ANYONE GETTING INFECTIONS???

[dodger1]

Hi everyone!  I wanted to ask if anyone has had a infection in there stomach?  My stomach kept hurting and burning so I went to the doctor and they did some blood work.  My tests came back postive for H. Pylori which is a stomach infection.  I took 4000 mg a day of antibiotics for 2 weeks and it did not go away.  My white blood count was 1.6 about 3 weeks ago.  I am wondering since my white blood cells were so low that I am not fighting off the infection.  They have me scheduled for one of those scopes down the throat into the stomach to see what is going on Tuesday morning.  I just did my 26th shot last night.  I don't know about you guys but some days I just want to quit all this **** and get on with my life.  I just had my doctor send me a letter to give to my employer that I cannot work anymore Mondays.  I am a mailcarrier and right now the mail is so heavy that I cannot push my cart out the door on Mondays because it is so full with mail and packages.  My muscles are so weak.  I am freezing all day.  Does anyone ever think that since you cleared at week 3 that it is all gone and you want to quit treatment and it will not come back.  I am so tired of feeling like **** everyday. I really cannot afford to take off Saturdays and Mondays right now but I do not know what else to do. I am a single parent and I am at my whits end.  Please help any advice would be appreciated.  Thank you  Sheila

[GoofyDad]

Well it's prolly just the two of us trollin' way down here! Holy Macarolli on the Neulasta! Ouch, does that hurt.

I hear ya on the poking holes everywhere. I'm like an in-side-out sea urchin! Thankfully I don't really have site reactions, so I don't run out of spots. I was bruising a bit from the procrit, but that seems to have stopped when my platelets bounced up a bit.  

I'm sorry you're having a rough time. I hope the road smoothes out for you. Looking forward to hearing good news from you on the 12 week! Try to post once in a while just to let us know how you're hanging. Even if it's not the best, I'd still like to hear from you.

[MissMiss]

First gotta say I love you comments and attitude.  Always raise my spirits, thank you.

Neulasta--You may remember awhile back my HGB dropped to 8.9 and HCT dropped too.  Doc wouldn't put me on anything until either red or white (I forget a lot) went below the magic 2, next week down to 1.6.  Sent me straight to ER for a Neulasta shot.  Before the NP kept saying the cost of Procrit or Neupegon was so much!  Just got the bill for Neulasta...$4700! Thank the lord for insurance.  Enough for a couple months of Neupogen!  It did raise the count overnight to 29,000 but it is a temporary fix.  Cancer doc said Neupogen was the better choice for us, just wish I could remember all his words.

I am now on both Neupogen 3X wk and Procrit 60 1Xweek last two weeks.  I have no place left to poke without a bruise.  I was so sick yesterday I never dressed or moved off the couch.  Have worked only 22 hours in last 30 days.  I am on call so even if they did call I don't think I could have gone.  I love to come here for a heads up on life but can't always post.

Will get my 12 wk pcr next Mon or Tues.  There have been a lot of good PCR news here lately and I hope I can keep the trend going.  Bless you all for sharing your hitchhiking stories, and just how life in general is for you all.  Thank you.

MissMiss

[strator]

Definitely!-BEEN THERE!! Know just what ya mean. Got dropped of in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the night outside Colorado City. The next 24 hrs found me in a Cannonball Run type scene, including a wacko in a 59 Ford FULL of guns, ammo belts, knives and such, Texas Rangers, a rather shaky afternoon in front of a HUGE Justice of the Peace in a little adobe building in Sierra Blanca, a broken Japanese camera and an exit outta TX at speeds higher than what originally put us in front of the judge. Thought I'd never see the light of day again!
Whew- givin me chills.
Don

[jmjm530]

Shoveling snow for an hour on tx. You're a better man than I. Are you sure you're not injecting the peg under the rug instead of under the skin :)

My doc told me it's OK to take antihistamines like Claritin for sinus issues. He also has no problem with nasal steroids like Nasonex or Rhinocort. Some people swear by nasal irrigation for sinus issues -- either with OTC sprays like "Simply Saline", high-tech water-pik devices or something more ancient like a Neti Pot. Currently I'm on an antibiotic -- Avelox -- partly for sinus issues.

I've also tried both Simply Saline and the Neti Pot and not sure if they helped or hurt but isn't that so often the case :) Not sure, I stopped the irrigations but keep in mind I have a deviated septum which may make irrigation more difficult. BTW if your sinus infection becomes chronic, a CAT scan might be in order to help dx.

