Edema and Hep-C

[dog_lover]

As a 52 year old male. I found out about a year ago that I have hep c. (Viral load 7E6, genotype 1b, grade 3 stage 2 (biopsy)). The VA has denied me treatment because I suffer chronic depression and I also suffer from chronic debilitating back pain and take replacement testosterone.  The VA thinks that I will go out and blow my brains out if I go on Interferon. (I live in a very supportive household.) With my stubborn genotype and high viral load they have recommended that I take non-pegylated Interferon/Ribavirin DAILY for 48 weeks.) I recently began collecting lymph fluid in my lower legs,feet and I think, my hands and to a degree my face.  I was given an extensive battery of cardiac tests all of which were negative. The VA thinks it may be due to my long-term use of dilauded for my back pain. (I have an indwelling interthecal pump that administers the drug and the dosage is very small.) I disagree and think it's due to my hepatitis-c, Any ideas out there?  With my hep-c configuration would it be a bad idea to wait 6-12 months to try to get a better handle on my depression before starting treatment as the VA recommends?  Coincidently, I don't drink and haven't for ... oh gee, maybe three years.  Aside from that should I be taking milk thistle?  Besides avoiding Tylenol/Vicodin are there any other substances that I would be wise to avoid?  The VA is doing wonderful work on this nasty disease but in my case I think they may have made a mistake in judgement.  Having access to this forum is a god send and I appreciate any response you may post

[sfbaygirl]

Isn't Sandia a nuclear lab?  One that gathers protesters, etc?  

I have known a few people who couldn't take codiene. Fiorinal is a mild sedative. Vicodin or what Kalio and others take Vicophrofen is  not opiate, but a synthetic opiate, that supposedly is not as hard on the liver and people who can't handle codeine can take vicodin. Personally, I can't stand vicodin, it makes me feel weird, but codiene is fine. Everyone has different reactions to drugs, as we can all atest to here!

[NYgirl]

Said: I'm allergic to codeine and I'm looking for a stronger pain reliever that doesn't have it


Unfortunately for you if you are allergic to the codeine based narcotics...most likely the stronger ones are also morphine derivitive and are going to bother you more.

Vicodin is really no "stronger" than a tylenol #4 but it's made with hydrocodone which is a synthetic type base.  As it's synthetic it might bother you = but vicodin is not really anything that I would call "strong" at all.

It might be worth a try though - even if there isn't really much difference it might be enough!

[NYgirl]

From what I was told also if I had ANY history of depression I would have not been allowed on treatment either. They are VERY strict with this because they told me as well there is a VERY high chance of suicide while on it with a history.

I don't really get why they can't medicate with a good prescription and just TRY it and SEE if it affected the depression or not...I mean it doesn't do it to EVERYONE.

I would see if perhaps you can get in to a regular doctor.  But unfortunately - it is one of the conditions and it is VERY serious.


What a bummer.

[doglover28]

Hi Dog_lover...I'm a doglover, too.  Welcome.
When I went to the doctor yesterday, he asked if I had ever been hospitalized for Psychiatric reasons.  I haven't, but I did ask for some AD to prepare me for treatments and to help deal with being recently diagnosed. At first, he wanted to wait until the appointment that we will have to dicuss in detail treatment (after biopsy and ultra sound) He said normally they prescribe them to all patients at that appointment.  I asked if I could go ahead and get started on them. He prescribed them yesterday.

[Bill1954]

Jim-- after re-reading dog_lovers post, I think the VA may be considering daily dosing with the older, non-pegylated IFN

[dog_lover]

I'll try.  It's not just a matter of picking up the phone.  These practitioners are buried under several layers of minions.  You are correct however when you say that they are using the nonpegylated version of the Inf.  When I lost everything last year I also lost my blue-chip health insurance.  My internist is a goddess, brilliant, very warm hearted and concerned, beautiful and funny. If it was her, she would get me started then in spite of a heavy patient load she would call me every night to see if I'm OK.  My internist at the VA got p/o'd at me for addressing her by her first name.  She would serve mankind much better if she were a pathologist.  Having said that the VA is tops when it comes to dealing the this disease we share. A significant number of their population have it. Their reasoning as I understand it is simply that I have a nasty genotype and if they can get it first time out they won't have to put me through that again.  I'm in Oregon and our VA is rated as one of the best VA's, the best of the best.  I disagree with their making treatment decisions using people who have never treated me under any circumstance.  Sorry to drone on so ... Dog_Lover (That part's true by the way, I have three of the sweet rascals.)