Steven Tyler going to be on Access Hollywood

Just read that he's going to be on "Excess Hollywood" tomorrow night, case anyone is interested (he'll be talking about his hep c experience)

http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,20092,00.html?rsslatest

[amirtracy]

hiya foresee. do you know if he just finished tx or is he 6 months post and SVR? hope you're doing great.

[Alady1620]

I posted about this in a thread down below but I'm going to say something here too.  

I am very happy for Mr. Tyler that he cleared and he will be an excellent spokesperson for our cause.  I am sure he will bring a lot of attention to this disease.

However, I read the article above.  Here is a quote from it:

"The virus is often transmitted through dirty needles and typically affects addicts in high numbers. While there is no vaccine or known cure, hepatitis C can be controlled and even reduced in the bloodstream by powerful antiviral drugs such as interferon that strengthen the immune system. "

The article goes on to talk about Tyler's drug use.  I'm sorry, but this really irks me off.  The reporter makes it appear as if the only way to catch hep c is through intravenous drug use.  With articles like this circulating, it only increases the stigma attached to hep c.  

I am going to write a letter to e! and I suggest all of you do too.  If all people are gonna talk about is how Tyler caught hep c, is the publicity really doing us any favors?

[tailao]

what did you want him to do list every possible way of transmission?IV drug users in many places are the biggest transmission threat...

[Alady1620]

I simply think the article makes us all look like a bunch of drug addicts when that is simply NOT the case.

[Alady1620]

Another thing, so what if there are people that caught hep c from needles?  Everybody deserves to be respected and treated for this illness.   The first thing people ask me when I tell them I have hep c is "how did you get it?"  as if they're trying to decide if I deserve their sympathy or not.  

People are going to read that article and come away believing that the only drug users have hep c and that is not true.  Even if it was true, there is no point in focusing on transmission the way the author does in that article.  I find it very insulting.

[iceboy]

I aggree with the abow. I find it very intresting how you put it, people ask how you got to make up their mind if you deserve sympathy or not.! Very true.

I would think (and hope) mr Tyler has educatet him self on this as he also talks about the silent killer and how many dont know they have it etc. It s the writer of the article that turns it up into how exciting if he talks about how he got it assuming its from drug use. The extract in the news like on sky does not mention any of that s**t

[Kalio1]

The truth of the matter is that the largest group of people with Hep C DID get it from IV drug use. There is NO WAY to distance yourself from that truth. Tyler is speaking out about HIS experience, he got it from drug use. So what if there are those of us who got it in another way? Call the local paper and see if they will do a story on you. That will help get the word out that there are other ways to contract this. Not everyone who contracted AIDS got it from being gay but those that got it other ways had to contend with the stigma associated with being gay unfortunately because the truth was many of them had been exposed through unprotected gay sex and the general public is IGNORANT. I am glad I didn't get HCV from IVDU but I don't care how anyone got this, I only care how we all can be cured. We are all in this together, those who's behavior got them here and those who had no hand in getting it. We can't distance ourselves from the truth of the matter any more than Ryan White was able to in the beginning, but in the end the public undertood you could get it in other ways because he spoke up. It is what it is. Tyler is speaking out, he is famous and we NEED HIM to stand up and be counted and speak of HIS experience along with people like Rolf Bershinke who contracted it through a hospital procedure. Like AIDS, the message we need to get out is that people need to be tested and we need a CURE. Each individual has to get over their OWN stigma about how some contracted HCV and stand up and be counted with them. It should not matter HOW you or anyone got it, all that matters is we have it now and need to educate the world. I agree the reporter should have added a line or two stating the other ways you can contract it, but "they" don't really know how many of us got this and list it as "unknown source of exposure." Rolf didnt contract it through drug use yet he speaks of IV drug use as a primary cause because that is the reality. Each person who speaks out will tell the story based on their own life experience. The story was about Steven Tyler and HCV and he got it through IVDU.

[Alady1620]

When the general public reads that article, they're going to come away thinking that the only way to get Hep c is from intravenous drug use.  Part of raising awareness is PREVENTION.  People are gonna think that they couldn't possibly have hep c if they never used drugs.  How does that help prevent the spread of hep c or encourage people to get tested?  It doesn't.

