Good Morning! I hope all is well---We are on our way to SVR

[Mister beagle bailey]

Good morning,

I hope all is feeling well.  Today is shot #2 for me and I hope all goes well, with 22 shots to go.  I just hope my anemia does well.  If any one has info for Iceboy about anemia please let him know.  We don't want him stoping tx, there has to be an answer for him/her that works.  I'm one who never believe's in giving up.  Today is the first day of the rest of our life--let's use it well not just for our self but to help others.  Iceboy has Thalassemia anemia( the same as I ) Andy you have much knowledge, can you help?


  BB

[sparkie#2]

i dont have anyadvise for that but i do have an other question
the drug sheets that came with meds say not to take anything with aluminum, magnesium, and simethicone. well that is what antacids are so what do we take for heartburn? ther has to be somthing.....right?
im there with you MR BB take second shot tuesday nite.
thank you all
Dee

[dyce]

Good morning.
            Shot2 two today GOOD DEAL!It's reassuring the Doc is on standby with the procrit.Sure feel bad for Iceboy,especially up there where he lives!Didn't mean to get so wound up yesterday but I had a nerve struck.Sometimes it's hard for me to beleive I really have hcv because I still feel good and have a lot of energy.Other than a few sx.Yesterday I read some post and can't beleive how oggresive some of thease people are tx.Hats off to them.Keep me posted on how your doing!

Rick

[Mister beagle bailey]

dyce---  Yesterday is gone and for gotten, we all have days like that.  Every one is not the same with sides.  I'm told it get's better with time.  I feel really bad for iceboy and wish there was some thing we can do.  Any info send it his way.

Sparkie#2--- we are tx buddies, will be thinking of you Tuesday.  About heartburn, I will try and find out.  However, try calling your DR. and see what he has to say.

Stay well,

BB

[friole]

Gosh, everytime I read a good thread it is maxed out so this kind of continues yesterday's thread right below.... So good Sunday morning to all.

BB -- good luck on shot 2.  Glad they are going well so far.  You are right - 2006 is a good year for SVR.  I am sorry I don't know much about the Thallessemia but I also hope they start Iceboy on a blood booster soon.

Kalio -- Hey my son (who go married in June) just called and said they were going to have a baby in September.  How fun - we will be gramma's together.  My husband started calling me Nanna Nut with my other two (ages 6 and 5) and so that is what I am - Nanna Nut.  I kind of like the ring of it.

Strator -- I try not to watch the grandkids on shot night.  I consider that my night.  I do it on Friday in the middle of my SciFi Friday -- Stargate, Stargate Atlantis, and Battleship Gallactica--- boy was I glad to see them start back up this past Friday (hey Cquest and Nygirl- do you like them?).

Avid - Gosh, I don't know how you are handling the increased meds. Have you had that 24 week PCR yet?  If you posted the results, I missed them - can you repeat?  I should get my 24 wk results tomorrow, according to the lab.

Magnum - I am so sorry these upped doses are taking their toll.  If you can't get a wider syringe, I think you should do it in two shots.  I think that is what some people do who have to do large doses of the procrit.  I think it was Snook who pointed out at some time that sometimes a dose is actually too large to inject in one place.  I hope the vaporized works.  Does the spouse get some residual benefits (LOL)?

Nauti - on the hair question yesterday.  It sounds like my hair is doing exactly what ChevyGirl said.  It started coming out at about 12 weeks.  I was absolutely obsessed and would line them up on the shower wall (better than clogging the drain) and count them.  When it started getting to 100 a day, I quit counting (that plus another 20-40 in the comb out and blow dry). I figure I have lost 30-40% of my hair.  I started using Nioxin for thinning hair a month ago.  Perhaps that is what helped, but I have also read on some Hep C site that the hair loss goes in 3 month cycles so maybe mine just completed its cycle.  At any rate, I am glad it has slowed.

To all a good day ...Frijole

[jaroman]

Goof:  Yea, yea,yea!  You are finis!!! You cant go away though;we need your fabulous wit around here. My best,best wishes to you.
Heartburn: I "think" taking some TUMS at least a couple hours before or after the RIBA should be OK; Jim may know for sure.
Anyway, thats what I do.  Good day to all.

