interfuron treatments worth the pain?

[caiti87]

I was recently diagnosed with hep c, weird thing is that for months now my blood work had been showing really high liver enzymes and my doc screened me for hep a,b,and c three times and they ALL came back negative. Finally I was feeling soo sick and in so much pain that they admitted me to the hospital, and did an ultra sound and more blood work, when they got the results they decided to fly me to another hospital in a city two hours away, I was too sick to even be scared. after being there for a day the docs came in and told me that i had hep c and it was in the chronic phase, which is also odd to me since i've read that people have hep c their whole lives and dont suffer any symptoms. Why is mine so aggressive soo early? The doctors advised me to start interfuron and rivabbaren (sp?) as soon as im able, that if I dont I will almost certainly need a transplant or develop caner down the road. I've been reading  and trying to educate myself on this disease as much as possible, but everything I'm reading states that most people dont have many issues with it, not like mine anyway. also i've read that the treatments have terrible side effects, a nurse even compared it to chemo, which i found a little excessive but still sounds awful. So my question is, are starting the treatments immediately really that necessary and important enough that it will save me from having to get a liver transplant an or possibly cancer?? And is it worth the horrible side effects? i cant imagine going through those for up to a year, but if it means saving my life, I'll do it.  

[1oftheclub222]

very odd that your tests never came back positve for hep C...have they done any test to see what your viral count is (a PCR I think?).  Or have they talked about doing a liver biopsy?  A liver biopsy will tell you for sure what condition your liver is in.

when your Hep C is in the chronic phase, it means you have had it longer than 6 months...sometimes people can clear it on their own in the first 6 months, about 25%.  Once you have had it longer than 6 months, i believe that is when they start calling it chronic.

I am not as knowledgeable as most on here, but I would at least find out what your viral count was to verify you have active Hep C, and ask about a liver biopsy to verify the condition of your liver.

[orphanedhawk]

You need to be honest with us about your situation.
If you have substance abuse issues you need to deal with them before thinking about hep C treatment.No doctor would tell you to begin hep C treatment without addressing these issues first.
Please do not waste our time answering questions when either you are not being honest with us or are using medhelp as a creative writing exercise.

I often check people's profiles to see if there is more information so I can give them a better reply.

You jposted this an hour ago on the substance abuse forum.

chronic pain and opiate dependence :

I have chronic intersticial cystitis, which is excruciatingly painful. I have been on pain meds for at least four years now, including methadone and then subutex to get off the methadone. It has been a nightmare, im only 24 years old and have had three surgeries in the past year. so here's my question, i'm prescribed percocet 10/325 mg i tab four times a day, what my pain management doctor doesn't know is that i take more like six to eight a day.Needless to say I always run out of my meds before im supposed to. I ran out last week, after tapering myself down as much as i could handle, when it ran out i started taking tramadol to fight my pain and especially to help with w/d, i also tapered myself down on that until i ran out yesterday sometime, today i was lucky to find a left over 8mg suboxone. The relief was soooooo sweet, but tomorrow or twelve hours from now when it leaves my system, will i go back into withdrawl? I wasn't in terrible withdrawl when i took it but still pretty bad, did i make it worse by taking the suboxone when i should have just pushed through the w/d's? Also I have an appt with my pain doc on march sixth and im soo damn tired of this opiate merri-go-round from hell, are there really any options for severe pain that dont include opiate addiction? for example can subutex be used to treat chronic pain? and how honest should i be with my doctor without him cutting me off completely? I would really appreciate any answers to my questions. Thanks in advance!

[caiti87]

I am being honest...... My problem with opiates is because I have a Chronic pain condition, im not a junkie that has EVER shot up (not that im judging anyone who has) my problem comes solely from being prescribed pain killers for four years straight and hard ones at that, it is inevitable for your body not to become dependent on these drugs and next to impossible to find relief for agonizing pain that is not opiate or narcotic based, so unfortunately the w/d from these meds come hand in hand.... as well as tolerance to the meds and a lower tolerance to pain. now that i've been diagnosed with hep c the pain meds are even more of a concern for my liver and kidneys... but the hard truth is that i will absolutely need pain relief just about every single day. I fail to see how i was being dishonest with anyone on here... and my doctors are fully aware of my opiate use, all of them! my fam doc, my urologist, and my pain doc.. I came on here looking for help and answers not to be called dis honest. I fully understand that i need to learn to advocate for myself and tell my doctor that the amount he's prescribed has not been sufficient in controlling my pain. however i think i've been a little jaded by doctors because my IC was so hard and took so long to diagnose that i had a lot of jerks telling me i was drug seeking, when I wasn't, having soo much blood in my urine it looked more blood than urine, and they took their frustration of not being able to figure out what was going on, on me. I dont need any more of that treatment from people on here who i believed would try to help... If you have ever experienced chronic pain, (which im assuming you havent or you wouldn't have made the comments you did) you would know that chronic pain and opiate dependence goes hand in hand unfortunately..... Thanks for the help ;)

