Thank you all Post TX and anyother questions

Thank you guys,
I finished TX yesterday. I feel so relieved now. No shot tonight. I have to say the positive attitude made all the difference in the world. For those that don't know me I'm 2B VL 1mil+ Grade 3 Stage 4 52 yr male. I did 24 weeks Pegasys/Copegus. Go for PCR Monday. I was undetectable at 12 weeks. I want to thank all you guys out there I couldn't have done it with out all the knowledge I recieved from this family. Now the wait to see is I'm 2B or not 2B. My mind is making me feel good. I'm going to do something outside tomorrow. I know I don't have any strength yet. I just want to go outside and enjoy the sun.  All you newbee's it is a real roller coaster ride on TX but it does end and it works most of the time. Keep on fighting. We are the Pioneers and Warriors.

Love Peace and Happiness.

[katch20]

for sure you will be, the the dragon is not 2b---anymore.  way to open up the can of woop ass!!!!

[CARUU]

Wow, this is great.  I remember when I first came to this site and you were just getting started.  Now you're done and will have this all behind you.  Yea!  Way to go.  Have a great day in the sun! caruu

[CARUU]

Did you have a qual. test done before stopping tx?  I saw my GI today and he says I'll do a qual. before stopping.  I said "Is that in case you want me to keep taking this c$#p?"  He laughed and said, "No, it's to prove it's gone to zero".

He's also increasing me back to 3/4 dose Pegasys today with CBC's the next two weeks.  He's trying to get me back to full dose for these last few weeks of tx.

[pearse]

Hey, Wellcome to the finish line! Sit back and enjoy that Sun. You will feel better real fast. Keep us posted as to how things are going post tx.

[Lyric]

That is so great!!  I wish you all the best!  :)  I am starting tx next week and I keep putting it off.  I hope I will be as successful as you.

[tina b]

WAY TO GO! I just love seeing a post like that!

[ral]

Way to Go Okie. You will be just fine.

GOD BLESS

Bob L

[nolee]

You keep putting it off and I can't wait to start fighting. I should have a start date "hopefully" after seeing GI next Tuesday. Come on let's race. Get going and let's see who squashes those critters first. I want to see my grandbabies some day so I will fight just so they will get to meet their Warrior Grandpa. Keep in touch and muster up whatever it takes to save your life. This is the best place in cyberworld I could have ever found. These brave souls are fighting but taking the time to help us newbies. I've learned so much in just the last week from these pleasant folks that I feel ready for anything.
Regards, your new friend from Texas~Neal~

[raheem]

Good work Jim, always enjoyed your comments. It sounds like you are on the road to a healthier and happier life.  I'm confident you will be a SVR in the near future, so 2b or not 2b will NOT be the question!

[Revenire]

Hey, glad to hear you finsihed treatment. You had good results and certainly helped your liver out by treating. Enjoy the sun and don't stress about the PCR (yeah, right) -- don't stress too much.

Your friend,

Scott

[Luke307]

Okie
Nice one and way to go wildman Great attitude!  A lot of us are lookin forward to being where you're at
                      Luke

[OkieJim]

Thank you for you responses. I'll still be here. There's alot of folks coming aboard that will need support. I know now with the experience I can contribute to their needs. Lots of water but don't over do it. Positive attitude. Keep your mind occupied away from the meds. It is doable. Also know there are alot of us that made it.

[Docsgold]

I'm new and going to start tx in May.  I have been researching and reading your experiences during tx and after tx.  I am apprehensive about working during tx.  I have to say everyone's comments have both scared and inspired me.  I found out about my condition during routine bloodwork at work.  What a shock.  I am a 48F, 1b, 4.2VL, G2S1.  I have gotten all my preliminaries done in order to begin tx (CXR, PPD, Liver BX, eye exam, labwork).  Waiting for semester break in May so I can be out of school to begin tx, have recently started working on my Master's.  Thank you all for sharing your experiences for those of us who are about to begin a difficult time in our lives.

[cindee]

I'm so very very happy for you!!!!! Now it's downhill all the way! "THE DRAGON IS DEAD".  I will have my 6months post blood test in april and then get results in may! So hang in there and happy SVR !!!!!!

