For the Ladies

It seems like a slow day on the board, so I thought I'd post this link to a study that is published is this month's issue of Hepatology:

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2004/112904_b.html

The study investigated the long-term benefit of estrogen exposure on the progression of liver fibrosis in women infected with HCV.  The researchers concluded that:

[cao]

Thanks for the link!  I'm always eager to learn anything about the relationship between HCV and our reproductive health.  One of the most confusing things for me, personally, about starting treatment was the lack of info regarding HCV, fertility & treatment.  Every little bit of info is helpful.

[jonihs]

I have been on Estrogen replacement therapy for 13 years and my HCV progressed really rapidly. Alot because of my drinking and drug use, and geno 2 seems to be faster than 1, but I can't see that it could have made any difference.   Joni

[eztagger]

I've been post menopausal since 1990 and my personal physician tried many times to put me on estrogen. Even back then, I was afraid of it. I couldn't see taking it just to rid myself of hot flashes and some mood swings when in every other way, I was in excellent health.

Enter the knowledge of the Dragon last month. I'm still glad I never took hormone therapy and still do not plan on doing the current, accepted treatment for HCV. I'm hoping for new discoveries in the field of HCV treatment in the next few years, which was why I was so excited about the new process by Energex Systems.

My appointment with a liver specialist is tomorrow - 09-Dec-2004.

[oldhippiechick67]

my 2 cents worth: I was on bc pills most of my 20s 30s & half my 40s, then on to HRT (hormone replacement therapy) after no bc pills for about 2 yrs.  Then the scare came about Premarin, and I went off them for about 2 yrs, that was when I noticed I started feeling worse & worse with the fatigue, aches & pains, hot flashes, and depression.... Then the Hep C was finally diagnosed.  The hot flashes were BAD while on tx, and continued after tx, but since on the thyroid meds they are less often.  I drank A LOT during my 40s, and probably A LOT in my 20s...dunno for sure when I contracted the Hep C, but the hormones may have helped it stay at bay, cuz it sure did get my attn. after I went off of them, coincidence??? perhaps.  My ALTs were normal 5 months after getting offa drinking, but back up 5 months after that!   That's a long 2 cents worth, but I am kinda bored tonite!  thanks for listening.
OHC

[susan400]

I've been on ERT (estrogen alone) for the last 15 years and I have no intention of stopping it before the age of 50.  I had a hysterectomy many years back and I have no ovaries.  I feel absolutely like **** whenever I've tried to cut back or stop my hormones and I've decided I'd rather take my chances with the possible side effects of estrogen replacement for the benefits to my overall Q.O.L.  Also, I've seen the article on it helping with the liver, so that's one more reason to stay on it!  In me, whenever I stop the hormones, I not only get crazy, I get so depressed that I get suicidal; hot flashes extreme, more muscle aches, headaches, etc., urinary problems galore, skin problems, etc.,etc.  It just is not worth it to me to be unable to function.  And those so called natural things to do for menopause don't do squat to help my symptoms.  Also, I can't take anti-D's so without the hormones I really am a mess with the HCV and with my treatments.   That's my take on this subject and I am sticking to it!
Susan

[Tallblonde]

Regarding hot flashes....I recently read that Effexor is a very effective remedy for hot flashes (one study found that it helped over 60 percent of the women who participated in the study).

I'm not menopausal yet, but I'm always thinking down the road and trying to prepare for the inevitable.

Also, I've had six pregnancies that ended in early miscarriage within the past four years.  I've wondered if the hormonal issues involved with that actually kept my VL so low.  

Maybe Scott and the rest of these guys need to start estrogen therapy!  Wouldn't that be something!

Susan

[Tallblonde]

HCV's link to fertility problems is of immense interest to me, too.  Unfortunately, GI's know virtually nothing about reproductive health, and reproductive health practitioners know virtually nothing about HCV.

I found several research studies that link HCV to Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS).  It's one of the many extrahepatic manifestations of HCV.  Antiphospolipid Syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that causes clotting problems, including the formation of micro-clots in the placenta which lead to miscarriage.  I've consistently tested high for the cardiolipin antibody -- which is one of the diagnostic markers for APS.

Here's my point...you won't find any mention anywhere of HCV causing miscarriages, yet all you have to do is connect the dots between HCV and Antiphospholipid Syndrome and it's easy to conclude (at least for me) that there's a clear association.  I wouldn't have APS if I didn't have HCV.  Ergo....HCV has probably led to my six miscarriages.

