Vision Problems? and other post

My vision has progressively become worse since starting treatment. I love to read but I just can't keep my focus even with reading glasses. Is this something that goes away after treatment ends? Dale

[Fisheress]

Before tx I had bought some readers at the dollar store.  Just guessed I had hit that mark in age that the eyes go to poo and needed the readers for reading only.  I had pre tx eye test and everything was fine, said to just use the lil readers I had bought.  THEN the vision went to hell in a handbasket!  Could not even see to drive!  Went for another eye test and they said I had dry eyes and a stignatism.  Prescribed glasses and it's amazing!  I can see again!

I would have thought I knew I had dry eyes. They watered all the time so it was like something I could have not imagined.  I would have thought "dry eyes", burn, dry, gritty.... but the doc informed me that the watering was like tears, no lubrication.  Go buy some lubricating eye drops and see if that helps with your vision. Mine feel better now that I am using the eye drops.  Don't know if they return to norm after tx, sorry.  Hope they do though.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Fisherss

[cajunlady]

I had a horrible time with vision on tx.  It started at shot #3; same time my ears started ringing.  It was also my first drop in cbc's.  I read alot and had to put it down for awhile.  I would get so frustrated on those days, and on the days I could read; it was only short term or I would strain my vision and it would blurr again.  When you have a 10 1/2 and 15 year old, you just don't want to sign anyting they give you, until you can truely read it.  So, I went to Staples and bought a sheet magnifier.  It is 8 1/2  x 11 and fits great on paper or books and it does magnify so you can read.  I still do not use it long term when my eyes are messed up that day; only brief moments.  Now, for the good news, for the last two weeks I have had very minimal vision problem.  It seams to be clearing up on its own.  I also, know that my cbc have started to stable out these last few visits. Not sure if the stabling of the blood helped at all or just coinsidence.  I was told by my eye doctor and primary doctor not to spend too much on different glasses trying to correct this.  Both said it will correct itself.  The sheet magnifier only cost me $8 and some change; I have one at home and one at work.  What shot are you on now; and what geno are you.  I hear your frustration and I know.  
Hope this helps.

cajun

[cajunlady]

That is great news on 24 wk pcr.  We are all slaying those dragons.  WOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How was your trip over the weekend.  My condolences to you, for your friends or family.  Hope everything was at peace.  

CONGRADULATIONS ON THE UND.  YOU GO GIRL!!!!

HAPPIER DAYS AHEAD!!!!

cajun

[cajunlady]

Let me start by saying Thank You for all the well wishers the other day on my 12 wk UND. It was the greatest feeling in the world; knowing all that struggle with the sx and all the crazyness that Riba gives, was so well worth it.  I struggled for awhile with this tx. and that result and well wishes only make me want to go forward with no hesitation.  So, thank you, Iceboy, Amirtracy, Mr. BB, Nygirl, Friole, Can do Man, Goldyn, On a Pretty Poison, Dyce, Strator, and Mrs. O. And anyone else, I may have missed.

Mr BB:  
Special Congradulations on your undetectable at 12 weeks.  I just knew you were going to clear.  Now, it makes it worth the struggles.

STRATOR:  I am so glad you are painting again; a baby's room, always innocence, that will be an awesome baby room.  Let me know how if finishes up.  On the head shaking,  I get that all the time on tx; its like you said, they think we are not meaning what we say; just cause we are on tx.  Go Figure.  I can so relate to commanding the chores.  You want to be a little S*it, well now I want all of this done and better be done proper when I get back or else, your social life comes to a halt.  Funny, how they step in stride then. I don't get that, I don't have to listen to you; because you are on tx, very often anymore.  I just threatened to let PHYCO SYBIL out of her box.  They RUN.  I hate the Riba rage this stuff gives us.  I have to admitt, that since I have taken my Ativan like is prescribed and not just at night; I feel alot of the anxiety leaving and I am sure that when the Prozac settles in, things will be even better. Heck, I am now starting to plan my annual summer Tropical Party for July. Are, you still not taking the AD's.  Don't be too stubborn okay.
You were speaking of the Acadian bloodline.  My family heritage come from Nova Scotia, traveling the colonies to Louisiana and at the same time Spainards fleed their gov. in Spain and docked New Orleans and WAAA LAAA   "Cajuns"  

cajun

[Dale_Ray]

Thanks for the input on this one. I use to thread needles for my wife now I can't even see the needle so its gotten pretty bad. I know its something to do with the treatment though. I'm glad to know it clears quickly after completing treatment. Sometime I think my questions are silly or small but something like this can really have an impact on your daily life. Thanks again. I hope both of you are doing well today. Dale

[Algernon]

This morning I mistook some other kid for my son (he was about 25 yards away but....).