FOR EVERYONE ELSE...my hubby and I are having some time alone, with no children 16 @ 10.  So I might not be on until Monday evening. GOOD HEALTH TO ALL, Love ya, Cindee

[nevada_al]

hello, i just did my last shot on feb 6th..i did 60 shots in   56 weeks...genotype 1 viral load was 685,000 stage 1..liver damage less than 20 percent...but did not show negative until week 16 although my viral loads dropped after 1st month.i had my labs done the day after my last shot and had a dr's appt on the 12th...after the 1st week of post tx i was feeling a little less fogged and more positive in my thoughts,i still feel the fatigue a touch.
my last appointment almost had me floored ..my dr came in and said its back....i could not believe this at all..we talked of how this could be...i almost walked out then and there.he left the room biefly and consulted his assistant ,then came back in and said i was still negative.the misunderstanding was not fully explained but the assistant came in and said yes he was tested down to 50 and is still negative...not tested down to 5. my dr said that the lab techs are now saying they can test for hep-c down the level of 5,but he doesnt believe this to be proven or correct. i assumed that if i was tested down to 5 that i would be postive again,but not very sure. i have my labs done again a month from my last appt and go see him 2 weeks later..has anyone ever heard of this testing down to 5 ?? i not sure of the appropiate measure after the numbers.

[harley dude]

Just wanted to see how you'll were doing,you'll were the two that really gave me some good advice when I first started tx and it really made things alot easier- I know they were alot more of you'll that  helped me out, but the fog is quite thick in da swamps down here. Only 12 more darts to go-YE-HA or is it HA-YE. All in all it hasn't been a very pleasant hep journey, but I can surely tell you one thing thatit sure has bee a memorable one. Galen, still using the Nioxin, plus 5 or 6 other people in my family started using it also(They all love it). Well just wanted to chat a bit, I know you'll are probably lurking in dem shadows out dere someware- See Ya'll- HD

[LvdByGod]

YIPPY,PRAISE THE LORD!!!! I'M SO GLAD YOU'RE DONE AND CLEAR. IT'S SO ENCOURAGING. YOU ARE IN THE LORDS HANDS, YOU KNOW HOW MUCH HE LOVES YOU!!! (Philipians 4:6-7) I PRAY YOU WILL BE CLEAR AGAIN AND AGAIN.
i hope you will still join us here. i feel we have become friends. You are a very special person and have so much to give to others. GOD BLESS YOU JIM.  
(i am going on month 5 and suppose to only go 6 months, but i am going to present some scientific research to my doctor to try to persuade him to let me do closer to the 48 weeks. (due to being so overwieght). i read a study that says being overwieght,and particularly a bmi of over 50%, is as large of a factor to clearance as geno type. i am 3a.)  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

LYRIC AND DOCSGOLD, i was scared to death to start the meds too. but, i have been pleasantly surprised. i take the pegasys and that seems to have much less sides than the pegintron.
i have been on this board for well over a year and i waited almost a year to start tx just because i was so afraid of the meds. i so wish i would have started as soon as i found out. i know i must have gotten worse in the time i waited.
the treatment was/is in no way as bad as i had built it up to be in my mind. i could deffinately work if i wanted to, although my biggest side effect is that i'm not sleeping well, so i'm glad i don't have to work right now. You guys should do well, i think the worst sides are rare. The rest, MOST,in fact are treatable,tolerable and revearsable. i've heard of alot of people doing pretty well on tx. we all have our complaints. a few do have a really bad time but not the majority.  