Susan

[Califia]

Tina M. St. John, M.D.  wrote a great article on "The Estrogen Connection: Women and Hepatitis" that appeared in the April-June 2004 issue of _Hepatitis Magazine_.    Wish I could scan it here, but  you  can order a reprint at www.hepatitismag.com .  

Here are some highlights:  "Although there have been no definitive studies [OF COURSE] to correlate the severity of menstrual abnormalities with increasingly severe pre-cirrhotic liver disease,  it seems likely that the more severe the liver damage, the more likely it is menstrual abnormalities and symptoms will occur.

[Califia]

no idea how that got posted...anyhow, to continue:

"Impaired metabolism and inactivation of estrogens in a diseased liver lead to an accumulation of estrogens in the body and seem to be a likely mechanism of many of the menstrual symptoms experienced by women w/ chronic hepatitis.  Excessive estrogen disrupts the delicate balance between estrogen and progesterone...." (p. 19)

"[W]omen with chronic hepatitis have an increased incidence of menstrual and menopausal symptoms...."  (p. 20)

[myka]

i haven't had a period since finishing treatment in oct 2003. i am fifty. a blood test revealed i am in menopause. no hot flashes or other symptoms. yipee. before starting 48 weeks of interferon my periods were normal. no periods 2 months into treatment or since. 12 months later test neg for hep c.
oh surprise ms tallblonde. yes i am a woman.......hence the ability to see through your never ending drivel. 6 miscarries? come on. all your other ailments. come on. how do you keep it all straight. what about your partner. does he have hep c  or are you practicing safe sex?  hmmmmmmmmmm......

[Tallblonde]

I'm confused.  What other "ailments" have I ever complained about besides my recurrent miscarriages?  My health is excellent, so I don't understand where you're getting the impression that it's not.  I have absolutely no fatigue, no joint/muscle pain (since I began taking SAM-e); no depression, etc.  The only mild HCV symptoms I have are some numbness and tingling in my hands and some brain fog.  And I consider those things simply "nuisance symptoms."  

So what gives Myka?  Why does a mature woman of 50 spend so much time attacking one person on this board?  Why aren't you ever motivated to share words of support to the many other people here who need encouragement and prayers?  Why have I become the sole reason you post here?  You've never even shared a single piece of information about yourself, your disease, or your treatment.  The only time you ever post is to attack me -- which is so odd considering that I've never responded to anything you've ever posted until just this past week.

So what's the deal?  We all know you don't like me (most likely because I've been upfront about my conservative politics). What's your motivation for continuing to make your odd posts?  Are you hoping that I'll go away?  Well, sorry Myka.  You and your opinions mean absolutely nothing to me.  You're kind of like those "nuisance symptoms" I described eariler.  Just a slight distraction.  Sort of like a mosquito that has to be swatted at occassionally.

But I'm curious...what do you mean when you say that I complain about so many ailments?  I'm stumped on that one!  Ha-ha-ha!

Have a great day Myka.  I'm sorry you carry such hate in your heart for a total stranger.  It must be an awful burden to carry.  I'll pray for you, dear.

Susan

[Tallblonde]

....oops....I forgot the itching.  I do have some occassional itching.  You're right...I'm an over-the-top hypochondriac!! Shame on me!

Ha-ha!

Susan

[Tallblonde]

Hey Myka,

Susan400 is complaining about pain in her hip and leg in a thread above this one.  And Echo is lamenting about about arthritis-like symptoms in a thread below.  Does that **** you off, too?  After all, this is a support board for people with a chronic illess.  How  DARE they complain about symptoms!  The nerve of them!!  The nerve of me!!

Hey, wait a minute....I think I finally get it!  You're steamed because my condition isn't as bad as everyone else's here and you don't think I have a right to be part of this group.  Admit it, Myka...you're JEALOUS!!!

Awwww, Myka.  Envy is a terrible thing.  It'll eat you up.  Let it go, baby!  You'll feel better!  Just remember, every time you take a swipe at me, I and others here will just be reminded how painfully jealous, and pathetically obsessed, you really are.

My prayers are with you Myka.  

Susan

[cuteus]

and according to Freud...what type of envy would that be?

[myka]

oh yeah i am jealous of a total nutcase.  get a grip you worth less lying piece of ****.

[Tallblonde]

I rest my case.