timing the start of tx

guys im gonna be starting treatment soon but i think i'll probably get a job interview in about a month from now.  suppose i start treatment this week...4 weeks later wud i be in a position to go for that interview?  i mean its quite a dilemma... or shud i wait until after the interview?

is this fear rational, or only a psychological factor ?

[NYgirl]

Do you think perhaps that you could make a list of all of your questions and then put them all in one post?  It gets very confusing to keep answering things all over the board.

If you make a nice little list and put
1- timing treatment
2- milk thistle
3- aches and pains

etc.  We could answer them all at one time for you perhaps.

Nobody here knows how you will feel on treatment.  Only you will know if you can go on a job interview. But I wouldn't want to start a new job on treatment - it's tough enough keeping a job you've been at for years.

[niceguy2007]

hehe nygirl u dont have to  burden urself with answering my questions...just a few words wud do ... dont try to be so nice :)

anyway this is a tough one... i guess i'll be all pale with the ribavirin...if i drag myself maybe i can pull it off.

[cuteus]

I was ok for the first month on tx with Pegasys, it was after that I could feel the effects of Riba.  I guess I would wait until after a new job starts or until probation is over.

[mikesimon]

Thank you for trying but I'm skeptical that anything is going to get through. This stuff is interminable it seems and I cringe whenever I see there's yet ANOTHER ONE. Mike

[jmjm530]

Everyone reacts differently. Most here are able to work on treatment, but many have to cut down the hours. Some, like myself, ended up couch potatoes and could not work at all.

If you take your job interview before treatment, you may run into a problem of not being able to work -- ar at least full time -- once hired. If you take your job interview a month after treatment, you may not look or feel too great, or you may be find. Again, no way to know.

No easy answers with Hep C and treatment, but the best advice I can give you about Hep C and work is to have a Plan "B" in the event you either can't work or can't work full time.

-- Jim

[NYgirl]

I think it's a no win situation.  Eventually....it HAS to get tired (this game?) eventually, right?  Or is it really just me wondering..........?????

Oh yeah...maybe no. ;)

[cuteus]

relentless, is the game plan.

hey Mike or any vet, do you have the link to the Riba avenger? this would be a good time to use it

[mikesimon]

I don't know what that is cuteus. I doubt that anything will work. I suspect a narcissism of unparalleled dimension is at "play" here that is totally impervious to anything we could imagine. He's off the shelf from my limited vantage point. I think my best shot is to fall in love with his posts and finding the humor therein. I'll try it and let you know if it works. Mike

[cao]

I think that it's pretty hard to predict how you'll react.  I had a pretty uneventful first 12 weeks or so (I treated for 24).  I was winded easily, but other than that, felt pretty much normal.  I even lost weight & had a series of good hair days:)  By 12 weeks though, I was more tired/less cheerful/etc.  I never got to the point where I think it would have been hard to work, but I think I was also lucky.  Good luck with whatever you decide:)  I know for me the anticipation / fear was much worse than the actual tx.  It took me almost a year to decide to treat b/c I was so afraid of being able to manage my toddler at the same time.

[NYgirl]

I just try and put a picture of a very mentally challenged child in front of my eyes when I look...but even that doesn't help much anymore.

Not the first time and certainly not the last - just sad that people are so desperate for attention of any sort.

[jmjm530]

I wonder if part of it is that "Nice" is from a differnet culture (Pakistan), probably not writing in his native language, and perhaps not familiar with U.S. discussion groups. That, combined with the the anxiety many of us experience just before we decide to treat and probably heightened even more by the fact that state of the art medical treatments and doctoring are not available where he lives. For me, as long as his questions are respectful in nature, I don't have any problems. In fact, if you put the wording/intonation and fragmented nature of the postings aside, his questions are not really all that much different from the ones most of us are concerned about when we were about to begin treatment.

Nice,

I think a good point has been made that it might be better if you try and not open a different thread every time you have a thought or concern. A better way might be to use the "Post A Comment" button at the bottom of the screen you are now on. That way your related questions will still get answered but the main menu won't get so cluttered. What you're doing is using the "Post A Question" button which opens a new thread every time. That doesn't mean you shouldn't post new questions, but perhaps less often as a new thread. It will also make it easier fort those not interested to ignore the threads. Right now, it's difficult to ignore them because you've posted so many. Just a suggestion, none of us here have any authority in the way the discussion group is run. Hope you take this as a constructive thought.

