Rectal Bleeding

I had a colonoscopy last July, small streaks of blood freaked me out... it was clear except dr said i had hemoroids, he gave me an rx for suppositories... about 2 months ago i had alot of bleeding, and it was after a night of drinking...and again this morning after alot of drinking this past Saturday night...

I was a very heavy drinker until I found out about the hep and these 2 drinking bouts were my first in like 2 years really, i have cut way way way back if i drink at all anymore it is usually only a few drinks, but these 2 times it was ALOT

i was on virimadine/peg trial for 6 months dropped last April for non-responding... i am wondering if this bleeding is because the hep is progressing or what, or is it just internal hemoroids aggravated by drinking

so ... another very good reason to stop drinking entirely i guess

also my Dad & my brother both had problems with internal/ bleeding hemoroids that seemed to be worse when drinking and is the reason they both pretty much quit drinking...

i am just very freaked out by this, have an appt with GI doctor in a few weeks...

[can-do-man]

If i was a betting man. And i am, i go with the hemoroids. Good luck to you. BTW no doctors here.

[hep62pj]

i know i am waiting for my dr to call and am freaking out sorry...

[hep62pj]

i would have posted this ? on the gastro board but it cost $16 to post a question there !!!!

[Dale_Ray]

See your doctor and good luck. DR

[Dale_Ray]

Amen!

[NYgirl]

KALIO said:  Alcohol acts like an accelerant to the Hep C virus. Any alcohol use coupled with the virus has the potential of escalating your liver damage.

That is a REALLY important thing for you to think about (I had to myself long and hard) and because I didn't soon enough I am now Stage 3 liver damage.

I'm so GLAD you have cut down but hard drinking, binge drinking whatever isn't going to help your liver at all and it also damages other parts of your body and could very well be the cause of your current problem.  Try to live as clean as you can - take care of your liver it's the only one you've got.

(Believe me I sure understand how hard it can be).

Best of luck

[hep62pj]

i had a colonoscopy last July and it was clear...thank god

and yea i really really need to stop drinking completely i know... the only biop I had was about 2 years ago, stage 2/grade 2 so yes i am an idiot drinking at all...

it is very hard, especially since it was a very big part of my life and still is for alot of my friends/family... I never thought that i could even slow down but I did as soon as I found out about the hep and during tx i was like 99% alcohol-free except i had a trip to New Orleans 2 weeks after i started tx and i ate oysters & drank some beer down there, but nothing after that for six months...

this is totally freaking me out and another big big SIGN to me to STOP drinking COMPLETELY

i just have to keep telling myself i am sick, it is messed up because i dont really feel sick i feel fine most of the time...

[NYgirl]

Well I tell you what totally made the difference for ME.  In one of the booklets I was reading when I was first diagnosed there was a picture of a liver (illustration) and it showed stages 0 - 4.

When I saw what my OWN liver looked like compared to what it SHOULD look like...and then I looked at what the end stage liver looked like........whew! I took that picture and carried it everywhere with me and whenever that incredible urge came on me I opened it up and looked.

That was the BIGGEST stop sign I could ever possibly have and it worked it really really did.

See if you can find a picture like that - once you get it in your head it may help you a LOT.

[Forseegood]

I completely agree with Kalio and NyGirl on this...oddly enough, the diagnosis of this disease has flushed out many people with drinking problems...some people think that because they are "functional"....a regular job, taking care of their kids, etc. they must not have a drinking problem...people with "drinking problems" are lying in gutters...not necessarily....

I just think that with a diagnosis of this potentially life threatening disease, along with the fact that you tried a treatment and didnt clear, and you continue to drink indicates something...I can't tell you how many times I've heard..."well gee, I got diagnosed with this disease and I really cut down to almost nothing...and then I had a real binge...but I know I can cut down again"...?? see my point? I've gone to a more than a few hep boards and support groups and I can't tell you how many similar stories I've heard...

The way this process works is that many people's metabolisms have a kind of "allergy" to alcohol...and many times we crave things we are allergic to, very much...couple that with the fact that alcohol can be so deeply ingrained in our social lives, many times people who drink...a lot...hang out with other people who drink...a lot....

If this presents a problem for you, you might think about not hanging out with this crowd for the time being, while you are trying to quit drinking...there are plenty of great sober people to hang out with that are probably just as fun and interesting...though I find people who are drunk and repeating themselves over and over while they spew a little spittle on your face not the most interesting of people to hang out with afterall...after awhile you'll find that you will have just as much fun or whatever without relying on a drink to "smooth things out" for you in a social setting...

