What are your problems? What are your remedies?

I'll start with dry skin. What do you find works best? Also, what works on the face? Many of the moisturizes I've tried, including Gold Bond, are just too irritating. Lastly -- for those off treatment -- how long did it take for riba rash to go away?
---------
Here's a tip for the eyes. My eyes started feeling very "tired" on treatment. Liquid tears helped a lot but several months ago my eye doctor suggested always wearing dark sunglasses outside -- especially since I have light eyes. Now that I started doing this on a regular basis, eyes are a lot better. Another tip for the skin -- cotton or silk, gentle soap, and double-rinsing. During treatment, synthetics (or wool) next to my skin became irritating. Same I think with detergent residue.

Lastly, personal hygeine. It's a catch 22 with the skin. Too much soap and water (or gentle detergents) and skin can dry out and become irritated.  Not enough and skin can become suspectible to bacterial and fungal infections under the influence of immune suppressing drugs. Perhaps it's conincdence, but several skin on tx flared including Seborrheic Dermatitis, which may be fungal in nature. It appeared near the sabaceous glands -- face, scalp, chest, armpits, groin, etc. Treatment is topical antifungal meds, medicated talc and possible some cortisone intially for inflammation. And, yes, more soap and water (or gentle cleansers) to make sure the glands stay dry.
-----------
CDM...you and the Dyce will be happy to know I've nixed the Creme de' Nuit. I'm man enough to live with the name :) (and price)but not sure if it helps that much.

[Dale_Ray]

Jim, thanks for the information - I have been using Cetaphil lotion and it seems to do the job for me. I usually do a couple of coatings each day and always after my shower. As far as the eyes there are many days that I am so light sensitive I have to turn the lights off in my office and use whatever natural light comes through the window. Seems office lights are the worse. Hope you are having a good day. Dale

[Alady1620]

I hate to whine but I think I'm gonna have to take this opportunity.

Problems I'm having include:

I am fatigued so I sleep as much as possible.
I get horrible headaches that I take tylenol for.
My joints ache terribly at night.  Again tylenol.
My hair is coming out so I cut it off very short.
I take Advil for my fevers.
Immodium for the diarrhea.
Zofran for the nausea.  I also drink lemonade when nauseaus.  
Xanax for the mood swings.

I know there is more but I feel like this list is long enough already.  LOL

[stangshelly]

I DON'T WANT TO SAT ESPECIALLY WHERE MY RASH IS BUT I HAVE BEEN USING SHEA BUTTER AND IT SEEMS TO WORK..BENADRYL FOR ITCHING . TO ALADY1620 YOU SUMMED UP ALOT ...FOR EVERY REACTION YOU HAVE TO TREAT THE SYMPTOM IN WHICH THERE ARE SIDE EFFECTS.SOMETIMES YOU FEEL LIKE ALL YOU DO IS TAKE MEDS.
I AM REALLY BUMMED NO SUN THIS YEAR...MAYBE A LITTLE...NEED TO GO SWIM FOR SOME EXERCISE..JUST WON'T LAY IN THE SUN..GUESS I NEED TO FACE THE FACT OLD LADY WITH BIG SHADES AND LARGE HAT WITH UMBRELLA UGH ...I USED TO MAKE FUN ..MY TURN NOW LOL

[Alady1620]

You could swim and hang by the pool when the sun starts to go down.  It is nicer then anyway.  :0)

[FlGuy]

I think keeping up the energy level is important. Unless really debilited by the sx (notably anemia) keep some motion on your bones with walks, exercise, anything you can do. And then if sleeplessness is an issue rely on the smallest possible dose of a sleep med, like ambien.  I discovered the wonders of ambien late in tx, wish I had sooner.  (continued thanks to NYG for her 'urging'). Exercise and rest.

[can-do-man]

stangshelly, do we get to guess on the rash?:) 'OUCH' i felt that.

Jim, 'so far' lately its been Irritable. shortness of breath, no appetite, trouble sleeping at times, Having to write things down at work, Less brain power. Well that last one been here a long before tx.

Remedies
For Irritable, come here and insert foot. On road flip people off.
Shortness of breath....... Sit down
appetitie, don't eat
sleepless, stay awake
brain power, gave up on that one ALONG time ago.

Gonna have to ask my wife, either week on week 21 or 22, so really can't complain.

Hey jim, glad your back. How did it go at the Doctor last week? Decide on a short bed, or getting an extended cab with a long bed?

