Treatment Decision

Hi All,
Thanks so much for the encouragement when I wanted to quit treatment. I talked to my doctor and when I said 44 he said 52! So we negotiated to 48. What a sneaky (and good) doctor! Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I am doing the one week at a time and I feel strong enough to finish already. Take care, Kathy

[Rogirl]

Congratulations!  You are my inspiration.  I begin tx tonight and I will remember your struggle and decision to continue.  Stay strong and I wish you well.

[lilmoma]

KsK: I am glad you decided to hang in there.

rogirl: good luck with shot #1 tonight!!
lilmoma

[illona]

Good luck with 1 shot.. Take a tylenol and bottle of water in case you need it..

[52TELE]

Rogirl , just wanted to warn you about these interferon shots. Its really best to do your first shot directly under your finger nail. Yep. Thats what we all did. Just pick a finger , and slide that needle right in there under your nail.Doesn't hurt at all.

Let me know how that goes for ya...

Mark

[beamishboy]

why not bamboo shoots  under the other 9 fingernails?? don't forget to heat the needle,nothing quite so exhilarating as a 'hot shot'........

[beamishboy]

joke yes-i did think the bamboo shoots were a giveaway;if any confusion-my apologys for lame attempts at humor...how r ya doin today K?..i am doin my journey,but w/ tad less enthusiasm-sick&tired of being sick&tired...need some industrial strength meds for the sx's,but alas my doc don't want me beaming......Hope you r havin an aok day!and Rogirl-GOODLUCK w/ 1st shot...apprehension is maybe worst part-hence my attempts at humor-yu will probably get a bit of mild flu like symptoms.treat yourself well and drink plenty of water.......

[FlGuy]

ksk: It's great that you and doc can negotiate and arrive at decisions togeether.  You are in the 'dog days' of tx now and I hope time moves quickly for you.  You can always come here for encouragement and have people remind you of your committment.  Good luck as you finish up.

Rogirl: What INF wwill you be using?  Do you have some assistance lined up for the first shot, a doc, nurse?  The fist is kind of intimidating.  If you're not sure about what your doing, ask.  Many people go to their doc for #1.  Good luck as you start.  Tell us tomorrow how it went.

[GoofyDad]

The fist is kind of intimidating.

Reliving the lower endo experience???

[beamishboy]

flguy said it all,the midpoint of trx just seems overbearin-dogdays-we get weaker,less resolved, whelmed then Overwhelmed...hang tuff,laugh when yu can-life is pretty dang absurd esp on trx......come here often for attitude adjustmnt & support-GOODLUCK
tommy-week #30 of 48-ugh

[Moniker]

Hi Kathy,

I'm very happy that you're staying the course. You'll be finished in a few weeks, and then you'll be glad that you did all 48.  Take care.

Bob

[FlGuy]

Sorry, I meant gerbil.  BTW, I posted in a way-down thread that on my quest blood reports that the ALT range is 2 - 60 and I remember my endo saying that it was a 'new range'.  I realize it's splitting merkin hairs but 51 ain't that high.

[FlGuy]

Do you have plans to continue to avg. 1500 mg riba for rest of tx? Or do you and doc have plan to cust back at some point?

[beamishboy]

Thanks for the goodwords...i'm doin what i got to...Dealin w/ daughters termend awards(she is academic wonder!!) piano recitals,swim meets(whatta gal!!) makes me sooo proud-16 yrs old and totally Rocking inthe free world-says"Proud Pappy" !!! but,i'm w/ ya on sx meds;it's what makes it DOABLE for me-could be worse..

[friole]

ksk-- Think you are doing the right thing.  Why did the doc want to go higher... or ws that just his ploy?

rogirl -- shot night is my ritual, take it easy, no cooking, no committement night.  I actually look forward to it.  Just curl on the couch or at the computer.   I think it is good to drink a full glass of water before the shot and a full glass after.  That way you don't wake up dehydrated.  My doc said take a tylenol before, and take Benydryl for the side effects if needed.  I have never needed the Benydryl and stopped taking the Tylenol after about a month.  Hope your night is smooth.

beam -- a 16yo?  she sounds like a dream girl.  Congrats, proud papa.

