Honest Answers, No BS! LONG post!

[Lady Lauri]

:}  Okay the topic is this......how many really do other med's to help get thru the symptoms of Hep and the sides of tx?
  Please bare in mind in this long story, that I am also a dress up, ‘normal’ business woman that most would be in shock if they saw me when doing this!
   As most here awhile have probably heard from me a time or two.....I am VERY 'anti drug' -abuse of prescribed drugs, street drugs’ and active in fighting the worst 'new' threats, crack and the again popular meth, grabbing our young by the b*alls! (and ‘old’) People get 'hooked' very often on that 1st hit with those. I have literally 'bought' 'kids' from dealers, give them a picture, they set them up and if I get them, in hand, they get the money. We all know-most of us- that a crack head will sell their mom for a hit! I have a few I ‘use’ for this and have gotten who I am looking for every time. Our understanding is, you help me, I shut up on you! I have a ‘Christian drug counselor’ who has given my name,# to parents to help find their kid. I have gotten the call at 4:00 am and gone into 'crack town' alone to get them, have jumped thru the back of a car window, put a knife to the scumbags throat and drug the kid out! I have chased crack dealers with an axe handle! (Dangerous and extreme yes, but that one was a loved family member drug into it by an older, using guy that made a habit of getting 'kids' hooked to use their $$! That 'man' is now in prison 3 years, poor thing! )With a scar on his arm from me! That 'kid' is, 2 years later, drug free, into the arts and back to being a GQ , handsome, going somewhere young man that he was. It is heartbreaking the ‘kids’ I would see at those place’s. Cops ‘overlook’ me and actually respect what I do, tho have made the speech I may get hurt, etc. And as extreme as my methods are, I am proud to say only one I couldn't 'save', yet he did go back to the re-hab later and is now clean. I am one crazy woman. (need to add....I have a bit of biker, and some tough guys back up and our local police dept. actually goes 'in' with me at times 'off the record' , not arresting anyone, just helping me get who I came for!) All is also out of my pocket. I have lived in that world, briefly, 32 years ago, and will do anything I can to get someone out of it. (the success rate of quitting crack, for good, is 5%!! Once 'hooked') I went into all that as.....am not, nor ever been ashamed of how we believe I got Hep C, is when I 'ran away' at 16 yrs. old and 'lived in the streets' (a virgin, no less!!) and got with people and tried all kinds of drugs, had done heroin before loosing my virginity! Within 2 years, by the grace of God.....a 'street guy' that cared took me back to Fla., left me with friends and snuck out in the night, of which I had seen so much I knew I did not want that life. I saw terrible things and many are amazed I never got hurt and ‘walked’ away so easily. I than became anti-anti-anti. Went on to be a good mother of 3 and have a great life. I now use my disease in my 'talks' with young people to say "SEE....look what stupid young mistakes can do! ALL these years later'. My plan, was working on before dx, so now after tx. Is to get a few acre’s and make an ‘animal rescue, kid’s in trouble come take care of them’ counseling type ranch. It’d be pretty hypocritical if I became addicted to med’s thru tx and hep to do this! LOL.
That all said.......I also developed a bit of a phobia for all drugs, even ‘good, needed’ med’s. Took NOTHING. (tx has been a ‘conquer the phobia’ for me!) Several years ago encountered 'panic attacks'?? Tough, no fear woman kicked to the curb. My dr., knowing I never took med's...said 'be a good girl and JUST try these"..... xanax, lowest dose and wouldn't do AD's. With them and a LOT of mental training, beat those and long gone from my daily life. I do them occasionally to sleep and always made sure I was careful not to do daily, get addicted, etc. THAN came hep symptoms, terrible aches, pains and could not do any of my very active jobs well, he gave me Vicoprofen. Again, very careful with them and suffer most days as opposed to doing daily. NOW..…(babble, babble.-sorry!).....I could not have gotten thru hep symptoms, dx, and now tx without doing those 2 pill's on the really bad days and 1st shot day Dr. even gave me Valium and said do the night before and do an hour before app. I read and hear a lot here on suffering and comments on some med's hurt the liver, etc. but my Hep Dr. has clearly told me the amounts I can safely do (and don't even do that much). SOOOOO.....Of course not anyone that is a recovering addict as per worries of a relapse, but how many are actually doing pain med’s or calming med's thru this? My sons and man had to fight with me to actually use them a bit more rather than suffer "YOU (knowing me) will NOT get addicted, stop suffering!” A small part of me still worries that I may have to do some of them from now on, yet I also feel...WHY suffer if they can help? So folks…..how many really do need other med’s to help get thru this?
               Thanks for listening to my ‘out there’ long babbling post :}, to anyone who didn’t give up and quit reading 10 minutes ago :}
                                                                                                LL