[stangshelly]

WELL I SURE HOPE IT DID HURT LOL...PUT IT THIS WAY THE RASH IS ON 2 PARTS THAT BOTH GENDERS HAVE BUT ONE GENDER HAS MULTIPLE USES AND MEN ARE OBSESSED WITH LMAO

[NYgirl]

jim did you try the Gold Bond without the menthol stuff = the regular type?  I found it works fantastiic too.

What works for MOI

1. GoldBond for the rash. If I use it twice a day the rash is gone for good. ADIOS! :)

2. For muscle aches a hot bath or a heating pad help a lot. But...have to be very careful about the skin drying out or the riba rash will come back

3. Fudgicles Fudgicles Fudgicles! After losing 20 pounds and suffering acute dry mouth...I found that the thing that helps with EVERYTHING is fudgicles.

FUDGICLES FUDGICLES FUDGIES!  THE ANSWER TO LIFES PROBLEMS! :)

I bet if I could get Mr. Bush to subscribe to my fudgicle diet.....ooops sorry it just popped out there !  ;)

[can-do-man]

Morning sweety, flip anybody off yet? Shoot anyone with that 44?
Durn new yacker. Your turn.

[Fisheress]

WOW, gone 5 days and all these new folks!  Can't read ALL the threads but want to say hi to everyone and if new, WELCOME!

Don't think trip was a good idea on tx.  All I did was spread myself tooooo thin running between family members trying to visit, sight seeing (real sad)and having to take care of Bro cause the left hip joint has completly gone now.  1st nite in Dad set me up in the FEMA trailer, woke about 2am and had to bail out of there because of the formyldahyde.  Oh it was terrible!  Did not sleep the nite before trip, did not sleep the nite I got there, no naps and possibly 12 hours sleep the 4 days I was there.  Playing catch up now and soooooo glad to be home!

For anyone who did not know where I went, I was down in Biloxi visiting my family.

Can-Do, how the heck are ya?  Sides getting to ya?  Better take care, weather and pool are perfect!

Want to say hi to nygirl, Goof, Kalio (brain fog, can't think of everyone) jmjm, daleray, flguy, Friole......did I forget anyone?

Love,
Fisheress

The quality of your thoughts decides the quality of your life...

[can-do-man]

Welcome home girl, glad you had a safe trip. Pool boy ready and willing

[NYgirl]

No not yet....you see I was waiting for you to show up!

:)

[Alady1620]

And all this time I thought 4 Advil was the cure all.

Fudgescicles you say?  I am gonna try it!

[jmjm530]

CDM,

Last week was just my shirnk and a dual-isotope stress treadmill test. Shrink was yawning as usual and I think my treadmill test went OK (15 plus minutes Bruce Protocol) based on a report they faxed me, but still haven't talked to doc that read the pics. Because of the radioactive injection, I was told I'd need a letter if I planned on going through airport security for the next few days. Meanwhile, I do double-duty as a night light at home. I vaguely remember our short-cab, extended-cab discussion. But that sounds more like my urology appointment coming up. I always tell the women I'm an extended cab  kinda guy, and then make sure to turn off the lights first :) BTW like your list of remedies as I'm kind of a minimalist when it comes to meds -- or at least I used to be before I started to treat. Gotta keep the weight up though -- maybe NY Girl will share her fudgiscile stash with you.

NY,

I only tried Goldbond with Menthol. I'll check out the others as well. Problem is I often don't have the discipline to use the stuff more than once a day. I guess you gals were brought up smearing stuff all over your body. Believe me, buying some Creme de Nuit was a big step for this guy. LOL.

-- Jim

[NYgirl]

Ah they are MARVELOUS - little sweet chocolate treats that moisten your mouth and are still a woman's favorite thing...chocolate you know?

Seriously - they only have about 60 calories in them so you can eat them whenever you need to and they seem to set off the chemicals in the brain that chocolate affects for some reason and I just feel BETTER - like ahhhhh a good treat for me that's what I needed  :)

[friole]

I think the best thing I have done for my skin is to use Aveeno boy (oops - I mean body) wash in the shower.  I never realized that the soap I was using dried me out so much (even before tx).  I also use Aveeno (unscented) lotions, Gold Bond, pure Aloe Vera gel without alcohol, Eucerine creme -- heck, the side effect treatments cost almost as much as the treatment does.

Sleep sleep and more sleep.  THat is my magic elixer.  I am one of the fortunate ones who does not have a problem sleeping.  With the anemia, I take naps - something I have never done before - short or long - they seem to rejuvenate.  And I have cut out most activities after work.

