Bet you have never heard this one!!!!!

[nikkihorseluvr]

Embarrassed to ask but no one else to get info from.  My hep. Dr. does not return calls, and when in the office he  has told me that most of my symptoms have nothing to do with the pegysus and the riba.i am at Iweek 28, 1200 riba and the usual predosed interferon.  The fatigue, nausea, flu like symptoms, cold like symptoms, headaches, have been incapicating.  Doc felt that the nausea, diahreah, aches did not need to be medicated, because they had nothing to do with the disease (Hep C....13,500,000 to start) or the meds.  The skin rashes,itching, and brain fog were also dismissed.  He does not wish to order any rescue drugs either.  I cannot change doctors.  His job is to keep the insurance companies happy, and spend little.  I pay for all injectibles myself.  To the problem......I have severe constipation.  I am keeping the prune juice companies in business.  Nothing seems to work.  I know that if I call the doc, or call, he will simply blow up at me again.  Any suggestions?  I NEVER had this symptom before, but this has gone on for 3 months.   I watch my diet, but this is a side that I cannot deal with,  Thanks.

[GrandOak]

Find a new doc or ask this one to simply read the Product Insert for the meds to see what they have to say.

[nikkihorseluvr]

Oh, I did ask him to read the inserts.  That is when he blew up.  I have no other choice with doctors.  He is the only board certified  hep in this area.

[painterlady13]

I agree with Grand you really need to make your doctor read about the true side effects of both Riba and IFN.  Everything you are talking about sounds like it is TX related. Sometimes Docs just don't understand... My Doc minimized the Sides and when I started haveing the worst ones he was like "wow most don't have all that"  I am lucky though as he does believe in Rescue drugs and prescribed Procrit when HGB went to 10. His clinical Co-ordinator couldn't believe how informed I was about what to expect and when... Thanks to this forum I knew what to ask and what to lok for early on....

[nikkihorseluvr]

I have talked with my doc and his idiot partner.  They will not even write down my symptoms.  I am told to go to another doc, such as an oncologist.  This is all to keep the medical industry from any one doc spending too much $$$$$ with the insurance companies.  I have even faxed drug inserts.  That goes over well!!!!!!!

[Myown]

I have the constipation problem and not even tx yet,,I found helpful "psyllium whole husks" by yerba prima,,all natural. I put the tablespoon in a about an ounce of juice and follow up with 8oz glass of water. It says you can take it 3 times a day. Also if you boil water and squeeze lemon into it and sip on that, it helps alot. Try an extra cup before you go to bed, seems to help.There is also an herbal tea, smooth move. i've read some drink that on tx, but maybe you would want to ask your doctor first or maybe one of the members that have used it will jump in and offer info about the tea.

Hope the psyllium and lemon water helps. Doctors don't always help us the way we would like them to. Very frustrating.

Hope things get better soon.

[chcnme]

You're kidding, right?  You're on week 28, and your doc has been dismissing all your symptoms and now won't prescribe anything for your constipation, either?  What an a**hole of a doc.  Why don't you tell him to get on-line and come here so I can tell him he's an a**hole.  Are you drinking enough water?  Like -- you need to be drinking a LOT of water, OK?  Constipation can be bad business for you.  Ask him if he or his nurse wants to disimpact you on your next visit.  I'm serious.  Since your constipation can be helped, tell him to get off his arrogant a** and do something for you.  Well, maybe not - on second thought. He could tell you to get lost if you get too crappy with him, no pun intended.  If you can't change docs, maybe you can have someone accompany you to your next visit and have a heart to heart with the a**hole.  If you're taking any anti-depressants or pain meds, they can constipate badly sometimes.  Inactivity  (which you probably have because you feel like dog doo) can also also contribute to constipation.  Increase the fiber in your diet.  Eat a lot of celery (bunches of it.) Green veg's, apples, lotta fruit.  Oatmeal - eat the hell outta some oatmeal, too, and drink a lot of water with it.  Walk if you can.  Get those bowels moving!  I feel for you.  I hope it gets better.  Can you go to your regular doc to get help for the constipation?  If not, I hope whatever you do it'll start getting.

[nikkihorseluvr]

Thanks.  I have to get some psyllium for my horses anyway. LOL I have taken my poor husband in with me...........doc does not like that either.  I cannot afford to get "fired" by an arrogant banty rooster, who has stumbled into a gold mine late in life with Hep C.  I am new to CO., and have now been told that if "you want to live" go to Denver!  These little medical fifedoms in Colorado Springs are lousy, and they share with each other.  I cannot get really nasty, much as I would like to.  Most of the docs here are former military, salute please!!!!!!, or assume that their clients are silently dit there and assume MD means medical diety.  For after treatment, I will go to Denver.Thanks all

[Kalio1]

I agree with chcnme. Your doc sounds like a real jerk! What is his problem?? Can ou go to a regular doctor and get him to address your problems? You sound like you need help with the constipation and some pain meds. for all the pain you are having.