HARLEYDUDE, GREAT TO SEE YA BACK ON BOARD AND DOING WELL!!! I GUESS LIFE MOVES ON... THERE ARE SO MANY ""OLDIES"" THAT I DON'T SEE THAT OFTEN AND MISS THEM. SO WE ALL NEED TO COME BACK AND SAY HI FROM TIME TO TIME AFTER WE'VE KILLED THE FOE. ONCE WE BUILD THESE FRIENDSHIPS IT IS HARD TO SEE THEM GO. GOD BLESS, SANDI

[eyehavegr8life]

Congrats...We all need to hear these positive posts. Positive thoughts your way, Annette

[honey1616]

Sorry for interrupting this post but I tried to open new one and can't.  For the past week, I have been having burning stomachache right smack in middle of my stomach and it isn't letting up.  I do eat throughout the day and take my pills with food.  I have tried antacids but that is a very short relief and then its hurting again.  Last night, I was up all night with this.  Has anyone else had this feeling and what do you do?  I'm going to the dr monday so if any ideas on prescription...I could ask him.  This is week 6 for me and this week definitely stands out as my worse as each day there is no let up.  Please...any ideas?  Almost feeling like poison in my stomach.

[honey1616]

yes I do still have my appendix and when its hurting and I push on it...it does hurt but not worse.  The pain is almost right behind my naval. Sugeries I have had is 3 C-sections. When I push on it though it doesn't radiate back and forth. Its hard to explain and really..I have never ever had anything like this until lately and that is why I'm thinking it has to be the medicine messing up my stomach.  It has been a burning feeling there during the day but it seems to be more noticable at night when I'm still and can't seem to get comfortable. I appreciate so much your input and I do know its hard for you to make a diagnosis over puter.  

Vicki, Thanks and yes I will ask my doctor about this on monday because he could prescribe this for me at the pharmacy!

[relentless]

Yooo  Okie....U DA MAN....I'm right behind you.  Doing 37 of 48 tonight....comin' round the three quater pole....goin' to the whip ...to the rail...to the wire....we gona win this thing....good luck with your blood work.....great job

relentless

[honey1616]

Thanks and I will ask about that.  Could the tx cause gerd because I have never had stomach problems before?

[DownThisRoad]

It really does seem like you just got started.  Your time on treatment went really quickly.


Congratulations  - look up at the sun and take a huge deep breath.  Be proud of yourself.  Nothing about this disease or treatment is easy.  You have crossed your finish line.

Way to GO !!!!! Good job !!!!!

[OkieJim]

Thank you for your prayers. I really did go by pretty quickly. I know you will make it too. My prayers are still with you. I remember the beginning for us. I wish he would help us understand what happened to Myrtles. I pray for her also. If you need me I will be checking in here and there. Remember he is also here for us. You take care and win this with us all.

[raheem]

Sounds like acid reflux or GERD, very common, very treatable.  Try Zantac, Ranitadine, Pepcid AC, Prilosec or Nexium. Actually start out with some antacids like Tums or Pepto Bismal.

[Galen]

Sorry I've been out of the loop for a while.  I got so wrapped up in this site when I was on tx and for a good while afterwards.  I am now 5 months post-tx (go for my 6 month PCR in 4 more weeks)and feeling totally back to normal.  Got all my projects going on, spent the past week in NYC seeing the sites and going to some shows.  My hair is almost back to normal, it lost that ugly dry, stiff look at about 3 months and it is growing back.  Unfortunalty, all those extremely long eye-lashes I grew during tx are gone, replaced by shorter ones than I used to have.  Those are in turn being replaced gradually by my normal ones.  The only problem I had post-tx is interferon-related cataracts.  My left eye isn't too bad, but the right will probably be operated on later this year when my vision is stabalized.  My energy is back to my pre-tx levels, which is pretty high and I am loving life.  
There have been a few profound changes in the way I view life after losing a year of it.  I am calmer, and more kind to myself and those I love.  I am also far less willing to tolerate the company of those who are not good for me.  My family keeps saying that I seem much happier than I've been in years (the riba rage passes, don't worry)
This site saved my life on tx and am glad that I was able to be of some help to you.  Along with a new life now, I no longer need or want to spend so much time here.  I will check in from time to time, of course, but if anyone would like to write you can do so to ***@**** (To those who write to me, please do not attach my address to your lists of fowarded mail reciepients.  I dislike spam and viruses and that is the perfect way to get on those lists)

[honey1616]

What is prilosec?  Is it prescription or over counter?

