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173975 tn?1216257775

The Truth, Please

Just got 14 week labs.

Starting VL 1,140,000
Beginning Log 6.058

week 14 (March 30)
VL 510
Log 2.708

Total Log drop at week 14 - 3.350

I have 10 more weeks to get UND.

If I don't reach it by week 24, I guess I stop.

I thought that 510 was encouraging but it did take a long time to get there.

Any thoughts?

Also, for the first time I have high Glucose serum and Low calcium Serum.

Any advice about that?

Everything else is the same; Neutrophils and WBC at Alert

Hematocrit, RBC and platelets low.

Hemaglobin 11.6

I'm gonna post this on the other side too coz it's so uncharacteristically medical.

Thanks in advance,

Wyntre



46 Responses
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161341 tn?1189755824
Shot 17! By my calculations, you're one third of the way already!
It DOES go by pretty fast, doesn't it, or am I imagining things?

Yeah, I saw that Dr. Dietrich video too, and actually got my hubby to watch it. He thought it was pretty revealing too, and the really interesting thing is that he (Dr. D) was also treated for hep c, so he wasn't just giving it lip service; he had actually been there. To me, that speaks volumes.

I asked Greyson today if he was really feeling as good as he acted, or was he pushing himself more than he should. He said a little of both, that he was feeling optimistic about both his treatment ending and the fact he was able to maintain his business while treating. But he does have a tendency to push himself too hard, and I have to be the voice of reason most of the time. :)

I do know, though, that he is on the upswing because he couldn't have pushed himself earlier even if he had wanted to.

Maybe you have that to look forward to, too! Things DO get better even when it seems this will go on forever!
Hope you have a great and restful weekend!!
Helpful - 0
173975 tn?1216257775
What a great name!

And he's on week 46.  Only 2 more.  hooooooray!

Hope we can find a way to exchange pics -

I just did shot 17 - this morning i had bloodwork for week 16.

As usual, you understand my scheduling issues.  I have to go for everything now, while I've got a safety net in place.  If I don't reach SVR this round, I may never again be in a position to treat.

(In the Dr. Dietrich video MO posted a few weeks back, he gave some sobering statistics, including that for every 100 people diagnosed with c, only 10 finsh tx.

and for those 100 who are diagnosed, there are probably thousands who aren't.)  

greyson - i looove that name.  :)
Helpful - 0
173975 tn?1216257775
HT,

it's 330 AM and i'm wide awake.

great that your hub (what's his name) is feeling better.


There's a contract on my house.  Closing on July 1 or before.  Spoke to my Leeds guy and he's gonna open up the cottage, turn on the water, do some repairs.

Now it's all about the big move.

Two and a half months to get it together, straigten out health insurance stuff,
throw stuff out, consolidate, it's gonna be nuts.

i've been living in this house since 1994.

but i'm excited and scared at the same time.  everything's in motion and though i suppose i could turn back i don't wanna.

got guaranteed income for the next 2 years (until jan 23, 2009 coz of the income disability policy i took out in '94.)  even with the 560 insurance costs i'll still have enough to cover mortgage and expenses.

and if things work out as i hope, the state disability will be approved and then i'll have a modest income and free health insurance for life.

so i gotta go for it.

funny, i'm so busy i haven't had time to think about how  tx is going except to be fully aware that i'm only able to cover about 25% of my prior activity level.

i go real slow.  but after 3 months of going nowhere and doing nothing slow is better than total inertia.

gonna try and go back to sleep, now.

tomorrow (today) labwork, doggie beauty parlor, pick up peg and riba from pharmacy, go to office max for a dozen clear containers to start packing - and then steam room before shot tonight.  
Helpful - 0
161341 tn?1189755824
Hope you got some sleep!! I hate it when I can't sleep..are you taking anything for it? My hubby (Greyson) is taking ambien maybe once or sometimes twice a week. He tries not to take it any more than necessary, but when you gotta, you gotta!

That's exciting that your disability is in motion; sounds like a very good plan!
I can see why you would want to continue treating. You are all set up income and insurance wise (at least getting there) and even selling your house! I'm impressed! You've made some very major decisions while treating!

Greyson takes shot 46 tonite, then only 2 after this! I can't believe how fast this has gone. In some respects it seemed to drag, but now that I look back, it's hard to believe he's nearing the end! What a complete roller coaster ride this has been. At about 30 weeks I didn't think he was going to make it, and now he's feeling so good (considering) and back to burning the candle at both ends. I just hope he's not pushing himself too much.
What shot are you on? Let me know how your next labs come out.