-- Jim

[Alady1620]

The sooner you start, the sooner you'll be finished.

[niceguy2007]

jim i';m glad at least someone understands.  

actually i resent what mike simon said.  just because someone is from another country doesnt make them an "it".  i'm just sharing my feelings with u guys, thats all.  i'm not a troll or something.  but i understand what he's getting at, cuz after all the text creates the only impression we see on screen.

having said that, i wish i were a better forum writer :)

furthermore, i do understand that i have a bit of an anxiety problem.  u guys are not the only ones who've told me that.

i think part of the problem is that i dont take time to write...i tend to type rapidly.

[cuteus]

just shoot me, there is yet another one above!!! is this still call Med Help or is it the NG show?
This unlimited thread thing is the pits! it gives narcicism a forum of attention!  I am clicking on that green neon window and give my suggestions, maybe a feature that blocks a member from posting more than two questions a day?

[mikesimon]

Now, that's an idea that might have a slim chance of success. It's really getting insane. Mike

[jmjm530]

A observation. In the "old" days with limited posting, so called "dumb" questions couldn't be ignored because every thread was a mishmash of different questions and different topics. Now, with unlimited threads, each thread is easily identified by poster and topic. If you don't particularly like someone's posts for whatever reason, you can ignore them without even having to open the thread. I agree with Kalio that newer members following this may be intimidated into not posting for fear that their questions aren't important enough. If it's important to them, it's important enough to post IMO.

[NYgirl]

I HATE the unlimited posting thing because it is like an unmoderated forum now and anyone can post whatever they want whether it is a REAL fact or nothing but a narcissist crying for attention making up "herbs are the only cure for HCV" comments and never have any recourse.

I do think that if someone has something to post that is a viable conversation or question and they have posted twice in the last week it would be ok to ask = but the main problem is just what you know it is....once a prankster comes on they don't "have" to go away.

[cuteus]

we are still getting the multiple topics within existing threads, that has not stopped at all, but now, we have over 20 of them to check for new topics instead of 8!

[Forseegood]

sorry, didn't know that we weren't supposed to do muliple topics anymore...

[FlGuy]

A few questions for you. Is it always the same time of the year? Where on your left leg? Does your left leg ever go anywhere that your right leg doesn't? Do these things have little heads on them like pimples? Do they 'blanche' when you touch them, and then return after a few seconds? How close are these spots to each other? If you connect the dots does it make a particular shape?

[Forseegood]

he he he, thanks, needed that...heard anything yet about your own stuff? 2nd time's gonna be the charm for you Bubbie...

[Forseegood]

or anybody else that that might know about this...I know this is soooo trivial compared to what ususally goes on around here, so much so that I hate to post, but I can't just ring you guys up, so I'm wondering what you think...every year or so, I get these red kinda dots maybe? more dark pink, not very big, the size of pimples maybe but they are kinda flat...I get about two or three on only my left leg only (okay, quit snickering out there, I hear you!!!) I never put anything on them cause they seem to go away after awhile...think they maybe be bacterial cause they seem to spread till I get 4 or 5 of them (yeah, big deal), never get more that, and they stay on my left leg...once I scratched one in my sleep I guess and it got really much bigger, then scabbed over and went away...washing them with a non-soap liquid that I use (in my bath) and water helps them leave...I take one bath a week, the rest of the week showers...the bath seems to help much more than the showers...

I know youre not derms, but what do you think? I've never treated them with anything, should I get an anti-bacterial thingy to put on them? and if so, which one? I know youre just speculating non-experts, but that'll do me fine...like I said, they rarely come but they are back again...

[FlGuy]

Some of those q's had some basis. Do you sleep with a pet, like dog who may have some of it's own little guests?  Spiders and some varieties of ants can give gifts like that too. All is almost ok here.  Insurance co. is asking a lot of questions since the doc has rx'd meds outside the standard of care for a geno 3.  But, that's not so surprising - just a few more hoops to jump through and I had expected a few speed bumps.  Still plan to start 10/13 but I'll need to know the meds are really coming since I plan to take riba for a week before shot #1.  Weather here is sooo nice these days.  Been spending time at the beach (where there are little nipping sand fleas, by the way) and playing golf, trying to o.d. on it before it's not a suitable recreational activity.

