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good time for tx???
Hi Everyone,
I was planning on starting tx this month but we recently found out that my husband is to have surgury where he will be laid up for two months and need care. His surgury is in May. I am afraid if I start tx now I will not be of to much help for him or be able to maintain the household. His surgury can't be put off due to the pain/discomfort involved. What is the opinion of
people on tx? I am Geno 1, stage 2, dx 4 years ago so starting tx has been a long process for me.
Also, I was in to see my ND this month and she reminded me that some things people with Hep C need to stay away from are Niacin, Iron and Vitamin A. My alt/ast shot up very high and I was taking Fish Oil with Vitamin A, I stopped it for 1 month, got retested and they came down by half.
Tanks for all your help. Mo
PS Robertz.good to see you post, how are you and how is TX?
I was planning on starting tx this month but we recently found out that my husband is to have surgury where he will be laid up for two months and need care. His surgury is in May. I am afraid if I start tx now I will not be of to much help for him or be able to maintain the household. His surgury can't be put off due to the pain/discomfort involved. What is the opinion of
people on tx? I am Geno 1, stage 2, dx 4 years ago so starting tx has been a long process for me.
Also, I was in to see my ND this month and she reminded me that some things people with Hep C need to stay away from are Niacin, Iron and Vitamin A. My alt/ast shot up very high and I was taking Fish Oil with Vitamin A, I stopped it for 1 month, got retested and they came down by half.
Tanks for all your help. Mo
PS Robertz.good to see you post, how are you and how is TX?
Thank you all for the validation to wait. I wanted to make sure I was not playing head games with myself and looking for an easy way out. He is having a piece of his leg bone replaced due to a bad Menisci Surgury he had a year ago that he has not been able to recover from. He was a runner his whole life, had a slight minescus tear at 52 years of age, went for a routine surgury and this is what we get!!! So, he will be on his back for two months in a machine for ROM exercise 8 hours a day. Then light weight bearing for two months (crutches) then back to work as a Chiropractor. So, it will be a while before I can start tx. A part of me is relieved, to be honest.
As for Fish Oil......Cod Liver Oil has V-A added, that is the one my Naturopath suggested to stay away from. I know just take flax and / or regular fish oil.
Also, someone mentioned Chinese Herbs elevating liver enzymes. They did for me also, but that does not mean they do for everyone. Just be careful and pay attention to blood work.
And, your are all right. It is our chance to take care of each other. We have only been married 3 years so this feels so big but we will help each other get through.
Thanks to all of you.
As for Fish Oil......Cod Liver Oil has V-A added, that is the one my Naturopath suggested to stay away from. I know just take flax and / or regular fish oil.
Also, someone mentioned Chinese Herbs elevating liver enzymes. They did for me also, but that does not mean they do for everyone. Just be careful and pay attention to blood work.
And, your are all right. It is our chance to take care of each other. We have only been married 3 years so this feels so big but we will help each other get through.
Thanks to all of you.
Beamish: Had to get back to you on your 'fantasy island of langiud pleasures' comments. I noticed that you did not make comments on the 'Dreams' thread below. So, there are two possibilities - you have just finished reading 'Forum' or Hey Buddy It's time To Wake Up!!! By the way, congrats on your results. It will make weeks easier for you.
you know, something you posted, I think it was you, that your dr stated to you, got me remembering my own experience. When I was staged at one in liver damage, I asked my dr if she could tell me how long I have been at stage one. In my thinking, if I had been stage one for 20 or more yrs, that was pretty good, of course there was no way of knowing how long I had before my case advanced to two or more, but it was a a good sign. but, if the stage one had just occured, if I had advanced from 0 to one in the last yr or so,(I had my first bx at 51), could I have started to progress in a more accelerated fashion after all these yrs and will continue on? I asked my dr if she could tell me how long I had been at stage one or if someone could determine when my liver had advanced, and she said there was no way to know. I believe her, geesh, she wrote a book on liver disease, she should know. So, when you posted that your dr said you were in good shape if you were only stage one after 35 yrs, I thought, how does that dr know he has been at that level for that long? That it didn't just start and will continue?
It is a pretty tough decission. In my case, I was not going to wait for another bx at age 54, and if it had advanced I could have lowered my chances at svr by aging 3 yrs more. I am really glad I am not in your shoes. I believe there is some data that states that risk of HCC increases the longer you are infected also. SO many factors, and I did not feel I wanted to take a chance that I was not in the lucky group.
good luck
It is a pretty tough decission. In my case, I was not going to wait for another bx at age 54, and if it had advanced I could have lowered my chances at svr by aging 3 yrs more. I am really glad I am not in your shoes. I believe there is some data that states that risk of HCC increases the longer you are infected also. SO many factors, and I did not feel I wanted to take a chance that I was not in the lucky group.
good luck
From all I have read you should not treat during a "stressful time" unless there is no other option. From what I have read and learned so far is that there is no immediate rush to treat at Stage 2. You are going to be going through stressful time with your husband having surgery and you will need to be there for him. If you suffer any of the side effects I have been reading about you wont be there for him and he wont be able to be there for you.