By the way, I finally got some pics of our aviary that I'm going to download on my computer. I'll see if I can post them!

Talk to you later!
Helpful - 0
161341 tn?1189755824
Hey Wyntre,
Who knows, you might like living in a smaller place. Less to keep up, right?

You asked how hubby's doing.
He's doing great!
It's weird, I expected him to feel really bad towards the end...but just the opposite! I almost hate to say that cause I don't want to jinx it.
It must be partly because he feels the end's in sight, but I know that can't be all of it. No matter how psyched up you are, the sx's are what they are.
But I keep thinking he's getting better all the time.
Also putting in extremely long work days (and nights) and that wasn't possible until now!
Soooooooooo, we'll see what's ahead after this. I've told him that people take a year or more to get all the drugs out of their systems, and he's fully expecting to have a long recovery period.
But it's impossible to know what's ahead, so we'll just take it a day at a time.
Hope you had a good day today! How are you feeling?  
Helpful - 0
161341 tn?1189755824
So you've got multiple offers on your home? That must make you feel better!!

And what's this about rescuing a baby squirrel? Sounds familiar!!

Hope you're feeling better....you sound good!
Helpful - 0
173975 tn?1216257775
Rose,

love house finches - they're such accomplished singers!

Like skunks too - just not the smell.

child,

i don't know which is worse - the riba rage or the depression -

how's nick today?

HT

multiple lowball offers - and the news isn't good coz once i accept a bid then i'm gonna haveta actually move - after 13 years - from 2000 SF to less than 500 -

but there's a price for everything.

how's hubby today?

wyn
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
yeah, the hepatic enceph.   the cousin was telling me that her dad could tell when his brain wasn't working right, (he wold get these strange repetitive behaviors like alzheimers, and he knew when to take the lactulose and he could tell when he had taken enough to set him straight and he would normalize and the sx would go away.  i said to her i knew that uti's could cause similar sx in elderly, but didn't know about the liver condition...
Helpful - 0
173975 tn?1216257775
thanks shelly.

if it's any consolation, you have a lot less time left than me!  

Wow - you're on almost the same number of meds biy i still got ya beat by about a half dozen.

The riba rage is starting to wear me down.  I'm at week 17, now.  I've read some posts about people strated to lose it around now . . .

wyntre
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hope you are feeling well.

I am thinking about all the wild animal and bird posts... i feel jealous seems all i have is the family of skunks that visits the neighborhood seemingly every night never see them but certainly can smell that they are near... dogs got sprayed once years ago.. that was an experience i never want to repeat.

(i do have regular visits froma house finch mated pair they are brown body with orangish/red heads..pretty song.. and an occassional morning dove.
Helpful - 0
173975 tn?1216257775
thanks for asking.

internet and phone service was out all day.

i have multiple offers on the house -

i'm trying to enroll in state health benefits plan so i'm still covered may 1 .

and i just rescued a baby squirrel that was stuck in my gutter pipes - had to peel back the sides - could only see 2 little eyes peering out - the mother was lurking nearby - when the gutter was opened enough for him to squeeze through the mother dashed down, grabbed the baby by the scruff of the neck and scampered up to the roof - which is 3 stories high.

then the baby fell - i goat a blanket - threw it over the squirrel, brought it inside - called a wildlife rehab place - knocked on my neighbors door - squirrel escaped - we caught the squirrel again - and now SHE'S gonna handle it.

whew!  i'm beat - i used to do this kind of stuff all the time - i feel like an invalid -
anyway, that's what i've been up to.


wyntre

Helpful - 0
146021 tn?1237204887
Had a brother with hepatic encephalothapy, and treated several people with that dx. Used to freak me out cause of my brother, but that was long time ago when I was first coming to terms with his illness.
Bug
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
thanks for setting me straight bout that.  that is weird that i didn't know what that was... used to be bio major before the switch to.. well wrote a paper on bovine spongiform encephalopathy (okay so can't spell it, can't say it either) - mad cow disease, also related to human form crueschfeldt jacob disease... prions interesting little things protein shells that hijack rna to replicate.

