Remember This!!!

[DallasStar]

Today I Had A Serious Regrouping Session with My
Mind...Body & SOUL.....
I just wanted to Share MY Insight with all Of You..
I Hope No-one Minds..

Please take a Few Minutes to Remember
That We are All In this Together...

REMEMBER THIS

If God BRINGS Me to It....
He Will BRING Me Through It...


"May TODAY there Be PEACE Within YOU"....

May You TRUST God that YOU are EXACTLY where YOU
are Meant to BE....

I Believe That FRIENDS Are Quiet ANGELS....

Who LIFT Us to OUR Feet...

When Our WINGS have Trouble REMEMBERING HOW TO FLY...

As Always

Dallas

[berlynn]

Chevy and Dallas, If I would have started from this thread and not from the top,....I would have calmed and been much more thankful...for having this hep famliy...you "hip-flys" hahaha

Layla, I have also had intense head aches.My longest was also 10 days. MY doc perscribed vicodin..I have not had any that have lasted quite as long since ..but still some are intense.I woke up with one on Sun. morn...took a vicodin and went back to sleep woke up with it more intense at 3:30..took another vicodin and slept til 8pm. I have had the vicodin for several mos now and have only taken them a couple of diff times and more recently bc of much muscle and joint pain from waist up through neck and arms and of course, head. I do not take ambien and in the last week or so have not had any sleeping pills, which I only took very rarely and those were trazadone. This last week...I could fall asleep standing. I am also worried about taking all these meds and now pain pills too. Just that much more to ween my body off of. Just how strong do I think I am? I just wanna get through this though ...whatever it takes. You are one strong woman....I don't know how you have been able to do all this and work too. Take care, kim

Judi, feel better soon!! :)

Oaky, welcome, glad to see your post...keep comming here for info, support and friendship....being a 2, I think you made the right choice. Just my thoughts, Good Luck, kim


Befud..happy to read that things seem to be moving in a more positive direction. I am amased at how well you are handling it all your daughter and her friend are very lucky to have you and your guidance. kim

[Indiana]

I can sympathize with your problems. I read this today and thought of you.....
An office manager was given the task of hiring an individual to fill a job opening.
After sorting through a stack of resumes he found four people who were equally
qualified. He decided to call the four in and ask them one question and their
answer would determine who would get the job.

The day came and as the four sat around the conference room table the interviewer
asked "What is the fastest thing you know of?" pointing to the man on his right.

The first man replied "A thought. It pops into your head. There's no forewarning
that it's on the way, it's just there. A thought is the fastest thing I know of."

"That's very good!" replied the interviewer. And now you sir? He asked the second
man.

"Hmm....let me see, A blink! It comes and goes and you don't know ever happened.
A blink is the fastest thing I know of."

"Excellent!" said the interviewer "The blink of an eye. That's a very popular clich

[audreywald]

Darn, by time I type a name I forget what I wanted to say. Hmmm-

oh yeah, I am tremendously bothered by stomach stuff since I started this stuff. Not vomiting but lots of pain, constipation OR a need to go urgently. Stools bear no resemblence to the old me, half a cup of coffee and I was good for the day. (once in the morning did it)

Now I need to try to plan my schedule in accordance with my new stomach. Be near a bathroom. Be willing to change plans. Today I was seeing my grandson't therapist, she was late, after waiting 20 minutes, I knew I could not wait any longer. JUST made it home in time. NOT fun. I just had dinner and my stomach is starting to hurt again. I KNOW it is the meds, things started to change very quickly after I started tx.

How are you feeling now? Any better? Let us know, please.

Sending you good thoughts.

[willing]

I'm sorry the headaches are so rough. I had minor problems but nothing of the caliber you're describing. Getting to see your heptologist is probably a major project - is there a nurse or pa? The occasional vascular damage that affects eyesight/hearing may also be a factor with headaches. Best wishes.

[hepcgetlost]

All of our stories are so similar. I'm really grateful for the help you've all given me. It's been a strange day.

I took the phenergan, screamed at my husband in the worst episode of riba rage I've expereience, and fell sound asleep right after my last post. Just woke up and forced myself to get up. My head is splitting and I'm exhausted and achy but the nausea seems to be better.

