How bad is this?

[tyster]

I was recently diagnosed with hep c. I just went in to have blood work done. An automated system called with results and said that my viral count was just above 1,000,000. I'm concerned . How bad is this? They want me to start rx asap. Please tell me if this is a normal count for this virus in the beginning stage or if it is due to having this illness for a long period of time? also please explain about this interferon treatment works.                       thanks

[MajNeni]

I want to be one of the crones!  MN

[Califia]

Definitely a bad month for teeth.  I myself got a little overzealous with some Coffee Nips (anxiety over something or other--the election?--mortality?--financial survival?) and crunched through two crowns, which had to be replaced to the tune of two thousands dollars American.  And no dental coverage, of course.   So you two definitely have my sympathy.   But if we all end us as toothless old hags, there are those certain fabled advantages....

[doll face]

Nummmmmm .....I might have to move there too. Don't think I could ever become a vegitarian. I'm a meat and potatoes kind of girl

[doll face]

My bone density test came back normal also, My doctor says that the gum and bone disease in my jaw is hereditary, just that all the meds I was on accelerated it so fast.

Did my last shot Saturday night, I think it was physcological but it was the worst one I have had in many months. I definately am not going to miss those "day afters" SVR here I come.

[cuteus]

lol...I guess I can go live there, unless I become a vegetarian, thanks for the laugh

[Califia]

YOU DON'T NEED NO TEEF TO EAT MY BEEF.

(Radio ad for South Central BBQ joint,  seventies L.A. )

[annainitaly]

ooooh girls
this can feel like the drop that makes the vase flow over ...
let's call it one more reason to fight that bloody virus OUT. but sure you didn't need that one more reason. so sorry to hear that.
anna

[cuteus]

have you had a bone density test? I wonder if it will give an indication of bone loss in the jaw also? or do we need a different test for the bones and one for the jaw>? I was happy to get a good result on my density test, but now wonder if the jaw is ok...they did see some loss back in 1997...hummm.

[doll face]

I have had many dental problems since starting tx. Before starting I had my usual check ups and cleanings and have every 6 months. This last check up though the doctor came in and asked what meds I was on and what serious disease I had (even though it is in my chart)appearantly I have a serious gum disease that by taking all of these meds for so long has accelerated 10 times faster than if I had not taking anything.

I am only 40 and they said that it has progressed so far in the last 6 months that there is no real option than dentures on the top. I have always had soft teeth but nothing serious, now this.
My teeth aren't bad, its just that I have lost 2mm of bone mass in my upper jaw

They won't even consider starting to do that much work until I am completely off the meds and my blood counts get back up.

My hep doctor said that he has never heard of this happening but I have read (cant remember where) that it does.

I hope that you don't have to go through the same thing. I also now have to brush with sensitive toothpaste and then a brush on floride.

Another gift from the ole dragon. Good luck

[MajNeni]

I'm sorry you're having this tooth problem.  I also have cracks running up&down in my teeth; occasionally loose a piece.  It's very vexing.  I also had plenty of calcium in milk and dairy products.  My dentist said it was genetic.  Good luck; hope this is the last chip off the old blocks.
Maj Neni

[cuteus]

ooook, I'll opened this with what I consider to be  a gift from HCV, now made worse by interferon...back in 1996 or so, my student dentist and his professors were at a loss as to what was causing me to develop so many cavities in such short period of time, they tested saliva and other things and still got no answer, they should have tested for hcv, I guess.
I had so many fillings, I kept telling him, they were going to weaken my teeth further.
all this technology and they are still using a filling method that is over 75 yrs old.
since then, I have had several fractured teeth, had to have crowns and root canals, and just this year I've fractured two other teeth. The last one yesterday morning.
I am eating a bagel, hardly an item that can break anything and I ended up with a tooth piece in my hand. Depressed can't describe the feeling, and I've  used all my dental benefit for the year.  It'll probably cost me hundreds to fix this one
This really sucks, I don't want damn dentures at 50!
ok, there, I got it out of my chest...since I already got it out of my mouth.
I drank tons of milk all my life, not fair!
Doesn't anyone notice anything different with their dental health, or did before Tx?

[MajNeni]

Hi, Tyster, see my not above.