but still they are completely different from the one related to the liver.  this is really strange but when that RN and i were talking at the easter event several days ago, she began the conversation talking about the condition - how it causes problems with brain, fixed with lactulose, that's when my brain kicked in and i said, i heard of that somewhere... that's when she shared about her father.. this is my ex's family, there actually is a lot of alcoholism on this side of his family.  i really came to a "biopsychosocial" realization about that whole situation...they are of native indian descent, these are people whose culture was torn apart, these are a people who lost their families, their land, their language, their general way of life their spirtual practices,....i;m sure i missed something. not a surprise there is some multi-generational problems.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I haven't been posting in awhile, I am geno 1a with 3 log drop at 12 weeks and und at 24. I am stage 2 grde 2 and have had this since 1991 or before. I am 40 now and on week 55/72. I can certainly understand the riba rage I have it all the time. I am on so many meds to tx my sx's . I take effexor,darvocette,xanax,ritalin,lunesta,synthroid,and otc benadryl,gold bond. I don't know which way is up or down anymore. Wishing you the best on week 24. shelly
Helpful - 0
179856 tn?1333547362
Posted on the other side...but trying again over here cause not sure of course what to do!

I used to be what'd ya'd call a 'fast girl' but now...thanks to this virus I see that was a lie.  I am as slow as slow can be ;)  (Just kidding, was dying to say I was "fast" (wishful thinking on my part to be a 'party girl' hahah).

Well I had almost a 3 log drop by week 4 and then got 'stuck' with a count of 400 that wouldn't go away until week 24 (he would not test me between 12 & 24). So, I got stuck doing the 72 weeks.

I had MAJOR anemia issues though (but I was taking MUCH too MUCH for my body weight). I cannot imagine that I would have finally gotten rid of them without it though.

The logic is hit them hard and hit them fast. I would make sure you get a Heptimax test at week 24. You don't want to have a 'real' count of 48<50 and not know it (Heptimax should go down to <5 I believe instead of <50) by then and do all of the 48 MORE weeks of treatment really if you are still positive since you are a slow responder.

I wish I had just argued the heck out of my doctor and gotten it myself. If I could go back that is one of the biggest things I would change. I didn't get a Hept. until I went to Dr. Jacobson and that was towards the 46th week of treatment! So who knows when I was "really" UND.

Do you see what I am trying to say?

Your chances are hurt but you can do it. The 72 weeks will help.
Helpful - 0
146021 tn?1237204887
Had to read when i saw his post. Just jumpin in there to explain encephalopthy.
In this case it means liver damage making the ammonia levels rise to the point that your brain and body is toxic. You can't think straight. Another term is hepatic encephalothy meaning brain dysfunction caused by liver damage.
Correct me if I'm wrong B.
Bug
Helpful - 0
173975 tn?1216257775
Thanks for the "Riba Hall of Shame" stories.

It makes it easier to deal with it.

flowers, laptops, odors, tipped over garbage; guess ya never know what's gonna set you off.

BT -

That sounds like an EXCELLENT idea - taking the Riba 1 pill 5 times per day instead of morning dose of 3 and evening of 2.

SO, you know what I'm talking about with the prednisone, hey?

i don't know which is worse, that or the riba.

wyntre
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i like your suggestion. i was wondering about that myself. infact i am allmost done and just discovered that my script says to take 2 am and 3 pm and i have always had a hard time sleeping, which is what i should be doing right now. i just might try to divide them upsome with snacks.. if you've been reading you know how i am always saying im gonna quit... maybe that will help me through the last.

what is the encephalies....however you spelled it you spoke of?
rose
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have had similar experience on massive prednisone doses right after transplant; taking 450 mg daily for a week and tapering quickly thereafter to 15 mg daily at the end of the first month.  Talk about psychotic.  Had to take zyprexa, a heavy duty anti-psychotic for a week or two to come back down to earth.

I am also very sensitive to riba; a dose of three is not something I can handle at all, so I take one pill six times a day, and am doing better that way.

The hep c may also affect your moods and ability to think; encephalopthy has always been my worst hep c symptom, and even had eight-day coma in 1999 and near death.  Believe it or not, my thinking has been much clearer while on treatment.  I noticed within the first few days of tx that I was not struggling to find the right words to say and was much more spontaneous, notwithstanding the riba rage, with people because I could find the words to say without taking the time to fish around for them.

