ANOTHER UPDATE

[DH Bill]

Got a voice mail from nurse late yesterday, she said "have really good news for you and I'm still working on the other thing. Will call you on your cell" Well since I haven't heard back yet nor am I going to waste my time calling THEM they get upset unless I use voice mail line and I'm pretty good at cutting off my nose to spite my face here goes.... I'm going to assume (makes an ass out of you and me)that the good news is I'm undetectable at 24 weeks and the other is they haven't resolved anything with the insurance co. yet. As some of you may have picked up on by my questions lately I am no longer on effexor. After much thought and soul searching I decided to wean off the stuff as I really felt it was not right thing for me. I had been advised to start it before tx which I did but had no history of depression. Took 2 weeks decreasing 150mg dose and went cold turkey last Saturday. I believe it was the right decision FOR ME ONLY just my blood pressure has went from the 140's to below 120's were it used to be before the effexor and I am feeling better everyday it has been harsh at times. Had my "finest reba moment" yesterday just ask my wife and watch for the broken glass that may still be in the kitchen. I think it may have did me good to cry for the first time in years. My relationship with docs office is down to zilch or I would asked first. So kids DONT TRY THIS AT HOME!  No one ever told me I had much brains to race a bicycle down a mountain at 50 + mph but I do believe I made the right decision. Knowing what I know now I would not have started AD unless I had too.

[harley dude]

PS- I have a question- I've been lucky with side, not much to talk about, your usauall fatigue, that is probably everyones biggest side, I do have one side that bothers me and it is my tongue burning when I eat or drink, it actually just tastes like the food or drink is overspiced but it's not- does anyone else have this and is there something I can do?- Thank's -- HD

[scruffy]

Way to go! I was lucky enough to get a good hep doc from the begginning and believe it's important to have someone helping and not screwing up your treatment.You will do well I believe cause you make the effort.

[britgirl]

I'm sorry that you are feeling like this; for me too, the last few weeks were the worst. The cold weather doesn't help, either. My way of getting over tx and drawing a line under the experience was to leave the country immediately, and I went on holiday for 2 weeks in Portugal as soon as I'd finished. I know you have a daughter in school and a job and this may not be possible but some kind of break is a really good idea. Maybe for Easter? Life does get good again, Joanna. Doing treatment was one of the best decisions I ever made. Try not to let it get you down at this late stage.

[lackalustre]

dh:  i have concerns about effexor and some of the newer AD's.  my dr. wanted me to go on effexor because i tried many AD's years ago and they all made me sick.  he said effexor works well for people who cant take other AD's because it does two things instead of just one to the brain.    well i went to an effexor web site and the comments made by people who wean off it scared me.  i never tried it.  i did take a low dose of trazadone during tx. and still take very low dose.  it seemed to keep me from the blue, sad, or crying mode.  but  still had bad thoughts.   anything would trigger me.    i think the weaning off AD's (especially the newer ones) side effects can be confusing for people also ending their treatment. whats causing what when we use so many drugs??

joanna:  the end of treatment was the hardest for me.   my family was afraid i was going to quit so close to the end.  i felt bad, bad, and more bad.   just continue slogging thru and get thru each day.  find something each day to fix on in a positive way if possible. but dont quit.  a special prayer for u.....

[harley dude]

My Doc started me on AD's before tx because lots of people on this forum had told me I should get on them, so I did and been on them, my question is what if you are on them but actually don't need them them. How will your sytstem react to them, will they make you feel better than you should or just not do anything, I'm on paxil, not really knowing if I need them or not- I'll probably be on them a year- will it be hard to come off of paxil, and how long- and if I'm on paxil and really don't need them, is it going to harm my system or what type of sides should I be looking for. You get so many sides from the riba and interf., how and the heck would you know what sides are coming from what med.-- HD

[eyehavegr8life]

Thanks for the cheers! It's been scarey enough learning about having HepC in Dec and then to have a medical Dr and staff just treat me like "****". I couldn't believe they lied about submitting a request for a biopsy? Thank goodness I have a compassionate woman that does the referrals in my primary care dr office that was willing to listen to me and do her own follow up in my behalf. Shes the one that told me about writting a request for the 2nd opinion, then I did the footwork on if they accepted my HMO outside of the group plan, and how to write what needed to be stated. I found out today my appt with the NEW Hepatologist won't be until Mar 16 but...It's all good! At least when I do see him,I'll be in good hands with a "top expert" in the field. This gives me alot of "Peace of mind." It's funny, I usually hate going to the doctors, now I can't wait so I can move forward with whatever lies ahead! I wish everyone here well and SVR!!!!
Positive thoughts your way, Annette