[GoofyDad]

FLguy asks: Is it always the same time of the year?

Read again FLguy: The woman says she bathes WEEKLY. Lucky for Le Petit Caporal, Waterloo was not a suburb of LA.

<i>Je reviens en trois jours, ne te laves pas! </i>

[Eisbein]

I don't know what you have, but if you want to try a presription antibacterial soap, I would get pHisoHex, hexachlorophene 3%, a liquid soap. I have been using it for 25 years, but not all over.

If you ever wanted to just "ring me up", tell our friend, and she will give you my e-mail, and I would give you my number.

Ina

[FlGuy]

Drags them off to the foot of the bed?  Left side by any chance?  When goof went off to gay Paree he almost got into the swing of things, bathing-wise.  Sounds like he can stand it only 3 days before he seeks out the eau d'goof. Don't let him make you feel bad about bathing once a week.

[Forseegood]

hey, was gonna answer you on the other thread, but this one's shot to h@ll so whatever...drop you a line on diet, supplements, etc...you can run it by your doc...It is nice weather huh? oh, forgot, youre up North, kinda cloudy huh? maybe some windchill, damp windchill? he he he....

[Forseegood]

now that we're on the topic, nothning is better for 'roids then a bath of epson salts, don't know if I ever mentioned it, no joke...but then, guess I read that they had left the building that is Goof's hiney...

[copyman]

hey niceguy, like i posted before if you keep asking one question after the other when it comes time that you really need help many here will not respond thinking you are over reacting again. have you tried some of the other forums? i know the UK forum has many posting there and they never mis-treat anyone, must be the british way. or maybe try one with a live chat room. anyway i have not started tx yet so i can not help you but if i ever can i will try.

[amberegg]

Maybe copyman won't respond to you but I will. Rude! Why don't you try another site if this mans question bother you

[GoofyDad]

A woman versed in the 'rhoids who waits seven days to bathe! Lawd Above, come take me now. For I have found all I need on this good earth! Or maybe he took me already.... I think I've been delivered home!

[Forseegood]

oh that's great! Flman on the links! do you cheat on strokes?  :) No, I don't sleep with my dog cause she tries to take all my pillows and drags them off to sleep on the foot of the bed, lays on top of all my pillows, and there not cheap pillows either...I have to lock her out of my room cause she hammers her head on the door to pop it open...I buy these lanolin and mint body wipes for dogs and she's pretty clean in between baths...she's all white with brown splotches like a cow, with short hair...she's cleaner then a few boyfriends I've had...

I think this is bacterial, but like I said, pretty damn trivial I know...

[jmjm530]

How's the face going?

I stopped daily topical treatments a week ago. Just "Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser" twice a day and an occasional dab of OTC Rezamid if I see a pimple, which I haven't lately. If I feel an itch, I'll hit the spot with some Clindamycin. But basically, I'm getting back to where I was before treatment. Finally.

Saw a big shot cosmetic derm today who I thought would give me the skinny on IPL and laser. Turned out he mostly did cosmetic surgery and referred me to a laser expert. So $250 down the drain to the wrong person but at least he was being honest.

Actually, I may not need the laser if things stay as they are. My concern is that things may flare next summer with the heat, or even this winter with the cold. But hopefully it will turn out that all I needed was more time away from the treatment drugs. Hopefully.

As you know, I thought (or at least hoped) that more time away from the treatment drugs would heal things up. Yet, every derm dismissed the interferon as the cause. Sometimes ou wonder if they print their own medical diplomas!

So was it four months of Metrogel, Sulfacet, Rezamid and Clindamycin -- or was it just time, or maybe a combination. Who knows.

Hope this finds you well and healing.

