Aa
Back to the Coffee Thing
I posted something a few days about the benefits of coffee on one's liver (not necessarily easing side effects but in general. It was something I read. And today I read this. Guess I'm gonna start drinking it. 65 years old - never too late?
http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/16/health/coffee-drinking-longer-life/index.html?iref=obnetwork
http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/16/health/coffee-drinking-longer-life/index.html?iref=obnetwork
Best Answer
Well, who knows? My AFP numbers have been steadily climbing - not really high but the last one was TWICE what the one six months before it was. So something is going on in there.
I've had about a dozen ultrasounds and a few CT scans over the past 10 years (and tons of blood draws, of course), and all but this last CT scan and the last labs were always so good that I never even thought about doing tx. Now - I think I had best do it. I am really healthy except for that small blip on the radar called HEPATITIS C, so I need to try to clear this damn virus before it gets more aggressive. And it is showing signs of doing just that. My party days are over anyway. Now, for me a party is a pizza and reading in bed with my cats (not with my husband). But man, did I ever party for about 20 years. I don't remember most of it. And here I am.
I've had about a dozen ultrasounds and a few CT scans over the past 10 years (and tons of blood draws, of course), and all but this last CT scan and the last labs were always so good that I never even thought about doing tx. Now - I think I had best do it. I am really healthy except for that small blip on the radar called HEPATITIS C, so I need to try to clear this damn virus before it gets more aggressive. And it is showing signs of doing just that. My party days are over anyway. Now, for me a party is a pizza and reading in bed with my cats (not with my husband). But man, did I ever party for about 20 years. I don't remember most of it. And here I am.
Well...there is another good thing about being skinny...you have a better chance of clearing the virus, than if you are over-weight, according to statistics.
And who knows what your biopsy may be? I have friends who partyed for years, and are now in their 50's, and when they get their biopsy, it is still a healthy liver, go figure?
Let's just hope for the best! And you are all prepared for your Tx, so you are set : )
And who knows what your biopsy may be? I have friends who partyed for years, and are now in their 50's, and when they get their biopsy, it is still a healthy liver, go figure?
Let's just hope for the best! And you are all prepared for your Tx, so you are set : )
Oh my - you had an Ativan drip during your biopsy? LUCKY YOU! I asked for that - or something thru that IV line to sedate me nicely and instead was given those two measly pills. First biopsy was in 2002 when I was diagnosed. For that one, I got ONE 10 mg Valium. So I have to have that stupid IV inserted just like the first time (which I hate with a passion) with .... NOTHING going thru it. It's "in case something goes wrong". Now that makes ya feel confident, doesn't it? Not.
Yes, I am the skinny one who was concerned about steotosis. After that, I saw my doc. and he said that after harboring this virus for over 40 years (I know exactly when I, um, let it in) that this is to be expected. We'll see how it affects tx.
Being skinny has one really good thing going for it - the doc who does the biopsy can easily get to my liver and easily see exactly where to place the needle between my ribs. I am trying to "beef up" before treatment. Went to Sonic today and got a large milkshake. OMG - the thing was SO BIG I spilled it all over myself and my car seat while I was driving back home. The damn top came off for starters. It had to be a quart of ice cream.
Anyway, my first biopsy was a piece of cake. I hope this one is. Oh, for an Ativan drip.
This is the ONLY forum on which I've used my real name - C.E. are my first initials. Last name is Bean. I don't know why I did that - but it's too late now to change it. And I really don't care who knows my name or that I have this disease. In a way we're lucky - SO many out there don't even know they have it. I have another forum I'm on where I use JungleHeart. ceanothos (I think that's who it is) and I have written to each other several times off the board here. So gee, I will sign my posts as Christine. What the heck. frijolebean is a good one.
I'm still learning to navigate around here, but you will be seeing a lot of me. This is a daunting journey I'm about to embark upon. I have a strong sense of humor or I'd have been in a mental ward for life long ago. I can see that you have the same thing going for you. Oh, not the mental ward (HA HA) but the humor. I will draw on that humor to get me thru this tx - and at times it will not be easy. I need all of you. This is a GREAT forum.
