Initially lost but now have gained weight during Tx

[wMich]

Weight loss during Tx sure seems to be widespread. Has anyone here ever gained weight on Tx? I initially lost about 5-7 lbs. during the first 12 weeks of Tx but regained that and another 5-7 lbs. during my second 12 weeks. I'm thinking its mostly side-induced lethargy, lack of exercise, Michigan weather and my increasing couch time. After work I'm often too spent to do much other than rest. I do Peg on Friday nights and move slowly on the weekends. OK, weakness for holiday foods is also a factor ;-) Guess I can't complain too loudly considering so many of us are losing weight they don't want to lose. I am Type II diabetic and my blood glucose control is partially weight and exercise-driven so I do need to rein it in. Though my sides have been somewhat worse in the second 12 weeks, Tx remains quite DOABLE.

Week 23 started Friday and my first precise PCR (Heptimax)is slated for 1/13/06. I'm trying to start 2006 with new resolve, doing what is in my power to increase my health, well-being and sanity. This board is one fine resource and I wish all of you a great new year from chilly and cloudy west Michigan!                  - Lee

[cougareyes]

When I was diag with HCV I was getting bouts of what I found out later to be encepthelophy(?sp). Found out I was stage 3 grade 3 with fatty liver having advanced liver disease symptoms.
Doc tested my ammonia level and it was high, he suggested a reduction in animal protein(esp red meat), wheat products, and a couple of other things. These things produce ammonia as a bi-product and my liver couldn't expel it. I started feeling better in no time.
On tx, Ensure meal replacement shakes have gotten me by, I also have had an enhanced appetite for meat. I have had no encept?? reactions to any of the meat I've eaten lately. I'm on 27/48 and was undetectable at 12 and 24 weeks.   Peace

[strator]

Your right, both the Kava and St John's' were about 8 yrs ago when I tried em. It was during the 7 ys I didn't drink or drug before my 2yr run. Don't go near any of that stuff anymore. Another strange thing, I'm pretty regular about making the coffee here. Same measurements all the time. Black or w alittle milk or an ice cube to cool it. Couple of cups in the am while I'm makin Dad's breakfast and yellin at the kid to get his backend outa the sack. 2 cups later in the am. But maybe 3 times a wk-I'll grab drink a coffe and within 2-3 minutes get this definite wave of fatique over me like it's workin opposite. Old russian roulette type I am I keep chancin it but sometimes gotta all the sudden go lay down instead get my sorry bod rollin. Wonder sometimes if it's the milk bein warm like people do at night sometimes. Course there's that broken thinker....
Don

[Forseegood]

oooooh, stay away from kava kava, i took it once and I felt drugged, bad for liver anyway. yeah, we are all different, and we need to find the balance we need. Some people really love St. John's wort, does nothing for me though in terms of making me feel better. interesting info on it as it relates to liver though, good clearner

[strator]

Thanks both, you know this is good because I easily just fall outta doin stuff that's good for me sometimes. I'm always goin in so many directions. I have to write myself notes to read my notes.
I definitely want to look into this more. I did have more energy using supplements. I was choosing the lg protein powder containers with the highest protein contents, usually around 28-32gr a serving. Most times 3 shakes a day plus the bars. I noticed I felt lousy if I was out powder- before I totally stopped using it. Maybe I just need a more moderate balance. Another thing I notice a definite difference with is having an apple right before I go to work, and early in the afternoon. Really feel a pick me up from it and it helps me keep the caffine count down some.
My body's reactions are sometimes like a loose cannon though. Pre tx at different times I tried things like St Johns Wort, Kava Kava, and Milk Thistle and I seemed to start getting depressed easily when I used them, which isn't my norm. I think I got more loose gears inside than just a broken thinker.
Don

[Snookmiester]

Different spectrums on politics, NAAAAAW!!!
Here is a link on the Myoplex, actually the manufacturers website. You can read the different formulas, and the nutrients in each.
http://www.eas.com/

[RiverGal]

Wow!  Did I have a couple bouts of unmaked riba rage, or what?!  I did limit myself to only 2 plates in the cupboard...packed the others in the shed and moved on to paper plates.  Guess it would be safe enough to bring them back now...at least until I start the next round of tx.

~River

[Forseegood]

We might be on different ends of the spectrum about politics, but we are in sync about supplementation...I'll check this stuff out, I have to be a bit careful in that I guess I have enough of the B's in my system already, cause if I take too much in supplementation it makes me a bit speedy...(I know some people like that feeling, I don't particularly, ha ha)thanks for the tip, I know many people have benefitted from these type of shakes while taking chemo, I would think especially if you're being put off of good food with the nutrients we all need....