One of my main problems now at week 45 seems to be finding a place to take the shots - three a week with the Peg, Nup, and Proc.  My belly has been tender lately so have been laying off that.(you know, the problems there may stem from buying that hula hoop -- seems to have bruised my belly shots - trying to impress the grandkids ha ha). Seem to be bruising a lot lately - something I hadn't done in the past.  Plus, right now, I have to work around the chigger bites (LOL).  Just look for a spare spot, without any blue tones (veins) and make it work.

[can-do-man]

in another thread.....I've dreamed of popsicles so bad hahahaha. It wakes me up and then the water that I keep by the bed is nowhere NEAR as good as the pops I've been dreaming about.

Then here says....treats that moisten your mouth and are still a woman's favorite thing...

YOU know your making it hard to keep my mouth shut girl, You know me so you know how hard this is for me.

[Paris47]

Cant believe I forgot to mention the fatigue,
just got a temp red tag for driving \ parking.
My primary care doctor was kind enough to fill out the
form for a 6 month temp disability.
Actually I don't usually drive due to the brain fog.
but when I have appointments in the middle of the day
I need to have my car with me.

[returntosender]

They recalled all of Bausch and Lomb Renew contact lens rewetting drops - I used those prior to tx on my contacts but havent been able to wear contacts during tx - silver lining huh?  

There was one lot of GenTeal in Canada that was contaminated but I have not seen anything down here about it.  GenTeal Artificial Tears are not for contacts but are for dry eyes.  I dont use the gel because it kinda blurs my vision for a half hour.  I am blurry enough already.

[returntosender]

One last very important product - Biotene Mouthwash - remembered when looking at next post on dry mouth.  This stuff keeps mouth from drying, has no alcohol, is great during night if you wake up from dryness, good for the mouth sores, tastes great, expensive but highly recommended!

[can-do-man]

No it was the urology appointment i meant about that 'little' problem you have. And nygirl share her Fudgescicles? Yeah right, a fudgey in one hand and that 44 in another saying 'make my day'.

Nygirl, you back to ignoring me? or did you miss my last post to ya up around post 15?

[sfbaygirl]

Geez, where to start. I seem to have problems, but since I am new to this, not a lot of solutions.

Flushed (hot flashes) on face - no idea, menthol Gold Bond doesn't work to well. Putting my cold water bottle on face helps a bit.

Extreme fatique- sleeping on and off all day and night. I can't watch Tv, cuz my eyes shut, so then I have to make the picture up in my mind. I have anemia and got booster shot a week ago for HGB.

Bloody nose and gums just started. Going for CBC today. Platelets were 124, not bad, last week.

Eyes feel tired and hurt. Haven't used anything

Shortness of breath- stop walking and sit for several minutes.
Rubber legs- thinking i need a walker with tennis balls on the bottom. At the moment that would suit how I feel.
Brain doesn't work too well. Dont' let me write checks, drive, make major decisions. I seem to do best just laying around like a vegetable.
Headaches bad- codiene
Fever- 95-96 degrees, chills-  lots of blankets
aches and pains- ice, pain meds
skin itches everywhere- some places I use Gold Bond, others not sure what to use.
Loss of appetite- lots of ice cream and lime popcicles, these make me happy.
Depression- not bad. I take Prozac, but my spirits seem good! Couldn't make it to shrink due to lack of energy, so we had a phone conversation instead.

Wondering if anyone got a Temp. Disability tag for their car? Getting in the car it tuff enough!  Any trouble getting one?

[doglover28]

Hi All,

Does swimming in the ocean help with any of the skin sides?

[anise]

thanks fisheress for answering my question.  I do really feel tired alot, and at 11.1.  I had thought it might be the riba.  

You are on #38 only 10 more to go.  I just did my 15th shot leaving 9 left to go.  How in the WORLD do you guys make it a year?  You all must have bodies of steel, or fortitude of steel.