I started treatement with EXTREME nearsightedness and i've had a detached retina before.  SO, I went to an eye specialist before treatment and at about 8 weeks.  I'm defininitely a bit more blurry than usual but I plan to get checked again in a few weeks.

Can't hurt to get your eyes checked.  A little peace of mind is worth a lot.

[Dale_Ray]

Thanks, I did have my eyes checked recently but what's going on right now is meds I think. My big concern was if it cleared up quickly. I hope so! It's like a pulsation behind my eye balls when they are the worst. I appreciate you'll taking the time to respond. It always helps when someone shares like that. Dale

[Mister beagle bailey]

Your welcome, and thank you for being there for me too.

Congratulations! to you on your 12 week results being UNDETECTABLE.  It was all worth it, I know.

BTW--  My wife's family came from St. Pierre et Miquilon, it's above Nova Scotia and gov. by France.  St Pierre went back and forth between France and Spain, until the 1800's when the British took it over and the French and Spainards fled and when to New Orleans and some back to their countries.  Then France won it back and to this day it's apart of France.  Her family on her mom's side is French and Spanish.  What a small world.

            Beagle

[cajunlady]

Small world indeed.  When the British took over; they allowed the acadians portions of land (they were not big on sharing the land (Brittish) and told them they could stay but only there.  Well the Acadians florished their land plentiful and the British could not get much of anything to grow and were doing poorly.  That is when they exiled the Acadians back to Novia Scotia and the Acadians were to respond or be shot of site.  That is when alot of them took off south and also; dropped the Le from their names; so they could not be identified as acadians.  For instance a last name of LeBlanc was changed to Blanc and LeMire was changed to Mire.  That is how they escaped and made it to New Orleans.  It took my family a long time to do the family tree, for that side of the family. You could go only so far and then, no more information.  Finally someone put together the dropping of the Le in many names and this person was able to continue with the heritage.  And, a few of my family goes back to France and some in areas of Canada.

cajun

[Mister beagle bailey]

My wife is acadian and we did her family tree back to the 1700's and some to the 1600's.  Her great great granmother was a countess(a cousin to the throne of Spain) also one of great,great,great grandparents had the name LeBon, so I know what you mean when you said they dropped the Le.  Did you know that the Levee system in New Orleans was built mainly by acadians in the 1700's.  Can you imagine it being that old and our gov. never replaced it.

Beagle

[cajunlady]

No, I did not know that the acadians build N.O. levy.  Makes since though.  And, yes, I can believe that the gov. did nothing to update or improve. H*ll, look at what they had in office, nothing but CROOKS. H.P. Long; Edwin Edwards, the list goes on and on for crooks in government.  Sad, but True. They have been given money to repair those levies and did not.  After, so long of this you would think the Fed. Gov. would have just taken over and did it right; for the sake of the people, economy, oil rigs,the future of this country. etc. etc.  But, I am sure that money lined many pockets; including Fed. Gov.  Now, look at the disaster they have all caused by ignoring this. Really can't wait until we can get some people with Brains and Compassion in the White House, to do the right things for this country.
Thanks for that info. interesting stuff, heritage.  I need to get my mom to send me a copy of the family tree; we have it done from fathers side; LeMire and my mom's Benoit.
Small world indeed.  

Enjoy your day, gotta get back to work.  It's been fun.

cajun

[Mister beagle bailey]

I was just looking at the family tree and the name Franchet, Imatz, Benoit,Casemayor,Lafille,Lebon, Manet and LeFranc are all mentioned.  
What a small world.  Have a good day at work.

Beagle

[jmjm530]

Your story is sad but not surprising.

A lot of doctors unfortunately only know the absolute basics of  treating hepatitis c, and often are years behind the learning curve.

My suggestion is switch doctors prior to treating or making any treatment decisions. Go see a liver specialist (hepatologist). You'll usually find them at the larger, teaching hospitals. You asked some very informed and basid questions. You should treat with someone who will give you the answers you deserve.

If you post what state/city you live in, maybe some of can suggest a hepatologist.

-- Jim

[OnAPrettyPoison]

I had an initial eye doctor evaluation to clear me for interferon (pegasys)prior to starting treatment.  The eye doctor wanted to see me every three months because the interferon has a high occular risk.  My insurance pays for it.  At any rate, I have been back twice.  The first time she commented on how dry my eyes were and suggested using artificial tears at least twice a day.  When I went back the second time she put me on the prescription eye drop "Restasis" which is for chronically dry eyes to make the tear ducts more efficient.  The doc told me the drying of the eye could greatly affect the vision causing blurring of vision up close, on computer screen, etc.  It takes about 4-6 weeks getting in your system, and I can tell my reading is much better.

Had my eyes fixed with lasix a few years back and don't need reading glasses (or any others!) but I really worried about it until I found out what it is.  