[caiti87]

Hey, and thanks for the response! To be honest with you I have no idea what my viral count is, they did assure me that I most definitely have HCV in the chronic stage.... They have not done a biopsy because they said I need to be referred to a specialist first and then go from there, I'm waiting on some sort of insurance benefits to come through first though because I just don't have the means to pay for any of it right now. I'm wondering if it didn't show up those first three times because I live in a very small town that is known for not having the best medical care, so im not sure  but it had to have slipped through the cracks somehow since it was only one month prior to my diagnoses that I was screened with negative results.. who knows! I suppose the important thing is that it has been found so that I can do something about it before it was too late!

[orphanedhawk]

Being on opiates adds an element to your treatment that few of us here can address.
To give you the best advice, it helps for us to know all we can about your condition.

I strongly suggest you seek out a good hepatologist ( liver doctor) experienced both with hep C treatment and opiate addiction.

If you are in the S.F. bay area, I can refer you to some place that may be able to help you.

Good luck~
OH

[orphanedhawk]

Oops, I just saw you're in Tx, Sorry~

[nygirl7]

I was an opiate addict who used suboxone to detox from the pain meds. While I can't say any of it easy, or living with pain is easy-right now you need to worry about the state of your liver or it could all be a moot point.

You need to follow up because from all indications, something is going on big time and if your liver enzymes are that elevated you have a lot f cell death going on in your liver.

It won't get better on it's own.

(btw great catch OH)

[caiti87]

idk why but I feel like I need to clarify the term opiate addiction..... maybe i'm wrong, idk, anyway i feel like that term makes it sound as if i have used opiates recreationally, I haven't. Given, I haven't always used them exactly as prescribed but that was solely because my pain was at a point i couldn't stand. Anyway with that being said, yes I do plan to see a hepatologist just as soon as possible! and yes my added issues with chronic pain from my kidney and bladder disorder greatly complicates issues...... one of my biggest concerns are that the treatments will add even more pain to my life.. Are the treatments painful at all?

[willbb]

have chronic intersticial cystitis, which is excruciatingly painful. I have been on pain meds for at least four years now, including methadone and then subutex to get off the methadone. It has been a nightmare, im only 24 years old and have had three surgeries in the past year. so here's my question, i'm prescribed percocet 10/325 mg i tab four times a day, what my pain management doctor doesn't know is that i take more like six to eight a day.Needless to say I always run out of my meds before im supposed to. I ran out last week, after tapering myself down as much as i could handle, when it ran out i started taking tramadol to fight my pain and especially to help with w/d, i also tapered myself down on that until i ran out yesterday sometime, today i was lucky to find a left over 8mg suboxone. The relief was soooooo sweet

------------------------------------------

This  above statement would indicate a serious  addiction .. "recreational" is a moot point.it really doesn"t matter why and there is no point in considering HCV therapy(if you do have HCV) untill this is well under control

Best ..
Will

[caiti87]

Im just at a loss.... my urologist and pain mang doc say it will be next to impossible to live with the pain with no pain management unless I just want to be hospitalized every single time I have a severe flare up.... Trust me I have tried. Given maybe a change in the pain medication may solve that problem so that I am not having to take such large amounts to get through the day and get out of bed. I asked the doctor who diagnosed with HCV repeatedly if he was sure it was safe to take the pain medication and he said yes, however i have no clue if this still stands when i start the treatments.
Soo confused :(

[orphanedhawk]

People do opiates for all kinds of reasons.
You telling us about your meds and or other health issues, is only relevant in how it affects our responses to your questions.

Before you consider doing hep C treatment, you should have a liver biopsy to assess the condition of your liver.
If your liver is in good condition, there is no reason to think about doing treatment, now. You may be able to wait.

Alternative treatments without interferon should be available in the future.
See a hepatologist soon~

Good luck.