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

You might try a topical antibiotic like Clindamycin gel. Also, there's a good antiseptic called "Sebanil". Sebanil is OTC but you probably won't find it anywhere but the internet. The soap or laundry detergent you're using could also be the problem. I now use Cetaphil non-soap cleansers on my face and body. You could also use a very mild soap like "Basic" on the body. Use detergents with no chemicals or the ones for baby clothes. Also, loose cotton (or silk) clothing is best. Nothing synthetic. Preferably white as dyes can be irritating. Lastly, you can try dabbing the spots with Hydrocortisone 1%. If that doesn't work, get an rx for "Cutivate". Try it 2X a day for a couple of weeks and stop. You don't want to use topical steroid very long and never on the face unless you're under direct supervision of a derm. Once things calm down you can start going back to your previous regimen. Hope this helps.

-- Jim

[Forseegood]

thanks guys! Jim, I prob make Rocker look like a Sybarite, if you knew how anal I was about soaps, cleaning etc...strictly no soap (NON-SOAP CLEANER) and contrary to what those lil rascals Fl Man and Goof said, I do bathe regularly...Don't want anything that irritates or has chemicals, etc...I won't go into the laundry room if someone's using some horrifying detergent and I can smell it...I'll run out of the room like a vampire at a galic festival if someone holds up a can of Comet...I think harsh chemicals are the bane of our existence..

that said, hydro-cortizone huh? is that anti-bacterial? got somma dat...Aveno Hydrocortizone, thought maybe the Aveeno people would make a nice one, course there prob all the same...I'll dab some of that on these little buggers...after all youve been through with skin probs, me complaining about 5 pink dots must seem soooo absurd, but of course, youre ever the patient one, both of you guys...

Ina, would be great, thanks for the info and I'll get YOUR info, he he, hope the both of you are enjoying your SVR status!!! Hey, guys oughta start a band...THE SVR'S!!!!

[Eisbein]

Hi Jim.
Skin is getting better and better...with the same old regimen.
Saw big shot today, and he was surprised by the good results. I made it pretty clear that he had precious little to do with it, but he took that in stride.
We decided on the V-beam sometime this winter.
I asked for an antibiotic cream, because the over the counter triple antibiotic ointment is too greasy...but I use it only when true pus pimples show up, which is less and less.
Unlike your schmucky docs, big shot very much believes that all my skin ailments are caused by Interferon. He knows me for 8 years, and saw what happend during tx, and afterwards....but as you know, he is still a schmuck in his own right.
Seborrheic dermatitis remains a problem, and he has no anwers.
All in all I have greatly improved, maybe not quite like you, but enough to believe that next year will be ok with sunscreens and just a hat.
I am seeing a breast surgeon tomorrow...no need to go further what that could imply. The MRI showed something that could be compatible with ductal carcinoma in situ.
I am taking crash courses about DCIS on the internet, and also am reviewing my HRT approach, as well as hereditary genetics.

I thought to huddle down for the winter, but no such luck.
Back up doc kept saying...stop focusing on your liver, that's behind you, other things can kill you.
So that's what I have been doing, given the insurance a run for the money...one test after another, and battleing all post tx symptoms day in and day out.
One that keeps really bugging me are my gums. No gum problems whatsoever before or during tx, but one month later...wholy cow, inlammation, bleeding, recession, pockets, loose teeth...periodontist is in shock, says I got trench mouth.
He has seen it before on several of his Interferon tx patients. Also talked it over with his colleges, and yeah, they agree, it's from tx, and nooothing else.
Actually I am having no problems with my docs...I take credit for that, because I educated them over the past 2 years, and none of them dares to throw "Old age shizzz" in my face.
Hope this finds you well too Jim. Did you go to the pool?
Is Clindamycin in cream or ointment?

Foresee hi, got nothing to say to you, LOL, except that the things we prepare for usually do not happen. I thought I had prepared for everything except "Drop dead syndrome".
Never even crossed my mind I would get Crohn's on tx, would own 4 pair of glasses due to blurry vision, lung infection with temp of 96.8, wear a mask for 2 years, get 3 finger infections from pine needles in the yard (never even drew blood), etc, etc.
And Cuteus remembers when I called hysterically...it says toxic 1+ granulation, and toxic 1+ vacuolization after my neutrophils, quick, google it, I think I am dying.
Hey cuteus, do you know that was almost a year ago?