[mycoldfeet]

Dont know if itll help but as a paramedic there is a couple tests and questions that I use to assess patients. If you push down in the area of pain and release suddenly is the pain worse? Is there nausea involved? Is the pain just to the left of the middle? Does it radiate left or right? Is the pain mostly at night when you are lying flat? Have you had any female surguries or diagnosed with Uterin Cysts? Do you still have your appendix? Normally that pain is lwr right quad but have had pts complain in stomach area. It might be as simple as acid reflux but you sound as if the area is a bit lower than I normally see, they normally state pain as chest pain. The fact that relief is short with antacids, its hard to say, I cant Dx your problem but I may be able to tell you a little more, till you see your Dr.

[Commdude]

Yup....you have entered the "brain fog" zone, my friend.

Kinda feels like a huge bong hit of some really good hash, that just lingers, and without the funny feeling that goes along with it.  Or like a bad flue bug where it feels like the head is stuffed with cotton.  At least that was my take on it.  Glad that you are still here and dealing with it.   But it too, passes eventually.  Hang in there, dude.

Galen.  I totally agree with you, and I am really happy to hear that you are doing OK.  We posted back and forth during TX, and some of what you wrote back kept me going and were in my thoughts in between.   Really.  You are one kewl lady.

The feeling of beating something like this and having gone through it definitely changes perspectives...if one were to choose to look at it that way in a positive light. My business is booming now for some wierd reason. I just go about it with  another perspective and listen more to what people have to say and want.  I do plan on going to NYC also this March to see the Allman Bros, and to meet up with some other ex-heppers from another site...looking forward to that.

Life is good.

Have a great day, HD, Galen, and everyone else for that matter...

[cindee]

I had the same sx. My GP "gave me samples" of  protonix  . They worked for me. At first I had to take them everyday, guess I had some reflux damage. Now that I'm done w/ tx. I rarely take them. Good Luck and prayers to all, Cindee

[cindee]

48Yrs. F Finished tx. Nov.6th!!! WAS geno 1a, get 6 months post tx. blood results on May6th. Still having a hard time with depression. I saw my shrink yesterday. She increased my Effexor from 150mg in the am, and I have to take an extra 75mg in afternoons. I haven't really found a sleeping pill that has ever really worked. (only for sleepless nites) which with the depression...sleeping hasn't been a problem lately! lol  But incase I need something to have on hand, we are going to try me on respirdal...I think that's how it's spelled. So that's it w/ me these days. I am looking much more like myself, and starting to feel more like me. HA! Even my skin feels like "mine" again!!!!! I went to get a manicure for the first time in about 2 months( I take my own tools)!!!! but anyway the girl who does my nails did not ever know who I was. She did a double take, and said "Cindee...Oh My Gosh, you look beautiful" !!!!!! Boy I needed to hear that!!! So when you stop tx it takes a while to feel better, and I was beginning to ...Wonder....when???? So you guys all hang in there...it's worth it in the end. And always remember....

STICK TO THE FIGHT, WHEN YOU'RE HARDEST "HIT", IT'S WHEN THINGS SEEM WORSE......THAT YOU MUST NOT QUIT!!!!!!! I love all you guys so darn much, Thanks for being here. Cindee

[madbyron]

I don't remember seeing either of your names before, so I'll start by offering a warm welcome.

Docsgold, I'm glad the results of your bx were so good. Even though there's a school of thought that type 1s with minimal fibrosis should strongly consider putting treatment off until the next generation of tx becomes a reality, I, like you, chose to go after it now while I'm still relatively young at 46. I completed 48 weeks in mid-December and am looking forward to my three-month post-tx pcr. Several on this board have pursued advanced studies and/or continued in demanding jobs with success while treating, and I hope you are able to do the same. Because I had just been severed from employment before beginning tx, I considered starting a masters during my downtime. Unfortunately, as the side effects were pretty harsh for me (or because I lack the requisite brainpower), I would not have been successful in my studies. Good luck and let us know how things progress.

nevada_al, congratulations. 60 shots in 56 weeks? I bow in your general direction, which for me would be southwest (I'm in NY). It sounds like your doctor used the undectable+40 approach. Good that you have a doc that was willing to deviate from the cookie cutter 48-week standard. But, what do you mean, "the misunderstanding was not fully explained"? Man, nothing like being told the operation was a failure buuuuuutttt... NO!!!, WE WERE ABLE TO REATTACH THE LIMB AFTER ALL!!! Either way, I hope for your continued success and that you'll stick around and lend your experience, as I'm sure you have plenty of "battle scars" for your effort.