[returntosender]

Good post - here are the things I discovered here that helped me (you will notice a lot of skin stuff - just call me Liza!) There are probably things I will miss but here goes in no particular order:

Genteal Eye Wash (sp?) moderate to severe eye drops.
Aveeno body wash for extra dry skin.
Oil of Olay bath lotion - extra dry.
One of the fuzzy bath sponges on a stick so you can get down to your back and legs.  Feels kinda sensuous if you hit the right spot.  
Tea Tree Oil - used almost straight for riba rash and now use it in Dessert Essence toothpaste, mouthwash (mint only!) and conditioner for scalp.
Almond oil lotion - use a product call Jason (sp?) from Vitamin Shoppe.  Liked it so much that I got it in a bath wash and hand cleaner as well.  It smells so good that it covers up the stink of gold bond!
Gold Bond - NYGirl's parent company - stuff is good but stanky -smell like Howard Cosell.  I also slapped on some Sarna, sprayed benedryl (spray bottles are great and easier to use for us guys) Aveeno cortisone, Lotrimin for fungus, diluted tea tree oil and just about every other lotion at CVS.  
Triaminicone (sp?) - got from dermatologist -1% stuff in petroleum jelly - greasy but stays on forever.
Benedryl for sleep - every other day
Liquid Tylenol - regular cherry and blue menthol - like taking a shot of battery acid.  Sometimes it actually helps with anxiety - dont know why.
Liquid Advil or Motrin Migraine liquigels - when you got to have that fast relief.  Only take a few and only a couple times a day.  I use this for muscle aches and Tylenol for fever etc.
Pepcid - extra stregth - take 20mg before bed.  
Humidifier - steam type - with some of that Vicks in it - right next to my bed - makes a difference really.
Toe nail clippers - the things that happen to finger and toe nails on this tx are just a damn shame.
Glasses - get your script filled before tx as you will not be able to wear contacts anymore
Reebok silky gym shorts - two sizes too big - and some larger soft tee shirts - gotta get to those legs and arms for the shots, lotion and itching.
Backscratcher thing with the little hand on the end.  OMG it feels good!
Aquafina - the elixer of the gods - I have personally increased Pepsi's earnings by my use of this alone.  When you are drinking twenty bottles a day, you might as well drink something you like.
Pillsbury choc chip cookie dough - cooked or raw and uncut - sorry Rocker but I need it!
Popcorn - Pop Secret w/ butter only - of course you have to melt and add regular butter to get it right - I hear it kills the virus as well.  
I have trained my 12 yr old daughter to fetch my cookies, my 10 year old son to make the popcorn and my 11 yr old to get my water.  I lay on a leather couch in front of tv with a fan pointing at my flushed face like Caligula - I will miss all this when I am done.

[jmjm530]

Wow! I am impressed with your skin regimen and how you've gotten your kids trained! Printed it out. BTW did you find the Genteal recently or have you had it for some time. I ask because the last time I checked (about 2 months ago) Genteal was out of the stores because of some manufacturing issue as it was explained to me. But maybe it was just the mild formulation, don't remember.

-- Jim

[Paris47]

My problems:
1. Brain fog...wait that might be normal...I suffer from mental illness...yuk...-PSY UPDATED MEDS

2. Hard to hold a conversation, sometimes I can't express any clear thought without getting overly excited, (not in a good way)
...RESULT- TRY NOT TO TALK TO ANYONE I DON'T NEED TO

3. Rash, itch, - USE GOLD BOND AND ANOTHER CREAM I GOT, AQUAPHOR FOR MY FACE.

4. Discomfort at the work place, =GOT NEW CHAIR WITHOUT ARMS SO I COULD SIT AT MY 'POD' MORE COMFORTABLY & BOUGHT EAR PLUGS TO LISTEN TO SOOTHING MUSIC TO DROWN OUT THE 'BLA BLA BLA' OF THE WORK PLACE.

5. Headaches= BOUGHT A HERBAL MASK

6. Can't stand clothes touching my skin=RESULTS, WEARING LOOSE FITING ITEMS & APPLYING LOTION CONSTANTLY
WATER INTAKE, WATER INTAKE MORE AND MORE
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST FOR ALL OTHER PROBLEMS THAT CAN'T BE DECRIBED
" EAT ICECREAM DAILY"
AND DO PUZZLES FOR ASSISTING THE BRAIN FUNCTION, I LOVE CRYPTOGRAMS AT THIS POINT MY LASTED ADDICTION.

[sfbaygirl]

Thanks for your concern!  I am hoping this procrit stuff works soon. My doctor seems to be a moron, he didn't remember I was on treatment. I suppose I could call him, but I don't know what he could do for me other than what my Hemo doc is doing. From all the posts I have heard that the Procrit works wonders, that is what I am looking forward to.

[doglover28]

HI,
Sorry to hear about all your sides.  I am glad you put the check writing one in there.  I am the money manager at home. I balance the check book, pay all the bills etc...I might want to consider letting hubby take over when I start treatment.  Still don't know when that will be since I don't go back until the 22nd of June.  I do get my ultrasound tomorrow.  I called the doc's office and left a message to see if they would schedule the biopsy before the next visit.  Haven't heard back.