[Mister beagle bailey]

A few posts down there is a post about heartburn.  JMM JMM-- said there is something for heartburn, ask him what it is, it may help.

Stay well,

BB

[Mister beagle bailey]

Thanks again, I hope I don't have to many sx tonight.  About heartburn can you send it to sparkie #2 and explain it so he know's there is an answer.

Thanks again,

BB

[Mister beagle bailey]

I know what you mean, I felt great and could not believe I had Hep C.  I guess you don't feel sick till the final stages, and by that time it's harder to cure.

How are you doing?

BB

[Mister beagle bailey]

Does any one know if Geno type tell's how you will react to tx?

Thanks,

BB

[dyce]

Im fine thank you.Going to walk the dogs shortly,trying to stay in shape to start tx next mnth.Going to try to find some imfo. on the t-anemia for Iceboy later today.Poor guys having a hard time.Hope Magnum and the others tx aggresively are good today.Hope that 2nd shot goes well for you today!

PEACE Rick

[jmjm530]

You can take antacids on treatment but they can interfere with the absorption of ribavirin. For that reason I always timed my antacid meds two hours before or after my ribavirin dose. Did the same thing with psyllium (metamusil) and flax seeds which can also interfere with the absorption of some meds. Depending on the severity of your heartburn, alternatively you might consider protein pump inhibitors (PPI's) like Aciphex or Nexium where you won't have the absorption problem. There are also some longer lasting over-the-counter remedies like  ZAN-tac (ranitidine) but not sure how they affect riba absorption. Run everything by your doctor but if you get a sense they aren't up to speed check with other sources including the Roache or Shearing help lines.

Speaking of riba absorption, one study suggests that ribavirin absorption can be enhanced when taken with higher-fat meals. I've also found it helps with the sides. Good luck!

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

I actually meant to say that a two hour window is what I've read but I always waited at least three hours to take an antacid before or after I took the riba. Keep in mind I'm quite neurotic about the whole riba dose/absorption issue :)

-- Jim

[andyarundel]

This is a very difficult situation from a clinicians point of view as they would be dealing with anemia in it

[NYgirl]

Friole

Hahahaha yes our GATES are BACK!  "bounce with me...bounce with me...ahhhh..."  (Took me so long to find out what that commercial was singing I had to ask my daughter!  I am getting OLD it seems!)

How did you know I watch them all?  I'm so glad it's a new season because honestly if I had to see that one with Danielle and Vala again I'd blow the tv apart!  I love Adama and Apollo and the gang! Don't let me go on or people will come and lock me up.

When I first started watching (oh yeah I watch Firefly too if I get home early enough) my kids were like mom.....you've turned into such a GEEK!  I was like hey just watch for a couple minutes the Wraiths are really scary...and I swear I saw their heads spin around and their eyes roll back LOL!

BB - ah shot 2 at last!  I am so glad you have so few left.  Since we're twins it would make more sense that we would end together but you are starting after and finishing earlier. That therefore means that the chicks are the tougher of twins (and more stubborn with more stubborn pig headed virus's inside)!  
;-)

You know I am rooting for you with all of my heart. Can't wait to read how well you did tomorrow!

[avidreader]

Had my 24 week PCR last week. I've got my fingers crossed for both of us!

[cuteus]

I have not read anything that makes any type of correlation between genotype and how tx is handled. They are all hep c virus and the genotypes are subspecies of that one virus. The meds are affecting your body the same.

goof; you crossed the finish line? and out of breath?
here is to a much speedy recovery AND svr, of course.

[GoofyDad]

No, sadly rumours of my completion have been grossly exagerated.....