So maybe it was a flu or something I ate. The only thing I did differently yesterday was eatting banana bread...for some reason, I've developed a real distaste for bananas, which before tx I at at least 1/2 banana a day. I forgot about it and ate some banana bread. Who knows? I'm grateful to be on the mend after just 24 hours. Still can't eat, but I'll try a little melba toast later.

I saw there were some new ones posted above, so I'm going to leave this thread now...wishing each and every soul here good health and  love,
judi

[Showboat]

You really have a wonderful attitude.  I like how you look for the good in this situation.....and I am sure you must handle your life with this positive attitude.  You are an inspiration.  I love how you are emotionally supporting your daughter and her boyfriend......the "bonds" grow deeper, and your daughter will always feel a "safe harbour" with you.  Way to go.  Peace.

[cuteus]

what size is used on a banana? is it flavored?  How many tries did it take him to get it?  LOL. I could not help myself, must be Kimmy's lingering influence.  
No brain fog for u on this one.  you are handling it superbly and making sound decisions. WOW!




Kimmy: be well and stay with us, even in absentia. :-)

[cuteus]

I tried the vanilla flavor, it does have some sugar, so if you don't mind the taste, maybe plain is better for now. don't get fat free as you need the fat for vitamin absortion. I found the organic Brown Cow in LA, Breyers or Colombo, anything that does not contain modified starch, gelatin, and other fillers. milk and active cultures, period.  as you get better you can try flavored.
feel better.

[cuteus]

Even though I had only mild damage(right now), age is a big factor.  You don't want to be the one to relapse, but after a long tx, a long post tx wait to see if you are cured, and if not cured, and need to re-treat, time hasn't stopped.  we are older still with less chance at an effective cure.  The new drugs are not free of sx, with some still unknown until the drugs get released into the larger population. What if the trials get halted and thus the FDA approval, due to some severe reaction during trials?  We older folks would be even older when something finally comes.  IF you are serious about starting, know all possible ramifications and then commit.  You do have a better shot at cure than me.

Good luck, be well

[oaky]

hi folks..I just started tx on Friday-pegasys/copegus and except for some nasty headaches 24-72hrs in, manageable with Tylenol, I am feeling ok.Thanks to advice from this board and others, lots and lots of water and regular exercise...
My deal- I got infected 30+ years ago, diagnosed 1.5 years ago. Biopsy a year ago showed mild damage.Amazing since thru all those years, I have not been kind to my liver. Geno 3a. 250,000 load.55 years old, good health otherwise. During the past year, I have been thinking it through-I know I could wait, somewhat safely, for a few years, but I am 55 and I would just as soon get this thing done. And I cannot deny that being 3a, having to do only 24 weeks and having a 80% shot surely helped especially in contrast to some of you brave souls who are suffering through 48 weeks or into your second or third round. You folks are my inspiration and I sincerely thank you for your amazing strength.I know there are no guarantees and I am early into tx, but I am determined to get this dragon gone.......Thanks, JC

[hepcgetlost]

caruu, thank you. we must have posted at the same instant. it really means a lot to be able to come here and experience this kind of support, especially on a day like today.
much love...judi

[britgirl]

I had migraines for several years before tx, but they became much more frequent during those 6 months. The only thing that worked for me was Zomig (zolmitriptan). The good news is that now I have got rid of the virus, i get very few headaches.

[hepcgetlost]

Hi everyone,

I come to this forum several times each day to see how everyone is doing and to feel uplifted by all of your posts

[madbyron]

Calling your doc as soon as the office opens is the smart thing to do. If this is the first time you've experienced such violent nausea and vomiting it may be due to factors other than or in combination with the medication. Hopefully, it will pass soon and you will be able to get enough water to stay down to avoid dehydration. During treatment I experienced moderate nausea, queasiness and, as you so delicately put it, strange bowel movements, but no vomiting. I found that bland foods helped, and discovered that a couple supplements I was taking contributed to the situation. Others posters who have experienced severe nausea may have better insight to offer. I recall at least one person who took antiemetics and others have used medications and marijuana to increase appetite where weight loss was a problem. Let us know how things go for you.

