News Stories/Generic Riba/Other Posts

[TnHepGuy_]

(Well for the time being at least, my information addiction persists. And as long as I remain in the "chronic-junkie phase", I thought I'd continue to pass some things along.)

<a href="http://www.natap.org/2006/HCV/020106_01.htm">Reversal of hepatic fibrosis - Fact or fantasy?</a>

<a href="http://www.natap.org/2005/AASLD/aasld_61.htm">Study Finds EPO Improved SVR Only in High Dose RBV Group</a>

<a href="http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2006/020306_a.html">In Whom, When, How, and with What Therapy to Treat Acute Hepatitis C?</a>

<a href="http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2006/020306_b.html">Hepatitis C Recurs Rapidly after Liver Transplant</a>

<a href="http://www.hcvadvocate.org/news/newsRev/2006/NewsRev-136.html#6">Liver Cancer Risk Is High in Hep C-Related Cirrhosis</a>

<a href="http://www.hcvadvocate.org/news/newsRev/2006/NewsRev-136.html#12">No Increased Risk for HCV Transmission Through Breastfeeding, Studies Show</a>

<a href="http://www.hcvadvocate.org/news/newsRev/2006/NewsRev-136.html#16">Albumin Prevents Liver Complications in Cirrhosis</a>

<a href="http://www.hcvadvocate.org/news/newsRev/2006/NewsRev-136.html#17">'Very Rare' Hep B Relapses Reported in Patients on Certain Arthritis Drugs</a>

<a href="http://www.hcvadvocate.org/news/newsRev/2006/NewsRev-137.html#1">Oral Glucose Tolerance Test Predicts Cirrhosis Prognosis</a>

<a href="http://www.hcvadvocate.org/news/newsRev/2006/NewsRev-137.html#2">MIGENIX to Initiate MX-3253 HCV Viral Kinetics Study in Treatment Naive Patients</a>

[mikesimon]

Thank you for your kind words. I must tell you and, believe me I am not that modest, as my friends would rapidly attest to, but I only did what anyone else in my position would do. I may have had more knowledge then some and that may have inclined me to go further than some but it was only because of my knowldge and had nothing at all to do with courage. Quite the contrary perhaps - that I was just a lot more scared than most and consequently couldn't help but try to get rid of the virus. The virus never leaves with transplant - it's there just waiting to get comfy in the new liver. Some types and strains are more virulent than others but w/o TX the virus ain't going anywhere. I didn't even know that when I was transplanted - I didn't know anything at all. Karen and I thought that was the cure and now I'd be okay. And then BAM! - soaring enzymes and a sickness I never knew with my own liver. I was treated for rejection 2 or 3 times and looking back I wonder if it was acute rejection or the hep c. I've told this story before but I'll tell it again. When I was sick I talked with the pathologist and my surgeon and they said that hep c reinfection in the liver and rejection were indistinguishable on biopsy. In 2000 the rule was if the inflamation was close in time to transplant they'd call it acute rejection and if it were further away in time they'd call it hep c. In 2004 after I was clear I toured the bio research facility at UPMC and a brilliant woman Phd/MD was telling me about dendritic cells splatters and how they could tell the difference between rejection and hep c and how they could be used to predict if a person was likely to reject and on and on. She didn't know my story so when I asked her if this was known in 2000 she replied that it was in the research department but that they didn't share the info with the clinical side to preserve the integrity of the research. I told her my story. Immediately she said that they probably still had my blood there and that she could run some tests right then and tell me whether it was rejection or hep c. I declined - I really didn't want to know. I was just happy to be rid of the virus and what was done was over but it did make an impression on me. How did I get so far afield? I have a habit of doing that lately. Mike

[NYgirl]

Wow. I am glad you shared that. All of that which you went through...makes me feel like quite the bit a crybaby sometimes.

You see people boo hoo I don't want to treat and crying about itty bitty sides....when compared to you we have it EASY.

Maybe next time I want to whine I'll think more. Well I know everybody's problems are equally serious cause they are THEIRS but boy does it help me to remember - when you think you got it hard someone else has it WORSE!

I am so glad that you endured. You are really quite an insipiration for us all.


_PS Kalio - nope no results. Since I made a pact with myself to treat until 24 for optimum chance at UND before making decision.....I have FORCED myself not to call and ask for the PCR.  I will get it in 3 weeks.  Not easy but...what if this is the week I kill those few virus left? If I got discouraged....it might not happen. So I'll stick it out wondering..... :)

[mikesimon]

I have only made up a few axioms in my life but I have one that applies here. My sister was visiting me a couple of days after transplant and I was lying there with my scar exposed for all the world to see and I didn't feel real good. She and I were talking and in that offhand way we all talk she muttered "I got a headache that's killing me". She immediately felt horrible that she'd complain to me when here I was after transplant and she began trying to apologize for her inconsiderate comment. I said right then "There's no pain like your pain" and I meant it and knew that it was absolutely true. She is a therapist and works with kids and families and she tells me she uses that line all the time because it's true. Your pain is your pain and it hurts you w/o regard to how much my pain hurts me and you're entitled to complain and cry and feel sorry for yourself. If another's exerience inspires or encourages you then that's fine and good but it does in no way denigrate your situation or your pain - there's no pain like your pain. There, have I lectured enough yet? Sorry if I adopted that pedantic tone I so detest. Mike

[cquest]

It IS always something isn't it? Thanks for thinking of her, I really believe good energy helps and it must have helped her...she is doing better today...still can't eat and she's starving but at least she is complaining so that's always a good sign! Her white count was over 23, I read the note from the lab that it was 'critical' and they informed the floor (and exactly what time they called the floor so you know somebody is covering their a$$). She's still inhouse...probably tomorrow she can go home unless they want to take her tonsils out or something cause that's what they say is part of the problem...

Speaking of transplants...once again while 'outing' myself about HCV, I met this woman who's son in law didn't even know he had HCV until he had cirrhosis...he was at death's door...too sick to even know where he was...delirious...he finally got a transplant...the bad news is his ins. co won't pay for the tx because they say 'you got a new liver, you don't need tx now'! Can you imagine? They are fighting it out w/ them but what a crock! Really sad if he ends up too sick to tx or whatever else could go wrong...
Cin

[friole]

White count 23? That sounds so off the chart, I can't even fathum it. Jeesh - mine is 1.6.  I hope she gets to come home soon.

I just don't believe that story about the transplant surviver who can't get tx.  It is so well documented that hep C will just destroy the new liver if not treated.  Don'tcha get sick of fighting sometimes?

[cquest]

I hate to admit it but I enjoy fighting with insurance companies...I think it's cause I worked for Metlife/UnitedHealth Care/Uniprise/whatever else they are calling themselves now for 10 years and it's satisfying now to give back all the grief I had to take...ha!

And yes that white count is off the chart...poor thing was so dehydrated the IV's were popping out...her veins were collapsed and they had to stick her in  a half dozen different places. I guess I'll find out today if they'll let her go or try to take her tonsils out since they are still swollen and all red...
Cin