Clarification to Prior question

The point of my question is to determine if I am suffering from an overtaxed liver as a result of a poor diet.  I am trying to find out the Cause.
It seems to me that the immune system is performing its function by attacking an already inflamed organ.  (I assume this because the WBC is normal in all my flareups initially.  When the liver is left untreated, then the WBC begins to rise, perhaps indicating an activation of the immune system?)
Pleaseadvise.
Thank you.

[Sam Hall]

You only need to post your question once really. if no-one has responded it maye that current users dont believe that they are qualified(like me)or that your question is at the wrong place. this is usally populated by people with hep c.
SH
Ktroll mmmm not the best name for internet forums but there ya go!

[cuteus]

it is not necessary for you to post a question each time you have a concern. This forum has limited amount of questions daily and it is perfectly fine for you to add on to your original post. That will keep the other slots open for new questions.

I also hope that you are aware that this forum is a patient to patient board and there are no MDs to advice you.

Some members here have a little knowledge of sites you can visit for a more detailed explanation of your concerns. There are a few that check in that also have AI, but they are not around on a daily basis, it seems.
best to you

[Lucky Lou]

Being as we probably do not need three threads for this question I was waiting for this type of situation do ask a question and not use up a thread.

Ok, I did my BX and I am going in on Sept 16 to get the results and to see all my blood work and decide on the treatment going forward.I already am going with Pegasys and Riba. I have a basic idea of what I am looking for and have researched the sites and what not. But yielding to my esteemed colleagues with hands on experience, what am I looking for, asking, and demanding (in the nicest way of course) at that meeting? I am geno 2b, VL 8.5 Mill, I am 46, male and I look like a million bucks! (Green and wrinkled! Hey! watch out!) Just kidding, more like a buck two fifty. So what do you think? Oh by the way, what amounts of Peg and Riba do I want. Peg is pre measured and not wieght based, yes? How much riba and how often..Oh yeah, I know we are no doctors..YAda Yada Yada

LOU

[jonihs]

I was 2b and did Pegasys and Copegus (riba). Because of my weight (125) and geno, I only did 800 riba. Only w/ 2's and 3's is riba weight based. The Peg will be 180. Always the same for everyone. The only thing I would ask for, that Doctors don't normally do, is have a 4 week PCR. Most 2's clear by then, but if you haven't, you need to think about extending. Thats only my opinion, by the way. I cleared by 4 and am still neg. at 3 months post.  Joni

[tina-b]

I'm glad you made it through the bx.

How are you getting along since the bx?

Peg-intron and Rebetol are made by one company and are prescribed together and Pegasys and Co-Pagasys are made by another company and used together. The Rebatol is tx on a weight basis. Good luck to you!

[TnHepGuy_]

If you are on Pegasys, there is no weight-based dosing. It comes in one-size-fits-all .... 180mcg.

The general rule on riba is to multiply your weight * 6.25 to give you the amount of riba that is called for. For example, when I started tx I weighed 185 lbs. So, 185 * 6.25 = 1,156.25. Round that up to 1,200 - and that's the dosage of riba I'm on.


Some things to ask:

- make sure that they prescribe Neupogen and Procrit and will put you on them (if need be) BEFORE any dosage reductions. (Also, contact your insurance company to find out about coverage of those two meds - and your pharmacy to find out availability).

- find out how often you will be having blood work done - and how you will be informed of your results (phone, fax, mail, office visit, etc.).

- what type of sleep aid(s) they prescribe?

- at what weeks during tx you will have your viral load testing done? (push for your first one to be no later than week #4. Geno 2's tend to clear sooner - and an earlier PCR can confirm or deny that).

- if they would consider doing extended tx, should that ever become a consideration?

- who will be monitoring you during the course of tx - a nurse, nurse paractioner, physician's assistant or doctor?

- will you be having a pre-tx eye exam done?

- will you be having a pre-tx depression evaluation done? And what meds do they rx for depression? for anxiety?



TnHepGuy

[annainitaly]

I am a little confused k, how was your problem diagnosed ? I have autoimmune hep and the docs made the definitive diagnose only after a biopsy and specific blood tests to measure not only lymphocithes but also special antibodies that are typical (AMA, ANA, ASMA... - you don't have autoimmune disease if you are negative there).
my diagnosis track started eight years ago from an initial routine blood check that showed liver enzymes like an alcoholic's. like you, I didn't have a perfect diet at the time, ate a lot of chocolate and drank one beer in the evening, so the hep recommended to clear beer and chocolate and repeat my blood test two months later: they were worse than before. together with some other symptoms (especially ITCHING) he was already suspecting an autoimmune problem, which was then confirmed by the biopsy.  have you had a biopsy done ? it is the only sure tool as far as I know. I have never heard about the hypothesis you are suggesting. here in Europe, some people made the hypothesis that a sensitive body may respond with an autoimmune disease to vaccines. this could be an explanation to the fact that autoimmune diseases have become more common after vaccinations have become compulsory. another hypothesis I've heard is that it might be a response to some viral infection that hasn't been discovered/recognized yet.
in any case, I am now trying to be a conscious eater. even if a bad diet insn't the cause, it doesn't help a troubled liver of course.

now please let me answer a couple questions:
- how do you know about your flareups? by blood tests? jaundice? other symptoms?.
- like you, I am also treating with 37 mg/day prednisone (I weigh 50 kgs), plus ursodesossicholic acid 600 mg/day to thinner my bile, and azatioprine 100 mg/day). I have begun prednisone and azatioprine very recently, and I am asking around for advice about how I can help contain their side effects. are you doing something particular ? my doc added a homeopathic compos

[BNR]

NM283: New treatment on the horizon??  Perhaps this has already been posted and I missed it.  Anyway, has anyone heard of this?

http://www.hepatitisneighborhood.com/content/in_the_news/archive_2035.aspx

[Lucky Lou]

Anna, quick question: I am wondering how the Italians are reacting to the taking hostage of the two young ladies today in Iraq.