So yes, I have had a biopsy 10 years ago - and the next one is next week... to stage and grade again, and I am sure the numbers will be quite different that the first time, which was Stage 1, Grade 0. Ah well, the fun begins.
btw - Klonopin is a really serious drug - it's the one that almost took Stevie Nicks down when she tried to get off it. I didn't realize that when I started taking it (Klonopin/ Clonzepam - same thing). But Xanax wasn't doing it any more for me - interdose withdrawal. Once an addict always an addict. For many years it was beer (after the late 60's early 70's sheer drug madness). I am alive today only because my now husband gave me the ultimatum in 1988 - quit drinking or we're done. I didn't know I had HepC then, of course. I quit drinking - boom, done. 24 years sober now. IF NOT, I would have been dead by the mid-90's most likely from cirrhosis.
Christine
Yes, I am the skinny one who was concerned about steotosis. After that, I saw my doc. and he said that after harboring this virus for over 40 years (I know exactly when I, um, let it in) that this is to be expected. We'll see how it affects tx.
Being skinny has one really good thing going for it - the doc who does the biopsy can easily get to my liver and easily see exactly where to place the needle between my ribs. I am trying to "beef up" before treatment. Went to Sonic today and got a large milkshake. OMG - the thing was SO BIG I spilled it all over myself and my car seat while I was driving back home. The damn top came off for starters. It had to be a quart of ice cream.
Anyway, my first biopsy was a piece of cake. I hope this one is. Oh, for an Ativan drip.
This is the ONLY forum on which I've used my real name - C.E. are my first initials. Last name is Bean. I don't know why I did that - but it's too late now to change it. And I really don't care who knows my name or that I have this disease. In a way we're lucky - SO many out there don't even know they have it. I have another forum I'm on where I use JungleHeart. ceanothos (I think that's who it is) and I have written to each other several times off the board here. So gee, I will sign my posts as Christine. What the heck. frijolebean is a good one.
I'm still learning to navigate around here, but you will be seeing a lot of me. This is a daunting journey I'm about to embark upon. I have a strong sense of humor or I'd have been in a mental ward for life long ago. I can see that you have the same thing going for you. Oh, not the mental ward (HA HA) but the humor. I will draw on that humor to get me thru this tx - and at times it will not be easy. I need all of you. This is a GREAT forum.
So yes, I have had a biopsy 10 years ago - and the next one is next week... to stage and grade again, and I am sure the numbers will be quite different that the first time, which was Stage 1, Grade 0. Ah well, the fun begins.
btw - Klonopin is a really serious drug - it's the one that almost took Stevie Nicks down when she tried to get off it. I didn't realize that when I started taking it (Klonopin/ Clonzepam - same thing). But Xanax wasn't doing it any more for me - interdose withdrawal. Once an addict always an addict. For many years it was beer (after the late 60's early 70's sheer drug madness). I am alive today only because my now husband gave me the ultimatum in 1988 - quit drinking or we're done. I didn't know I had HepC then, of course. I quit drinking - boom, done. 24 years sober now. IF NOT, I would have been dead by the mid-90's most likely from cirrhosis.
Christine
Yeah, exactly. It can be irritating! My daughter suffers from anxiety, and different Doctors have prescribed her different things, and I kind of get worried sometimes, when I see her on the Klonopin, because she is only 20 yrs, and they seemed so strong : (
The Pharmacists are very knowledgable, it's true.
Hey, I am really big on being "Mrs Natural", etc, but I have to admit I RLY enjoyed the Ativan drip, they gave me, when I had my biopsy!
I was alert during the procedure, and talking with the Doctor and Nurse, but a little goofy, and then I took the best nap I had taken in years. The Doctor also remindedme not to lift anything heavier than 10 pounds, for the next week, also.
I hadn't realized you hadn't done your biopsy yet. I guess it was the ultrasound that you had, that I was thinking of. It can get confusing here, because there are a few names that are similar. For example, you are "cebean", and we have a woman on here, named "frijolebean" but she signs her name "bean"...and we have a "ceanothos" (which is a plant, I think)
But I have a good memory, so I think you are the thin woman, who was worried about having "fatty-liver", if my memory serves me right.
My husband was told he has that also, but i thought it was because he is a chubby hubby~
The Pharmacists are very knowledgable, it's true.
Hey, I am really big on being "Mrs Natural", etc, but I have to admit I RLY enjoyed the Ativan drip, they gave me, when I had my biopsy!
I was alert during the procedure, and talking with the Doctor and Nurse, but a little goofy, and then I took the best nap I had taken in years. The Doctor also remindedme not to lift anything heavier than 10 pounds, for the next week, also.