I know that Tyler is in no way responsible for what this reporter wrote about hep c.  He is brave and courageous for speaking out on the issue and I don't blame him at all.  I think he will do a lot of good in raising awareness, however, this one article is annoying (and that's putting it nicely).  I will be looking for his interview tonight and I pray he does goes on Oprah.  She will do a better job raising awareness than E! Online.

[Kalio1]

It shows how ignorant the reporter ( and most everyone) is of this disease. I agree, we should write the reporter and educate him as to the various ways of contrating it. The reporter himself needs to be tested as he could have it and not know it!
Each person that speaks out will talk about their own experience in their own way. If we could get them to mention the other modes of transmission as you suggest that would go a long way to educating the public.
Front page LA Times today there was an article about IV drug use on skid row and the reporter stated it spreads disease and mentions Hep A but never even mentioned Hep C.He missed a golden opportunity to educate. Front page LATimes has a huge audience. I am going to write him and straighten him out! Obviously one challenge we all face is getting those reporting the stories to report them in a more educated way.

[Alady1620]

"Obviously one challenge we all face is getting those reporting the stories to report them in a more educated way."

Yes, I believe that is a large part of the issue and that is what I'm complaining about.  That is why I think we should write to E!.  The Questions/comments page on that site was not hard to find from that link given here.

[NYgirl]

Lord - anybody picks on my man they gotta go through me first!  ;)  The sad fact is that it IS the way most people get the disease - it DOEs define our disease pretty much in the eyes of the public unfortunately.

Steven is just trying to speak from his life.  I did watch him last night on Two and a Half Men - and he looked horrible. Really bad.  It made me cry. I'm used to seeing myself this way - but to see someone else that you know - go through the same horrible thing... but the wig was bad - he's had a bunch of fake hair for a while now (ever wonder why just about all "hot" rock stars have a full head of hair after all their drug use LOL) - and he just looked old and worn.  Broke my heart. But he IS UNd so that is good anyway.

I tell you - just knowing he and I went through treatment together gave me such an incredible lift, it's crazy.  It's absolutely ridiculous but for some reason it really made me feel like I wasn't alone. Even though I was. I know that sounds just so stupid and childish.   I decided last night to see if I can get ahold of him even thoughit's been a long time and I don't know that I can come up with a contact anymore. First I felt like that might be stalkery but then I decided it wasn't really...and it certainly IS a good excuse!

[willows]

I used to get pretty riled up when I read articles that listed IV drug use as the source of transmission for Hep C but it is true that the person getting infected today is getting it from IVDU most likely.  I don't care anymore, my illness and my fight is worth no more or less because I do not know how I got it, it DOES NOT MATTER.  If it mattered to me, how can I ask it of other people to disregard it?

So, I kind of treat everyone the way I demand to be treated.  It was a valuable thing for me to learn, back off my judgements with anyone because in my own case, if I am judged now, folks do not have all the info.  But uneducated human beings will continue to ask "how did you get it" until better education is given them.  Your letters to E! will be good education.  

To get tested, to seek better life choices, to avoid sharing toothbrushes and razors and unfortunately, there is a group sharing needles, they really exist and are as human and deserving of no judgement, those folks have to be educated also about Hep C and it's means of transmission.  So I like Steven Tyler talking to the world about himself and hep c, let's consider it a good start.  A great,small step in the beginning of this arc of education around Hep C, much like the beginning of the AIDs education, that's what we are watching.
Willows

[Alady1620]

"I tell you - just knowing he and I went through treatment together gave me such an incredible lift, it's crazy. It's absolutely ridiculous but for some reason it really made me feel like I wasn't alone. Even though I was. I know that sounds just so stupid and childish. "

That doesn't sound childish or stupid to me at all.  :)

[new-sojourn]

No one cares how you got hep c.  People who got it from dirty needles should be active in clean needle exchanges b/c they know the bad decisions youth makes.  People who got it other ways should do their own education.

I think hep c and aids should both be universally tested for.  We might find that there are many more 'non traditionsal ways to catch hep c.

After 5yrs-4 SVR-I'm very comfortable and casual about discussing hep c.  Once you are comfortable and able to laugh off the stigma, you can be a living, approachable hep c resource.  Just like Mr. Tyler is trying to become.

[willows]

"Once you are comfortable and able to laugh off the stigma, you can be a living, approachable hep c resource. Just like Mr. Tyler is trying to become."

