Comments by revenire on Natural Treatment

[GettingWell]

revenire:
I thought that we could keep our exchange of views constructive.
To refer me to some silly S&M site's comments on Lloyd Wright's book was not exactly helpful. And some medical treatments and discoveries do not come from Doctors at all. (Lorenzo's Oil comes to mind). Intellect does not require a degree.
The article I read from Pam Anderson stated that she is now taking something her holistic Dr. prepared for her. I don't think that is Lloyd. He does not claim to be a doctor, just someone that cured himself. I think Pammy suffers from celebrity anyway.
Since you are handy with links why did you bother to put up two silly links, but not anything to back up your assertion that there is "abundant" literature on natural treatments being so damaging?
C'mon, let's see the headlines, "Milk Thistle drives person to suicide!", "Live Cell Thymus shown to cause birth defects!", Large doses of Vitamin C found to cause excessive Ozone!", "Vitamin B ate my family!", "Reishi tea found as the true UniBomber".
OK, there, now I feel better!

[jonihs]

There was alot of info in the kansas city Star, however what it said about the VA being so good, go to hepatitisdoctor.com and find out the REAL facts about vets there.    Joni

[doll face]

The doc told me to cut th riba to 800mg for a month to give the procrit a chance to start working.I am not due in for blood work for another 4 weeks but after your post I will go in after two weeks and have them test. I really do not want to cut the riba at all. I have gone this long with 1000mg and now on procrit I shouldn't have to cut it down at all, (isn't that why I am on procrit so I can continue tx)Maybe I will make that phone call tomorrow after all. Thanks Kim

[berlynn]

Thanks to you guys, I'm making a giant list of things to talk to my dr. about next week...Vaccs for A and B, changing or uping my anti, something to help me sleep, ( although that will probably cut down on my compu time, since I'm usually posting after midnight) Do I really need those Neupogen shots as reccommended by the ER, or can I try folic acid..... **or anything instead of more shots**..... and last but not least, can I please have copies of all of my lab work- from the beginning? I'm tired of being a passive participant in this disease.    

Y'all have spurned me on to be more proactive.  

Does anyone have any suggestions if there is something important that I'm too green to know that I need to know?

Any thoughts on accupuncture as a compliment to Tx????

Thanx all,    berlynn

[MajNeni]

If you are on Procrit and on reduced Riba @800 for a MONTH, how often is your doc checking your blood counts?  I think you should have weekly CBC.  Your doc can order these at any convenient lab, or through their office.  If you feel increased signs of anemia, you should be checked sooner; if your red count bounces back up, maybe you can go back toward regular Riba dose and off Procrit.  Changes can happen relatively radically, and the ones lowering Hematocrit and Hemoglobin can have serious consequences.

Using Procrit for HCV-TX related anemia is still "off-label", i.e. not approved by the F.D.A..  The package inserts with Procrit do not refer to this use, although clinical practice among GI's and Hepatologists is supporting the practice more and more.  (For example, see reports for various conferences, incl. NIH Consensus Conference on HCV, June 2002)

Note that Ribavirin kills off (hemolyzes) red blood cells before their time, causing the anemia.  This is different from anemias caused by deficiencies of iron, folic acit or Vitamin B-12.

Maj Neni

[berlynn]

I just got a chance to peek back in and see how everyone is doing. I'm on 225mg right now,maybe I should take the advice OHC gave you and check into another. There is already enough crazy things going on with my body now though so I'm a little afraid to upset the applecart:)  Thanks, berlynn

OHC, just checked out your web page, extremely happy with trying to sort out who is who and especially with seeing who tends to be successful with SVR.  Thanks,   berlynn

[MajNeni]

Just when you had me seeing those zucchinis and carrots in a neat row...
I'm spending lots of time relaxing now, too.  I think the shorter (got it right that time) days don't help.  
Hang in there!  We like the days when you go out riding better.
Maj Neni

[DH Bill]

I feel the same way about the applecart but I agree maybe more is not the solution.
Does anyone out there now how this affects us if we start a new AD. Does it take weeks to get it going again? Do you taper off the other one???????? I don't think the effexor is doing much right now but I know if I quit I probably would commit road rage or something or get depressed and do something stupid. I know a lot of you have been down this road so anti up.
Thanks Bill

[oldhippiechick67]

eeeerrrrrr dah, "going to go lay down and veg out" is what I meant.  DH Bill, sorry to hear also you have been FOYB. Hugs and hope you are better soon.  OHC

[oldhippiechick67]

maybe your doc should try another kind of AD.  Good luck to you too.  Seems a lot of depression is going around lately.  Maybe something to do with the planets, lol, ya never kno.  Take care and I am going to go lay down a veg out awhile!

[DH Bill]

I'm asking my doc to up my effexor or something else on Thursday. I started at 75mg, 150mg now. I feel as if I'm on none right now. Outbursts and feeling down.