I hadn't realized you hadn't done your biopsy yet. I guess it was the ultrasound that you had, that I was thinking of. It can get confusing here, because there are a few names that are similar. For example, you are "cebean", and we have a woman on here, named "frijolebean" but she signs her name "bean"...and we have a "ceanothos" (which is a plant, I think)
But I have a good memory, so I think you are the thin woman, who was worried about having "fatty-liver", if my memory serves me right.
My husband was told he has that also, but i thought it was because he is a chubby hubby~
Good info! I am taking only two Ativan - one the night b4 biopsy next Tuesday and one before I go to the hospital. BUT, I've been on Clonazepam for 2.5 years for panic attacks. Before that, I was on Xanax. My therapist (new one after ex-shrink left town - small town) will not prescribe Xanax. Guess I have to tactfully educate her about this. And I also need to tell her that the tx drug(s) will increase the potency of the benzos. I bet she has no clue.
NOW - isn't that interesting that Klonopin (yes, Clonazepam is the generic) is harder on the liver than say, Xanax). My shrink KNOWS I have HepC and still prescribed it. I'm tellin' ya - you have to monitor your own health/scripts for sure.
I will talk to my pharmacist about all this too. Those guys seem to be a lot more savvy about drug interaction than any doc. I have ever been to.
NOW - isn't that interesting that Klonopin (yes, Clonazepam is the generic) is harder on the liver than say, Xanax). My shrink KNOWS I have HepC and still prescribed it. I'm tellin' ya - you have to monitor your own health/scripts for sure.
I will talk to my pharmacist about all this too. Those guys seem to be a lot more savvy about drug interaction than any doc. I have ever been to.
I did some reading, and came up with this paragraph, from an earlier thread on here (MedHelp is where I have gotten most of my Hep C imfo, before treating, and now)
"Benzodiazepines, which lorazepam falls under indicate that concomitant use of alprazolam and telaprevir INCREASES exposure of alprazolam, thus INCREASES the potency of the benzodiazepine. Clinical monitoring is warranted. The medication guide only mentions alprazolam.
I also read another excerpt, from a knowledgable guy on here, in an earlier thread, that says Telepriver (Incivek) does increase the absorption of benzoz, by 30%.
So this sounds like a reason why you wouldn't have to increase your dosage, in order to deal with heightened anxiety, from Tx.
I did read that Ativan or Xanax may be a bit easier on your liver, for future reference, but I also noticed others on here, who were Txing while taking Klonipin.
"Benzodiazepines, which lorazepam falls under indicate that concomitant use of alprazolam and telaprevir INCREASES exposure of alprazolam, thus INCREASES the potency of the benzodiazepine. Clinical monitoring is warranted. The medication guide only mentions alprazolam.
I also read another excerpt, from a knowledgable guy on here, in an earlier thread, that says Telepriver (Incivek) does increase the absorption of benzoz, by 30%.
So this sounds like a reason why you wouldn't have to increase your dosage, in order to deal with heightened anxiety, from Tx.
I did read that Ativan or Xanax may be a bit easier on your liver, for future reference, but I also noticed others on here, who were Txing while taking Klonipin.
correction - the other one is HepC Social.
I do not understand this distinction. I'm asking the mods here actually: Please clarify where to post what. Please.
Thank you.
I do not understand this distinction. I'm asking the mods here actually: Please clarify where to post what. Please.
Thank you.
Clonazepam is in the Valium family - they are all "benzo's - along with say, Xanax. Thing is, it takes MONTHS to safely taper off benzos after as many years as I've taken them. Well, I will just have to ask the questions to the doctor. I feel like I should start tx with a "clean slate" as far as the head meds (I also take Lamotrigine for BPII - and I truly don't think I'm BiPolar anything). I am going to see if I can move up my next appt (6/13) with my therapist.
I have a couple other issues to ask about but will do so later today. I just don't know WHICH forum to post on - the general one or the "community" one.
I have a couple other issues to ask about but will do so later today. I just don't know WHICH forum to post on - the general one or the "community" one.
AHA - another gem from you - coffee supplements. THAT I can do! Think it's better than trying to get accustomed to drinking it.
ah...cool spring morning and a cuppa. Can't get much better than that,and good for us ..Bonus.
