Aa
Pre Tx Brain Fog/sides?
I haven't started tx yet however will as soon as my gallbladder is out and I have recovered. I have been reading this site since my diagnosis in September 05. One of the common tx sides is "brain fog" I was wondering if anyone experienced this prior to tx? I have always prided myself on how organized I was in my mind and my memory however slowly my memory is getting worse and worse over the past year. I will ask my husband a question and he'll say I've already asked him 3 or 4 times in the last hour...but I don't remember asking him. Thankfully he is a very patient person. I don't even want to think what I will be like on tx. The other things I have experienced were fatigue and urq. I'm assuming these are related to the hepc with the exception of the urq since we found out that was the gallbladder not the liver.
Anyway just curious if anyone else experience these. And no I don't think it's old age....as I will never be old!! : )
Deb in az
Anyway just curious if anyone else experience these. And no I don't think it's old age....as I will never be old!! : )
Deb in az
speaking of, has anyone heard from rifleman? he should have had his 3 month PCR by now, unless he is only getting the 6 month PCR.
if I remember correctly, your dr did not want to do an early PCR to see if you cleared at wk 4, only a small percentage of people(of any genotype) get a negative that early. Added to that, they consider the pre tx viral load. If you did not have a PCR just before starting tx, it is hard to define high from low vl as a factor since it fluctuates wildly in a short period.
To date, there are only two studies, from Europe, advocating the new length. They are very conscious of cutting costs over there, maybe because a large number of their countries have socialize health care or some form of national health insurance. I read it over and over in the studies coming from that side, cost effective. Nothing wrong with that, as long as is not jeopardizing someone's chances at SVR.
I think someone mentioned it a while back to you, since you have the anemia to contend with, and a shorter course might be less risky, but if you passed the 4 wk mark already, it might not be for your consideration anymore. Naturally, anyone of us can stop tx at any time we want, regardless of studies, and take our chances, unless you really do not want to do this again.
be well
To date, there are only two studies, from Europe, advocating the new length. They are very conscious of cutting costs over there, maybe because a large number of their countries have socialize health care or some form of national health insurance. I read it over and over in the studies coming from that side, cost effective. Nothing wrong with that, as long as is not jeopardizing someone's chances at SVR.
I think someone mentioned it a while back to you, since you have the anemia to contend with, and a shorter course might be less risky, but if you passed the 4 wk mark already, it might not be for your consideration anymore. Naturally, anyone of us can stop tx at any time we want, regardless of studies, and take our chances, unless you really do not want to do this again.
be well
Yep, there's brain fog prior to treatment. At least that's true in my case. I've been taking 3 grams of Acetyl L-Carnine daily (two divided doses prior to 6 p.m.) and I'm a lot more clear-headed. I think it also helps to "excercise" your brain by reading something challenging, doing a crossword puzzle, etc.
Susan
Susan
Hey Guys!
Veg: No im<b>post</b>er here. The real me, every crusty ounce. Hard to imagine being flabby and crusty simultaneously, but somehow I've managed it!
Forsee - Hey Kiddo! What's cookin? Got them chopppers shined up and ready to roll? I'll be lookin' out for you down at the river.
Veg: No im<b>post</b>er here. The real me, every crusty ounce. Hard to imagine being flabby and crusty simultaneously, but somehow I've managed it!
Forsee - Hey Kiddo! What's cookin? Got them chopppers shined up and ready to roll? I'll be lookin' out for you down at the river.
Tues Night Funnies
An 80 year old woman was arrested for shop lifting. When she went before the judge he asked her, "What did you steal?"
She replied: a can of peaches.
The judge asked her why she had stolen them and she replied that she was hungry.
The judge then asked her how many peaches were in the can. She replied 6.
The judge then said, "I will give you 6 days in jail."
Before the judge could actually pronounce the punishment the woman's husband spoke up and asked the judge if he could say something.
He said, "What is it?"
The husband said "She also stole a can of peas."
An 80 year old woman was arrested for shop lifting. When she went before the judge he asked her, "What did you steal?"
She replied: a can of peaches.
The judge asked her why she had stolen them and she replied that she was hungry.