There must be a doctor you could drive to see, I'd either see a new primary nearby and try to get help or I'd travel so I could get a REAL doctor who can address the REAL needs of his patient.

Poor you! This tx is bad enough without having such a complete moron for a doctor, you really have it rough.

Try the suggestions chcnme made, they are all very good ideas and hopefully will work. Otherwise, like he says, you might end up with a bowel impaction so try these remedies right away. Bowel impaction is no fun.

[mkeela]

Hey Nikki, I understand. My doc is an a** too, not to mention a quack, and is the only one in this area. It is so spooky sometimes and I myself get very scared (bieng in such poor care, and knowing better myself). BUT...I am tooooooo grateful to be treating right now and have reached UND by bDNA <615. You wouldn't beleive this but my doc won't even give me a more sensitive PRC. He's so "backwoods" that he said I needed to enlighten him about what a <5,<10,<50, test is. HA! Anyways, if you can, try and find another doc, and/or do what I am doing and really USE a normal MD that will listen to you "on the side". So far from the way it looks, my normal MD will give me a more sensitive PCR around the end of tx since my Hep doc won't. He would have prescibed AD's for me too, but it is so late in tx that by the time they do anything for me, it'll be all over with (I hope,w/fingies crossed) Anyways, GOOD LUCK and remember to be thankful for treating anyways (if you can). Blessings to ya, Mkeela

[DragonSlayer45]

You really need to go see another doctor, even if you have to travel far. I have the paperwork for 2 different trials from my doctor and in the paperwork from the manufacturer's of the drugs, it clearly states all the sides, which you are experiencing. They spell it out in no uncertain terms what you may experience from the drugs. Some doctors feel that because they went to school and have a degree that they are a god or something. Thankfully my doctor is not like that, he encourages me to research. Nikki, this is your body not his, do yourself a favor and try to find someone else. There are many doctors who still think that a lot of symptoms from Hep C are psycosomatic. Let alone the sides from the meds. I do not know your situation, I am guessing you must be in a rural area where hepatologists and gastroenterologists are limited. If you can not find a good hepatologist go see a gastro. The bottom line is that all of the symptoms you described can indeed be attributed to the meds.

[friole]

Nikki, listen to me.  I didn't go to another doctor because I would have to travel.  My doctor was not dismissive about my side effects but didn't treat any of them - he told me to go to a my regular doctor for them, so I quit telling him my symptoms.  If your doc said to go to an oncologist for symptoms, maybe you can.  In my town oncologists and hemotologists are together - my hemotologist is, in fact, and oncologist too, and they were very helpful.

The bottom line is that I relapsed and now am going to see a doctor out of town - in Dallas - 350 mi away. Now I am wishing I did this at week 12.  In the long run, going out of town would have been the cost effective thing to do and I wish I had.  Colorado Springs just isn't that far from Denver anyway.

[cuteus]

your PCP should be able to address the things your hep dr doesn't.  I got my pain killers from my primary, as well as some other meds.  My hep dr only did the tx meds and the Procrit.  Speak with your internist.

[Eisbein]

Go to any pharmacy, drugstore, or supermarket, and buy a stool softener, they go under the name "Colace".
Take 2 at bedtime, and continue taking them, even after bowels have returned to normal...maybe you can drop down to one though.
They are completely harmless, and can be taken indefinately, and won't interfere with your meds in no shape or form.
They take a few days to work.
You can also buy over the counter Dulcolax, and follow directions on the bottle. That stuff works, but will probably give you some cramps. Not a good idea to use it on a daily basis...but good to get things moving, and then follow up with the Colace.
Sorry you have a jerk doc, you got lots of company here.

Ina

[pigeonca]

Threaten to sue the jerk.

[copyman]

take enzymes before any cooked foods and drink "get regular" tea before bed ( both available at health food stores). and there is something availble at drugstore chains called "disgestive advantage" for constipation.

PS, your doc sounds like a real D..K head and being a GI should know that the bowels are directly related to the liver.

[SJL]

Nikki,
The first Doctor I went to was like that. He had never heard of any of the sides I was experiencing? I wasted 48 weeks with him, only because I knew nothing of the disease, and panicked when I first found out that I carried the disease. I laid off from meds for 6 mths., studying & researching drugs & Doctors. rhe first Doctor was a Gasrro, and I really do not think they follow the disease enough to know much about it! My Doctor now, is a Hepatologist & he is wonderful. The difference in treatment is undescribable. I drive 250 mi. round trip, but boy is it worth it. Please find a Hepatologist that you can go to, you will be doing yourself a huge favor.
Good Luck,
Sandy
P.S. My daughter lives in Longmont, Co., & if you would like I could have her research in your area. She has been a Godsend to me.

