News items, other thoughts, thanks, open thread

[TnHepGuy_]

Here are a few things that caught my eye recently:

<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16251813&query_hl=9">Hepatitis C virus populations in the plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells and cerebrospinal fluid of HIV/hepatitis C virus-co-infected patients</a>

This study suggests some troubling items: HCV RNA independently replicating in cerebrospinal fluid. And differing genotypes of HCV RNA in different 'compartments' of the body, suggesting each compartment may possess the ability to be an indepenent replicatory breeding arena.



<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16144125&query_hl=7">Occult viral hepatitis and noncirrhotic hepatocellular carcinoma</a>

This story points out the need for any SVR to keep an eye on the state of the health of their liver over time - based upon the experiences of occult HBV.


(post continued below)

[crushed]

yes the iron issues concern me for many reasons. my last ferritin was 890 up from the previous 725. i emailed the Dr expressing concern because they had ordered a test for hemochromatosis and i questioned if it was because of the iron abnormalities citing the fact i have thalassemia as a reason for iron aberrations. his response was that if the saturation (total iron as a % of iron binding capacity) was above 45% with an elevated ferritin level then i should be tested for hemochromatosis. the two tests i saw were 43% & 46% so being i had the script i had the test done yesterday. also as you mentioned (my mom an RN did as well) the iron may become more of a problem because of the thalassemia and ribavirin causing even more rbc damage elevating the levels further. i'm no Dr but at this point am really getting ticked at the stuff i'm running across. the problem of hijacking is why i was trying to get people such as yourself on another board where there are no restrictions. there's a lot of good input from members here that needs to be disseminated better. i don't care if "there are no doctors here" as i've stated before you don't need a Phd to be intelligent and most of the people here have a greater vested interest in beating this virus as opposed to anyone else.

thanks

[sunspot]

Thanks. I have my next week lab orders. I'll put a check mark next to any iron test I see.

[GoofyDad]

I take a pretty relaxed attitude to this. I try to bounce between thighs based on the last one I put that med in (peg, procrit, neupogen), but I might also go for the one that wasn't hit the last time around regardless of the med. I have a couple little bruises that I avoid, and one old scar, but that's about it.

I've read here about dots, X'es, charts, and who knows what all. I just ready, fire, aim - attempting to spread things around. Is this an issue if I have no outward signs of trauma (no dots, no red, no bumps, no nothin')? Do I need to be more careful about not repeating the same spots?

[crushed]

FWIW i've been pretty much the same just trying not to wear a spot out. i started on my abdomen then went to swapping thighs after a bit i'll probably go back to the abdomen and give the thighs a rest...i don't see it as a real science. one thing is that i was doing injections right from the fridge. then i started letting them warm for a bit and after speaking with my mom she mentioned that she had read something that claimed as much if not more scarring can occur from the injection being cold then the actual injection.

did i mention i hate needles? =8^(

[MerrieJane]

According to my instructional video, you GENTLY roll the syringe in your palms for one minute to warm it up.

Also, my Peggasist nurse said that the current protocol no longer requires you to pull the plunger back to see if you have hit a vein.  I didn't say it, but my goodness, update your stinking video then!  Plus, the video doesn't mention to leave the needle in for a few extra seconds to make sure you get all of your meds.  Also, while injecting, release the pinched skin.  Neither of these items were mentioned in my video.

P.S. Todays' pet peeve:  If my used needles are such a bio-hazard, why is getting rid of them so hard?  Only the local (many miles away) health department takes them...not my Dr. or pharmacy.  Does this make sense in the name of public safety?

MerrieJane

[Pirategold]

In response to your comment about more alcohol drinkers relapsing, I do not know of any studies, I was only attempting with my logic to understand why, in fact, they tend to relapse more often than non drinkers.  

I guess that what I have come to believe is that perhaps those who are exposed to Hep C and who manage to kill every last virus and are not suffering with chronic Hep C, may very well have not used alcohol daily and therefore did not had a weakened, stressed liver and immune system and thereby were able to kill every virus in their body.

I guess, that I am thinking that perhaps part of the treatment involves "assisting" the body's natural immune system and that perhaps the poisons that initially kill the virus may perhaps be aided by our own improved liver and our hopefully improved immune system and that if we do not take up daily alcohol consumption again, that perhaps our own body will do final battle with the virus thereby preventing relapse.  

And based on my own experience, I believe that perhaps once I find my body free of the nasty virus, I might like to return to occasional wine at dinner again, but am wondering if that might in fact be a very bad idea!  I would think that people who have come to enjoy alcohol might find it very difficult to give it up permanantly and that may be part of the reason for the relapse, not past use but the tendency to continue to use it in the future, post treatment.

Pirate