All the best luck and maybe cut down a little on the shoveling :)

-- jim

[cuteus]

did you ever get Procrit prescribed? if you are even mildly anemic, it can still make for some very difficult  and painful limb movements.  See if your dr can help you with that also.  Many existing conditions get aggravated while on tx, and some latent ones get trigger to action, it depends on what you are storing in your body.

wanting to quit is an every day desire while on tx.  Have your dr help with you with the aches and pains, to improve your QOL.

[GoofyDad]

My WBCs cycle up and down between Neupogen shots. At the bottoms, I often get a stuffy ear and sinusy pressure. Also, little scratches on my fingers get a bit inflamed. Doc's are keeping my WBC a bit higher now and that helps.

I want to speak to the Doc about switching to Neulasta to level this out - but I have a few weeks worth of Neup in the fridge to clear out first.

I also find that too much activity can feel OK one day, then the next I pay as though I'm recovering from a triathalon or something. And all I did was walk the neighborhood.

Good luck.

[dodger1]

Yes I have been on procrit since beginning of September.  My hemoglobin was steady at 9 for awhile.  I think also it is really bothering me besides feeling like **** and freezing all the time is that my hair is falling out very badly.  I don't know if I will have any left in 22 more weeks.  Thanks everyone for all the advice.  I guess it is just one day at a time.  Sheila

[cuteus]

the hair! yes, one of the most tangible proof that we are on chemotherapy. a very distressing one. Most will not go bald, just a lot of thinning out, and it comes back nicely.  If you have SVR to go with your new luscious hair, the mirror projects back one beautiful image.  hgb of 9, ouch! I don't know how you do it, I admire you completely.

[beamishboy]

i guess there is a common thread alright! i had a very similiar xperience;but in New York,hitchin back from Fla. guy was buyin 'used oil' at every little gas sta, car was burning more oil then gas,if possible..when he went into a station i took a peek under his windbreaker onthe seat-357 mag, pointing toward me!!! I rearranged the Smith&wesson to a more friendly fire position& asked him;Why the gun...?"--"cuz yu can't trust hitch-hikers"................then why did the speedfreak guntoting moron give me a ride?  we don't always need an answer,just a way out..hada flat soon;while searchin trunk for jack he realized or imagined he had somehow(?) left another handgun back at another station? or was it stolen? We gotta go back!!!  wadya mean ,we??--i made haste away from v tense situation..Also shared a ride from a ranting ,gun-waving trucker-enraged by some c.b. comment questioning his manhood---i'll blow yur head-off motherf*****r!!!!!!--"This is my exit,please"     talk about riba-rage,heck we'all are the voices of reason personified........them fellas were infected with Anger & it's very unhealthy to be around...ahhh the good ol days....

[strator]

dodger1 - I do relate to you trying to slug away workin and being a single parent. Although somedays I think my kid(13yro) takes the brunt of it. Between the meds the season and life in general I can snap on a dime which wasn't my  way before.

Goof - 35 yrs ago I hitched out to California via everyplace, those are some pretty BIG neighborhoods ya got out there to walk.

moniker - Sorry to hear your feeling down. And that's not JUST because beamishboy and I had a nice little discourse going(see thread below-interesting info about the liver) about using your  shoveling services.
The cold and dampness if your getting a sweat going can't be a great help. I haven't noticed being off too much more after a heavy day of physical stuff, but then they all just seem like one big long day to me sometimes.
I have noticed seeming much more sensitive to allergy type things like  dust and sawdust around here since starting tx. I also feel more clogged in the AM and really need to find my dehumidifier and try that. During week 2 I was sneezing so much I took some children's benadryl. I felt like a zombie which I hated.
Maybe today's a good day for you to take that rest you were gonna take yesterday.
Be well,
Don

[GoofyDad]

Strator, I hitched across Texas on my way to CA. At the time, there was a (I think) Willy Nelson) song - "She walked across my heart like it was Texas" ... I always thought - yeah well that SOB never walked across Texas!

Kalio - I know that feeling. You think a half hour recovery will do it, then turns out there's Hell to pay tomorrow.....

[Moniker]

Yesterday, I went out and shoveled snow for about an hour; when I finished, I felt great from the exercise. Today, I don't feel as good. I have what seems like a head cold. I might have made myself more susceptible by working out in the cold for so long. I take Pegasys and Ribavirin. I'm on Neupogen to raise my WBC. Does anybody know if cold remedies are ok for us to take when we are on tx? I wonder if it's ok to take Claritin.  Claritin is an antihistamine. My sinuses hurt.

