Aa
Email I received from a girl named Cathy
Hi Ron,
I have recently stumbled upon your e-mail address from Dr. Ren's web site message board. Which I had gotten out of a Hepatitis magazine.
You seem to be pretty informed on all this. I will tell you MY story, if you would listen, i would appreciate it. I don't know what to do at this point.
I am a healthy (5'6", 125 lb) 46 year old female. When I was 22 years old I was in a bad accident (was hit by a train) they saved my life, but gave me blood. I found out about 10 years ago I had Hep-C, type 2-b (the cause of my divorce), I have mild fibrosis, I think stage one. Had several biopsies done(every 5 yrs), results stay the same except the viral load keeps going higher, I believe it's 700 million. My doctor feels that because my liver is close to normal no need for treatment, because there wouldn't be anything to compare test A to test B to.(damage) He said treatment will only lower the viral load some, not irraticate it.
When I first found out, I had the biopsy done, I used to drink socially, I quit everything, smoking , drinking and took up the gym(running 3 miles a day and lifting every day, 5 days a wk) I did this for 3 yrs. and had another biopsy done, the results stayed the same (except for the viral load going way up) He wouldn't treat me. Said I was too healthy. My concern is that I now have had this for 24 years, I am starting to really worry about my mortality. And am afraid if I don't get treated while I am young enough to handle it, that I will get "sick" when I am, in their eyes, too old to be treated. I suffer from what you all call the "symptoms" depression, memory loss, fatigue, I haven't worked out in 2 years, and just sit and waste the days away.....just don't know where to focus anymore...do you have any ideas? I know that it's easy to say to get motivated, but I just need some answers about what to do with this, I feel helpless just sitting here doing nothing. I have a hard time dating , it's a big turn off to people...Thank you for your time, Cathy Collins
I have recently stumbled upon your e-mail address from Dr. Ren's web site message board. Which I had gotten out of a Hepatitis magazine.
You seem to be pretty informed on all this. I will tell you MY story, if you would listen, i would appreciate it. I don't know what to do at this point.
I am a healthy (5'6", 125 lb) 46 year old female. When I was 22 years old I was in a bad accident (was hit by a train) they saved my life, but gave me blood. I found out about 10 years ago I had Hep-C, type 2-b (the cause of my divorce), I have mild fibrosis, I think stage one. Had several biopsies done(every 5 yrs), results stay the same except the viral load keeps going higher, I believe it's 700 million. My doctor feels that because my liver is close to normal no need for treatment, because there wouldn't be anything to compare test A to test B to.(damage) He said treatment will only lower the viral load some, not irraticate it.
When I first found out, I had the biopsy done, I used to drink socially, I quit everything, smoking , drinking and took up the gym(running 3 miles a day and lifting every day, 5 days a wk) I did this for 3 yrs. and had another biopsy done, the results stayed the same (except for the viral load going way up) He wouldn't treat me. Said I was too healthy. My concern is that I now have had this for 24 years, I am starting to really worry about my mortality. And am afraid if I don't get treated while I am young enough to handle it, that I will get "sick" when I am, in their eyes, too old to be treated. I suffer from what you all call the "symptoms" depression, memory loss, fatigue, I haven't worked out in 2 years, and just sit and waste the days away.....just don't know where to focus anymore...do you have any ideas? I know that it's easy to say to get motivated, but I just need some answers about what to do with this, I feel helpless just sitting here doing nothing. I have a hard time dating , it's a big turn off to people...Thank you for your time, Cathy Collins
"80% SVR chance versus less than 1% chance of serious complications"
Ahhh....another poor soul who started tx without reading the insert.
Well, it's never too late to educate yourself.
Is diabetes serious ?
Is blindness serious?
Is hypo/hyper-thyroidism serious?
How about autoimmune hepatitis ? Serious ?
How about crippling arthritis ?
I could go on and on but as I think you may know the company has already printed all this info out for you to read.
You say you are "pro-tx". That's why we disagree. I am neither "pro" nor "anti-tx". I am for tx when it is APPROPRIATE.