[Lany100]

Geesh, why are you guys being so harsh towards caiti87?? caiti87, I completely understand your requirement for pain med. I personally do not do pain meds, but people have varying levels of pain tolerance. I recently underwent a partial liver & diaphragm resection & had a chest tube (PAINFUL) & was put on an IV diluadid med pump. After 4 days of doctors & nurses constantly telling me to press it every 10 minutes, I refused. I suffered & grunted through the pain. I didn't like the feeling of narcotic meds. I was released 3 days later & suffered & still am suffering with pain. I refuse to take pain meds. But I can DEFINITELY understand how one would need it so often; especially with a situation such as yours! My mom has been in the hospital for a week with peripheral artery disease & the docs refuse to send her home b4 the surgery bcz the pain is so severe. They said if they send her home, that she'll be right back to the emergency room for pain. She is on hydrocodone & diluadid & lyrica & enjoys on temp pain relief. When she is in pain, she cries, can't sleep ( went w/o sleep for 4 days once) & doesn't eat. PAIN CAN BE DEBILITATING & CAN REQUIRE FREQUENT STRONG MEDS!

However, they are correct, the reason for your med use is neither here nor there, but there is no reason to accuse you of being dishonest or to be so harsh. Unbelievable.

[HectorSF]

After reading your posts I can only conclude that either you don’t understand your medical conditions, you are misinterpreting what the doctors said, or you have some of the most uneducated doctors I have ever posted here. As the picture you convey makes no common sense I afraid.

Your concern about hepatitis C is not the main problem you have. That is even assuming that you have hepatitis C. If the doc misdiagnosed you once, who is to say he is correct this time? And the statement “The doctors advised me to start interfuron and rivabbaren (sp?) as soon as im able, that if I dont I will almost certainly need a transplant or develop caner down the road.” Is utter fantasy. He hasn’t even done a biopsy so how does he know the status of your liver. You described no symptoms or complications of liver disease and only mention liver enzymes. Liver enzymes has NOTHING to do with the health of your liver. Other blood tests indicate the health or the liver. So none of it makes any sense frankly.

You were screened for the 3 common types of hepatitis. But then you say you were diagnosed for hepatitis C. I assume your “family doctor” read the results?

You mention that you had to go to the hospital, seeming to imply that it had something to do with hepatitis C. But that is very unlikely.

You say you had high lever enzymes. What does “high enzymes” mean in terms of numbers? I assume you mean ALT and AST? What about the other tests?

“I'm waiting on some sort of insurance benefits to come through first though because I just don't have the means to pay for any of it right now.”
Then how did you have 3 operations and see 3 doctor and get the opiates that you say you can’t live without?

High enzymes (1000 or more) indicates acute liver damage not hepatitis C. Chronic hepatitis C usually has ALT and AST 2x normal or so. NOT high enzymes. Acute hepatitis C, when you are first infected had high enzymes.

You are 24 years old. Hepatitis C takes 20-40 to develop advanced liver disease that would cause you to have symptoms and need a transplant. So worrying about needing a transplant is not worth worrying about as far a hepatitis C is concerned.

“ I asked the doctor who diagnosed with HCV repeatedly if he was sure it was safe to take the pain medication and he said yes, “
Are you serious? That is pure nonsense.
Tramadol, percocet , methadone, subutex....
Precocet - a combination drug of Acetaminophen and Oxycodone. Acetaminophen is sold under the popular brand name of Tylenol. This drug can cause severe damage to the liver. Percocet has high addictive properties, and that is why it should not be taken for more than two to three weeks.

Depending on what you are taking that could cause extensive liver damage (more likely than hep C). For example if the pain drugs contain acetaminophen. Too much acetaminophen taken over a long period of time or too high a doze can cause liver failure. Combining it with alcohol is even more toxic. That your doctors know that you are taking all these powerful meds shows that they are oblivious or they are just incompetent doctors.

As other have said, you need to deal with your substance abuse issues first and foremost. There is no point treating your hepatitis C. You are much more likely to die for drug abuse than Hepatitis C. IF, you even have hepatitis...

"The relief was soooooo sweet, but tomorrow or twelve hours from now when it leaves my system, will i go back into withdrawl? I wasn't in terrible withdrawl when i took it but still pretty bad?" " im not a junkie that has EVER shot up (not that im judging anyone who has) my problem comes solely from being prescribed pain killers for four years straight" So as long as you don't inject it than it is okay? That is like the alcoholic who says, "I'm not an alcoholic. I only drink wine". "They" made you do it? You have no will of your own? You do whatever people tell you to do? I would think you were joking but I know you are not.