The judge then asked her how many peaches were in the can. She replied 6.
The judge then said, "I will give you 6 days in jail."
Before the judge could actually pronounce the punishment the woman's husband spoke up and asked the judge if he could say something.
He said, "What is it?"
The husband said "She also stole a can of peas."
<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15972867&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_DocSum">This study</a> (which is often referred to in here as the Italian study) found that there was essentially no penalty for truncating geno 2 & 3 treatments to 12 weeks when 4 week RVR was achieved. The full study is available for about 10 bucks at the New England Journal of Medicine site. I think this study was based on peg-intron and 800 mg of riba). Another study using pegasys got similar results based on 16 weeks of TX for genos 2 & 3.
Please dont think that I'm am advocating that everyone do shorter treatment times, I'm not ready for a the slings and arrows, ha ha! There has been a lot of talk lately about some new studies and EVR, Jim can tell you a lot about this as well...it depends on how fast you clear, etc. and it seems that a lot of people are saying their docs are paying special attention to this and changing their attitudes about treatment times, etc.
Also, I talked to my doc about upping dosages and treatment times and he seems to think that some people are getting too carried away with this and he hasn't seen a lot of data that warrants it in most cases, he has plenty of patients who cleared on normal dosing and treatment times...these meds either agree with you or they don't, he says...just my docs take and there are plenty of docs who disagree I'm sure....that's why he thinks that some people can treat for shorter periods, because the meds seem to work really well on some people, (with EVR indicating that) and they can probably do shorter times....
Also, I talked to my doc about upping dosages and treatment times and he seems to think that some people are getting too carried away with this and he hasn't seen a lot of data that warrants it in most cases, he has plenty of patients who cleared on normal dosing and treatment times...these meds either agree with you or they don't, he says...just my docs take and there are plenty of docs who disagree I'm sure....that's why he thinks that some people can treat for shorter periods, because the meds seem to work really well on some people, (with EVR indicating that) and they can probably do shorter times....
I had the fog for a few years before TX also had arm numbness and pain,coulden't sleep and a bunch of other stuff.In a week or two after starting TX all those things got better even the fog cleared,After a few months on TX a different fog rolled in and it got a little darker as well as foggy. TX ended Jan 6th and feeling much better than before TX. All the fog is lifting .Aloha
the reason they want to see me once a week for the 1st 6 weeks is because they plan to treat me ( a genotype 1) for 24 weeks, and because it's somewhat new to follow this protocol they are monitoring very closely, after 6 weeks it will be once a month I think, and I can get the blood draws here where I live and they fax the results to the hep nurse in Toronto...
*dippers*
*dippers*
Well let me know what they do when you are there...I'd be curious to see what they talk to you about that would differ from everybody else who is treating you know?
There has to be some reason or something and maybe all of us should let our doctors in on it - honestly I feel like it's a huge waste of money when I do go for my visits and he charges $500 for some comprehensive exam or something LOL.
Yeah ok.
There has to be some reason or something and maybe all of us should let our doctors in on it - honestly I feel like it's a huge waste of money when I do go for my visits and he charges $500 for some comprehensive exam or something LOL.
Yeah ok.
there are not that many doctors that are trying out the 24 week protocol for 1's, my doctor is one of two here in Canada...I think if my memory serves me well, which we know it doesn't lately lol, that rifleman was a shorter course trial too...
Well I feel sooooo much better. I will have to show my husband this thread. so he knows I'm not the only one. The poor guy. Every time I accuse him of something or ask him the same question 50 times....I must look at him like I'm confused because he always pats me on the head and says....aaaaah it's okay...is the havoc (hcv) eating your brains again?
I can't wait to start tx and get it over with...I want my mind back....
Deb in AZ
I can't wait to start tx and get it over with...I want my mind back....