Hear, Hear!!  I like it, today, I resolve to be a living approachable hep c resourch.  Bets the hell out of being a victim and makes me feel a bit more validated.  Thanks for that, new.

Let's have a comfortable day today.

Willows

[Kalio1]

Unfortunately your statement "no one cares how you got hep c" is not true at all. People DO care and they DO ask. The general public is an ignorant, judgemental lot. They very well do care how you got it and telling can affect your job and other life situations if you tell. People need to use discretion in who they tell and how they tell as it can cause much harm in your life.

[honey11]

Yes,,,I agree with Kalio,,,,Unfortunately many have no idea about it and think only way to get is if you are or were a former drug user and the public needs to be educated.  This disease is spreading and the word needs to get out,,,that there is other ways to catch it!

[Myown]

Even if Steven Tyler's "comming out" only accomplishes other big name rockers to get tested for hep C, that would be a good deed.

That would mean much more money being poured into the pot for cure.

Maybe he will be to hep C, what Bono is to aids. Sooner or later, hopefully sooner, the public WILL be made aware that it is a disease that does not discriminate and all will see the importance of testing.



Tylers statement of not knowing he was sick, is the worm on the hook that will pull the fish into the boat.

There's no doubt in my mind that other rock stars will now get tested after his interview.

Deadly disease???? No symptoms for some????? That is what will get people running to their doctors.

[Alady1620]

Access Hollywood did a much better job with their report than E!Online.

http://www.accesshollywood.com/news/ah1751.shtml

This makes me feel a bit relieved bc they are the ones that conducted the interview.  

Does anybody know what channel or time the show will air tonight?

[Forseegood]

I think everyone here has made some really cogent points...just want to point out one thing, and it's a habit we sometimes fall into here in Hollyweird, those of us who work in the business, etc....sometimes some big movie star will be really hammered in the press for whatever, drunken driving or whatever...and some of us will be so sorry for the person, and our heart will go out to him, then we might stop and think....wait a minute, as bad as his/her life is...and it might be bad, and anybody's pain is valid and "their pain"...they have millions of dollars which might be a little bit of a cushion against many of the problems incurred by their situations...

Not to invalidate their problems....people kill themselves being millionaires - cause we all know that having money doesn't always bring happiness....but my sympathy really goes out to those single mothers out there, barely making minimum wage, who have to raise children on their own and get them to school and put dinner on the table...same goes for single fathers in the same boat...and their facing all of this while still facing down this horrible disease and it's less then kind treatments...I might be wrong, but I gotta feeling that if you live in a mansion on the sand, with many servants and resources, your tx experience might just be a wee bit better then the latter I was talking about...not to sound unsympathetic...

[Forseegood]

yeah, just wish she would retire the porno actress eyebrows...meow...anyway, how are you my Northern friend? what's happening in the Goofy World anyway?

[Forseegood]

Hi, I was just talking about the tx experience and how people cope with it...course it beats down people really bad, on a biological level, which has nothing to do with how much money you have, you'll still feel miserable...I'm just talking about someone with plenty of resources, like a multi-millionaire, and because that person is famous, so many of us feel these reserves of sympathy, etc which is fine...

but when I think of the the people who don't know how they'll feed their kids, or they will manage them, cause they "have" to work even though they are on these treatment drugs in order to be able to feed them...etc...

I'm just talking about remembering proportions...

[Forseegood]

Hi Tracy, hope youre doing well today...all I know is what I read in that article...seems he says he has "cleared the virus" or something to that effect...guess we'll see when he elaborates on TV...like I said before, if this can bring a face to the disease, and much needed funding, I'm very grateful to him for coming out of the closet on this issue...maybe he'll continue to publicize this, course he's under no obligation, but it would be nice...

[Kalio1]

It seems if you are poor your access to meds and medical care are provided for you by the state, at least in our state. I think those of us "in the middle" suffer the most financially! those on the low end get free care. Although it might not be the best care to be had..
I hear you on being ympathetic to poor people but my sympathy has worn thin when I see how they easily access medical care and I cant even get some services that I pay through the teeth for with my health insurance premiums. I am fully covered (ha ha) and pay over 800 a month jut for insurance yet I had to go to Commitment to Care for help with meds. They all have medical cards that buy them carte blanche for tests, meds you name it. the system is broken and getting worse.

[Forseegood]

once again, I think there is really no right or wrong to these types of issues, just many sides to them...