LOU

[genedog]

hey big dog i go sept 28 for bx news.

[sher_]

Is this yet another plug?

[Lucky Lou]

FYI. I just want to say that until just now I had not read all the threads recently posted here at MH. In so far as  the my forum is concerned I just want you all to know I do not collect data or info or any of the other silly things. Believe it or not, I have a life!(an odd one yes,but I got one!) No one has to register or any of that, unless it is with Delphi. The forum is

[ringeding]

hey there Lou....just wanted to say sorry you were caught in crossfire...i think what you have done and established over there is wonderful, honourable, needed and valueable.  i am guilty of loyalty and an split second reaction to defend friends.  i do not for a second regret defending my friends OR FRIEND, ONE INPARTICULAR, SHER.(last evening after a distressed call from her)..and never will, and would do so again in a heartbeat.  i am deeply sorry that you were indirectly affected.  i do not believe your motives for the other site are ANYTHING but PURE...thats my opinion.  you are a joy, a breath of fresh air and a great asset.  my thoughts and feelings were and are protective in instinct and nature...period.....nothing to do with you.  from the bottom of my heart i regret that things got weird and bent outta shape...it happens in cyberspace....that lack of physical contact to view body language and tone of voice are often and easily mis constuded....i have been quilty of this in the past as well as others....but wish nothing for but the best for you and others here, even the ones i don't always see eye to eye with always...i do tend to fly off....and am accountable for that and can be hot headed.....please know that many mnay mnay value you and what your main objective and primary mission statement stands for...i expect good things from you...and know we can look forward to more to come...best of wishes

peace
kimmy

kimmy

[Lucky Lou]

Tina/thanks no problems with Bx or any after affects. I relaxed for three days and then right back in the game! Thanks for asking.

TnHepMan..Wow thanks man. That is exactly what I was looking for. The procrit I understand takes two weeks to work. I have hemo of 15 right now. I had mentioned to my doctor about the procrit and he remarked something like "well we'll see if you need it" Sorry doc, not good enough. If the Pcr is every month and then two weeks to begin being effective, then we are a minimum of 6 weeks in to TX before we correct the situation. After doing some research on this and reading the stories, I truly believe that this is one of the main reasons the so many suffer fatigue on TX as well as other problems. Do you know anything about the amounts of Procrit/Neupeguen , that should be taken? Is there a formula similar to the Riba?

I asked about the eye test and also a bone density test and he just said it wasn

[TnHepGuy_]

For those that are rx'ed Procrit, they usually do one shot of it per week.

For those that are rx'ed Neupogen, it can vary greatly - from only an occasional shot as needed, to once every two weeks, to once every week - up to three times per week. It all depends on the WBC and/or ANC results - and a particular doctor's way of dealing with them.


TnHepGuy

[Fubarcat]

I started on Procrit at about week 16.  It took that long for my blood count to drop to where I needed it.  I took it every week for about 6 weeks.  My blood counts came back up to normal.  Then, on my own, dropped back to taking it every two weeks and now only take it once a month.  In fact, I may not even take it any more.  One:  I don't like taking more meds than I need and my blood counts are normal so why take it and Two:  I am a sissy and I think that stuff hurts like hell when injecting it.  I'm sure MD will give me a fit about self-adjusting my meds when I see him in a couple weeks, but it's my body, my decision on the Procrit.

[Lucky Lou]

Ok, understood. By the way I have have taken the other points in your earlier post to heart as well. I am all over it. Thanks a lot.

Kimmy: Accepted..Forget it.water off a duck's butt. I am spending the rest in my life in the futre, lets focus on that.

Fubar; Hey I'm a sissy too!!!!Chew know what I'm saying!

Thanks everyone. Make it a great frinkin day! It beats the alternative!!!!!!

Oblivious Funk III

[Lucky Lou]

Wow! A big slopy kiss..Oh I'll be back after that! Thanks
LOU

[Lucky Lou]

Thank you Amerabrit  for your kind words. Yes I understand completely about the letting HVC get to ingrained into our lives. I am very regimental about not allowing things like that to happen. I recently saw a great interview with Steve Wynn, the casino tycoon. He has a degenerative eye disease and is going blind. His attitude towards his disease was similar and totally incredible. He stated that the key for him was to

[Amerabrit]

I am really happy for you and others that you have created what sounds like a fun site.  The only reasons I haven't registered is that 1. I honestly don't have time, I can't keep up with every post here on Medhelp evidenced by the fact that I missed the post that prompted your response in this thread! and 2. HCV doesn't define me, it's a small part of who I am and I resist allowing it to control every aspect of my life; one site is enough for me.  Right now, tx makes HCV a daily occurrence in my life for obvious sx reasons, but also because every day my husband, business partner, friends & family ask me first how I am feeling before discussing "normal" things!  You are probably finding that it can be so easy to allow HCV to dominate our lives and I want to live as "normal" for me, a life as I possibly can.   Lou, you just can't please everyone all of the time so have as much fun as possible and surround yourself with people who will encourage you, support you and care for you while on TX.   Your posts are always filled with humour, candor and insight, you often make me smile, if not LOL, so please don't disappear completely..
I wish you the best of luck with your biopsy results, here's hoping for no liver damage:).
Have a great day!

[ringeding]

HEY LOU...THANK YOU DEAR.....

CHEV.....SLOPPY HUGS AND KISSES GIRLIE