[strator]

You know when I set up the offer with my daughter at Xmas, I just figured it wouldn't be on shot night. When  she called yesterday I hesitated, but then figured aww I don't do my shot til about 11 anyways. So it was no real problem Sat. Although I had fun  spending almost 2 hrs playing cards,a rather funny and bizarre form of war, with the 4yr old, the grandkids were having such a good time with my 14yr old I ended up doing my regular chores mostly. Injection didn't even matter much when they woke me at 4am cause the 4 yr old had gotten sick in bed.(NO junk food that night either, still happens). BUT Sunday I was counting on the 14yro going out with his other Grandfather in from NM,which he did, and my daughter was to p/up the kids by noon, so I could rest. She changed it til 3 and I did practically jump for joy at 2pm when the 4yro suddenly took a nap. MAN, I was tired. Glad I did it though. The're already makin plans for soon again. It's hard sometimes on my son, w/no kids around. Next time though, maybe Friday night.
Be well
Don

[cuteus]

nothing is posted on their site yet for the NYC MArch in the Summer, but the Wash, DC March is booked for this year
http://www.march-on-dc.com/

LOLA organized last year's gathering in NYC, but have not finalized anything this year yet. It does not matter what group sponsors it, as long as it brings a face to the illness for all to see that anyone can be affected, and we show by numbers that it is not an invisible, obscure disease.

[strator]

Kalio1- Thanks, the 10 yr old is wonderful. The 4yro though looks just like her mom when she was her age, didn't appreciate what was in my life then, made it pretty special last night.

Hands are a mess-but on a related note-In desperation today when the itchiness kicked in(mostly on my lower legs and back) I went on a mission. The American Gold Bond itch spray that seemed to work the last 2 days was doing nothing for it today. Back to the hunt-down to the hall closet that contained assorted stuff left over from the 54 yrs my family has been here. Bingo- a can of solarcaine sunburn first aid spray, fearfully I checked the expiration date ...1986. Aw Go for it. Immediate relief. Only problem, everytime I sprayed an area(including my hands where it also worked)-the itch popped up someplace else. Like trying to roll up a large air mattress or sleeping back, get one air pocket out, there's another one. So far, well, though only tempoary relief, I can't wait to buy a new can to put in the closet.

cuteus-Glad your posting this. Felt pretty guilty the week of my 2nd shot when i passed up a chance to accompany the support group from the Va to Hartford for a liver disease walk.I gotta start walkin the walk, know what I mean.

Stay Well All,
Don

[Forseegood]

Just wanted to tell you I saw your paintings, lots of love in your skills, are you still working on them while youre on tx? that would be a trip. What are the materials you use? just curious. Thanks for sharing them with us.

Cuteus: Keep us the good activism, fight the good fight!

[strator]

Thanks.  Yes I'm still painting some days on tx but not as much as I'd planned. Energy level is a problem. Some days just don't wanna put into it what it takes outta me. I used to do a lot of my art late at night or blitzkreig through 12-18hrs straight at the easelwhen not at work. Can't seem to get through it that way presently. In fact I had figured I wouldn't be up to do a day job as much on tx and had secretly hoped it would force me to apply myself to the art full time. Was in fact supposed to be illustrating a book this year for a writer I met. Turned out she and her husband both had done tx and are SVR. She has been kind enough to say just wait, when your ready the book is there. Putting food on the table keeps takin priority.
Oils on canvas and pencil are my preference. Have done a lot of work in acrylics for murals and illustration jobs. The face of the little drummer boy(my son actually) was a full scene Christmas  card in B&W,printed in blue. One day went back and painted the face under a magnifying glass, what you saw is maybe 3in x 2in  acrylic. Murals are as big as 25ft x whatever.

How are you feeling lately. Am I correct that your leaning more towards tx?
Hope things are well,
Don

[cuteus]

I only started "walking" after tx ended and svr was on its way, it was embarrassing to see folks on tx and some in wheelchairs and walkers doing the March in DC last June, and me waiting to be done to do it. We all do what we feel we can. Whenever you are ready. I got to meet Dr Cecil, which was the highlight of my day. Very nice man. I hope I can carpool this year, though. I only went for the day of the March, not the whole weekend.

[cuteus]

Vic, he did it in DC also, informal consults with the folks there.  He is a very special person.