[doll face]

just an update for your records. I just finished week 20 and I am starting procrit this week. Keep up the good work on your website. I have to cut the riba to 800mg a day for a month.

[berlynn]

When I read back over what I had written I realized what a BABY I sounded like, sorry. I gave myself shot 22 tonight. Almost halfway there but I guess I'm letting all of this get to me. Maybe I should ask the Doc to up my effexor when I'm asking for the SHOTS. Thanks for the kind words.  berlynn

[DH Bill]

??????????????????????? North America as in the 48 states. I just read of 85 people getting sick from hep A at a restaurant near here, 1 died. It seems it is common in North America. Please clarify. My doc said if I got A I could easily die.

[jamit_a]

I will, I will, I will,

Thanks for the concern!

Jamit_a

[mbaez1953]

Sorry to break in hear did not want to start new tread.
I would like to ask a question that is concerning me, I went
to see my eye doctor for a follow up saw him three months
ago at the time he found I had white specs in the back of my eyes, now he says I have a few hemorrhages  and referred me too a retinal specialist says he does not think at this point I should stop my TX is he correct or should I stop, my vision
has not been affected it is the same as last check up. should
I be concerned has any one had this experience. I am on wk 25 and still waiting for my pcr results hoping to hear undetectable thanks for any help Morgan

[berlynn]

Hi, first of all, thank you for the personal info about Indy. I sure do miss it there, tall green trees, fresh corn on the cob(what we get here is not fit for feed) and fried green tomatoes. I'm sorry to say tx has not alleviated my appetite. Sounds like I'm obsessed with food. It sounds like you have a wonderful supportive family. My parents are comming from Indy to visit after New Years, I can't wait. I have only been peeking in lately and not taking time to comment. Things have been an emotional rollercoaster for me here lately. I really am jealous of those of you who have supportive spouses. Thank goodness for my 20 and 23 yr. old daughters. My husband of 6 years is completely overwhelmed. First he marries for the first time at age 40. And to a woman with 3 kids.  Before he knows it, he is a grandfather, and then he finds out that his wife has to battle the dragon.  Needless to say, he prefers to pretend this isn't really happening. Makes it hard when I could use a hug and someone to tell me that everything will be OK. Oh well.

My GI never said anything about Hep A and B shots, should I check into it allthough I'm 21/48????

Thinking of hayrides and weenie roasts, berlynn

[DH Bill]

Don't feel alone not all of us have such supportive spouses. I really think the only people who can understand all of this is those going or gone through it just like I will never understand how being pregnant feels like. That is why this site is so special. I've made up my mind that I'm the only one that will get me to the end but that is just my makeup.

[odessit]

My DR recommended finishing tx first, then get vaccinated.
Hep A is a risk, but not in North America...

[Indiana]

GET THE SHOTS! Contracting either one of those with Hcv and while on tx can be a death sentence. At the very least you would be taken off your tx when you arrived at the hospital for a lengthy stay. There is absolutely NO good reason that anyone should not be protected from those diseases. It's just too easy to be vaccinated and so prevent it.
Dammit...Jammit....get those shots!  Hahahahahahaha

[berlynn]

Thanks for the support. Finding this site a couple of weeks ago has been wonderful. When I read that others have the same sides and experiences as me, I don't feel sooooo alone. Plus there are sooo many knowledgeable and caring people on this site. I don't blame my husband, he truly did'nt understand what he got himself into. I have always been the type of person to take on whatever happens and deal with it. I compound my worries by trying to help my children and friends through their worries. But that is the type of person I am and I doubt that I'll change. Being a Leo and a mother, I mother everyone around me. I wish my husband could understand and talk to me about this, but he's scared and I can't blame him. I'm scared too, but I'm used to making lemon-aide out of lemons. Thank God there are people like you, Layla, Indiana, Galen, willing and the many others who  answer question and offer support, these are my e-hugs.    berlynn

I

[odessit]

There is always a risk of contracting Hep A, all I was saying this risk much lower in North America than let's say in Mexico or Africa.
My DR told me end tx and then vaccinate (or do it before tx) since tx is already influencing my liver. Thats was I was told...

[DH Bill]

AAAHHHHH I see. I took my first two shots before tx and will take the third and last in about a month. We don't eat out much either. Thanks

[MajNeni]

My doctor told me to get/complete the hep A and hep B vaccinations; he also told me to get the flu shots and pneumonia vaccination. You don't want any of those illnesses on top of HCV and tx.
HepA and HepB are totally separate viruses from HepC; only thing in common is the organ they affect, and like all the other illnesses that inflame and scar the liver, the sypmtoms are the same.  Kind of like bee stings and slaps and sunburns all affect the skin.  The vaccinations for HepA and HepB should not make you sick.
By the way, the groceries you bring home may also have HepA on them; so wash your food carefully, and cook it throughly when it needs cooking.  HepA can ride along on produce, meats, etc.  (think of beautiful strawberries in the winter...)

[DH Bill]

what website has hcv statistics numbers by country and genotype