open post for everyone

[Dale_Ray]

How is everyone doing today?

[can-do-man]

Well how can i put this, oh well what the heck. Could it be that sick minds think a like?

[can-do-man]

See where that gal that sees good popped back in. Whats up, since shes got some teefers and a garden, she one of those high flying city gals now?

[lilmoma]

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Did we meet in a prior life?!
I needed a good laugh right now, just finished my shot.
How many times have used that phrase "what goes around.....
did we meet in a prior life!!!!!!
lilmoma

[can-do-man]

Oh no, i forgot your hubby is also on tx. And your probally one of those that thinks what goes around comes around. "YIKES"

[GoofyDad]

I'm a stage 4 too. Don't worry, your behavior shouldn't start to be adversly affected until stage 4 or close to it ;-)

A couple more things to add to can-do's well though out list:

How will you communicate with the Doc/Nurse? What will your access channel be if you have issues or problems? Email is great if your doc is willing.

Also, weeks 12 and 24 are milestone weeks. The goal for genotype 1's is to have 2 log drop in Viral Load at week 12, and to be clear at week 24. I'd want to know up front:

What are the plans if I clear at week 12
What if I don't achieve the 2 log drop at 12

What if I don't clear by week 24, how will we continue  


If that sounds Greek, just ask. One of us will explain it more.

[lilmoma]

I play darts,.........................
I love a moving target!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lilmoma

[can-do-man]

Your hubby play darts? Draw a circle on your tummy and let the poor guy have some fun to.

[lilmoma]

Nothing gets by you,...does it?!
I am married to guy like you, has a comment for everything. I have had to learn to be real quick thinking or he would eat me alive with his wit.
I'm feeling a little nervous about sticking myself tonite,..its like I feel so good, why ruin it? Ya Know?
Well here goes...........................................
lilmoma

[can-do-man]

First your sleeping with horses, now your seeing vampires, Just what kind of drugs you on girl? Good luck on shot number2

[can-do-man]

First id ask him how many hep-c patients he's had. Unless he's a  hepatologist. Most likely he will want you to tx 48 weeks, if your viral load is only 7000 id ask him when he will give you your first pcr. As there is a good chance you could clear at 4 weeks, Also ask him how low the pcr will measure too? You at least want one that goes <50iu. Make sure hes willing to use rescue drugs like procrit if you hgb falls to low. How often he plans on doing labs (CBC). If hes going to put you on ribavirin thats based on weight. Any sleep drugs you might need, also you might want to start on AD's if your depressed or have a history of being depressed. You want a doc who is willing to work WITH you on any sides you might have instead of one that lets you suffer or wants to lower the dose first. Keep reading here asking questions, just try not to freek, thats easily said then done because we all do then when we settle down we realise all that stress and freeking was a whole lot of nothing

[lilmoma]

I am feeling pretty good today. I went to see the vampires earlier, I suspect this will be a good sample, based on how I'm feeling. Tonight I do shot #2 so,.........we'll see what comes my way.

Fisheress: I'm sorry your feeling so bad. I wish I could offer more than just words, my hubby is sick as a dog in bed right now(he is on week 32,..I think)

Frijole: I hope you feel better too.
I don't handle pain, or illness well at all (Big Baby) so I am prayin for you guys.
Lilmoma

[bodellen]

I am seeing a GI but there is a renouned hepatoloigst in the same group,,,he wrote an award winning book on hep...his name is DR. Chella I thjink

[bodellen]

tring to hold it togather...doing ok I think...how do I know if I qualify for tx.....I am ready now I am to young to feel tis dang old besides that summer is coming,,,,Life is too short to spend wasting time....do u know of any questions I should ask???

[can-do-man]

What type of doctor are you seeing? a GI or a hepatologist?

[can-do-man]

Sorry, now see your a geno 1a, same as me. It is one of the hardest to beat. But still you got time to fiqure out what your next move is. Tx. should be very much considered with being your stage. I was at stage 4 for at least 3 years before i started tx. Not smart on my part but. Still don't freek out.