I know of two tests that are sensitive to at least 5IU, namely, Heptimax and Quantasure. I think quantasure goes to 2IU (5 copies). Don't know if it's FDA approved, though. Still, the 50IU qualitative seems to be the test of choice for end of treatment. I wish you the best of luck during your recovery.

[LvdByGod]

HI Cindee,i will be praying for your pcr in may. i pray you too like okie will be clear over and over again!!!

i had a serious depression years ago and it took several tries of different types of antideps and strenghths until i found the one for me. the psychiatrist said that i would have to go thru this until i found the right one that worked for me. (that one ended up to be prozack 40mgs). it was a blessing for me from God because it changed my life. i was so depressed and cried all the time. even though i was a strong Christian i just couldn't seem to push through it. later, i found out i had a syndrom (syndrome) caused by hormons having to due with pms. I forgot what they call the syndrom (syndrome).
i was depressed for about 10 days before my period and all durring my period, like clock work, monthly. that was like half a month or half my life, if i didn't get it fixed! years later they now have discovered that prozack works like a charm for this. they have even changed the name of it for those who didn't like the stigma of taking an AD. (i can't remember what they named it). it does'nt matter to me, if i'm on an "AD". it saved my life. i don't even get the cramps that i used to get.
i am still on prozack and probably will be for life. they have no side effects on me at all at this point. at the beginning they made me feel speedy, but that went away with use and i don't even notice any sides at all from that even if i miss a week and restart. i do take them first thing in the morning though, so i know they won't interfer as much with sleep. i have not had any depression ever since and even now on tx. i'm so greatful for this. and quite surprised.
but, what i wanted to tell you is that AD's can interfer with sleep.  

the other thing i wanted to say to you and others was to be careful with sleeping pills. i'm sure you will be. but, i was not so careful at times and they really messed with me and then when i didn't take them i couldn't sleep at all. I was on Restoril/Temezapam. it is so addictive... ambian is much safer and it doesn't have that alcohol-drug-high feeling that comes from sleeping pills with diazapen in them. the ambian just put me to sleep but i needed 2-10mgs to sleep. because i had built up such a tolerance. (by the way no one should take this much unless directed by a doctor). i got so desperate to sleep that i took twice the dose at times on tx. i did NOT have the dr.s ok so i wouldn't want anyone to try this. it was just stupid.

because of this i have now even stopped that kind. i now use one benadryl at night or 2 valerians. neither are at all addictive and they work fine. my dr. said benadryl are by far much safer than RX sleep meds. the ingrediants are the same as in the over the counter sleep meds, but cheaper. i think it's hard to get off sleeping pills smoothly once you start them. especially if taken regularly. i was grumpy for a week after stopping them. i think it was a withdrawal thing. they can cause worse problems than lack of sleep, and can be dangerous.

Cindee, did your depression and sleeping problems come from the hepc meds?(tx). i've had sleeping problems since my 20's and now i'm 42. so i've had alot of unfortunate dealings with those stupid pills.

i hope all will clear up for you and that you will go back to normal when that riba is completely clear of your system. i will be praying for you. sandi

[Docsgold]

Thank you for the welcome.  I was already in this advanced degree and will finish May 2005.  Would be difficult to stop as I am getting a sizeable stipend to pursue this degree.  I work fulltime and go to school fulltime.  I have not gone parttime because when I found out about my dx I realized I had to continue fulltime just in case I needed the disability benefits.  That's putting the cart before the horse though.