Will
Will
I have a theory that you can build up to drinking more coffee, not that I'm encouraging it, we are all different.
For years I couldn't drink coffee past 4 in the afternoon, or it'd keep me awake.
Then I slowly began drinking more coffee and in time got to where I could drink it within an hour of going to sleep with no problems.
If you really want to get the benefits and not drink coffee, I noticed some coffee supplements at the health food store, that claim to have the benefits without the problems.
For years I couldn't drink coffee past 4 in the afternoon, or it'd keep me awake.
Then I slowly began drinking more coffee and in time got to where I could drink it within an hour of going to sleep with no problems.
If you really want to get the benefits and not drink coffee, I noticed some coffee supplements at the health food store, that claim to have the benefits without the problems.
Ah, now I remember one reason I could never drink it - I got SO speedy, SO fast that I could watch my pupils (blue eyes) dilate. So ... maybe not for me. I don't need any more anxiety than I have already.
I am taking Clonazepam for anxiety/panic attacks ~ have been for quite a while. Need to see if this will affect my tx in any way (sorry another topic added - I can get to that one another time).
Think I'll lay off the coffee. :)
I am taking Clonazepam for anxiety/panic attacks ~ have been for quite a while. Need to see if this will affect my tx in any way (sorry another topic added - I can get to that one another time).
Think I'll lay off the coffee. :)
Oh, I couldn't get the article to pop up, but I will try to find the article another way, because the date, and cnn are in that imfo.
It is never too late to begin drinking coffee, and there are many enjoyable ways to indulge : )
I like to make a big deal about it, so I go to the store, and get the whole beans, and grind them up there (I need a new coffee bean grinder for my home) and then I use delicious half-and-half, or go one step furthur, and by cream, or heavy whipping cream, and shake it up in the carton, and give my coffee a frothy cream head! I really enjoy this ritual, and always have my coffee with a meal, or in the morning, at least with a big blueberry muffin or coffee cake, so it absorbs the acids.
If this is your first time, trying coffee on a daily basis, you may want to start with a small cup, to find out how jitterey you will be feeling, about half an hour after you drink. I have gotten jittery before, but then I just eat a meal.
I am in the San Francisco area, where we can go out for a very strong cup of coffee, like Philz coffee (yum yum, and they add a mint leaf), but the usual cup of StarBucks, is not going to be as strong as say, a cup of Peets coffee, if you go out.
It is never too late to begin drinking coffee, and there are many enjoyable ways to indulge : )
I like to make a big deal about it, so I go to the store, and get the whole beans, and grind them up there (I need a new coffee bean grinder for my home) and then I use delicious half-and-half, or go one step furthur, and by cream, or heavy whipping cream, and shake it up in the carton, and give my coffee a frothy cream head! I really enjoy this ritual, and always have my coffee with a meal, or in the morning, at least with a big blueberry muffin or coffee cake, so it absorbs the acids.
If this is your first time, trying coffee on a daily basis, you may want to start with a small cup, to find out how jitterey you will be feeling, about half an hour after you drink. I have gotten jittery before, but then I just eat a meal.
I am in the San Francisco area, where we can go out for a very strong cup of coffee, like Philz coffee (yum yum, and they add a mint leaf), but the usual cup of StarBucks, is not going to be as strong as say, a cup of Peets coffee, if you go out.
Actually, I've cut down from 4+ cups/daily during and before tx, to 1 or 2.
I drink it because I like it :)
With a mother who is 94 and never touches the stuff, longevity is in my genes.
( Her older sister is 97, and the younger one is 91)
I drink it because I like it :)
With a mother who is 94 and never touches the stuff, longevity is in my genes.
( Her older sister is 97, and the younger one is 91)
when I did rx I couldnt drink coffee and still cant drink much and I love my coffee so enjoy!! :)
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Make sure to check with your Doctor about that med (I'm not familiar with that one) and you can also look up each med you will be on, and there should be a list of meds that are contraindicated. My Doctor has a pom-pad she uses for this.
Alot of people have increased anxiety, during this Tx, so you may want to check in with a psychiatrist, concerning your anxiety. I had anxiety the first 7 to 9 weeks, but then it got better.
Also, back to coffee, it can produce diarhoea, in people that arent used to it, so maybe dont start until after you know how ther Incivek is going to affect your digestion (fire in the poop deck)