[bodellen]

geno 1a

[can-do-man]

Now don't get yourself all upset, Stage 2 is moderate damage, Im a stage 4 so you got along ways to go. First you need to find out what geno type you are. Since your viral load is known then he should know what geno type you are. hopefully your seeing a hepatologist, Hep-c is for the most part a slow moving diease. SO just don't freek out you got time to fiqure out what your next step his, just don't jump in without understanding about all of this. OK And keep a smile on your pretty face.

[bodellen]

stage 2-3 and moderate damage  so thats kind of scarry and earth shattering news..so what comes next and how are these dissicions based....are there any questions I should ask??? thanks for the janis 7 tip ,

meee

[cuteus]

it looks like your biopsy uses the Metavir scale http://www.hbvadvocate.org/hepatitis/hepB/HBV_Grade_stage.html

as you can see, you have significant liver damage if at stage 3, and should consider tx if all things are favorable to do so.
your viral load is low, but as you can see, low viremia does not mean little damage.  
check janis7hepc.com for more on biopsy scoring.
I am glad you pushed them for answers! geesh!

[Dale_Ray]

Patience is not something I am blessed with but usually when my doctor gets in a hurry to see me or get blood work then I worry. My doctor usually is slow and methodical about coming out with the good news but he is always cautious so as not to rain on my parade or so I don't set myself up for disappointment. Others in here understand the numbers more than I but from what your info says your in pretty good shape.

I hope it doesn't stress you to much. It would me. ha! Dale

[Forseegood]

ha! Imagine my surprise if you got it in California! wink wink...who cares, you got rid of it and that's the best thing, thank God! wow, sciatica huh? (who knows how to spell that, certainly not me...) I hope you get some relief from it, my friends that have it say it flares up and diminshes...I've read that they are doing things in pain clinics where soon they will be able to trick the nerves into not feeling the pain, hope that comes sooner than later for ya!...

you don't wanna see me in a swimsuit, I gained 10 pounds for the tx! I know, I know, I sound soooo LA, who cares about 10 pounds! (I do, I do...baaaaaaah! I'm such a weenie!)

[cuteus]

you know, I have been going to rheumatologists since shortly after my daughter's birth, she is now 16, and they theorized anything from Lupus to Sjogren's. No one had a true answer until the rheumy who discovered the hep c. SHe probably thought that was it, and it would get resolved. Not sure what is at work, I thought it was the pregnancy that triggered something, until my mom reminded me I had blood products post partum, was that when I got HCV? or 20+ yrs ago in California? My symptoms started after the delivery, so, I don't know. I have had bilateral Carpal tunnel, sciatica, shoulder bursitis and elbow pain, some finger joint pain also. Things post SVR are a tad better than pre tx, but most of the stuff is still there, low key most of the times, except the sciatica. I have read here of folks with joint pain pre tx that got entirely well post tx and was hoping to be one of them. Oh well! at least I got rid of HCV if not the joint pain! I'll take that anytime!
still testing the water, aren't ya? you don't even have your swimsuit on?

[bodellen]

Well I just found out some of the results from my BX...I had to pry it out of the nurse  ,which is a bit odd since they tell me all of my results over the phone,now yhey say I need to go in and he will discuse it then ..now my not being the sit around and waite kind of gal,,I ask the same ? different ways till I got this...stage 2-3 fibrosis, hep c geno 1a viral load 7000 and smoth actin antibodies elevated to 70 somthing? enzymes change with the wind I,m not really sure after the hemeroage and surgery..so now that having been said,does anybody have a clue what it means or what I might be expecting????

thank you....HAVE A SUPER DAY  :)

[Forseegood]

Just wanted to say so sorry for Fisheress and everyone that is having sides, hope they get better soon...Cali, guess I already threw my congrats in the other thread but I'll do it again...(I know they will resolve for the most part...)

Dollface, so good to see you and so glad to hear youre clear, ditto about the post treatment thing...

Cuteus...just curious, you did mention that some of these things were an issue for you...how long did it take for some of these things to resolve for you? hopefully, not long...