[Lady Lauri]

I am with you on the Xanax....and I don't 'vouch' for many.  I have MVP, which add's to anxiety, as does tx as does having the hep! I think the key is not daily, as your doing with the Lortab alagirl, I got those too now. I am more for the med's "as needed' ,not have to do everyday.
On treating.....pitter....I am also sensitive to drugs, as in I can take 1 when others need 2-3 etc.
And as I am finally posting a 'HELP' post, think I am turning out to be sensitive to these drugs :{
As you are early damage, there is a few better drugs close by (once a mth. shots.etc) so hang on!
I may be stopping and waiting myself!

  My Harley is a 2005 1/2 Anniversary Ed. Fat Boy, silver as is my truck and didn't plane either. Nice, nice bike but what I want is a screaming Eagle soft tail duece....which was about $10,000 more than mine and thank God I didn't as I am not totally not working 5 weeks into tx!  
  I consider myself a pretty tough 'middle aged' lady (not saying old:}, and this tx is making me feel like a mentally, physically and emotionally abused 3 year old!!  man, I AM a woosy ! (sp)

                                                                                    LL

[froggydan]

but should be not much stronger than codeine (free from the counter in our country ;-)

Licit Uses:

Hydrocodone is an antitussive (cough suppressant) and analgesic agent for the treatment of moderate to moderately severe pain. Studies indicate that hydrocodone is as effective, or more effective, than codeine for cough suppression and nearly equipotent to morphine for pain relief.

you should maybe try this, its a bit less strong :
its called DI-ANTALVIC or DIALGIREX in europe

formula: Dextropropoxyphène Paracétamol

works good for joint pains and migraine (i have them also)

[froggydan]

you asked : does that count as an opiate?

answer :

Chemistry/Pharmacology:

Hydrocodone [4,5α-epoxy-3-methoxy-17-methyl-morphinan-6-one tartrate (1:1) hydrate (2:5), dihydrocodeinone] is a semi-synthetic opioid most closely related to codeine in structure and morphine in producing opiate-like effects. The first report that hydrocodone produces euphoria and habituation symptoms was published in 1923. The first report of hydrocodone dependence and addiction was published in 1961.

[alagirl]

I freely admit to ASKING for drugs specifically for hepc treatment.  I have horrible joint pain from the pegasys unfortunately.  I am taking lortab, esp the first two or three days after each shot.  It also helps with the 101 degree fever I get for three days after each shot.

But I'm a migraineur so I'm pretty used to relying on pain meds.  I find I don't need the meds the second half of the week, but the first half, right after every friday's shot, is pretty rocky.  I also have xanax in case I have probs sleeping.  Oh yeah, and there's always posting on the medhelp board...
does that count as an opiate?

[pitter]

Hi Lauri,
ummmm... I am not treating  (yet)  I am totally afraid of it...to put the truth out...I am g1 damage 0-1. Had biopsy. I guess I am waiting . I will have another bld test in about 2 mos.
I am xtreemly sensitive to any meds...so I am scared. PLUS ...I have INSOMNIA all the time. I take half of a 5 mg xanax a nite to sleep. Been this way for awhile LONG while. Can't take aspirin, caffiene... I don't know. What is your Harley like? color? etc.
pit pat

[Lady Lauri]

I've added to that drug list I am against....