[bnowik]

APPLE JUICE,  COUNTS AS CLEAR LIQUID YOU SHOULD HAVE ANYWAY.
DUE TO ANEMIA I AM ON VERY HIGH DOSE OF IRON, WHICH CLOGS MY PIPES UP EVEN WORSE THAN BEFORE.  I DRINK APPLE JUICE AT LEAST ONE BEFORE BED AND ONE MORNING, AND MY NEW FAVORITE MEAL ADULT TYPE CEREAL.

[sfbaygirl]

I agree with Eisbien, the stool softeners work wonders. I take them fairly often and have great luck...Now the Ducolax I have tried and regretted. This was after my last child and I ended up crawling to the bathroom...I may have taken to much! The stool softeners work quickly for me and you can take up to five.

Go to the Oncologist/Hemotologist if your blood counts are low, otherwise my PCP covers many of my sx. My GI is useless too.

[B-bunch]

Hi Nikki,
I used to live in Denver. One of the best Hepatologists in the U.S. lives and works there, out of the University of Colorado in Denver. His name is Dr. Gregory Everson, he is the Director of Hepatology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Try this number at the Kern Liver Disease Research Foundation in Denver, they probably have his number ->303.750.5509  or call The University of Colorado Health Services Center -> and ask for his office, tell them you are a HepC sufferer and they should push your call right along through.
Health Sciences Center
4200 E. Ninth Ave.
Denver, CO 80262
[phone]

U of Colorado Health Services Center website->
http://www.uchsc.edu/gastro/1_faculty/h_Everson.php

Dr. Everson wrote a book which has become my main resource, it's VERY informative and was just updated to the 4th edition in April of this year. You can get it on Amazon.com
'Living with Hepatitis C: A Survivor's Guide', Fourth Edition by Dr. Gregory Everson

Also check out the HepC Connection in Denver 303.860.0800
http://www.hepc-connection.org/
This person should be able to give you other Doctors available in Colorado Springs
[e-mail].

[l-horn]

Get you some benefiber, 3 or 4 tablespoons a day, and I'll bet it will help. It dissolves completely so you can put it in water or any other liquid or even food. It's not like the old fiber that is gritty. Well worth it. I've had no gastro probs so far. I'm in week 13.

[compulsive]

it is embarassing.  and doctors really don't seem to understand just how uncomfortable it is.  All this advice sounds exactly like what I was told.  If you have had this problem for quite some time I would strongly suggest you be very careful about things like fiber and ducolax - if you try those and you have a blockage you will become VERY uncomfortable and a trip to the emergency room WOULD be in order.  Even if you don't have a blockage if you are backed up and suddennly add a whole bunch of fiber - you will get very gassy and unconfortable (Well actually gas pains that REALLY hurt).  I suggest adding the fiber gradually to your diet. the COLACE is an excellent suggestion.  GOOD luck!

[illo]

I'm on Alinia and that causes constipation. I used to go 3 x's a day.  I didn't want to put another drug in my system for my liver to contend with, so I have a great response using Mag O7 along with Dr Joel's herbal bowel formula.  Both harmless to the liver.  Mag O7 is an oxygenated form or magnesium and is very good for the liver.  Constipation gone!  You need to get the toxins out no matter what HCV protocol you're on.  Enemas are good, too.  Allopathic docs don't know much about helpful herbs.  It's too bad.
Put fiber in your drinks, and not the psyllium kind that absorbs water, flax would be better.  Renew Life and Garden of Life makes the kind that doesn't absorb water as much.  I think it's 70% straight fiber from flax and 30% absorbable fiber.

I didn't look for the cheapest price, but here's what the bottle looks like for Mag O7.
http://www.aerobiclife.com/products/mag_07.htm

You can get the bowel balance at ***@****
http://www.askbarefootherbalistmh.com/

The bowel balance helps the walls of the intestines to contract naturally.  My 86 year old mom has been using this product for 2 years now, and loves it.

Hope this helps.

[cajunlady]

You have an absolute jerk for a doctor, if you want to call him that, and then a specialist to boot.  I don't think so.  I would take someone with me on my next visit let that person carry a really good range tape recorder and go with the questions (no matter how pissed off he gets. Have your disscussion, battle or what ever about the matter. If the a hole is like you say, he won't change and be just as arrogant.  After the conversation and visit, leave the office.  Once you are out of the door, get a second professional opinion on that tape (copy).  Then call your doctors office and let him know you have just taped his last arrogant, non-helpful conversation and you would like him to treat you like the patient and human being you are and to get educated before he treats such a serious disease with serious sides.
Tell him the next time he thinks he perfect, try walking on water.  This doctor, in my opinion should not have his license to pratice.  What a JERK.

Just my thoughts on what I would do. And then maybe he/she can pay for you to see another doctor and the expenses of travel in the long run.

I am just the kind of person that does not play with a holes, and if I can, I will be more than ready to take you down.

Good Luck,
Cajun