[Fisheress]

OK, just got my bloodwork back from last week, HGB is holding in the 11's, went down though to 11.1, Whites are 3.6, Platlettes 168 and Nutaphils (*sp) 2000.  Said I was doing great, guess I can't ask for anything better.....right?

Has anyone noticed a bigger than normal tummy?  Sometimes mine looks as if I am 6 months pg...and other times not.....weird.  And I am soooooo jealous of all of ya'll getting to eat all that ice cream!  Started tx at 135 and up to 142lbs.  Gotta stay off the sweets (boohoo) and eat lighter.  So have an extra fudgecicle for me!

Sides have been bearable, Motrin seems to be my pain reliver of choice and works well.  Just on the inside of my nose is like insulation is in there and is just dreadful! Took benedryl last nite so I could sleep and not rub on my nose all night...

Sissy did 2nd shot, ran some fever yesterday but better today.  Said she was coming here in 2 weeks from Ft. Worth and spend some tx time w/me.......Rog will hate that!  Two of us here on tx!

Later
Fisheress

[jmjm530]

This was before the B&L recall, but I'm glad you can find 'em. I believe the gel is the stonger formulation that's used only before sleep -- however, with recent reports of people sleep-driving with Ambien, not sure how safe that is now :)Meanwhile I've been using "Refresh Tears" (mild to moderate formulation) but don't need them as much since started wearing shades.

cdm..No BIG problem. Don't confuse me with the guy in the mirror :)

REMEDIES: Try Simply Saline to help with throat congestion, post nasal drip, reflux, etc. Squirt it all the way into your throat and then cough it up.

-- Jim

[sfbaygirl]

Who cares if you gain a few lbs? At this point if I can get ice cream down and it makes me feel good, why give it up?  I have cut down slightly to morning and night LOL. While eating strawberry icecream I feel SO GOOD. I stir it up, so it's all smoothe and cherish every bite. It's one of the main pleasures of my day.

[sfbaygirl]

I have REALLY messed up writing checks. I wrote one to the housekeeper that had the money written instead of her name. Then I forgot to sign one, then I also wrote one with the name where the money amt. should be written, all that besides writing the wrong amounts. NYG says brain fog doesnt' start this early (#5) so I think it is the fast drop in my HGB and anemia. Who knows?  They say ignorance is bliss, so I am going with that one.

[jmjm530]

Meant to say, squirt it into you nose and let it run all the way into your throat.

Fish, regarding the stomach. It could be an inocuous woman thing which I know nothing about, it could also be gas or irritable bowel syndrome as treatment can do a real number on the digestive track, or it even could be something serious although very doubtful.  I've been noticing something similar and will mention it to my gastro next time. Definitely something you should at least mention to your doc or NP at your next appointment. Of course pregnancy should always be ruled out so I decided to take the drug store test just in case :)

-- Jim

[can-do-man]

says.....Of course pregnancy should always be ruled out so I decided to take the drug store test just in case :)

Well you gonna tell us how the test turned out?

And as for the guy in the mirror. It seems i have to keep getting the mirror closer and closer. I keep telling myself its just my eyes getting worse.:)

[jmjm530]

cdm:
Well you gonna tell us how the (pregnancy)test turned out?
-----------------------------------------------
Well, the rabbit didn't die but I heard he started listening to Bette Midler tunes after they injected my urine into him :)

[GoofyDad]

Here's what I do. I keep a bag of frozen mixed berries in the freezer along with a tub of Dreyer's slow churned reduced cal (fat and sugar) Vanilla Bean ice cream. I nuke a generous handfull of the berries (blue, rasp, etc) until thawed and warm (2 minutes on thaw and 1 on full). Then I pile on a reasonably sized scoop of the low cal ice cream. Hmmmmmmhmmmm. Sometimes I use fresh mango or jarred pears ni light syrup instead of warmed berries.

[jmjm530]

Can you go over the dosing schedule for your brew, and if you favor the 4-week cholesterol test or go with the standard 12-week?

BTW how much weight have you gained post tx? I'm up 10 pounds from EOT and 20 lbs from my low point during tx.

-- Jim

[GoofyDad]

I'm up 5-6 pounds from eot, which was also my low point. I'm a few pounds under my pre-tx, but I was in much better shape pre-tx and had a smaller waist size. So I'm at an OK weight - could stand to shed say 10 lbs to get into middle of OK zone on the BMI charts. But I definitely traded muscle for fat. I'm starting to work on that. Ugggh.