[Kalio1]

I agree. there is no right or wrong view.

[Gonna beat it]

I just went on this sitehttp://www.newsday.com/entertainment/ny-steventyler0926,0,294530.story?coll=ny-entertainment-headlines

They stated that Hep c, can be caught according to the cdc by contact with the infected person, not listing ways of transmission, kind of makes it sound like a cold... I think we might be better off if Steven Tyler didn't go public.

[Kalio1]

we are all better off when ANY celeb goes public with Hep C no matter who it is. They bring attention to the subject and we need all we can get.

[NYgirl]

Please tell me you were being sarcastic?

You said - No one cares how you got hep c. People who got it from dirty needles should be active in clean needle exchanges b/c they know the bad decisions youth makes. People who got it other ways should do their own education.


Cause I'm pretty dayum sure the biggest concern of an addict is getting MORE and not getting another syringe until their point is shot.

And from where I sit that statement above sounds like a good case of "well they deserve it because they are addicts but I dont because I am a good person unlike them and I got it from a razor".

[timlotus]

IMO the correct answer to the 'general public' asking 'How did you get it?' is 'None of your business'

I do think any publicity is good publicity though: people in recovery from addiction can be seen as good role models for some. It would be nice if there was a famous person who went public with their Hep C who hadn't got it from needles (drug syringes or tattoo needles), but I think that's kind of unlikely, because as pointed out above, the vast majority infected since 1990 or so (since all blood in USA and Europe has been screened) did get it that way. I know there are exceptions but it is by far the most significant risk factor currently.

[goldyn]

You know what I really dont care how anybody got this virus, the good thing about is were all trying to better our quality of life by either by eating right not drinking or deciding to undergo treatment, none of us asked for this no matter how we got it, heck you cant even eat fresh spinach now, you have to worry about bird flu, lymes diesease, any virus at any time can infect anybody, and nobody would have deserved that, at least we know what we got and have the tools to fight if we have to, and I also hope they mention, the other ways of transmission, and that its not only the younger crowd but the older crowds also who need to take charge be checked...

[cheeseburger/tx]

my personal opinion is that, no matter how you you have contracted hvc virus you should not hide it. be open about it and just maybe if enough people get on the boat and do somthing about it and speakout, talk maybe we can get some more money to find more cures for it. its not only hcv. but for many more diseses. talk and bringing it out of the closet is the only way people learn that, hey maybe this is something that i dont really want to get! more and more people each year are contracting hcv....... #1 reason not enough people even know anything about it, but mention hiv or aids you can stop a person right in there tracks even 5&6 year old children know what that disese (disease) is. in my case it is my wife that has hcv and to be honest i dont really care how she contracted it, i know i love her more than life itself and if there is a way to clear her of it and keep her healthy i'm all for it and if it takes a celeberty to bring it to peoples attention and make them more aware of the hows the possibilitys of getting this disese (disease) bring it on. lets start talking about it to or children and our familys scare the **** ot of them just like we have been doing with hiv. and so what about what people think? if they have to be so judgemental about it, just remember that is not your problem they will someday have the big man up stairs to talk to. the most important thing to remember is that we need more education on this matter. maybe pamala anderson should forget about boycotting kfc and educate america with hcv, i think that might just be a little more important ,lets get some of these people on all kinds of talk shows. lets show america that we need help. ya know we really dont take enough time to even think about the people that are hurting right here in our own homes and hometowns in this country,we really need to  be sending our support to our own medical needs, homeless, starving children and ect. in our own country, sure if we find a cure for something share it with the rest of the world, thats called love thy neighbor. may god bless everyone

[FlGuy]

Although I might agree with you about Pamela Anderson (and I'm not so sure), I'm sure the chickens wouldn't.

[Forseegood]

hey Cheese! what a wonderful post! it's soooo nice to see a hubby of a Hep C patient, who doesn't even have it himself, come on and do a little cheerleading for us...your wife is a lucky gal! Personally, I think Pam Anderson does a lot for a lot of animal causes, which is great with me cause I am also an animal advocate and I applaud her efforts...

it's just that I think she's in a bit of denial about this disease...so she's focusing on other things exclusively...my opinion...and I can relate to her putting off treatment, boy can I relate...maybe she'll come around again for us and advocate...maybe more and more celebs will come out with this, as they can't put off treatment any longer cause they are getting older, seems like this happened with Mr. Tyler...and it'll be good for everybody...cause there are so many celebs that have this it ain't funny...