Bob

[Moniker]

Hey Don, I just went back to read the thread below-"interesting info about the liver". You say that you spent 45 minutes in your yard throwing snow straight up in the air. I haven't suffered dementia to that extreme yet on tx; hope I never get "that bad"...

Maybe back in my drinking, drugging days I did a lot of odd stuff. I actually had some adventures in Texas too. Spent a night in the jail at Coper's Cove, Texas. They arrested me for peeing behind a building. The police were crazier than the prisoners at that jail.  I had lots of adventures I'd really never want to revisit. Tx isn't so bad - well yes it is... Stick with the program; it gets better.

[GoofyDad]

Hmmmm. Reminds me of a rather unfortunate experience in Butler, GA. Actually, it was really kinda fun, but the Sheriff meted out his own idea of justice, with no oversight at all.

[friole]

Hey dodger - I haven't seen you post for a long time.  I am actually glad to see you are still working at all.  It must be a dreadful job this time of year. I don't know about the stomach problems -- I sure hope the scope tells you what you need to know.  I haven't wanted to quit yet, myself, (at week 22) but have sure been realizing what a long haul it is to 48.  We can do it, I just know we can.

The hair situation is really starting to bother me.  It is terribly noticeable to me and my husband looks so sad in the eyes when he asks me about me hair. Today I bought Nioxin products and will give them a try.

Hey boys --- you guys weren't the only ones hitchin' 35 years ago.  Heck. I didn't even have a driver's license until I was 26.  My longest hitch was from Alma, Colorado to Imperial Beach California (a couple of miles from Tijuana).  Quite a trip, my might add.  Just me and my dog, Cherokee.  I met some mighty interesting folks - got dropped off in the middle of nowhere a few times - but nothing bad ever happened.  You sure could not do that now.

Stator - I am in West Texas and very familiar with Colorado City.  Can't imagine being dumped off there.  How long were you stuck?

frijole

[strator]

Goof - Know what ya mean about creative justice. In this case-as we were broke, the Ranger suggested the wacko pawn a gun to pay the 'outrageous' speeding fine(never even asked for gun permits or nothin!). When the wackjob mentioned the beautiful camera in his trunk...

Justice of Peace: "Hey, I need a good camera!"
Wackjob: "Wonderful,wonderful camera, all it needs is film."
JP: "Payment noted. Case closed."
Back to the highway...
Me: "Dude! Are you NUTS?!! your doin 110 - You're crazy!"
WJb: Kid-if we ain't outta Texas before they buy film for that camera..well you know that tree in back of the courthose?"
Me: "Are you NUTS? Faster dude! Faster!"
Bettrn walkin across Texas I guess.

Bob - Funny thing is my kid was tossin the snow up as instructed. No questions. Knew the faraway look in my eye I guess.

beamish

....them fellas were infected with Anger & it's very unhealthy to be around..

Great line. The nurse asked my Dad if he was allergic to anything. He said "Yeah, pain."

[mistybean]

I did get one infection behind my ear.  A bump behind my ear.  The only other infection I seem to get is that my gums hurt.

[beamishboy]

absolutely!!! you know after i got out of the madtrucker's rig i was standin in the most gawd fersaken strectch of highway,pretty much resigned to spending the rest of the nite alone.lost&hungry..When this big Lincoln comes motoring up--couple of good old boys returning from a football game...They gave me a 16 0z glass of Johnny Walker&ice & a black beauty(them was the days....) dropped me off downtown St. Augustine...The rest,as they say,is history...Still make an annual trek to visit the friends i made that weekend--they're beach house is splendiferous& only exceeded by their hospitality!!!

[fresnoborn]

i have not had any infections while on tx but i do have mild inflammation in my stomach. i take nexium for it. i have also developed slight gum disease. good luck to you and keep us posted as to how you are doing. lol

[cquest]

I am not on tx but I get constant infections...you name it...it's infected sooner or later...big time bummer...gum disease too now I found out for the first time in my freaking life...