And this is just an observation that is mostly anecdotal cause I haven't seen that many studies to back this up, but there are some...and my hepatologiest agrees with me on this point...many, many times when I hear that a person has reached stage 4 cirrhosis liver biopsy having this disease, and worse, they will often have a history of "more than the occasional drink" drinking and/or drug abuse...that's not to say that a non-drinker can't advance in this disease, cause that can happen too, but I do see the former...a lot....

Remember there are plenty of people who find it a little annoying to give up that occasional glass of wine or beer due to having this disease, but they realize their very life can be on the line and it's not that big a deal to them to give it up...if it is a bigger deal to you to give it up....I'd try to seek help with this....not everyone can give it up on their own...sorry if I sound like a big Kill-Joy, I don't mean to sound harsh, but there is just too much on the line with this stuff to take it really lightly...best of luck to you....

[can-do-man]

Now that you got your daily sermon. Best of luck to you.:)

[hep62pj]

haaaaaa can-do you funny.....

but yea i get it, i know i should not drink but sometimes i just dont care .. i got this from iv drug use so addiction is nothing new to me, i have been addicted to one thing or another since i was 9 years old.   I have been to outpatient court ordered counciling and AA meetings about 10 years ago for alcohol related problems ... but rehab/AA is not for me ...i was on methadone treatment for heroin withdrawal when i was like 22 and there was no counciling associate with it AT ALL just drink this and you will get rid of your dependence and it worked and that was that, i got away from h after that, afraid of aids really..

so i know all about finding new friends... i have had to do it many many times... just not into it this time around really, and only a few of my friends drink alot and even then not on a regular basis

yea i am a functioning whatever i have ALWAYS held a job and paid my bills ...

personally, i think i am (was) doing pretty good with the drinking... WAS being the key word here haha ...

[Forseegood]

well...my younger sister almost died from liver failure "shes 3rd stage cirrhosis" (you don't get too many stages with that) she was in a hospital in England and they told us she wouldn't make it through the night and we needed to make funeral arrangements...this went on for about 1 month while she was in ICU and she somehow pulled through (she was incubated for weeks when her liver and kidney shut down) she was in that hospital for 4 months...fast forward 3 years later, she managed to get stay sober "on her own" for much of the past three years, and with a really good diet and exercise she's made it this far, which is a flat out miracle - she's stunned her doctors....she's doesn't figure AA or rehab is "for her" either and she's been just white knuckleing it for almost 3 years now...

Recently, she's been taking more and more pain killers, she's started up on methadone, and a few tranquilizers...and up until now she's considered herself still "sober" cause she hasn't had a "drink"....she just got admitted to the hospital last night because they have to drain her stomach of fluid build up from the cirrhosis...a procedure they have to do with this condition...and now she's "talking" about getting clean from all these other drugs except the anti-depressants which she needs....

cept she still doesn't want to go to AA or any program, so far....I guess she's still not ready to get really sober and that's okay...not everyone can get sober and people should be left to do whatever they want to do, it's their body to do whatever they see fit....I don't judge her for this because she  knows what's on the line more than anybody...we are waiting for a phone call from the hospital right now as to what's going on with her...she doesn't have hep c or she would of been dead a long time ago...

I just tell you this to let you know that I know what this is and I do believe that a person can do whatever they see fit...

[GoofyDad]

I am really sorry you have this going on. I wish I could say something more comforting, but the words escape me right now. Know that I think of your smiling posts often, and you'll be  particularly in my thoughts during this difficult time.

Here's to a speedy recovery for your sister, in all senses.

[NYgirl]

Hey you said:  i was on methadone treatment for heroin withdrawal when i was like 22

Let me TELL you if you can go through withdrawl (withdrawal) this is nothing compared to that living hell (although the anemia...nope wrong NOTHING is worse than that).

I think you are like me-we take a lickin and keep on tickin.  
Strong strong stubborn and determined...might have hurt us in the PAST but now you watch it will come in REALLY handy for beating the snot out of this disease.

You will see.  I find posting in here is sort of like a big meeting -we're all messed up on something...even if it is Ambien these days...drug of choice of the super stars :)

[Dale_Ray]

Brownies, special brownies can help you get away from drinking and damaging your liver. No medical proof that special brownies hurt you in anyway other than the fried egg and the skillet theory. With these meds and the brainfog you wouldn't even notice. Special brownies!