Anyway, you might consider taking the riba in doses of one and see how that affects your moods.  I find it much easier on the stomach too.  The long half life of riba (100+ hours) only requires that you take all your pills each day, whether  one or three at a time.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i am sorry you are having such difficult time. i hope despite the rough times that you will find svr.. jmjm offered great information.
from the riba halls of shame...
i don't know if i ever shared this but it was soooo embarrasing. i crashed about 4 weeks into treatment. it was probably a day before christmas or a day after but right about then my daughter had a friend over they had two lap tops in the living room downstairs. i had gotten up showered dressed gone up and down stairs several times i was exhausted to make a down or up trip again. then the power failed on the upstairs circuit, i called down to daughter, no ans. i called from my cell phone "WHAT i am busy" she said to me.  "what do you mean what... don't say what to me" i went from 0 to 60 in less than 4 seconds. went down the stairs screaming  and unplugged the lap tops and literally ripped them out of their hands (even the friend) every other word was F...something. (if you knew me you would know that i really don't curse). the friend - poor girl was from a nice christian family and never experienced such a display.  i later apologized profusely after many angry hours. ( and still had to set the circuit breaker myself.).. well just the other day the same girl was over and when i came home from being out the neighbors kids were screaming for more than 10minutes like banshees you'd think someone was killing them - they way kids might behave if no parent were there. i made a comment how long am i going to have to listen to that.. and went for the door. they all looked at me and said "we'll take care of it"  they did.
Helpful - 0
146021 tn?1237204887
Yes, you are an animal lover with multiple stress issues in your life.I know you are sweet caring animal lover, it wasn't Wynte that got mad at the dog. At least it wasn't your niece! I understand, and I didn't mean you when I was talking about how people feel about a/d's. It's gotten to the point I hate taking them because of the negative press around here.
take care,
bug
Helpful - 0
173975 tn?1216257775
I don't want to give you the wrong impression about how i feel about AD's.

I have been on them before and they were wonderful!  Some of the best years of my life!  Helped me through a grueling period.

the difference between then and now (and believe me, i didn't want to go off them) is that I was depressed or stressed every day and not just a couple of times a week.

If I had the kind of episode I had yesterday, daily, I'd be on the prozac.

I've got a bottle in the medicine cabinet.

my objection is that I don't feel like I need AD's every day but as far as i know  there's no other way to use them correctly unless you get and maintain a certain level of the drug in your blood stream.

And, to be honest, i'm afraid I'll never want to go off them again.  that's how much i liked them before.

And there's also the issue of how many meds am i gonna take?  between the 3 hep drugs, the 5 to 7 allergy meds - the allergy shots - i don't think I COULD remember to take anything else!

But I will go on them if I feel there's no alternative.  And I agree, they're great for many people at certain points of their life and there is nothing wrong with them.  Like i said, I used to Loooove my prozac.

Helpful - 0
161341 tn?1189755824
Don't feel guilty! It's the meds, not you!!
It's funny, because my hubby's doctor said the same thing to him about kicking the dog!
He was complaining about the dog smell, and the doctor looked right at him and asked if he was kicking the dog!!
That was when he started taking AD's, and I KNOW he wouldn't have made it this far without them!
And no, he was never on them before.
You can't blame yourself when the warnings are written all over the bottles of Riba.They don't say these meds induce rage and depression for nothing.
We all know you love animals...but this isn't you, it's the meds!
I feel for you and wish so much I could do something to help.
It's got to be tough with all the issues you're facing...financial, insurance, and not to mention the decisions about what to do about treatment.
Just remember, you've got a whole army of people who care about you!!!

Remember, you're not alone in this. We all care and want to help.
Helpful - 0
173975 tn?1216257775
Thanks for responding and understanding.

I did get a script for prozac but I'm trying not to start taking it because these episodes only happen once or twice a week.

Still, it's never escalated to the point it did Sunday night.  not only did I want to kill my dog, i wanted to toss her off the deck.

The sick thing is I came close to doing it.
And, as you can probably tell from my posts, I'm an animal lover!

I did start seeing a therapist once a week and that has seemed to help.  I also notice the rages are even worse when I have housing, insurance, financial issues piling up.

I had to go to the Motor Vehicle Department this morning and it wasn't a pretty sight.

Thank you for sharing, especially the past about your Dr. telling you that he prescribes AD'S so patients won't "kick the dog."

I'm really upset with myself but this;

"I declined as I had no dog to kick, no job to screw up, and not many friends still calling me."

DID make me laugh.  :)

"That riba can really monkey with your mind."

That's why I don't think I could tolerate an increase.  WHY does it have this effect?

I'm gonna go google it again and see if I can find some info other than that posted by the manufacturer.

Poor Bonnie.  I can't believe I smacked her.  I feel soooo guilty and awful.

Wyn





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