" INTERFERON AND RIBA.......JUST SAY NO! "

   (Yeah, Yeah...these are 'good' drugs, will help us drugs'!! I'm saying it, I'm saying it!! Over and over and over. )
  
                                                                                    LL

[Lady Lauri]

  that said......... "pitter pat, Cute name!"

[Lady Lauri]

  Haven't rode my bike much since started tx and would not even try it now :{  JUST got the new one and than dx'd a week later.
   "He" miss's me :} I sit on it and start it in the garage a lot, LOL.
It'd be very stupid for me to even try it, it's a "fat boy' and weighs about 850 Lb.'s, I weigh 128, or less now maybe! Love it tho and , Thank God, never dropped either I have had except in a dirt driveway, with lotsa people looking where your not hurt but your pride is :}

  Yep, tx kicking my tail, as is most of us.  No life and have to accept that, tho a bit more than I'd expected (as in no life! All on hold.) Saving the dogs, kids, whales, winos.....whatever is out. Just trying to save breakfast in me , LOL!
Haven't read much on your tx here, of course keeping up with all gets harder with fog brain, but did you get SVR ( or are you done, still on?). I try to not whine tho and be grateful being 2b.
HOW these guys/gals (you?) do so long is just AMAZING, can't imagine as in week 5 I am saying "Oh GOD, how many more weeks" :}......in that whining moment!

P.S. I have a lot of help, blessed there, in all area's and .......
        "Hey, God, I'm ready to go back to work now! Ya' hear me ??    :}
                                                                                          LL

[pitter]

Yes it takes energy that you probably don't have much of right now...don't worry , when you are done w/tx, God will put ya back to work!!!!  hopefuilly you will get some of that help that you put out there, back when you need it !!!!!!!
Have you ever dropped your Harley?  I see women driving them and I think I would probaly drop it..they look heavy!!! Aren't they?
Pitter Pat

[Lady Lauri]

Trust me, this past year had been verry little helping anyone/anything. 5 weeks into tx and I am thinking about a little crack/ meth myself, for the energy :}
(KIDDING, KIDDING!)

                                                                    LL

[pitter]

Hi , it's okay..... we are all under a good amount of stress... and I could go on & on about that and blah blah blah!!! But why?? I know we all know that!!! (So I won't)  
I used to put alot of time into helping other people... it was a good time in my life... I still do a little,
not as much...I could only do it for so long..(getting old ha!)

[Lady Lauri]

I'm sorry :{    That wasn't meant to come thru as it did, it's shot day and crabby too.
I just meant to drop any 'testy' post, (myself included , I guess.) Which was your point also.

  Gotta watch how I word (and read) things right now :}

               Sorry, smiles back to you.........LL

[pitter]

Hi ...I meant that rude post ..that was all... I think your'e ambition to help others is very cool...and Foresee has a good heart I know!!!
smiles

[Lady Lauri]

Please see forseegoods post about 'this side' of the forum.
And no one was being 'mean', until the rude post that came into this thread.

So as it was my thread to start, how about we just drop this thread now!

                                                                                 LL

[pitter]

this is really not a good place to come and let your P*SS offedness out.....there are people with problems here trying to get help...don't be soooo mean...it would be way better to go beat up a pillow...and then you can still feel good about yourself later...knowing you really didn't hurt anyone with your anger and bad mood...

[Lady Lauri]

"scroll bar"..........Bless you :}

[Lady Lauri]

Agree, agree. Surely don't expect all to agree with all, which is what makes it 'conversation'. I do have the etiquette to not be insulting when I don't agree (unless they are 1st :} and I also don't give my opinion if I don't feel I have enough knowledge in the subject, kind of like the accountant telling the nurse how to draw blood!
I do, however, have a cocky side that does tend to reply to disrespect, bad behavior :}
   And also know when it just doesn’t matter.