[NYgirl]

Maybe that's my problem I have to figure out how to put them in my fudgicles - ooops that reminds me of frozen specimens again argh!

FORSEEGOOD

[can-do-man]

says....I think you are like me-we take a lickin and keep on tickin....... Now now nygirl this is a new member here so get yourself out of the gutter PLEEEEEZE

[can-do-man]

Behaving as usual thanks. Heck all they would have to do is make them read this board that would scare them enough.

Also worried about beagel, not like him not to let us know. Hope everything is all right with him

[NYgirl]

Darn Forsee I hit tab and it sent oh me!

I'm so sorry - your sister had one of the biggest most incredible miracles I've EVer heard of with her experiences in London. I am SO sorry for you that it wasn't a great big eye opener..but I admit in my past I did the same thing and kept saying I'm sober I'm not drinking LOL yeah h and C are much better for you! :(

My brother does it to this day and my parents are "proud" of him and his 360mgs of OXYCONTIN A DAY

Now that I AM sober I see the difference - it's hard to understand when you dont WANT to see it or admit it. I really thought she would have been there after that whole amazing story - that seems like it was yesterday when you told us.

Keep the faith miracles do come in strange places and it can still happen for her.

I'm so sorry for your pain my friend I really am.

[can-do-man]

Sure hope things work out for your sister. Shes lucky to have you on her side. Take care of yourself

[Forseegood]

hey thanks for that...guess I just get psst off when people put addiction down to a "weak character" or a lack of will power, we know it can be much more than that, a disease in and of itself...most times it's got nothing to do with a "weak character" they have been doing studies where addicts have different types of pathways, etc...than non-addicts...and like I said, while some people can quit on there own, there are some who need help with it, it's not always something you can do on your own...it's just too bad there is all this shame around it...50 years from now people will think we were barbarians for making people feel shame around this....

And as far as brownies, while that can help some people, there are some people who are so heavily addicted, that if they "mood alter" with any substance other than proscribed meds like anti-depressants, they can get themselves in a place where they can start drinking again...a slippery place indeed...we are all different and we all handle substances differently...I know if my sister started to smoke pot she'd be off to get a bottle, she at least knows that...now if she can get off the pills, she might have a chance...

[Dale_Ray]

fudgecicles are easy. You lay them out in those cornbread cast iron skillet things that bake cornbread sticks. Leave them at room temperature for 3 hours. Add special ingredients to the liquid and re-freeze for four hours. Then when your lickin I gaurantee you'll keep on tickin as John Cameron Swazee says. Also try my special milkshake but you have to use a bong instead of a straw. ha! How you doin Sunshine? Dale

[Forseegood]

thanks...you seem to doing okay...guess so from all the yuks...you'll be fine...maybe one of us will hit the lotto and we'll fly in everybody to an island, now THAT would make a reality program...now lemme guess, who'd bring the whoopie cushions? lemme scratch my head about that????

[OnAPrettyPoison]

Forseegood, I am so sorry about your sister.  I know how it feels to more or less just have to watch what someone you love does and not be able to change it.  She has a good sister that loves her!

Can Man, maybe we heppers can have a new reality series - our lives on ribavirin, peg, procrit, neupogen, anti-depressants,  BROWNIES and FUDGESICLES!  It can be animated, and Kriskid can do the illustrations!

[Forseegood]

thanks for the kind words...you get your screen name from Shakespeare? just askin...

[OnAPrettyPoison]

Not that I am aware of.  I kind of made it up, but I did it on a riba fog, so I could have heard it somewhere and "appropriated" it!  Pretty poison kind of describes the combo therapy - it is poison alright, but if I get SVR from it, it will be a thing of beauty! I will put lipstick, dress, and a wig on it!  And give it a BIG KISS!  LOL!

[Algernon]

I just wish they'd deliver a box of those special brownies along with my box of Procrit.  Packages on the porch--cool.

Unfortunately (or fortunately) I don't know where to shop for those brownies anymore.  But I think I'll run downstairs and whip up some plain ole Giardelli brownie mix.  I just need a few spoonfuls of the batter to get me through the night.

XO, Algie-Deb

[can-do-man]

said....it will be a thing of beauty! I will put lipstick, dress, and a wig on it! And give it a BIG KISS! LOL!
_______________________________________________________________

I draw the line on the lipstick and dress. But will go for the rest. As for the reality series, ok by be. If that don't scare people into being tested for hcv nothing will. Hope your feeling ok today.