Stator, I think Jim or Goof, one of those dudes, he he, once said that a bit of info goes around the boards and pretty soon everyone is running with it, I think this protein and liver disease thing falls under that category...that's why it's great to really research a lot of this info if you can...from my understanding and what my doc said, no one should take a whole lot of protein per day, but a regular amount of protein and even a little extra (what anybody needs) is fine for hep patients, from what I understand...people with advanced cirrhosis are the ones who need to take special care with this and go on reduced protein diets (and I'm sure this varies from individual to individual too)...

I think these shakes (I already take one a day already) are going to be just the ticket for me while on treatment, to make sure my body is getting some nutrients that might be missing from my diet, as I said, my appetite is effected easily, either by emotions, whatever, even medication....this is very concering to me, I don't have 30 pounds to lose....

[Snookmiester]

Angie:
The Myoplex is GREAT stuff.. One of the best meal replacements on the market, and it comes in different varieties. I was blending the Sport, which is made for collegiac athletes. It has all the vitamins and minerals, plus a bit more calories. But some of the other varieties are just the regular Myoplex, and then the Lite. Check it out for yourself. Comes in Vanilla cream, strawberry, and chocolate. Might come in others, but those are the three I tried.
Best prices I found where on Ebay, as these are pricey. Not for the budget minded, as they cost somehwre around $1.50-$2 a shake.

Strator:
I gonna try and find the article about protein intake and liver disease. Of course check with your Doc, but mine recommended it. I was unable to eat, so the shakes where a lifesaver!! And the high protein intake, stopped the bodies instinctive muscle canabolism.. Stuff was great, and once I started blending and eating the bars, the fatigue was also less noticable.

[NYgirl]

Go kill them boy!  Maybe you get every single last one of them with this shot!  :)  8 of 48 already wow...it is going fast! (How come mine doesn't seem to be though?  Only going to be 16 of 48 this week and seems like it's 116 of 48 already! But when I see you cruising along...it sure helps me!)

D

[honey11]

Sandi.....If you have been clear one solid year at this point,,,,I would say you are good to go to stop the meds.  Only you can make that decision for yourself but you know,,,we will all back you up either way!

[beamishboy]

i'm glad to see so many familiar&friendly faces-(-:     unfortunate circumstances not withstanding ....taking shot #8 today -keep telling myself i am 1/6 done!---i can only hope for no extension ,no need rather,but that certainly remains to be seen.....hey it's one more shot at the buggers.........Farewell All

[Forseegood]

Yeah, trouble with me is that I have too many words, whether they are last or first, he he he.

[can-do-man]

Foul, foul, not fair, not fair in a hep-c minute. I was suppose to have the last word in that thread below. I even said good bye to it.... BOO-HOO now see what you went and done...LOL

[NYgirl]

I am going to pray for you today.  Such hard decisions we have in here don't we.  I pray that the Holy Spirit gives you peace and wisdom to make the right decision...no matter what it might be!


I pray that you have the same miracle that others in here need.  Eventually someone has to care about our disease and work harder for a new CURE for it.  Until then we will be together - supporting each other no matter what.

[doll face]

When I was on tx. first for 48 weeks then again another 72 weeks I gained almost 30 lbs. I didn't notice that my diet changed too much except that I had a new found craving for cookies. Didn't much like the taste of meat anymore (irony taste) I was working which consisted of many hours walking, so was getting plenty of exercise. My doctor thinks it was due to my antidepressant which is known for weight gain. Thankfully I could afford a few pounds but 30? jeez. It has now been over a year and I have only lost about 7 of those pounds, but I killed the virus so the trade off was worth it.

[sindog]

Although my opinion is of little worth, I say stick with the plan go off tx.

[cuteus]

Sandi; yikes! another three months? but if you are up for it, and have the refills, I would probably go for it, play it by ear.  If sides become unbearable or unexpected complications crop up, it is your "grace" period, so you can stop at any time.  I think you have a big chance of clearing, regardless of the negative talk. It might not have been a breakthrough after all. Go for it! You knew I would say that, right?  A couple of studies have not found steatosis to be a negative factor for SVR, so if they are right, that is one less (-) for you.