Deb in AZ
Azgirl and anyone else interested: I think this is a very good article on some studies they have been doing on depression, cognitive impairment, etc. associated with HCV. I think you have to join Hepatitis Neighborhood to read it, which is no big deal, just give them a registered name and password to read it.
http://www.hepatitisneighborhood.com/content/finding_support/coping_emotional_support_2001.aspx?randStr=
With me, my brain fog seems to be cyclical, like around the first of the month, so I do think it's tied in to my cycles in some way, menopausal
(if you look on the symptoms of women in menopause on the menopause sites <power-surge is a good one> you'll see that many women of a certain age complain of this without the having Hep C)
whatever, but I've thought for a long time that the HCV is prob making my menopausal symptoms worse. I do seem to have a lack of concentration sometimes, and an inability to organize like I used to, also follow-though on projects started, etc. Now I do think, for me, it's a mix of the menopause, HCV, and aging. I am 52, I don't expect to have the faculties I had when I was 25. Though I'd like to think I'm a bit more wise which has it's rewards as well....
Jim@Veggie: I think these new treatment times are catching on at least over here, been talking to some people who are treating and they are telling me their docs are now going by RVR guidelines...one in particular who is going to the VA to get treated, of all places, in Westwood CA, tells me that his doc will only have him treat for 12 weeks if he drops the way he could, (he's a 2b) and I've been talking to others who are doing the same thing, this one woman I know is only doing 24 because she went undetectable at 4 weeks (geno 1)...
Ina: had asked about you a few weeks ago, wanted to see how you are doing and if the sides are going aways for you...hope youre lots better...
http://www.hepatitisneighborhood.com/content/finding_support/coping_emotional_support_2001.aspx?randStr=
With me, my brain fog seems to be cyclical, like around the first of the month, so I do think it's tied in to my cycles in some way, menopausal
(if you look on the symptoms of women in menopause on the menopause sites <power-surge is a good one> you'll see that many women of a certain age complain of this without the having Hep C)
whatever, but I've thought for a long time that the HCV is prob making my menopausal symptoms worse. I do seem to have a lack of concentration sometimes, and an inability to organize like I used to, also follow-though on projects started, etc. Now I do think, for me, it's a mix of the menopause, HCV, and aging. I am 52, I don't expect to have the faculties I had when I was 25. Though I'd like to think I'm a bit more wise which has it's rewards as well....
Jim@Veggie: I think these new treatment times are catching on at least over here, been talking to some people who are treating and they are telling me their docs are now going by RVR guidelines...one in particular who is going to the VA to get treated, of all places, in Westwood CA, tells me that his doc will only have him treat for 12 weeks if he drops the way he could, (he's a 2b) and I've been talking to others who are doing the same thing, this one woman I know is only doing 24 because she went undetectable at 4 weeks (geno 1)...
Ina: had asked about you a few weeks ago, wanted to see how you are doing and if the sides are going aways for you...hope youre lots better...
Hi,
I just saw your post about new treatment times. Can you tell me more about it, I saw someone 2B only treating for 12 weeks is that possible? I am 2B and doing tx for the normal 24 weeks.
The Beagle
I just saw your post about new treatment times. Can you tell me more about it, I saw someone 2B only treating for 12 weeks is that possible? I am 2B and doing tx for the normal 24 weeks.
The Beagle
wow Veg, you are getting a lot of blood draws and youre not on TX? sorry if I forgot what some of your other issues are...from what I know, that yellowing around the blood draw sites will go away with time...they can't find other places to draw? maybe ask for one of those butterfly needles and the hole won't be as big to draw, I'm sure some people out there know more about this then I do...also, one thing I do know, some people are better about doing draws then others, make sure you have someone that knows what they are doing...I'm a nice, patient person for the most part, but that's an area where I will give them some "tude" if you know what I mean....I don't care how many dirty looks I get....I turn into a DIVA real fast...if I think I'm getting a rookie or someone that doesn't know what they are doing, 'lettem practice on someone else, ha ha!
Also, sounds like that yellowing on the eyelids might be circulation related, (you eat a good diet and vitamins right?) though of course I'm no expert, I just like to think I am, ha ha! take baths when you can, and rinse in cold water (or kind of cold, I know where you live, burrrrr!) very warm and cold right after, wonderful for the circulation...also, make sure youre hubby gives you massages on your legs and arms and hands, if he won't find someone who will, ha ha! just kidding...my biggest fantasy was to be married to a masseur, but with my luck, he'd always complain he was "too tired" to get to me, he he he!