[OnAPrettyPoison]

What a reality show it would be.  HCV is scary and if they saw some of the sides, it would scare them.  If they saw what can happen if you don't treat, it would scare them worse.  HCV is a  case of "reality bites" programming for real life.

I am feeling just fine today!  I am missing Mr Beagle Bailey, and I wonder if he was okay when he had his doctor's appointment or if he is just on his way back home to FL.

And how is the can can man????  Well, I hope!

[Forseegood]

hey, thanks for the kind words...I guess I'm so used to the situation that I haven't really tripped on it "that" much, I know that sounds really, really harsh but it happens after so many years...I just hope for the best and put her in the universe's hands cause I know damn well that I can't do anything about it one way or the other...she knows I love her...

anyway, on another note...thanks for the laughs on here, you've probably cheered up more people than you'll ever know about...and God knows we need some he he's don't we?

[lionesss]

I miss that smoky. noisy pub.  As soon as I finish tx I am gonna go back and celebrate!

[fishdoc]

Hep, many of us here got here by having addictive personalities.  I'm sorry if you posted personal stats, but i have riba excuse, but I think A LOT  of us here have changed our ways, not because we are stronger, smarter, better, or whatever, but we are older, and spouses, children, and parents.  When you are all three, you have a responsibility to those you love.  (My 23 year old hates this lecture, but he hears it a lot).  If you have any of those three, look at them, and think about what your lifestyle is going to mean to their future.  Grandkids, the sheer joy- not for you.  You will probably be sick, if your still around.  Got a wife?  Think of the hell her life will be when you get sick, and potentially terminal.  The bills you will leave her with, the sorrow.  The number one risk factor to developing liver disease from Hep C is continued use of alcohol.  Did I love to drink.  Hell yes.  Am I willing to do that to my family.  No.  You know, sometimes, it not about us, its about them....

just the lecture I have given myself many times.  I danced with the ugly woman from the time I was 15 until I turned 22, and became a parent.  I told myself when I get old, and have no responsibilities anymore, and on the way out, I'll ride that horse again.  But I hope I am never so far gone, that I find that acceptable.  Best of luck to you...

[Forseegood]

all I know is I sure wasn't talking about the occasional social drink, and I don't think Fishdoc was either, if I can be so presumtuous....what we're talking about is a whole other ballgame...and of course, if you have hep C or are on treatment, the occasional social drink is out of the question as well...too much is at stake...

I'm not in the temperance league, that would be funny if you knew me... but this is some serious stuff and I just wanted to throw my 2 cents in...guess dealing with a sister who is slowly dying of alcohoism makes me a bit sensitive...though talking like this never makes you very popular...

[fishdoc]

After viral clearance, social will be something I look forward to.  Baileys irish cream around a september campfire.  Maybe even a couple of shots of canadian mist.  BUT, if I don't clear, that is not an option.  Just my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions...and @ssholes!!  Forseegood, yes, I was talking about more, but even occasional is an increase risk factor....... as for the old days, drinking was the mildest for of chemical intervention..

[lionesss]

Yikes.  But what about those who used to enjoy the occasional social drink and whose kids are old enough now to look after themselves on those rough mornings.  I don't miss the hangovers, but I sure miss catching up with mates and having a bit of a perve at the talent out there.

[Forseegood]

yeah, sorry for speaking for you, only had the best intentions...and I only say this stuff cause it's so important and should be said, our health is precious...I think drinking till you get a hangover is not a good thing, even if you do svr...it's not like the old days in our 20's when our bodies could take that much booze a tad better...the sad business of getting older is our organs and glands get older too...and having had hepatitis...and treatment...we've already put our livers though the mill..so to speak, ha ha! From everything I've heard, after you SVR, an  occasional drink is okay, but nothing much more than that...from all that i've heard and read...well, guess I about hammered this subject to death, ha ha!

[fishdoc]

Hey forseegood, I like your attitude, agree 100%.  You can speak for me anytime!!  i think your name says it all.  We want a quality of life that doesn't fit with the toys of our youth...

[Pauly Boy]

hi all,
I'm trying to reach a poster called NYGIRL, she has the same situation as I do and It would be so good to speak with her about it. I'm trying to start TX for HCV and at the same time I take Suboxone. I heard she is in this boat as well. If you're out there NYGIRL please give me a shout email is     ***@****   .  Anyone who could help in this effort Thanx
Thank you in Advance
Pauly Boy