You may want to get your eye doc to check you again for dry eye.  The prescription was not very expensive with insurance and it comes in single use dosage that you can really stretch for a day and a half by standing it up in a little shot glass.

[jmjm530]

As BB, reminded me, you're a non-responder. All the more reason to see another doctor. Non-responders generally require a more knowlegeble doctor with a large non-responder treatment base to draw from. As a non-responder, you have more options depending on your individual stats. As you probably know, none of us here are doctors.

-- Jim

[Mister beagle bailey]

Jim,
On this thread is asomeone needing help.  Nick name is Sweet111k a non responderand wants to treat again, but doesn't know which meds to use.

Thanks,

Beagle

[Mister beagle bailey]

I see you alredy got there, thanks.

Beagle

[Wasabi Pea]

Hey Dale,

Wanted to comment about the vision problems.  I used to be an avid reader and cannot read for long periods of time anymore.  My suspicion is that my problems at least (focusing, blurring, fatigue) are due to the anemia which is caused by the riba.

I've been on varied doses on riba.  At one point in my tx, they took me off of it for a month to get my hgb up.  During that time, my vision seemed to clear up, I was happier, and my hgb came up to 9.0 from 7.6.

Right now I'm on the last bit of tx (another three more shots).  Last week my hgb was at 7.7, and reading's a pain again.

So my feeling is that you'll find once these meds clear up and hemoglobin levels come up to normal, your vision will return to normal as well.  And I did visit the ophthalmologist today for a check-up, and all's well, despite all the blurring and focus problems.

I suspect you'll be back to threading needles in no time. <g>  Hope all's well for you.  Ang

[goldyn]

my eyes are a mess now i was always near sighted with a powerful astigmatism now my vision is blury with my glasses and sometimes i look at letters and numbers and it is almost like im seeing double vision sometimes ...im going to go check this out even if i need a new script on tx im going to buy a cheap pair of glasses to use while on tx in hopes my vision will get back to normal afterwards.... i wonder why the tx messes with our eyes?

[Bill1954]

Consensus interferon, also known as CIFN, interferon alfacon-1, as well as the brand name Infergen, is the only FDA approved bio-optimized interferon labeled for use for HCV non-responders. All four of those names can be used interchangeably (for our purposes, anyway)

By bio-optimized, I believe the term

[sweet111k]

hello, i have a question. i was talking with my dr about treatment and i mentioned trying a concensus interferon also asked about infergen. i have been scrolling this site but honestly don't know alot about these drugs. when i mentioned cocensus he asked "which one?" i had no idea! then i mentioned infergen and he had no clue what i was talking about. he had no clue what a heptimax test was either. I am a non responder and need to start some kind of treatment! can any of you tell me what he ment by "which concensus" and what is infergen? I thought i had the answeres, now i'm confused as ever. any help would be greatly appreciated. thank you all so much.

[cajunlady]

I can not help you in detail of all this; but there are some very knowledgable people here, who can give it to you in detail.  I am sure they will log in and assist you.  Good Luck

cajun

[Mister beagle bailey]

hi,
Being your a non responder you may need a more aggressive way to fight this, but there are many on here who was treated more then once and have cleared.  What are your stats, what meds did they have you on the first time and for how long?

Beagle

[GoofyDad]

Bill, Thanks for the informative post on Infergen!
<hr>
algernon says: This morning I mistook some other kid for my son ...

I know that feeling - last nite I mistook some other lady for my wife....

[amirtracy]

Gotta tell ya, been reading your postings for awhile now and you are a FREAK! Thanks for all the laughs. God bless ya Goofy....

[GoofyDad]

Thanks, Tracy (I think :)).

When we lose our ability to laugh at this nonsense, I think we're in trouble. It helps me get along when I can put a smile n peoples faces.

[amirtracy]

Well I can't thank you enough for the smiles you've given me. and it is most definently a compliment!  tracy

[Bill1954]

Thanks for the atta-boy, as well as the all the invaluable info you

[GoofyDad]

What a neat town Placerville is.

Yup, I'm in RG's stable. My treating Doc is on his team. RG said he'd only be able to see me every 2 mos, so we'd coordinate with my PCP or GI for monthly visits. Neither of them wanted to play second fiddle, so RG referred me to another Doc on his team. Then that Doc said, well I'll want to see you every 2 mos or so!

Anyway, they're a great team and very accommodating to my wishes and inquiries. I couldn't be happier with where I ended up for treatment. I keep stressing here how important it is to find the right clinic, especially for those us proximate to an urban area.

I was pretty comfortable and confident until physical symptoms cropped up. I'm going to write it off as normal jitters until I know differently. I've been making all kinds of summer travel plans today.  

Cheers to SVR for the 3 of us!