When on tx, it is very easy to give in to inertia, you really have to push to get moving, it is so hard to take the first few steps, but once you get moving, it gets better, long enough to accomplish some form of exercise.  I was able to continue my Y classes during tx, but could not do the summer run series.  After the anemia was controlled, the exercising was not as painful anymore. If muscle is left to waste, it will take longer to recover after tx.  Push yourself to go for that walk, take the stairs instead of the elevator, a yoga class, mild aerobics, etc. If anemia is not hindering severely, keep moving.  Enroll in a class that is so much fun to go to, you will push yourself to go each time.

Prosperous 2006!

[friole]

Oh, Sandi, I thought you would be done and I was clicking on to see the news.  Another 3 months?  Wow.  I don't have the experience here to know whether that would be advisable.  If you have already been clear one year, isn't that enough?  If you do decide to continue, please consider the Procrit, if the doc recommends it (he has in the past, hasn't he?).  Much love to you and SVR for 2006
Kathy

[LvdByGod]

HAPPY HOLIDAY'S EVERYONE!!! HOPE YOU ALL HAD A WONDERFUL NEW YEARS EVE!!! AND A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL THOSE WHO CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST...

some may remember that i was going to go off tx on new years eve, well i just found out i have another 3 refils comming to me...so it looks like i may decide to extend 3 more months...i would like anyone's opinion on this.

i'm the one who had the "viral breakthrough" and extended just over a year once the pcrs became clear again...i have very little chance at clearance after a viral breakthrough...but there is "some chance" according to my dr. so i'm trying to decide what would be best for me, stop now as planned or just do the extra time for good measure and better chance at clearance . the meds have been doable for me, though i'm having all the sx everyone else has...but it's livable. thanks for any input.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

wMich~ your taste buds are probably adjusting to the new gross taste of the food on tx...mine has and then i started eating normal again and stopped losing the weight and even gained some back...though i've been battleing it.

*the main reason though i wanted to give you some input is that there is a chance our Thyroids can go Hypo durring tx or by just having hep c....make sure your Thyroid is checked periodically durring blood tests...Hypothyroid can make you gain weight and hyper loose weight...you may already know this....but i thought i'd offer it as a suggestion, to make sure the gainning of weight isn't a sign of thyroid trouble starting...hope not...another liver related issue with weight gain is edema or aeseties, but these come when the liver is in bad shape...these are signs of cirhosis beginning...you would check your biopsy to find this out and also check your albumin levels to make sure normal on your blood tests...i hope i didn't worry you, i'm sure your fine, just trying to cover the bases...

i pray you will find out your just fine in those areas and you are just enjoying your holiday feasts like the rest of us...i'm still stuffed from thanksgiving dinner i think...my dang mother n law is the worlds best old fashioned cook...you name it she made it...course i had to at least "try" each thing!!!  haha...or should i say, "ho ho"?

happy new year!!!!

sandi

[GoofyDad]

Just determined that I've lost 4 lbs and added an inch to the waist. That figures to 14 lbs of muscle loss, 10 lbs of which migrated to the spare tire area as fat, plus another 4 lbs that went missing all together. Just call me Studley.

[Forseegood]

hey snook, glad youre still kickin. Anyway, I'm shopping around for a good vitamin, protein powder (I wouldn't mind putting in some goat whey, that way I won't be using too much dairy), hopefully with some vitamins and minerals to boot. Have a feeling it's going to be a lifesaver for me too. If you think about it, you can make it really good for you, I add bananas, strawberries and blueberries, yogurt, etc. Anyway, where did you get this one? online? can you tell me more about it? Is it one of those body building things?

[indyjo]

I gained 15 pounds on tx and my nurse always asked about exercise. I basically became a couch potato because of the anemia and ate all day at work to help me stay focused.  Happy new year everyone!!!!

[roxxiroo]

I heard that most likely I would lose weight by quite a few pounds. I purposefully gained weight before  the start of treatment. As it turned out that was 7.5 pounds, and now I have lost two of those since my twelve weeks of treatment. I do eat an organic dove type bar of ice-cream each day from Whole Foods. I rarely ate ice before, but it makes me feel better. I am sure it is the dark chocolate coating. I think maybe I should eat yogurt on some days as suggested by beamishboy,  but i already eat a granola, nut, and fruit concoction for breakfast. I really don't mind staying steady on the scales because I am terrified of shots anywhere other than in the little roll of fat I have below my waist line. Mostly appetite is not a problem though, just fatigue and some aches for me.

[rossrad]

I gained 20 lbs during 24 weeks of Tx.  And, my medical team did act like I was a freak over it.  But, they thought that anyhow because of how I feel better on interferon.  They called me a masocist for that.  Just having fun.  But yes, I gained weight.  Took it back off in 3 months after Tx.

Ross