[GoofyDad]

Personally, I think Pam Anderson does a lot for a lot of animal causes

Can't argue there. She certainly has a way of waking up my animal instincts....

[Kalio1]

All who suffer from this disease are  in the same boat. It isn't fair to say, "oh he is rich therefore he isn't made to suffer" rich or poor, mode of contraction, none of that matters. Compassion for their illness should be equal. True it is harder for some in life to cope with life if they don't have money but that is not the issue. This disease can kill you regardless of your monetary status. Of course, if you want to feel more sympathy for poor people you have that right but the disease doesn't discriminate. It puts all who have it on the same playing field.

[new-sojourn]

I think there are more vets who had airgun shots and prisoners than celebrities that have hep c.  The VA is just now responding to this 40yr old disgrace.  And its costing the VA big time in treatment, education and disability payments.

The penal system doesn't even want to adress the problem.  Literally hundreds of thousands of prisoners have hep c.  Imagine the med bills to pay for that!

I also think that there are more women-baby boomers-that had c-sections that have hep c than celebrities.  Its been said that any women who is depressed for 2+ yrs should be tested for hep c.  Millions of babies were born c-section from the 60's to the mid-90's when hep c and blood link was finally established.

I'm in the entertainment biz and the freaky thing is most so called celebs are so body consious and Howard Hughes germ frreaky, they won't do drugs w/dirty needles.  That's stupid.  They don't have too.  And most don't even drink anymore.  The young don't want the calories and the older have health problems and everyone does yoga.

most oldtimers quit putting needles in their arms around the time of aids.  B/most serious artists won't trash their bodies.

Neither Steve Tyler, his band nor Pam Anderson or Niomie Judd drink and I think all are vegetarians or a@ least 'flexitarians.'  And have been clean and sober for yrs.

[beamishboy]

if they ever hand out hepC awareness t-shirts w/ a celebrity on them...i want the pam anderson pic;not the steve tyler!

[Kalio1]

You are getting close to the finish line now! Are you going to do that extra month? I plan on slamming some added IFN and a tad more Riba right in the end for no good reason other than that is what I did for the first month of the second tx and might as well round it up like I started! Are you getting nervous now that the end is nigh? It is such a mind trip this stuff. just when you are getting ready to end it you start to freak out it didnt work! I have a good feeling about you making SVR! Hope you are hanging in there and not having sides kick your a$$ too bad.

[GoofyDad]

Gee Forsee, I'm afraid I'll have to defer to your experience on the pornbrows. I was thinking circus clown.... we're a tamer bunch up here and that's about a racey as I get.

I'm well, thanks for asking. Been a traveling fool lately, FL and MD last week. Off to Denver tonight, then back to FL and MD in another week or so. Also, in the midst of switching jobs... had planned on somewhat of a career shift too, but the tx slowed my preparations in that dept. Also have some unfortunate major shake ups upcoming in the family unit, so add it all up and that's a stretched thin Goof.

Got a TSH retest done and it's back to normal. Yay. Glucose ain't too bad either at 98 or so fasting... could be lower though. Get results from my routine HCC screening sonogram this afternoon. No reduction in liver size since tx (slightly enlarged), hope to find out it's not going the other way. Geeze... I'm a friggin case, aren't I.

Overall though, I continue to improve in the energy and thinking depts.  

How are you holding up kiddo? I know these are sressful times. Be well -- you're in my thoughts.

[Forseegood]

wow, sounds like all systems back in much better shape cept maybe the "family probs" - becha most of us have been there...knowing your sense of humor, kind heart and wicked intelligence, you'll land on your Goofy feet I'm sure...though I'm sorry it all has to happen right after taking treatment, guess the heavens don't send problems in organized, little chewable pieces huh?

Really glad your tests all seem to be normalizing, I do agree with that theory of DoubleDoses, that the hep itself, and the treatment bring on all kinds of mimic problems that "can" clear up later on...wishing you the best Goof Man!

[beamishboy]

i'm hanging tuff-doing shot 47 friday @ noon......12 hrs earlier each week,but i haven't continued to up the riba...as for an extra month-I was Crazy for awhile & i'm better now..so will complete 48 stinking long weeks-nuff said......hope your sx's are manageable,take care....