[GoofyDad]

Thanks. I'm pretty much resolved to bad news. The raised lymphocytes also have me....


Ding-d'd'dingdingding!!!

Just got a phone call while typing ..... UN-Deeeeeeee!!!

Thanks for your support everyone....whooo-hooo

[FlGuy]

Very glad to hear it.  You can breathe now.

[beamishboy]

Alright!!!!!!! see, i told ya everything gonna be alright(must still be thinkin about jamaica)....i am very happy for you-your attitude&humor deserves SVR!! now if we can just wean ya from the preoccupation with stool samples-Flush yur Worrys Away..enjoy

[sfbaygirl]

I am soooo glad to hear this! You had me scared for a minute whem you said you were looking for bad news.  Geez, that is great! I would be doing some reggae dancing right about now.

We can put you on the cover of the calendar doing the SVR hop!

[Dale_Ray]

How are you feeling right now with this good news Goof? This is so great. UND is the goal. Dale

[GoofyDad]

I feel relieved. I was pretty much resigned to begining a re-treatment in August, so yeah, Like James Brown... <i><b>I feel good</i></b>.

For anyone interested, I'll recap my experiences below.

I was somewhat (OK very) concerned because the liver enzymes at 12 weeks were out of whack. After back to back tests of AST/ALT=20/20, ATL has risen to 51 while AST remains flat at 20. Dunno how to interpret that... time for a consult with Dr Liver.

My basic stats are as follows:

Male Age 48
Infected: 1981
Stage: Begining Cirrhosis
Geno: 3a
Meds: Pegasys/Riba (1,200)
Blood boosters: Procrit and Neupogen
Duration: 26 weeks

Synopsis: I was initially prescribed 1 yr of tx, but that was modified based on RVR (being nondetect at 4 weeks) and some newer studies highlighting the significance of RVR.

I had extremely high iron and ferritin readings thoughout tx, but they have come back to normal.

I worked a desk job through tx, but my diminished mental faculties limited my abilities. I continue to have some issues in that regard, but things are still improving.

I was plagued with anemia throughout, and spent much of the time under 9.0; my lowest point being 7.0 from a baseline of 15.5. All in all, I didn't feel too bad. I was dumb as a box of rocks, and sometimes incapable of climbing a flight of stairs. But it wasn't as bad as you might think, as long as I respected my limitations. Physically I'm feeling better, but I haven't been disciplined about getting back into an exercise routine. I guess it's time.

Like many here, I learned more about what was going on AFTER I started treating. I lucked into a couple things: Having begun tx with a great med team that provided excellent access by phone and email, and being started at a high riba dose for a 3a genotype.  

My platelets were also pretty low through tx, ranging from 40 to 72. They rebounded to over 100 at 4 weeks post, but have now receded to 90. I'm not sure what's up with that. Again, it's time for a consult.

Well, time to buy some new underwear..... or maybe I can save a few bucks and just use white out...
  

[Forseegood]

hey, what can I say??? I TOLD YOU SO!!!! MY BONES DON'T LIE!!!! My lil goofy bro...so glad about this...you know we are...but prob not *quite* as much as you are...your family must be elated as well...MAZEL TOF!!!!!

[willing]

and how do you spell relief? wonderful news! congratulations and enjoy your victory.

[TnHepGuy_]

More good news. Congratulations!

Great to hear that you've made it this far clear. The next test is closely correlated to the positive outcome you just received here, too. Don't fret too much over the remaining screwy numbers - the post-tx squeegee-ing of interferon and riba can take a good bit of time.


Best to you and family.


TnHepGuy

[cuteus]

I bet the ALT is going down as you read the congrats in this thread! and the platelets are rising.  
I bet you were begining to feel that old liver twitch before that blessed call too. THe things the mind can do!
So, know let your mind scream Halleluiah!! Eureka or whatever! How do you spell relief??

[GoofyDad]

Thanks everyone for you kind words. You're a special group and I really do appreciate your support. I'm elated with this news of course, but at the same time my heart is heavy for my friends who didn't get such a lucky break. I also need to come back to earth and remember this isn't the end. There are more hurdles on the way to SVR and wellness. But for now I'm gonna take some time and smell some cow pies....