While waiting I am learning to drink tons of water, doc said to take milkthistle, bought nioxin, and treat myself to 1 or 2 cokes a week instead of 4-5/day. Oh yeah, no alcohol, but then I rarely drank anyhow.  I hadn't realized waiting for tx was an option for 1s.  Doc said if results are not good, in 3 mos (I think) then we will stop and wait.  Or by May there may be something new, but I doubt it.  Anyhow I figure if I can't rid the virus then I will have helped my liver damage.  I guess this will be like anything else, I just have to commit myself and do it.  Thanks for the encouragement, I really need it.  Hope you are doing well with this.

[harley dude]

Glad to hear you'll are chillin and doing good, I kinda know what you mean Galen about this froum kinda gets you hooked, guess well just have to wean away from it like the AD's, ambien and other meds- heck it's 9am here, 75 degrees- I'm going jump on the old hog (my bike I mean) and give her I good riding- See Ya'll and glad to here you'll doing good-- HD

[honey1616]

Jetty, yes I do take the pills also and already I'm feeling better. Got a good sleep last night and no pain!  Whew..I'm so glad and thanks for your kind posting!

Cindee...thanks and will talk to my GI about that medicine in case I need again!  Yep..I have May 6th on my calendar for the big party of celebration but...You have to promise me when you are kicking your feet up in the air and running around on this planet feeling great,,You will still remember us back here at the good medical board! haha  Thanks so much being such a sweetheart and coming back to keep us all going.  You and so many others that I know at times have to be so burnt out on advising the same old everyday to all of us new ones flocking in daily and you just keep going!  If I learn anything from this...I pray its the patience that you guys have taught us and to continue coming to this board to inspire just one more person. Just thinking about past fews "downthisroad" and all of her wonderful postings to people and I know she has done this so long and probably at times burnt out on the same repitious questions!  And of course so many others like you guys..it would take pages to thank you all!

[jetty]

Honey, I was wondering do you take your riba in pill or capsule form?  I took capsules the first month and I had stomachaches and heartburn whenever I ate anything.  I remember eating a bowl of cornflakes and crying it hurt so bad (I also wanted to smash up a bunch of Fiesta Ware).  The second month the pharmacy gave me pills, and the problem went away.  Weird.

Hang in there, Honey.  We're all rooting for you.

[cindee]

Sandi, Hi, I have been on antidepressants for yrs. My dad is manic depressive and it runs in our family. I was on Prozac for a few maybe 4 yrs or so. When I started tx. my liver doctor had my shrink change me to lexapro, which worked during tx. After tx was done I got very depressed, that's when she put me on Effexor. I feel a lot better since the increase from 150mg a day to 225mgs. As for the sleeping pills, it's been a trial and error sorta thing. I tried trazadone first...wasn't consistant and I had really weird dreams in color! Then we tried ambein, didn't work @ all...was like I didn't take anything. I started using tylenol pm and that worked for about a month. I went to a pain center on Feb 17th for the fibromyalgia, that doctor could see how tired I was. She gave me 7 senota's. WOW...talk about a bad nite....I had worse dreams than ever before and flushed those the next a.m. I saw my shrink last Fri. and told her about those pills. BTW my pain dr. told me to tell my shrink about the 7 pills, because she didn't want to interfer w/ my shrink. So now we are trying resperdal (not sure of the spelling). I have only had to take one and that was Sat. nite. I slept pretty good, but my problem is I can't get comfortable because of joint and muscle pain. I go from the bed, to the sofa, to the recliner! I have my first appointment w/ rehab and sports medicine in the a.m. So don't worry about me and sleeping pills. For some reason we don't get along....lol...I never had trouble sleeping before tx. Thank you for being concerned. You are an Angel and I love you! Cindee

Honey, I want to say thanks a million for your kind words..I will always be here for you all. I would have never had made it thru tx w/o my Hep C family. I never mind answering any questions or giving my in-put. You people here are the greatest! I wish for everyone here a happy and healthy life. We never thought we'd meet here, did we? But like I told KIM, even BAD days are GOOD when you can come here and talk with the most caring ppl. in the world. It blows me away to hear of all the prayers and to know there are so many Christian ppl. here. God be with us all. Talk to ya soon. Much Love, Cindee