[anise]

Had it somewhat easy the first 3 months.  Now.....

Dry mouth, constantly drinking water, picked up NYgirl's habit of fudgcicles, pretty yum, except I end up eating the whole box in one sitting (probably not a good idea).

Metallic taste in mouth, I just ignore it.

Stomach problems, nausea, vomiting.  Trying everything, a couple of saltines in the morning helps (sometimes).  Eat before I take ANY pills.  Goofydad, the ginger ale works wonders.  I take a bottle out with me to the jacuzzi.  Eat less, a lot less.  Lots of prayers when I have to go somewhere early in the morning that I don't vomit.

Use a jacuzzi for the achy bones and muscles, ahhhh!  I am finding that I am taking about 3 a day, so that Gold Bond comes in quite handy.

The worst headaches, and eyeball aches, which I was given a pain killer.  I can't survive without them anymore.  NP says don't worry if I get addicted, we will work on getting unaddicted (does this sound like good advice?)

Dry and bloody nose, use a neti pot with salt and run vaseline on the inside of my nose.  I never have a dry nose anymore.  Great remedy.

Ativan to sleep and calm me down so I don't punch someone in the nose.

Jeez, and hear I thought I had no sides!

[friole]

dog -- yes - I think swimming in the ocean does help the skin stuff.  Other members have mentioned that in the past

fisheress-  so glad you are back.  No wonder you were beat on your trip -- hgb of 11.1 sucks that is exactly what I am at right now too.  Been really wiped the last 2 days.  Did Bud's bad hip just spring it's last spring on this trip??? I have been wondering houw you were.  Glad you are home.  I will bet your Tiki was glad to see you (and Rog too).

[Pdilly]

I suffer from dry eyes due to lazik surgery.  They are better now then they were 4 years ago.  I think they said it was because I wore contacts for 36 years.  Anyway the best dry eye stuff I have run across is SYSTANE. Green and Blue bottle. If I suffer worse dry eyes once I start tx I will really go nuts.

[Paris47]

I went to my primary care doc who had referred me to
the Liver specialist...My primary doc signed the paper
that I picked up from MVA without any hesitation, he put
down 'temp fatigue due to chemo therapy'
took paper to mva....10 minutes had a 'red tag' to hang from
my mirror
Could not believe how easy and how 'for the first time' MVA
was nice!

[anise]

So you think that 11.1 HGB is hard on one, and makes one tired?  My HGB is 11.1 and it seems I am so tired.  Yet, they don't treat unless it is lower than that.

[Fisheress]

I can really tell the difference just from 11.7 to 11.1, I know there are others out there w/lower HGB's and I feel for them and really have to room to complain. (Hope Beagle is feeling better this evening).  I could not imagine anything worse than this.  I was doing really good hanging in the upper 11's all thru tx so hopefully it will come back up next month's bloodwork.  Clinic said not to worry, no rescue drugs till it gets down to the 10's.  Do #38 of 48 this Sat.!  WOW sure was nice to type that!  WOOHOO!  And Friole you don't have very much longer to go either!

Alot of us will be celebrating here soon if I recall.  YEA!

Fisheress

[can-do-man]

Wow, your getting hard with all the sides. Hope your doctor is working with you. What week you on if you don't mind. Temp tag should not be a problem. Someone just today posted they got one. Sorry your getting hit so hard. But for almost all it does get better and level out. Best of luck to ya and stay on your doctor about those sides. I've had alot of them but was lucky not at the same time.

[Forseegood]

I hope you feel better soon, you sound like youre getting hit kinda hard with sides...best of luck to you...

[sfbaygirl]

Thanks for your thoughts. I keep saying, "at least I am in good spirits." Hopefully that continues and my body gets somewhat used to these poisons and rescue drugs.

Anise

My GI told me I had to wait until my HGB was below 10. I could barely get outta bed! I dropped about 5 points in a couple of weeks so it hit me hard. I went to my hemotologist who immediately gave me a procrit type shot for anemia. I still am not great as it takes a few weeks to work, but I don't think I could have gone lower than I was. I was 16.9 to start with.

I think that if a doctor gives you the drugs in their office it is considered a procedure, not a prescription. In this way you can get away from the below 10 the stupid ins. co's insist on. Perhaps you can get a referral to a hemotologist? The GI's don't know that much about blood anyway.