Does it ever stop getting any better? Tx or Not tx?

Off-topic perhaps, then again it is a risk sx of tx and rescue meds so perhaps not, it just seems to get better and better.  Fasting blood lab today shows Glucose and Lipid panel showing numbers in the diabetic range!

Not only does tx sometimes fail, but it seems to also make a bad situation worse.  Just thought I'd share another page from my anecdotal life with HCV and it's chemotherapy as something for folks to consider when looking at whether to treat or not.\

I do have a predisposition from family on fathers side and tried to watch closely while on tx, but the few times I could convince, or remember in the brain fog, to have tests run, all seemed copacetic.

But being a nonresponder, seems response is go away and come back in 6 months.  Until the re-check, your on your own pal!

[rosebud57]

that's messed up sorry to hear about your tx. related complication.

i don't know you well, you treated for a very long time didn't you? w/ relapse?

[goldyn]

Im post tx 5 months and my glucose is starting to rise along with my blood pressure , iwas borderline before and now im on 2 pills to try to kep it down the high blood pressure started soaring 3 months before tx ended...my glucose was 109 fasting last lab, but im  drinking more sodas now than i drank the whole time on tx, i guess i got to start really watching it now,, boo hooo

[timedog]

Haven't posted much here since I too found out I was none responder but check out was going on here frequently. Just to let you know I found out I found out I had diabetes type 2 shortly before I started tx for hep c. It seems that the two issues are releated cause and effect because I am not Predisposed for diabetes not overweight no family history and so on. The good news is the diabetes is pretty easy, so far, to deal with. A little change in diet and popping a couple of pills a day. Pills that don

[GrandOak]

Thx for the sentiments!

I went 10 months fighting severe anemia all the way and was on 100,000 U Procrit for nearly the last 4 months to try 12 wks for full tx meds before I was tagged a nonresponder.

First doc simply cut Riba dose in response to Hgb drop and when she threw in the towel (her own words) 6 wks into tx and I had to find a new one or stop.  From then on out it start Procrit, increase riba, increase Procrit, etc. until I reached full riba again and then tried 12 weeks.

Sometimes one feels like just laying down and saying enough already!!  I don't know.

[pln]

I am sorry to read of your situation, I hope the new meds coming out will be of help to you.
Pam

[Forseegood]

so sorry about this, and I just hope it all resolves to the positive as time goes by, which often seems to happen...good luck with this...

[nygirl7]

Post tx I noticed too that my glucose level is way up there compared to prior.  But I know I have been CRAVING (and I mean CRAVING like worse than any pregnant womank ever did) sugars all throughout treatment and now even post so I thought that was it.

Perhaps it is a complication of the IFN and the sugar crave is a SIDE to it.

Thanks for posting this GoGo - I know now that I'll have to really monitor it closely.  Compared to when I was drinking like a total fish - it being higher NOW when I'm not had me REALLY confused...but it might be a complete effect of the meds, you are right.

[pigeonca]

I became pre-diabetic about 3 years ago, before tx and even before diagnosis of hcv.  I am not overweight, but diabetes does occur in my family a lot.  It will be interesting to see if it persists after SVR.  If a person doesn't have any weight to lose, I very much doubt whether diet and exercise will be sufficient, as weight loss seems to do THE major job in defeating diabetes.  

Now, if diet and exercise don't help, most docs will prescribe metformin (Glucophage), and if that's not enough, sulfonureas.  Although metformin is an excellent drug, I do not like sulfonureas at all because they basically overwork the islets of Langerhans, squeezing them dry, so that eventually your body does not produce any insulin at all.  After doing a great deal of research, I came to the conclusion that a little bit of insulin (Lantus, the long-lasting kind, injected nightly before bedtime) will spare my pancreas, and although it's "off label," my internist said he can't disapprove.  So far those little shots seem to be working.   I'm not quite a full-fledged diabetic, and I hope to remain that way.

With diabetes you need to experiment.  Of course to handle it without drugs is best, but if you have to use something, metformin is a good starting point.  I would steer clear of sulfonureas if at all possible.

[mremeet]

Sorry to hear of your troubles, that's insult to injury for sure. If it's any consolation to you, my dad came down with type II diabetes in his mid 50's and since that time he's been managing it perfectly without drugs. He totally revamped his diet (with alot of help from his wife), and strictly exercises by going on long walks and even riding a bike (my dad hadn't ridden a bike since he was a kid previously) every single day, usually twice a day (he's retired so he has plenty of time to do so). Anyway, it's worked out great for him. It was tough to change his ways at first, but he adapted and now prefers the healthy food and doesn't even like the overly salty, sugary, fatty foods he used to crave. Plus he lost weight, he looks better, he feels much better, his cholesterol and blood pressure are much better. Strangely, the diabetes crisis has resulted in him improving his entire health profile dramatically, and he doesn't take any drugs to achieve it either (my dad's a former undercover narcotics agent lol). His doctor told him on a recent visit that if he didn't already know he had diabetes, he would never be able to tell from his bloodwork or physical workup that he has it at all now.

Anyway, not trying to give you the lemondade out of lemons lecture. But depending on how you handle the situation, it can actually work out pretty good if you're willing to put in some dedicated effort (and you seem like the sensible type of person who would). Hope it works out for you.

[ladybug52]

Thanks for sharing your not so great news. I believe everyone needs to know about the possible outcomes of tx. It's amazing what it can and has done to our bodies. It's very discouraging to work so hard to get better, then get hit with more health problems on top of the virus. :(  
I hate this insidious disease and tx! I'm praying for you.
Bug

[honey11]

Sorry to see that you are now battling something else!  I guess it times,,,,it seems never ending and you would just love a break from the dr's office for a good period and be able to enjoy life.  I hope that you can find a diet or lifestyle that will make the numbers come down!  And of course,,,,Prayers your way on new meds and SVR for you!