By the way it is strange that your doctor who knows you are taking the opiate pain killers on a regular basis, didn’t bother to tell you that YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO GET A TRANSPLANT EVEN IF YOU WERE TO NEED ONE. Transplant centers do NOT give transplants to people who take drugs or alcohol regularly. So again, all your worrying about a transplant or liver cancer is really a waste of time and energy.

You are only 24 years old according to your profile. Why are you throwing away your life? You haven’t even lived yet. There are old folks like me who are trying to stay alive another day who really need a transplant and you apparently could care less about living as long as it is in an opiate haze. Sad. Very sad. I feel sorry for you. This is your one life at at 24 you have already given up. Please find help. Don't you have any friends or family to help you? Narcotics Anonymous might be a good place to start. To see a young person with the problems you have is truly very tragic.

Hector

[caiti87]

wow i'm really starting to think asking for advice on this forum was not a good idea. I'm perfectly aware that the chronic pain needs to be dealt with and in a better manner than what i've done soo far... I do not live in an opiate haze. Maybe if i did, every single day wouldnt be filled with so much pain that i find it hard not to cry or get out of bed. I don't need your pity sir, I have much to live for, I've been dealt some hard blows, but hey who hasn't? I understand even less than you do about this hep c diagnosis, and there were other symptoms besides high liver enzymes which i know can be found from anything from vomiting too much or a car accident. And who in the world said i've given up? i dont recall making that statement, on the contrary trying to find answers in a support group sounds like the opposite to me. I afford only the doctors I have now because they are qualified through my county's indigent program, without it i would not be able to afford any of it, unfortunately the program does not have a hepatologist that it will cover... you saying I havent even lived yet is just like me saying you've lived enough so why bother... I am not throwing away my life, I did not choose this path or my illnesses. did you? I think to see an "old folk" like you condem and assume me for the choices i did not make is "truly very tragic"..... I know very little about whats been thrown at me recently concerning hep c, and I will be the first to say that the far west texas I live in isnt noted for their medical expertise, but it's what i've got to work with, and being that it all sounded very strange to me was one of the sole reasons i reached out on this forum to get some better ideas as to where to go and where to start, I'm now seeing that this is a forum for judgement and abuse rather than a community of support. The only thing the doctor at the hospital clarified was that if i was to need a transplant down the road it wouldn't be possible without first clearing the virus..... how dare you presume to know the debilitating chronic pain that i have to endure, and yes at such a young age, now that is TRAGIC. oh and to clarify one more thing, i was not initially admitted to thee hospital for my high liver enzymes, but because of the IC and kidney infection, where the test results of whatever they ran worried them enough that they thought i would be best treated at another hospital.I can't believe i even wasted my time defending myself to someone like you. you should be ashamed of yourself sir... you have assumed incorrectly often

[caiti87]

Thank you and thank you again and again..... I try very hard to have patience and understanding for those who have no understanding or empathy for people who experience chronic pain. I was so hopeful that I would receive some helpful answers instead of abuse and assumptions. I would love to hear what some of these people had to say after walking a day in the shoes of anyone who had debilitating pain, I assure you, one day would be enough to change their minds. I however will not subject myself to name calling, assumptions or insults as hector has..... I will simply take this as a lesson learned that I need to rely solely on my medical doctors opinions and counsel and remove myself from this forum. I really do thank you for your kindness and understanding......

[Tekelcat]

The tone of judgement on this thread is odious. The level of misinformation is frightening. First, it is not at all unusual for people to have debilitating chronic pain for which opioids are prescribed as best practice. That this best practice can and does result in habituation to the opioid in no way suggests substance abuse. Indeed, in many contemporary medical systems the term "substance abuse" is now frowned on, since use does not necessarily mean abuse. Anyway, it's not our business to make judgement calls on each other. Moreover, the notion that opioid use and tx for HCV are contraindicated is just plain rubbish. opioids not combined with acetaminophen or NSAIDs are emphatically not hepatotoxic. Indeed significant numbers of people on HCV tx are treated with opioids for the side effects of bone and joint pain ... I am one of them, on a Gilead trial and under the care of one of the worlds leading hepatologists. So, stop the self-righteous and erroneous sermons guys and give the lady a little break.

[suezeeque]

Your initial post left us thinking that you were hospitalized due to a complication of HCV.  All anyone had to go on was what you posted.

