Cirrhosis of the liver

[Lostmyway54]

Is there anyone here who is suffering fromt this disease? If so, did you find help in rehabilitation? I will tell my own story after I know that I am in the right place.

[Tim in Tenn]

I am new here myself.Diagnosed 8 weeks ago.Genotype 1 grade 2 stage 3.Go to discuss treatment next Friday.I believe this forum is about having others to talk to about this disease(for information or just for support)but anyways feel free to tell your story as none of us are perfect and Im sure we all have stories to tell.I know I do.Got this disease along with 7 others by iv drugs(my first and only time)but that makes me no better or worse than any of the other 7, several of which were heavy drug users.I dont hate them at all(my choice my consequences).Anyway I wish you the best in rehab and in treatment.I'll be praying for you.And as the old song goes"Lean on me,when your not strong.Ill be around when you need somebody to lean on!
                                         Take Care,
                                         Tim in Tenn

[Sablerae]

I have taken 5 shots of pegasys. I got a couple of sores in my mouth last week, now I have a mouth full of sores ........awww the pain. I have been gargleing with salt water and my doctor told me to get this spray for your mouth call hurricane. I got it and all it does is numb it for a bit. Does anyone else have the mouth sore problem? What do you do? Does anyone know why we get these sores in the mouth, it is terrible. Can't eat or talk right either.
God Bless
Sablerae

[Tos356]

Hi Sandy,
  I am 3a, also, and in my eighth week on Pegasys. The drug manufacturer gave my liver doctor a lab test schedule, running my blood work almost every two weeks with viral load at three months and again at the end of my tx. I guess this will vary from doctor to doctor. I'm having to visit with him in order to get my lab slips, every other time, unless things change.
  It really does seem like you have to play a game with the doctors to get relief from the sides. My primary physician ordered Hydrocodone (Loritab) for my aches and pains, but only under the supervision of my Gastrologist. I promised that I would cut the tablet into fourths and take them spareingly. Mostly I have found buffered aspirin, or half the reccomended dose of Tylenol, works well enough to take the edge off. Don't mix the Loritab with the Tylenol! It's  already better than 95% Acetaminophen combination formula, and taking it with Tylenol would be going the wrong direction with your liver treatment. I have changed doctors many times over the years in order to find the right ones for me. You may have to do the same. Take it from me, though, they don't like for you to badmouth other doctors to in front of them. My BAD! I guess that's understandable given they are a special breed of people, but every one is unique.
  Basically, they strongly support calling the nurse on duty if you experience extraordinary side affects, and Pegasys has a 24hr. hotline. The pharmaceutical company representitive even called me two weeks in and asked if everything was okay. I was impressed. I hope this info. has helped some, even though you still have to do this on your own. There is a lot of wonderful inspiration from good people here. Good luck and God bless! ;)

[jonihs]

I have decompensated cirrhosis. Because of both HepC and alot of abuse by alcohol, my liver failed last year. I was in ICU for 7 days then tx. for alcoholism. I have not taken a drink since and through medication and diet, I have been able to have somewhat of a normal life. Next week I will start trying to find a Dr. that will tx. my HCV. New data shows that it can be treated in people w/ cirrhsis, it is even been known to improve liver health enough that some patients no longer need transplants, and even those that have transplants have a lower rate of re-infection. Any questions I can answer about cirrhosis, I will be glad to do so. I hope I can help you.         Joni

[doll face]

My primary physican gives me anything that I need for pain or sides but I make sure that he gets a copy of my blood work and he is the one who referred me to my specialist to begin with so it works out well. You may want to consider changing your primary.But  you don't want to take to many more drugs than is absolutly necessary. Bringing a copy of your paper work so your doctor knows everything will help. Good luck, some of us were blessed with good, caring doctors I hope that you find one too.

[LvdByGod]

SORRY, I DO NOT KNOW ABOUT THE CHIRHOSIS. I WISH YOU THE BEST.

NEW QUESTION:
I am about to start tx and wondered if your primary physisians deal with treating your side effects from tx or do your liver dr.s give you prescriptions for side effects?

my primary is new to me and does not give out prescriptions without a fight. she has had someone abuse pills. so now it is hard to get anything for any problem i may have. i pulled a muscle last week and it was very painful and i had to go in once and call in 4x before she would o.k. muscle relaxant.i was in alot of pain. she said we don't give out pain killers here we just tell people to take motrin.

i don't understand her bad attitude about meds, but my fear is what if she won't work with me, with my side effects from tx?

also can someone tell me what the schedual for followup appt.s like blood tests ect... after you first start tx. in otherwords how often do you see your GI and how often your primary care. how do they follow up on your saftey from the tx? is there a suggested plan from the drug companies? (i will be on pegysys for 6 mo. or so for type 3a.) THANKS AHEAD, SANDI