Pain

Hey folks!  Been awhile since I dropped in but I do read everyone's post every chance I get.  Don't think I have wrote since early Oct. after the hospitalization w/Menegitis.( That sucked!)  Anyway VERY happy for everyone that has reached there goals (SVR) and to those who are still hanging in there fighting the dragon!.  I have yet to go on treatment.  Really neeed to I suppose, just no financial support to back me.  Don't want to live under a bridge while slaying the dragon!

Back to what I am writing about. Hep C Geno type1, having really bad liver pain, feeling sluggish today, co-worker said I looked as if I am not feeling well today.  Should I call the Doc and go in for some bloodwork to see if my Hep C is progressing?  Could the pain be a sign of progresson? (*spelling) Last blood test he said I could wait on treatment which I think was back in Sept.  What ya think?

Thanks for any replies..............

[Califia]

Hey there!  Good to hear from you.  I believe you've answered your own question:  yes, you're symptomatic, and it does seem like treatment is imperative.   The financial issues are a bear, no doubt about it,  but if you're experiencing an increase in pain and fatigue,  which probably means an increase in inflammatory activity, you've got to get on it.   Those of us of a certain age, ahem,  are rapidly losing our estrogen advantage and are especially vulnerable to disease progression.  This is an important transitional point, and I say move heaven and earth if you have to, but do it.   I'd be happy to suggest some things you can do in the interim--before interferon therapy--that will help keep you in a holding pattern, but of course everything has its price.   Anyway, I'm sorry this damn disease has you in its grip.   Time to fight back, hard.

[AK - Hepper]

Most of the pain I get is from certain foods, things like red meat, cheese or coffee. It used to be really bad till I finally figgered that out.
Google Sandra Cabot, liver friendly diet. Lots of good info there.

[Laika]

This seems like a good place to say--I believe there are some people on this forum who are receiving their meds from a study being done on the interferons.  It would be nice if someone could post the criteria for being accepted, a little bit about what's involved, where it is.  I've heard people refer to it, but not explain it.

[Califia]

There's a connection between lower estrogen levels and accelerated fibrosis development,   but I don't think we can attribute the increase in liver "sensation" to any dosage adjustments made the day before.    Sure, feel free to email me at ***@**** .

[Fisheress]

Would love to hear from you and your ideas!  Will you e-mail me?  I will call & make appt. with Doc tomorrow.  Funny you mentioned the estrogen levels.  My gyno just changed my hormone theapy to a new and improved way of me receiving the homones that I need.  In the process he lower me from .01 to .05 which seems to be JUST FINE.   I felt no changes untill today with this pain.  Perhaps related?  Do you want me to give you my e-mail address or are you going to reply here on the post?

THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH.

[rearfang]

Ditto that, Laika. I'm trying to figure out how to afford tx.