Also, the best thing for circulation to the skin and face is a good bath matt, and or/facial matt...not some little "soft" thing made of terry cloth or some sh**, something kinda rough to the touch but made of soft natural fibers that don't tear the skin, go to the health food store to find one, they usually don't have them at the other outlets...even though it will feel rough at first, you just do it easy till you de-sensitize to it, which will happen, certain Asian, Germanic and latin cultures have been doing this for hundreds of years, really good for the skin and circulation, makes it super soft and mositurizes because it gets the oil glands working, also great detoxifying the skin and body...now when you do tx you might have to go with something softer, because the skin loses its texture on that stuff....
when youre doing your face, be sure not to tug or pull on the face, that stretches the face and you don't want that...just little circular motions that keep the skin in the same position...
then of course, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! I use Alba Very Emollient Lotion, you can buy it on the websites for like 30 dollars and it lasts you forever and you get a gallon of it...for the face I use natural oatmeal moisturizers that don't have a lot of chemicals in them...those chemicals you use on your skin go to your bloodstream like anything else....also, when I do tx I'm going to get a vaporizor....
Also, best thing you can do for your skin is eat a bowl of oatmeal every day, that an avocados and olive oil, though I know the avocados probably aren't plentiful in O' Canada....hope this helps, I happen to know that these natural things work better than expensive dept store stuff....
Also, sounds like that yellowing on the eyelids might be circulation related, (you eat a good diet and vitamins right?) though of course I'm no expert, I just like to think I am, ha ha! take baths when you can, and rinse in cold water (or kind of cold, I know where you live, burrrrr!) very warm and cold right after, wonderful for the circulation...also, make sure youre hubby gives you massages on your legs and arms and hands, if he won't find someone who will, ha ha! just kidding...my biggest fantasy was to be married to a masseur, but with my luck, he'd always complain he was "too tired" to get to me, he he he!
Also, the best thing for circulation to the skin and face is a good bath matt, and or/facial matt...not some little "soft" thing made of terry cloth or some sh**, something kinda rough to the touch but made of soft natural fibers that don't tear the skin, go to the health food store to find one, they usually don't have them at the other outlets...even though it will feel rough at first, you just do it easy till you de-sensitize to it, which will happen, certain Asian, Germanic and latin cultures have been doing this for hundreds of years, really good for the skin and circulation, makes it super soft and mositurizes because it gets the oil glands working, also great detoxifying the skin and body...now when you do tx you might have to go with something softer, because the skin loses its texture on that stuff....
when youre doing your face, be sure not to tug or pull on the face, that stretches the face and you don't want that...just little circular motions that keep the skin in the same position...
then of course, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! I use Alba Very Emollient Lotion, you can buy it on the websites for like 30 dollars and it lasts you forever and you get a gallon of it...for the face I use natural oatmeal moisturizers that don't have a lot of chemicals in them...those chemicals you use on your skin go to your bloodstream like anything else....also, when I do tx I'm going to get a vaporizor....
Also, best thing you can do for your skin is eat a bowl of oatmeal every day, that an avocados and olive oil, though I know the avocados probably aren't plentiful in O' Canada....hope this helps, I happen to know that these natural things work better than expensive dept store stuff....
I dont think it's necessary for the doctor to really see you as long as you are getting the CBC and Hep Panel done.
I saw my doctor after two weeks or a month and all that was for was to read me my test results - but of course I already got them faxed and learned in here what they meant.
If that is why the doc wants to see you - you can ask him to fax over all results and see you only IF something is out of whack.
They didn't do anything at all more than that for me - and really have NOT since. Oh except the $500 "exam" where he felt my liver and that was pretty much it except to ask me how I felt.
I saw my doctor after two weeks or a month and all that was for was to read me my test results - but of course I already got them faxed and learned in here what they meant.
If that is why the doc wants to see you - you can ask him to fax over all results and see you only IF something is out of whack.
They didn't do anything at all more than that for me - and really have NOT since. Oh except the $500 "exam" where he felt my liver and that was pretty much it except to ask me how I felt.
It sounds good, how do you feel about it? Is there any reliable data on doing this?
BB
BB
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