PK
Ahhh....another poor soul who started tx without reading the insert.
Well, it's never too late to educate yourself.
Is diabetes serious ?
Is blindness serious?
Is hypo/hyper-thyroidism serious?
How about autoimmune hepatitis ? Serious ?
How about crippling arthritis ?
I could go on and on but as I think you may know the company has already printed all this info out for you to read.
You say you are "pro-tx". That's why we disagree. I am neither "pro" nor "anti-tx". I am for tx when it is APPROPRIATE.
PK
"Had several biopsies done(every 5 yrs), results stay the same except the viral load keeps going higher, I believe it's 700 million. My doctor feels that because my liver is close to normal no need for treatment, because there wouldn't be anything to compare test A to test B to.(damage) He said treatment will only lower the viral load some, not irraticate it.
When I first found out, I had the biopsy done, I used to drink socially, I quit everything, smoking , drinking and took up the gym(running 3 miles a day and lifting every day, 5 days a wk) I did this for 3 yrs. and had another biopsy done, the results stayed the same (except for the viral load going way up) He wouldn't treat me. Said I was too healthy. "
It was quite obvious what I was referring to. Some people need a picture drawn. Others like you,need it colored in, too. ;)
PK
When I first found out, I had the biopsy done, I used to drink socially, I quit everything, smoking , drinking and took up the gym(running 3 miles a day and lifting every day, 5 days a wk) I did this for 3 yrs. and had another biopsy done, the results stayed the same (except for the viral load going way up) He wouldn't treat me. Said I was too healthy. "
It was quite obvious what I was referring to. Some people need a picture drawn. Others like you,need it colored in, too. ;)
PK
Is diabetes serious ?
Is hypo/hyper-thyroidism serious?
How about autoimmune hepatitis ? Serious ?
How about crippling arthritis ?
yes, and all finding a connection to chronic hep c infection. even at stage one. but we spend so much time reading inserts, we don't have time to read the research on extrahepatic manifestations. Oh! that's right! they don't exist with stage one or maybe they just don't exist, period. My bad.
Is hypo/hyper-thyroidism serious?
How about autoimmune hepatitis ? Serious ?
How about crippling arthritis ?
yes, and all finding a connection to chronic hep c infection. even at stage one. but we spend so much time reading inserts, we don't have time to read the research on extrahepatic manifestations. Oh! that's right! they don't exist with stage one or maybe they just don't exist, period. My bad.
"depression, memory loss, fatigue, I haven't worked out in 2 years, and just sit and waste the days away.....just don't know where to focus anymore.."
Lack of concentration, motivation, fatigue, and listlessness all point to depression. Depression is not just feeling 'blue'. Those are all classic symptoms. The LAST thing you need if you are depressed is interferon and ribavirin.
PK
"in mental distress, probably pre-menopausal, paralyzed by fear"
Wow. You picked up all of that in the post ? You are GOOD.
Lack of concentration, motivation, fatigue, and listlessness all point to depression. Depression is not just feeling 'blue'. Those are all classic symptoms. The LAST thing you need if you are depressed is interferon and ribavirin.
PK
"in mental distress, probably pre-menopausal, paralyzed by fear"
Wow. You picked up all of that in the post ? You are GOOD.
could someone post the link to the 1 in every 100 commits suicide? I still have not found anything but "less than 1% become suicidal" does not even say they completed it...
on the other hand, my ortho evra patch insert has one section dedicated to the possibility of death from contraceptives use. talk about risk reward. dying or having a baby..
on the other hand, my ortho evra patch insert has one section dedicated to the possibility of death from contraceptives use. talk about risk reward. dying or having a baby..
Stop following me around can-do :) I am tired and like the easy way out.
Id much rather be 'following' you then be in front of you if a piece of my rear end was what you were after. :) Why does a iron skillet in one hand and a rolling pin in the other come to mind? Hope you have a great day
Id much rather be 'following' you then be in front of you if a piece of my rear end was what you were after. :) Why does a iron skillet in one hand and a rolling pin in the other come to mind? Hope you have a great day
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