I think you know what I am saying foresee, when we start tx, the unexpected is still lurking.
I used all the info I had gathered from my first tx as guidelines for the second tx. Intron had done a number on me, I hated that stuff...terrible depression, racing heart, high blood pressure, chest pains.
Had all the cardiac and antidepressants lined up, but never needed them.
Even as perfectionists, we can not prepare for everything. One day you too must take the plunge, and hope that luck will be on your side.

Best to you,
Ina

[Eisbein]

I forgot, did you see my conversation with mikesimon near the bottom. All about diabetes stuff. Maybe you want to comment there. Would be nice to keep the diabetes stuff in one place. There was a long pause, and mike got tired going back there. But I have my hands full with my new problems, diabetes talk another time.

Ina

[Eisbein]

Goofy, 9/15, something about glucose.
Ina

[jmjm530]

Glad your skin is doing better, sorry about the other stuff.

My Seb Derm is pretty much gone, at least for now. We'll see how it goes in the winter where the literature suggests it may flare.  Elidel *seemed* to help, but again, hard to say if it was the meds or just time. Clindamycin comes in a gel. It also seemed to help the seb derm. I also used Sebanil. It'a an antiseptic cleanser used for acne with a less irritating form of alcohol. Even though SEB derm skin may feel dry and flaky, in reality it's often caused by an overpoduction of oil by the SEBaceous glands. Like I mentioned, OTC Rezamid works for pimples. For a few months I was alternating Rezamid and Metrogel in the evenings, with Clindamycin and Sebanil in the mornings. Cetaphil moisturizer in the day if I went outside, no moisturizer at night. Right now I'm using nothing, not even moisurizers, just the Cetaphil cleanser 2X day, so we shall see.

I think I saw some of the diabetes discussion but didn't have enough energy to delve into another "condition". I'll try and check it out and post if I have something useful to add. I did take the A something or another blood test, and it came out OK. I'm seeing my hep doctor tomorrow and may bring the topic up.

Other than that, having some gastro issues. Nothing terrible but appears to be some bloating, "gurgling", etc. in the abdomen area that I'm pretty sure is not tied to weight gain. Probably should have some tests run but kinda doctor weary these days. Tried the Aloe Vera Juice but didn't help any so stopped. Maybe I'm drinking too much coffee or the system isn't adjusting well, or maybe related to reflux as I no longer take any meds for it, or maybe to the added fiber since I ended treatment, but hey, it's been seven months.

Keep me posted on how the V beam goes. Curious why they preferred that over IPL.

Good luck with your other health issues. Gum problems are tough. Had them around 10 years ago and had a few operations. Been fine since. Now have my teeth cleaned in the periodontist's office every 3-4 months. Before that I was somewhat negligent and therefore the problem. Tx didn't seem to hurt them. Guess it f*cks each of us over in a different way :) (Forsee, if you're listening, are you sure you're ready to treat. LOL. You talk a good game but I have a feeling you're waiting for the Vertex trial results. I would be if I were you -- you have relatively little liver damage if I remember correctly?)

Anyway,

Take care.

-- Jim

[kstar]

Boy, I am new to this forum and the discovery of hep c.  What the heck is this all about, the pettiness sort of confuses me.  Is there not a much big issue going on here then discussed??  Just trying to understand the point.  Maybe the shortness and the irritability of some is what happens on treatment?  I came to this particular posting because I too have a simlar situation with an upcoming interview, needing to know what should be told in a medical exam for a job etc. and got a whole lot more. My hope is that we can learn to embrace each other with love and respect... selfless and serving...peace..

[Forseegood]

I think it's a matter of cutting people a whole lot of slack...even with just the illness and menopause (menopause symptoms prob being exascerbated by the hep?) and having not treated yet, I have definite personality issues at times through the month...I am not the same person that I was before menopause started...I'm much more anxious, fearful, etc...So I figure, it this is effecting me like this, what could these people be going through? Taking treatment drugs and painkillers and andi-Ds, etc...I'm sure they are cutting me some slack because I probably annoy them at times, cause it's easier to be annoyed when youre on those drugs, at least from where I can see...and yet most here are pretty patient, all things considered, and happy to help one another, personality issues aside...