I am sure you have considered all of this and sure hope you the best but maybe this isnt best time to treat. I would definitely speak to the doctor and nurse that will be treating you and get their "take on this" and confirm that you can wait for maybe six months to begin treatment when your husband can be there for you.
I am sure you have considered all of this and sure hope you the best but maybe this isnt best time to treat. I would definitely speak to the doctor and nurse that will be treating you and get their "take on this" and confirm that you can wait for maybe six months to begin treatment when your husband can be there for you.
This is a decision that is totally up to you but a few months either way is not PROBABLY going to do any big thing you know? None of us are doctors but - stage 2 while most likely SHOULD be treated...can wait a few months while you take care of your man. This is a very slow progressing disease - but in the meantime make sure you don't drink any alcohol or take a lot of meds that could cause your liver further damage. Just be good to your liver as best you can - it's the only one you've got!
Maybe take some extra vitamins (avoid A, K and IRON at all costs) to give your immune system an extra boost.
Just make sure that you are well rested before YOU start tx - don't go into it wiped out from taking care of hubby. And make sure he reciprocates with the LOVE and SUPPORT and CARING FOR YOU! :)
Maybe take some extra vitamins (avoid A, K and IRON at all costs) to give your immune system an extra boost.
Just make sure that you are well rested before YOU start tx - don't go into it wiped out from taking care of hubby. And make sure he reciprocates with the LOVE and SUPPORT and CARING FOR YOU! :)
thing about life is there is a surprise around every conner. I woulden't base TX on what you think will happen. I started TX and life experences just kept on a comming.Almost lost a child to a bad crash.Many things happened and you just keep pluging along. Now Im done NO FEAR.
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now you sound like my guy!!!!!!
Really though, my hubby and I were both diagnosed at the same time. I made an appt for him to see the doc hoping to get a referral for him to see a dermatologist, cuz he had little blisters all over his hands.(they looked like raw hamburger meat)Thats when we found out he had PCT, porphyeria cutanea tarda, which is considered extrahepatic. I was tested of course already knowing the outcome. I was a very bad little girl in my teens,..........
Anyway, we were both gonna start at the same time, but figured that wasn't fair to anyone involved, so now that he is on the down slope, I'm going.
lilmoma
PS watch out,......I can be a real MAN-EATER!!!!!!!LOL!!!!!!!!
Now you sound like my guy!!!!!!
Really though, my hubby and I were both diagnosed at the same time. I made an appt for him to see the doc hoping to get a referral for him to see a dermatologist, cuz he had little blisters all over his hands.(they looked like raw hamburger meat)Thats when we found out he had PCT, porphyeria cutanea tarda, which is considered extrahepatic. I was tested of course already knowing the outcome. I was a very bad little girl in my teens,..........
Anyway, we were both gonna start at the same time, but figured that wasn't fair to anyone involved, so now that he is on the down slope, I'm going.
lilmoma
PS watch out,......I can be a real MAN-EATER!!!!!!!LOL!!!!!!!!
Im really having to bite my tounge here, because i could have a whole lot of fun with your post to anise, lines 6 and 7 there and then theres that last line you posted to me. But i wouldn't want to offend you but you do having me LMAO. And yes im sick. Best of luck to you
ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I didnt even think what that sounded like!!!!!!
I had to go back and count the lines to see what you were talking about, after I re-read it I just started laughing out loud. My daughter is in the other room saying "Are we amusing ourself again mother?"
I didnt even think what that sounded like!!!!!!
I had to go back and count the lines to see what you were talking about, after I re-read it I just started laughing out loud. My daughter is in the other room saying "Are we amusing ourself again mother?"
Oh my, i needed a good laugh, thank you. And i don't know about you but it don't take to much to amuse me. Your both on tx? Wow good luck to both of ya, and your daughter is still there? Thats one brave girl you got.... Oh BTW...I do thursday nites too. But take my shots on sundays though
Moeymitt, I'm with the others, you should wait until your hubby's surgery. You have time.
lilmoma, doesn't sound like you had too much of a reaction. Did your husband get anemia after 3 weeks? What kind of symptoms did he have? I feel great now, but I know these drugs can pack a whallop, and from what I have read symptoms come and go. We are in for a ride! So how old is your daughter?