[can-do-man]

Congrats goof. What a relief that has to be. I'd go for the white out or maybe one of those new tide sticks. Why get new shorts just to make new skid marks?

[GoofyDad]

I like the Tide stick. I could just shove it on up there and forget it. Let it do it's thing preemptively. Or prophylacticly, but that might lessen the effect....

I really still don't believe it. After the ALT's I went from cautious confidence to a near certainly of relapse. Ugggh.

[MissMiss]

Another milestone under your belt!  That is wonderful!  This may call for an Abalone meal soon!  If I could get that critter off that rock, hang on......   Phew, might have to let you get it.

Congrats from the bottom of my heart and all the best your way.

Melissa

[GoofyDad]

I could just kiss you!!! (Aren't you happy we all can't crawl through your screen!)

Oh I dunno. Knowing you have all your front teeth... that pretty much meets all my criteria, so why not bring it on. <small>well a freshly powdered merkin never hurts either ;-)</small>

[jmjm530]

Congratulations !!! I think we're both starting to see the promised land !!! No screen kisses please :)

-- Jim

[can-do-man]

says....No screen kisses please

Wouldn't want to risk smearing that face cream would we Jim?

[rifleman]

So, you're still clear at 12 weeks, eh??  Looks like you beat it.  Good time for a nice steak and a cold one.
It was almost a year ago when I started tx, June 17.  Just realized that.  Glad THAT'S over with.  Bet you are too.
Have fun waiting for the 6 month.
DJL

[jmjm530]

cdm...No we wouldn't.

rifle...Thanks for stopping by. Are you doing a one-year post test?

[rifleman]

Yeah, I suppose I'll get called by the doc to do a 1 year test.  I think they do it at 1 year and at 2 years, then tell you to get lost.  I don't think I've ever heard of anyone having the original virus come back after a 6 month UND.  I suppose that a rare few may get reinfected, though.
DJL

[Tonyz]

Congradulation...

Here is a link to the song........I second his lyrics.

<a href="http://home.comcast.net/~tzeazas/James_Brown-I_Feel_Good.mp3">I feel Good</a>


Blessing to you all

TonyZ

[Rogirl]

I'm taking--Peginterferon alfa-2b and 3 Riba in the morning and 3 Riba in the evening.  I plan to take the injection in a couple of hours.
I attended a "class" at my doctor's office today--reviewed with the nurse the sides, labs, and practiced giving myself the shot--so I'm ready!
I'll keep y'all posted!  Thanks everyone.

[goldyn]

Congratulations my gosh i know your just a grinnin as you should,i think you got the dragon beat!!!!!!!!

[Moniker]

<font color="#3300ff" size="4">Very great news!!! Enjoy your new hep free life. CONGRATULATIONS!!!</font>
<p><font color="#3300ff" size="4">Bob</font>

[jmjm530]

Rifle says: I think they do it at 1 year and at 2 years, then tell you to get lost.
----------------------------
I didn't realize you were married.

[returntosender]

What to go man, couldnt happen to a nicer guy!  Wow, really great news.  You are always there first to provide heartfelt congrats to others and I am extending my heartfelt congrats to you!  

So it turns out you are not so goofy after all! You knew what you were doing the whole time!

Junior

[GoofyDad]

Thanks again for all your kind words folks.

Forsee, You'd be surprised at all the lyin' my bone's done. Or maybe not.

[jmjm530]

Forsee says: MY BONES DON'T LIE!!!!
--------------------------------

Reminds me of Shakira's song HIPS DON'T LIE.
http://www.mp3.com/shakira/artists/146698/summary.html

Hope you're trying to get some sleep in these days :)


-- Jim

[jmjm530]

I assume you didn't bother with a PCR this time around. Of course, being the neutoric I am, I also did a real-time PCR, and for some reason it took a full week to come in (usually only 3 days), making me think that maybe the two tests contradicted each other which would then make the TMA a false negative. Anyway, the PCR fax finally came in this morning non-detectible, so I can now relax going into the weekend. Congrads again -- so far we did it !

-- Jim