Moral of the story is, if you want to be able to be okay here, (and there's a whole lot of knowledge to be had, more then many other boards) take the good with the bad...try not to personalize things, even if they seem directed at you, could be that you got someone on a bad day, whatever...people are under a tremendous amount of stress here, with all that is attendant to that...but there still is a whole lot of support and good things to be had here...just my humble opinion...(ps. you should of seen it two years ago, it was way worse then now, it's pretty damn good now compared to that! ha ha)

[jmjm530]

I find it quite sad that you have to be such an apologist for simply bad behavior. Thoughts like "...you should of seen it two years ago..." to me suggest you've been here too way long and have become desensitized to what's going on. Perhaps I have as well. In time you will no doubt just jump in the fray as others have. As a friend, be careful of that and try and stick to who you really are no matter what surroundings you find yourself in.

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

I've seen three stages many pass through here. Stage one, they speak up against offensive behavior in others. Stage two they stop speaking up. Stage 3 they join in in one way or another. Nothing disimilar to what happens in school yards or any place where group behavior leeches into individual behavior and acceptance is more important than principle. I used to be stage 1. Now I'm between stage 1 and 2 and I find that sad but no longer have the energy. There still are a few stage 1's left, but most have mysteriously disappeared from here. Odd isn't it.

[cuteus]

another expert in rudeness? and it shows why.

[kstar]

thank you yet again...I appreciate getting straight to the point.  We have a monster on our backs and need to support, share info and do what ever we can to get healthy and stay healthy...

[jmjm530]

Amen. Just write that down now and refer to it every once and awhile just in case... :)

[Forseegood]

thanks for the note, but please don't think I'm excusing rudeness, only that people need to consider the situation and circumstances here, that's all...I find rude people everywhere, when I call Verizon about my cell phone bill, etc.....

But I think we should allow for the fact that many people are on strong treatment drugs that do have a tendency to mood alter certain patients, that's all...Personally, if this were a film board, or sports board, I wouldn't make the allowences I do here....though of course I don't mean that as a carte blanche to do anything you want to anybody here or anywhere...it's just a consideration...

Although I agree that maybe certain people have certain personality traits to "begin with" that merely become exacerbated by the treatment drugs...there are also people who really do become vastly different from the people they were before treating, maybe not all the time, but certainly at times...and I just try to factor that in to the equasion...

I'm not treating yet so it's easier for me to try and keep an even keel then for someone who is treating...I guess having had to deal with hormonal change issues, I've gotten some kind of perspective on mood disorders and personality changes...sorry to report...

Fact is, there are boards out there that are moderated so the posters are open to reprimand and/or getting 86ed from the board if need be, right away...this just isn't the case with this board... there is a "culture" here that posters are going to either connect to, or not...as evidenced by the amount of first time posters I've seen go elsewhere, perhaps deciding, after all, that this particular board is not for them...we've both been here long enough to know that it is what it is, we can say our peace about it, and it's much better now (I have my own thoughts as to why that is) whatever, but every poster only has so much pull here, and it is what it is...

That's okay too, there are many Hep C boards out there to suit everyone's tastes I'd imagine...but you have to have a bit of a hard bark to continue on this board, it's a payoff I accept cause there is so much good support and knowledge at this board as well, my opinion

[Forseegood]

one of the things I like about you  Jim, youre sensitivity towards others, and your idealism...though we've gotten into some rows huh? how about Alcohol Thread? how about NOT!!! ha ha...anyway, you take care....really glad to know that things are clearing up for you, literally and figuritively...

[Eisbein]

The way I understood it, the V-beam gets a whole area of the size of a fingernail with one shot. If the spider veins are close together, it's the preferrerd method.
But I consult with his tech, who would have the final say..in a few month.
As far as I know, IPL gets only one spider at a time.
Is that what you were told too.
I may be calling for a script of Clindamycin as well. I think my skin is dryer then yours, also we have no humidity here. I am getting one of those humidifiers, because furniture cracks here from dryness.
What about the pool, did you go?

Ina

[jmjm530]

Forsee:...but you have to have a bit of a hard bark to continue on this board
--------------------------

Yes and I think it sad that having "a bit of a hard bark" is a prerequiste for some very sick people to receive help. As to people being excused because they're on treatment, what about the ones who aren't on treatment. I'm done on this, just wanted to share some thoughts with you.