Can-do-man, I didn't even read what you read on lines 7-8, so I re read them :) Ah, the misunderstandings of email.
lilmoma, doesn't sound like you had too much of a reaction. Did your husband get anemia after 3 weeks? What kind of symptoms did he have? I feel great now, but I know these drugs can pack a whallop, and from what I have read symptoms come and go. We are in for a ride! So how old is your daughter?
Can-do-man, I didn't even read what you read on lines 7-8, so I re read them :) Ah, the misunderstandings of email.
I think the lesson I've learned is really the more simple the vitamin or mineral or whatever that we take...the less problems. Except if we took A, K or Iron of course.
I've found my enzymes leveled out GREAT just by taking the basics C, D, E, Bcomp, B12, Selenium, Tee Tree, Biotin. Folic Acid and Grape Seed Extract. Most of them are just good old anti oxidants.
I have no desire to add things in that I don't nkow what the contraindication might be. Chinese herbs have messed up some people BIG TIMES and I think a lot of that is because nobody really knows what ALL of the things in there do for sure.
I'm in the better safe camp when it comes to adding things on top of all the other shots, pills etc that we are already doing.
I've found my enzymes leveled out GREAT just by taking the basics C, D, E, Bcomp, B12, Selenium, Tee Tree, Biotin. Folic Acid and Grape Seed Extract. Most of them are just good old anti oxidants.
I have no desire to add things in that I don't nkow what the contraindication might be. Chinese herbs have messed up some people BIG TIMES and I think a lot of that is because nobody really knows what ALL of the things in there do for sure.
I'm in the better safe camp when it comes to adding things on top of all the other shots, pills etc that we are already doing.
When hub started, I told me he couln't understand what all the whining was about,......it was a cake walk..
Then around week 3, he became so angry, and he was shaking terribly, he wasn't able to walk more than a couple of feet w/o stopping. It was pathetic to witness.It was his blood count (that had been doing so well) the bottom just dropped out. He got a call from Pharmacare right after his most recent labs,(they are every week for the first four weeks) and she said she was calling the doc, that he needed to be on Procrit. It took about a week for there to be a noticable difference, but it changed everything.
Now, every thurs I give him his procrit shot in his arm, and on fridays I do his interpheron in his stomach, he's too nervous to do it. Now he is very happy, he told me tonite he thought it was going to be much more fun to share all our symptoms together.
AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW, isn't that so sweet?
lilmoma
Then around week 3, he became so angry, and he was shaking terribly, he wasn't able to walk more than a couple of feet w/o stopping. It was pathetic to witness.It was his blood count (that had been doing so well) the bottom just dropped out. He got a call from Pharmacare right after his most recent labs,(they are every week for the first four weeks) and she said she was calling the doc, that he needed to be on Procrit. It took about a week for there to be a noticable difference, but it changed everything.
Now, every thurs I give him his procrit shot in his arm, and on fridays I do his interpheron in his stomach, he's too nervous to do it. Now he is very happy, he told me tonite he thought it was going to be much more fun to share all our symptoms together.
AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW, isn't that so sweet?
lilmoma
My doc told me to take fish or flax seed oil every day - 3 x a day with meals. It is on the list of what to do I got before starting treatment. Also vitamin e and a multi vitamin.
I to would wait a few months before starting tx until your hubby is on his feet again, and then it will be his turn to take care of you.
Cando, I have to say my wife is always there when I need her and I couldn't do it with out her. This old sap is being well cared for. Hope your well the night, keep up your sense of humor we all need it thanks.
Beagle
Cando, I have to say my wife is always there when I need her and I couldn't do it with out her. This old sap is being well cared for. Hope your well the night, keep up your sense of humor we all need it thanks.
Beagle
Hi there- that is a decision for you and your husband. What kind of surgery he is having may make a difference also. I tell you one thing I've realised as time has gone on w/tx... It's not just me on tx, it's also my family. They are great troopers, but just the patience they have shown me even when I am not acting like myself can wear on them. In my case I've been pretty fortunate w/sx and still the chief cook, laundryman, and supper earner..but try to remember this: Not only can it be trying for me to keep up..but it can really cause a lot of emotional baggage for me on any given day when I feel guilty I'm not giving them enoughor at least the normal pre tx. I'm sure other's go thru that too. For the most part it's been great.
