of a good thing even when it comes to drinking water.  You might want to ask your doctor what effect that much water has on your bladder and kidneys.  I'm no expert on these matters but it seems like a lot of water.  Best of luck to you in TX. Travis

[relentless]

Number 14 tonight.  Will get the results of load blood test next week.  Hoping for the best.  Sides OK so far.  Tired sometimes,  Headache sometimes.  Actually gained 5 lbs.  Excercise, yoga and play golf once or twice a week, but not enough energy to play well. Didn't have hair to start with so OK there.  Blood work shows low counts but not critically low.  I drink more than 2 gallons of water a day.  I pee every 15 minutes and 2 to 4 times in the middle of the night.  I believe that water is a major key to controling sides.  I carry a gallon thermos in the car every day.  Ast and Alt back to normal.  I am 1b, 5,000,000+ load, 50 years old and had Hep c for 30 years.  grade 3 , stage 3, no symptoms.  36 weeks to go.  Good luck to all

[giddyup]

Hey Okie,
I'm doing ok. I've been having leg pains but this was happening pre-tx. I've felt flashes of headaches But nothing that lasted too long. I've also been much more winded when I exert myself then I ever have. Seems like a ways to go. I'm hoping that Tx works for all of us. I suppose I'm a little susceptible to riba rage also .I guess the Lexapro will help me keep a couple of friends anyway ha ha. Keep fighting the good fight! Make hay while the sun shines or buy it when you need it.
                                      
                                       Giddy

Old Hippie Chick,
    
  Here are my stats for inclusion in my monographed Journal  
M,39,240lb,Type 1a, vl 2,400,000, 1.8 Pegasys, 1,200 riba,
Thank you for all your pleasant posts.
                                        Giddy

[latrobe]

near texarkoma lake...or ardmore or durante--home of largest peanut?? spent some time there. and in those hill that looked like potatoes...
seems to me the medication causes a gradual decline...it's not so much that any particular side gets worse...just a downhill slide...
and one day treatment ends and in the weeks at follow you begin to feel better.
best to you--fight.
macky

[seashell55]

Shot #24 done and out of the way. I'm 1/2 way there or 6 months completed whichever sounds the best.  Sides have been good.  This week I've been bothered by a cough.  It mostly hits me when I go to bed.  Restless nights still plague me.  But I really can't complain. I've missed no work, went on a two week vacation, and I'm still enjoying life.

I pray this coming week you'll recover some of the lost strength and you will have a great week.