Since all your doctors are aware of your pain medication abuse, has not one ever suggested to you that, alone, can cause elevated liver enzymes and liver damage?

Using anything that is damaging to the liver when you have liver disease is going to speed up the damage even more.  So you can't really wonder why your disease is progressing more aggressively.

The people on this forum are helpful.  But typing out a response based on what you initially posted would have wasted everyone's time who did so.  Because you didn't include some pretty important information.

[runsincircles]

I have ic as well and am concerned about pain meds and treatment.  Maybe we could be a good support for each other.  Interstitial cystitis is extremely painful.  If you can imagine the worst uti you've ever had, That's a good day for many of us with ic.  If I were you, I would get copies of all test results.  I'm still new to hep c but I do know that diff tests mean diff things.  Find out what tests they did and what the actual results were.  In my experience most dr's don't give you that kind of info cause it just confuses most people.

[Emily_MHManager]

Hi there -

Let's remember first that helping others is not a waste of time.  That's what MedHelp is for.

While it is very helpful to include all pertinent information when asking a question, let's remember that not everyone understands what is pertinent and what isn't, even if it seems like they do/should.  

MedHelp's first, and most important, mission is that we are a support and info site.  We understand that sometimes things get frustrating, but perhaps it's better to refrain from answering at those times.

It sounds as if there are some questions about Caiti87's diagnosis, and other medical conditions, but if she is indeed hep C+, she will need the awesome info you all provide.

Emily

[nygirl7]

I believe what the members of the forum are trying to suggest is that the excessive use of narcotics could very well be responsible for the elevated liver enzymes.  Whether someone takes narcotics recreationally or two every six hours as prescribed their body still becomes addicted to them, thus they are then needing to take more and more to feel any effect.

The problem is all that tylenol is not good for the liver and this could be the cause further escalating these violent episodes.

Certainly there are PLENTY Of people on this forum who understand chronic pain - for new members to just assume that is not the case is whacko.  Look at Orphan Hawk alone as one example, caiti said that obviously she doesn't understand - well I would think the pain and suffering of living pre and post liver transplant are quite a bit of excessive pain if you as me!!!!!!!!

I've never been on a forum that is more understanding and less judgemental (face it where did a good portion of us get this disease in the first place?).  To assert otherwise is just wrong, especially when brand new posters have no idea who they are speaking of in the first place.

And I dont see one uncaring person on this thread all I see is people stating the obvious - drug addiction and usage is a problem for you with a possible liver condition.  As Willbb said recreational or prescribed or whatever it doesn't really matter one bit.  Cause and effect does.

It is just honest advice from good caring people.

[nygirl7]

you should be ashamed of yourself sir... you have assumed incorrectly often ."

Hector has nothing for which to be ashamed at all.  He read exactly what we all did and has given you council from his years of experience.

Please dont call Hector an old folk or imply he doesn't understand what is going on.  He is a very, very respected and valuable member of this forum and you have no idea what he is going through.  If you had any idea what he personally is going through..........you'd realize exactly what his post meant and how important it is for you to listen.

If you dont want a transplant or liver cancer perhaps listening to Hector of all people is a good idea..

[willbb]

Let's remember first that helping others is not a waste of time.  That's what MedHelp is for.

------------------------------------

Hi Em....I personally didn't' read that anyone here thought the OP  was wasting anyone's time and I thought the responders went out of their way to answer with excellent advice ...as usual...

JMO..
Will

[pooh55811]

Cait, I would urge you to stick around. Members on this forum can offer a lot of valuable support and advice and information. Many are extremely knowledgeable about HCV and that is very important when one has HCV. So please don't let this one experience color your entire perception of the forum.

I don't know enough about your personal situation to make any judgements and, even if I did know, I would not judge you. Everyone's situation is different and until we have all walked in everyone else's shoes, we have no idea what they are dealing with.

Pain is pain and it is not pleasant. There is an exceptionally wide range of pain levels. Some pain is considerable more severe than other pain.  Some pain is relentless and it can be very debilitating. Long term pain is particularly debilitating. None of us can judge how severe another person's pain is and none of us can judge what type of or how much pain medication another needs.