My Dad had spine surgery in November, aweek in the hosp & 2 weeks in rehab, 2 weeks ago he was just starting to bounce back, up on a cane more than the wheelchair, I had just started taking him to outpatient physical therapy, and now he has a urinary infection. For a week he could barely get in his chair. I had to go back to helping him shower etc. The first 3 weeks he was home we had Visiting nurses and health aids, make sure you look into that either way. The point is your husband even w/ a great recovery, may have drs appts, prescriptions to pick up, are you the only one able to do that if you're having a rough day. Sx come and go, but not on our schedule.
Snowav is right about life, they say ya wanna hear God laugh-just make some plans. But part of living and handling life properly is making the right decisions and plans for you. I have to say it helped me the first few weeks when Dad went in for surgery because it got my mind off me and was a thrill to help him. But there was a lot of missed work and income, a car that died, running back and forth to the hospital and such. I do have family around that can jump in when needed, and they've been great. On one hand my son is getting dealing with me and Dad ,both at below par, all over at once, but maybe it would be easier w/ alittle more balance. That's a decision you and your husband will have to weigh.
I started tx in Sept knowing he would be going for surgery in November and it was the right time for him, but I also knew it was TIME for me to tx cause I felt ready. We've handled it on our own mostly, but I've got a lot of support to lean on.I actually have a teenager that'll cook when told to. Like snowav said you plug through either way- ya make the best decision you can make either way, and then you pick up a foot and put it in that direction.
Wish you and your husband the best,
Don
My Dad had spine surgery in November, aweek in the hosp & 2 weeks in rehab, 2 weeks ago he was just starting to bounce back, up on a cane more than the wheelchair, I had just started taking him to outpatient physical therapy, and now he has a urinary infection. For a week he could barely get in his chair. I had to go back to helping him shower etc. The first 3 weeks he was home we had Visiting nurses and health aids, make sure you look into that either way. The point is your husband even w/ a great recovery, may have drs appts, prescriptions to pick up, are you the only one able to do that if you're having a rough day. Sx come and go, but not on our schedule.
Snowav is right about life, they say ya wanna hear God laugh-just make some plans. But part of living and handling life properly is making the right decisions and plans for you. I have to say it helped me the first few weeks when Dad went in for surgery because it got my mind off me and was a thrill to help him. But there was a lot of missed work and income, a car that died, running back and forth to the hospital and such. I do have family around that can jump in when needed, and they've been great. On one hand my son is getting dealing with me and Dad ,both at below par, all over at once, but maybe it would be easier w/ alittle more balance. That's a decision you and your husband will have to weigh.
I started tx in Sept knowing he would be going for surgery in November and it was the right time for him, but I also knew it was TIME for me to tx cause I felt ready. We've handled it on our own mostly, but I've got a lot of support to lean on.I actually have a teenager that'll cook when told to. Like snowav said you plug through either way- ya make the best decision you can make either way, and then you pick up a foot and put it in that direction.
Wish you and your husband the best,
Don
lilmoma says....You will be fine, right now just take care of your hubby.
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Thank you, i just wish more woman felt that way. All you gals out there i hope you read this and take care of us old saps.
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Thank you, i just wish more woman felt that way. All you gals out there i hope you read this and take care of us old saps.
Hey I just got home from work and read your post.
My first shot went okay I guess,...I felt real fluish Thursday nite, I ached to the bone, and had a fitful sleep that nite.
Friday I felt a little better, today I feel fine, my eyes are just bothereing me, it's like I have fuzzy vision all the time.I really can't complain about that tho.
My hubby just took his 32nd shot the same nite I took my 1st, and he felt NO effects until week 3 then it was like a brick wall, he stayed down for 6 weeks, ALL THE WAY DOWN. Poor guy is doing better now tho.
My poor daughter now has me to put up with, and she thought it was almost over with her dad. I do thursday nites too!
lilmoma
My first shot went okay I guess,...I felt real fluish Thursday nite, I ached to the bone, and had a fitful sleep that nite.
Friday I felt a little better, today I feel fine, my eyes are just bothereing me, it's like I have fuzzy vision all the time.I really can't complain about that tho.
My hubby just took his 32nd shot the same nite I took my 1st, and he felt NO effects until week 3 then it was like a brick wall, he stayed down for 6 weeks, ALL THE WAY DOWN. Poor guy is doing better now tho.
My poor daughter now has me to put up with, and she thought it was almost over with her dad. I do thursday nites too!
lilmoma
I will follow that with another DITTO.
You will be fine, right now just take care of your hubby.
lilmoma
You will be fine, right now just take care of your hubby.
lilmoma
Mo, I'm going with Can-do-man on this one. That would be a real struggle if your husband is down with surgery. Get him healthy first. Remember that is my opinion if it were me. I tend to make mistakes too ha! Dale
Might be a tad much for you, I would wait. A couple months won't matter being a stage 2. Good luck to you and you hubby.
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