  Now on to more important things like…….I feel like cr*p, having 2 ‘aunt flo’s’ a month now and how about that Brittany Spears , LOL  :}

(….and why this side is so good for us also, the lighter chat side. You said it well, getting to talk besides all the Hep talk -also needed, both needed.)

P.S. Uh oh, I forgot you read all the trashy mags....forget the brittany Spears comment :}

                                                                                      LL

[froggydan]

...AMEN !

[Forseegood]

I've always found that some people resent it when you post anything about trying to help anything....there will always be these people, it might trigger something in them that they don't like .....God knows, that's their deal...but it's not about you and what youre trying to do, it's about their opinions about it, on a internet board...which they are entitled to.

This side is for chat, and we can chat about anything and everything, the reason the forum owners made this side of the board is for fellowship and being able to talk about things beside Hepatitis (which can get tedious sometimes, like anything else)...to get to know each other apart from that disease...if we so wish....or we can talk about the "lighter side of being sick with hepatitis, lol" whatever we want....

If someone doesn't like your train of thought, or your posts, or the color of your hair, etc. whatever, there is a great function on one's computer, it's called a scroll bar, one only has  to move it to another post, or thread, whatever....

Everyone *is* entitled to one's own opinions, but I just find it odd to debate about what someone does in their own personal life  (as long as they are not hurting anybody or any thing...) we all are entitled to live the lives we want to have...it's not like debating about the effectiveness of one treatment plan over another...that's something else....and debates like that are useful to forum members, to help decide and decipher from layman's opinions and experiences...

But here, live the way you want to live, and if you want to talk about holes in your tennis shoes, go ahead, this side of the board is for the Chatty Kathy's of the world, of which, I'm a proud member, lol....or your dog, or bird, or boyfriend, (not necessarily in that order:) or some guy's girlfriend or wife, whatever!!!  

[Lady Lauri]

  Thanks and trust me, that opinion meant about as much as my 1st Dr.'s telling me "oh your depressed' with all the hep symptoms! Especially after asking 'ANY exp. or knowlegde' of the sheeet your muttering!

  I am starting to exp. the term 'Riba rage' I have heard so much about.....I am very proud of how I COULD have handled that post :} I AM still a bit in control, LOL!

I did wonder tho, am I supposed to go save 'WALES' or "WHALES"..... Big difference there! :}

                                                                       LL

[Lady Lauri]

Gauf......Agree (and thank you ), even if only one. Times that 1 x 100 doing that, and so on.

froggydan, it's shot day, Riba's kicking my self opinionated arse and don't need your self opinionated arse either :}
ONE question, what HAVE you done of any value in the world lately (or at all)?

  Far more open to a critic IF they have ANY back ground, experience or knowledge TO criticize!
I WOULD ask Forseegood an opinion, advice as she HAS exp. in that area. You have posted none but that "oh, it ain't gonna help " opinion.
Note: CONSTRUCTIVE criticism versus insulting criticism.
Go read the book again!

And that would be 'MS. DOGGETTE' to you, sir !!

     Have a nice carefree day...................

[nygirl7]

What a fool that one is huh?  Popping up out of nowhere to spout ridiculous **** for no reason.  I wonder who it REALLY is...which puppetmaster is behind those strings? Seems we have so many idiots lately.

hang in there girl..........we've all been attacked by one fool or another at some point.  Consider it a compliment that such a moron doesn't understand a word you are saying :)  

[gauf]

I am a recovering addict and alcoholic. I will take any prescribed med for as long as it is prescribed and then done. I've never had a problem with that. I too am a smoker and will be until they throw me in jail (which is not far fetched anymore).  As far as helping kids stay off drugs or taking an active role in prevention, God Bless You. Don't let anyone tell you it's a waste of time. They said that to Mother Theresa, "it won't help the big picture", well it sure helped the ones she picked up off the street!  Her philosophy was one, one, one.....  I admire her above all woman save one.  

[froggydan]

you are definetively to stubborn and highly self-opinioned to learn stuff from critics - good luck to you Donna Quichotte ;-)