In addition, we are all different physiologically. Some of us have more endorphins (which are natual pain killers produced within the body) and can breeze through life feeling little pain. Others have very low levels of endorphines and thus do not have the benefit of the higher level of natural pain killers. Those with higher endorphines are thought of as stoic, non-complaining, acceptable, normal, and people tend to judge eveyone else's pain levels by comparing them to people with the high endorphine levels. Those with lower endorphine levels are often judged as being cry baby's and complainers who cannot tolerate even the slightest pain and they also get the short shrift when being medicated for pain because it is thought they should not need so much pain med. After all, some breeze right through the same procedure with little pain. Therefore everyone should be able to do so. This is truly a disservice to those in pain who need pain relief.

I agree with Tekelcat. The term drug abuse implies judgement (regardless of how it is intended). The term drug abuse is no longer acceptable in the medical field and actually has been on its way out for over 2 decades (although it is still used by many). Granted, many in the medical field know next to nothing about pain management or even pain itself. Many in the medical field tend to be exceptionally judgemental and many still use the term drug abuse. However, the preferred term is drug use and that will most likely eventually become standard nomenclature.

I think sometimes people confuse terminology: drug addiction, drug dependence, drug tolerance

Drug tolerance: Drug tolerance is basically the body's ability to adapt to the presence of a drug. Tolerance may be defined as a state of progressively decreased responsiveness to a drug as a result of which a larger dose of the drug is needed to achieve the effect originally obtained by a smaller dose.

Drug dependence: There are two types of drug dependence.

Physical dependence  ... is a condition in which the body has adjusted to the presence of a drug, resulting in clear symptoms of withdrawal when its use stops.

Psychological dependence ... This kind of dependence is characterized by emotional and mental preoccupation with the drug's effects and by a persistent craving for it. The symptoms displayed are not physical symptoms. Craving seems to be the most common withdrawal symptom.
Psychological dependence is usually manifested by compulsive drug-taking, but the frequency and pattern of use can differ considerably from one individual to another.

Drug addicition: The World Health Organization (WHO) has provided the following definition: "A behavioral pattern of drug use, characterized by overwhelming involvement with the use of a drug (compulsive use), the securing of the supply, and a high tendency to relapse after withdrawal. Addiction is viewed as an extreme on a continuum of drug use patterns. It refers, in a quantitative rather an a qualitative sense, to the degree to which drug use pervades the total life activity of the user, and to the range of circumstances in which drug use controls his/her behaviour."

The term addiction cannot be used interchangeably with physical dependence since one can be physically dependent on drugs without being addicted and, in some cases, addicted without being physically dependent.

Many people become physically dependent on a pain killer due to medical reasons or conditions but that does not mean they are psychologically dependent or addicted. If the pain goes away, the person generally stops taking the drug. If they have been on it a long time, they will wean off of it either by themselves or with help.

My mother had severe cripling rheumatoid arthritis for over 25 years and she was in constant pain not only from the arthritic inflammation but also from compressed spinal discs, osteomylitis, and other problems. She was wheelchair bound the last 5 years or so. Along with all of her antiinflammatory drugs for the arthritis, she took Percocet every 4 hours for the pain, although that did not totally relieve the pain (but it helped). She also did not keep increasing her dose but stayed on the same dose for years. Was she physically dependent on Percocet? I am sure she was after taking it for so long. Was she psychologically dependent or addicted to the drug? No, I am 100% sure she was not. If her pain had disappeared she would have stopped taking the drug.

I think it is important that we do recognize there are different reasons why people take painkillers or other drugs. Not eveyone is in the same boat and not everyone on painkillers is an addict.

Just my 2 cents.

Cait, stick around. This is a great forum and people will help you with HCV questions.





  

[orphanedhawk]

"I try very hard to have patience and understanding for those who have no understanding or empathy for people who experience chronic pain."

Do you really think none of us have experienced chronic pain? Do you know that Hector has cancer and is on the transplant waiting list and yet, takes the time to post here honestly with true and valuable information?
He is a gem and we are so lucky he takes the time to share with us.

Do you know how many people have asked if hep C treatment was worth doing? We've patiently answered them over and over.
You omitted important information.
The fact you left out your pain and  addiction problem would be a major obstacle in our helping you.

Nobody every judged you for your pain addiction. That is all in your head.
There are things that don't sound quite right in your posts which is what we question.  I have no idea whether it is because you are not understanding your doctors, or not able to communicate clearly about your condition.

So please~ you are not showing empathy or understanding to what the people on this forum may be experiencing with end stage liver disease, complications of cirrhosis, side effects of a difficult treatment and more.

You are not alone and we are more than willing to help so stop attacking us.

As mikesimon wisely says, " there's no pain like MY pain."
And we ALL feel that way!