ah yes...the hitchhiking adventures...I hitched from Tucson to Boulder,Co by myself once (me = female) and got picked up by two truckers going almost all the way so I figured what the heck? and then we hit a weigh station...the one says 'hop in the back, insurance, you know?' and so I did...then we are on our way and the fat basta*d hopped in the back and started groping me...well, I outsmarted his a**...I started flailing my arms and legs, hitting the driver yelling 'I'll kill all of us! I don't give a sh*t! and the driver was like 'dude leave her alone!' and he did! I said 'let me out right now!' and they did! I was so furious...and the next guy (another man but what could I do? wait forever on the side of the road?) stopped, he looked pretty mild mannered...but then he grabbed my boob and asked if it was real! I was so hyped from the other dudes that I slapped him and started yelling about how he probably has 6 kids and what would his wife think and how dare he and so on...he left me alone and appologized...I can't believe some of the stuff I used to do that I would NEVER dream of now! I did finally make it to Boulder though...
Cin

[strator]

dodger1-
Easy to say but try and hang in there, if they clear the infection it might give ya a good boost for the rest of tx. Meant to comment on the freezing all the time also. Yea I am always cold now, the temp in the house is fine but I am chilled. Came home from meditation at chapel last night, left my super heavy jacket on for about 3 hrs in the house.  Never use to bother me as much workin outside, but now I'm cold even when we work inside.
May you be Blessed with easier days.

friole - Some big ol cowboy had picked me up in Ohio, never talked except to order food in Missouri. Pulled over near Col City and said-see that road, it's 10mls into my ranch, you git out here. Waited in that spot long enough for the night shift and day shift police to come and check my ids. Lottsa bugs too. Actually it was the longest I ever waited for a ride. Maybe 6-8 hrs. Longest trip I made was Fla to Ca. First I took a bus from home in CT to Jacksonville, hitched from there. Did Ct to Fla a number of times.
Hey my Dad is an Honorary Texan, no kidding. In WW2 he served with the 36th Division which was made up of Texas National Guard. After the war he got sent some papers giving him Texan status. Guess guys appreciated their medics aids. Wonder if that Justice of the  Peace woulda cared though.

Sorry about the hair. Hope you don't mind -
a couple of years ago new neighbors moved in a cross the street. One is a beautiful little girl about my grandaughters (9ish), same long silky black hair down to the waist. She was just starting treatment for Leukimia. I'd never met her til her hair was about gone and covered by a cap. Walking up the street from another house I saw her out front watching the other kids play, and went over to introduce myself- feeling kinda sad for her. I was absolutely blown away. She had the most love sharing, life is okay smile, Looked me in the eye with every bit the radiating happiness and joy for life you would wish every 9yro. In that split moment I knew God had just touched me through another human being. Today her hair is back at her waist, and the other kids have to stop and watch her play. It'll come back.
I wish you wonderful health and peaceful days,
Don

[jmjm530]

Getting scoped is a good idea and btw it's a painless procedure. I had it done during treatment and it's actually somewhat pleasant as these things go if they use a proper anasesthetic :) Since your blood test was positive for  H. Pylori I assume they will biopsy some stomach tissue to confirm -- something to discuss with them.

H. Pylori may or may not be the culprit as many people test positive for H.Pylori but no symptons. During the procedure they will also look at your esophagus. It may turn out that your symptons are not caused by H.Pylori but perhaps GERD which is a chronic reflux sympton. If it's GERD, they'll probably put you on a PPI like Nexium with some lifestyle suggestions.

I hear you about wanting to quit. Felt the same way about a month ago. I can't even imagine how difficult it must be to treat and also deliver the mail in cold conditions. That said, you've invested a considerable amount of time, energy and self into treatment so far. If you're treating 48 weeks you're over half way there.

There are some preliminary studies about a 24-week "short course" treatment for geno 1's with promising results. But in order to qualify you not only have to be non-detectible (<50 IU/ml) by week 4 BUT you also have to have a low pre-tx viral load (<600 IU/ml). If you meet both criteria it's an option to discuss with your doctor but my own opinion is that it's a more viable option for those with minimal liver damage (stage 0,1 and perhaps 2) since they have more wiggle room if things don't work out.

If you don't meet that criteria, a better plan might be to come up with ideas to ease your work schedule. Remember, treatment will pass in another six months.

All the best luck moving forward and let us know how the scope turns out.

-- Jim

[cougareyes]

I'm with you dodger, I'll take #24 tomorrow. I want this over so bad, but you have to keep the attitude "one shot for the gold". It would be so miserable if we short changed our treatment, and then it didn't stick for some reason.
Just do what you can do and try not to allow yourself to be too miserable. I tried to go back to work another day the last 2 weeks, just couldn't do it. I'm going back to 2 days a week. If you can still deliver mail at all, you're doing better than me.
Good Luck to you.......Peace