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Avatar universal

my doc says...........

cause i stopped drinking, my viral load decreased,does that mean that a healthier lifestyle slows the virus down . he still wont start treatment for another 3 months, by the way im a 1b
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Avatar universal
zo
I have the same symptoms of red and dry eyes;I used to take a collyre because it seems I don't produce tears enough and my eyes are always itching;so I use artificial tears.
I drink also a lot of water,about 1,5 liter a day.
By the way,I love also this board,as everybody is so kind and trying to help!It makes me feel good when I look to the postings.
Fortunately,because this treatment may cure ,but is very damaging for the rest of the body!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My husband has intermittent problems with dry eyes.  One solution is to drink more water.  This probably sounds too simple but try it.  Also, on the other post about a healthier lifestyle from sobeit952, before my husband started treatment he started taking milk thistle.  He didn't change his diet in any other way, kept up with his exercise, etc. and his viral load dropped from 4 million to 3 million.  The milk thistle was the only thing we could contribute this to.  I don't think milk thistle is a cure for hepatitis C, but I do think it helps with liver health.
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Avatar universal
cao
I love this board.  I never imagined when I started treatment (and finished) that I would have a community of people so willing to answer questions & share experiences.  In the "real" world, I know nobody with HCV and hence have nobody to lean on for these types of things.  My family and friends, while loving and supportive, are not always helpful.  Thanks:)  I'm having an emotional moment, I suppose:)

I'll post the results of my corneal MD visit.  In the meantime, it's reassuring to know that these symptoms are necessarily a sign that the tx didn't work!
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Avatar universal
mbn
I am 1yr post tx, hopefuly still clear and have the same symptoms dry red eyes especially in afternoon, sinus presure, and lots of headaches will be going to VA for CAT scan in March. This sounds like a deffinate post tx pattern.
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Avatar universal
9 months post tx...I too have that eye problem.
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Avatar universal
Last summer I was diagnosed with corneal keratitis, chafing of the cornea, probably from the combo tx and dry air from air conditioning.  I have been using thick eyedrops (artificial tears) since then, which help, and was fine in the fall, until the heat came on.  Recently was told my corneas look much better.  Funny that AC seems to bother me more than dry air from the heating system.  I sure am hoping this (and all the other g d sides) goes away when tx is done. In my twenties I moved to Florida for a year, have had allergies/sinusitis ever since, so I can only say that tx has not made any difference there for me.  

Since tx can have cause serious vision/eye problems, I would recommend a visit to the opthamologist, and trying the artificial tears. Good luck.

How did it get to be Friday already? Hope everyone has a good weekend.

dA
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Avatar universal
cao
Honey & all -- as I think about it, I think my allergic feeling started in the final two weeks of treatment(I took my last Riba pill 2 weeks ago today).  It may feel more noticeable now as my other side effects are fading.  I had allergies prior to tx, but I don't ever recall them starting in February, so it's a little weird.  I'm somewhat happy to hear that I'm not alone, but sorry you're feeling this way too!
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Avatar universal
gr8faith,,,hmmmm not sure where your doc is getting that.  Red blood cells,,,drops do create anemia,,,,but a mask and catching stuff???  That sounds like what happens when your white blood cell drops,,,you are then more open to catching anything but honestly while on interferon,,,Most people don't catch anything. Glad to see the tx is working....As far as blood pressure,,,mine has always been normal also and there was a month during tx that it was up some.  Could be maybe feeling bad that day or anxious too...

Cao,,,yes...I have never had allergies in my life and keep telling myself maybe its a touch of cold but my eyes are red and dry also sooooo,,,,You too huh?  Not really what I want to hear and hoping this tx doesn't create allergies for us now...
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Avatar universal
Sorry to jump on the thread and change the subject but there were no more threads for today...

I had my follow up appt today (I am week 6/24, 3a) and my dr told me he is concerned about my red blood cell levels.  He doesn't want to degrease my dosage, Peg-Intron 150mcg.5 - rivavirin 200mg 6xday, so he may start me on Epogen or Procrit, 3 shots a week.  He also mentioned something else, about how important it is right now that I stay away from sick people and wear a mask or something.  Also to avoid any rough housing with my dogs/nieces and nephews and try not to bump/injure myself. I tried to write down what all he was saying but was having total brain fog (long week)  I was going to ask the nurse for copies of my labs but I was the last appt of the day and she had gone already.  He did say that the fact I am experiencing this fluctuation could indicate that my body is responding to the tx.  Also my blood pressure was elevated and I don't know what that is related to, as I am always very normal.  I have lost almost 10lbs since I started (that is a welcome thing!)and he said my ALT and AST levels are normal.  

I did a search on the Mayo site and found Epogen helps to make more red blood cells in the bone marrow, so would this indicate anemia?

Thanks.
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Avatar universal
cao
Has anyone noticed after the completion of treatment the onset of allergy-like symptoms including red, stinging eyes and sinus pressure?
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Avatar universal
I think its great you have quit drinking,  as alcohol and hep c,,,just don't mix well.  Personally,,,I would think that it would effect your alt more so then your viral load.  I found out last year I had hep and I didn't drink but occassional glass of wine and lived a healthy lifestyle but my viral load before starting treatment was 8 mil which surprised me.  I think the viral load at different points in our life,,,flucuate quite a bit...Just my thoughts...
Helpful - 0
9648 tn?1290091207
Yes absolutely, a healthier lifestyle slows the virus.

Everything you put into your mouth ends up going through the liver. So, alcohol, chemicals (pesticides, artificial colors, sweeteners), drugs, etc., all have to be processed out by the liver. A sick liver has a much harder time doing this. ALL livers (BTW) are challenged to some degree by the amount of toxins in our modern life (remember our livers were designed for cave people). So, staying away from alcohol and drugs, eating organic, is all very good for your liver. And what's good for your liver is good for you.
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