[Eyedeas]

So sorryto hear what you're going through.  My sides varied a lot from week to week, some okay and some not so okay.  Let us know what your doc says.  If you're not even keeping down water, try drinking sports drinks so what does stay dow will replenish your electrolytes.  Hang tough!

Kim

[hepcgetlost]

The nurse called in a prescription for phenergan, which my husband just brought home for me. She said not to eat today if I could help it and just try to sip small amounts of water and gatorade. She didn't think it was necessarily related to tx, but also didn't want to speculate. If it's no better tomorrow, I'll go in. I've managed to keep down water for the last couple of hours, so maybe this has passed, Still feeling  pretty awful, so I'll take the phenergan and try to sleep (it's supposed to make you drowsy).  

cuteous...those are all good ideas...before starting tx, I had every test, colonoscopy, cat scans, the works. everything was okay. The yogurt might help...I'll try anything...any particular brand or flavor?

chevy. 49 is indeed VERY young. And 50 gets younger. Like you, I can't wait to be done with this...36 more shots. sorry to ask a dumb question, but who or what is OHC?

And dallas, thank you. Until about 20 minutes ago, things were dreary, and then the sun came out. I think you made it happen...

taking the phenergan and hoping for the best now.

Judi

[cuteus]

I hope your doc can see you this morning and aid what's ailing you.  I had episodes of vomiting and loose Bm before tx, sometimes it was hard to decide which end to face the commode, since they happened at the same time many times, LOl.  Not too many during tx, only occassional episodes.  But since I get recurrent UTIs the lack of water made for some painful urination.

Some docs might not agreed with this, but I find that sipping spoonfuls of plain yogurt(good quality) with all the intestinal flora in it, helps my nausea tremendously, it always has.  This last week has been a tough one on the tummy, the PA said it was strange at week 36. They did find a hiatal hernia during an endoscopy years ago, maybe it is acting up.

It might be wise to rule out any intestinal disorders with a colonoscopy and endoscopy (audrey?), we can't blame everything on meds all the time, though is nice at times.

hepcbilly: Lots of sound opinions for you to sort through, you might want to check the "don't quit" post of 3/8. it also addressed mikey's related concerns.  Good luck on your new life.

[CARUU]

I'm thinking about you and hoping for the best.  Hang in there, and let us know what the doctor has to say.  I hope you get some relief and rest soon.  caruu

[hepcgetlost]

Byron, kim and chevy...Thanks so much for your ideas and encouragement. I am always so touched by the responses here. So much kindness and caring.

It's still only 8:27 and I have to wait until 9 to call the doc. In the meantime, I'm trying to suck on ice now. I'm so thirsty, that if I try to drink, it's hard not to gulp down too much, and then I throw up again. I hope the ice stays down.

Chevy, I hope your mental state continues to improve. I too work at home and spend a lot of time on the computer. Am I mistaken, or did you mention that you live in Bethesda, MD? Or am I just making that association because of Chevy Chase, MD and your "chevygal" moniker?

I'll let you guys know what happens, and thank you thank you.
Judi

[Indiana]

HepCBilly..........Commeree.........lets talk.
The "odds" of clearing this **** for a type 1 are not "great" to say the least. You are lucky ....in the fact that you have found out early...in time to actually DO something about it.
There are NO guarantees with tx(treatment). But there are some pretty good indicators as to the "Odds" of being successful at it. The biggest things we consider are..."Load"..."Age"...Gender"...damage Levels"...and time you've had it. These are not necessarily in any order. Hep C is a slow moving disease.....until the end stages. It can just "take off" in a big hurry for no apparent reason. Nobody can predict when this will happen. You are right at the point where this could happen.
You have a high load. You are older. You have a low damage lavel. Thats 2 out of 3 man. The longer you wait the harder it is to clear ....with the current meds.
These damage levels are NOT linear. Just because you have gotten this far with little damage does NOT mean that you will be able to go on in the same way. It will progress soon in a big hurry.
OK.....now that I've said that.....It would take you a few months to set up the tx anyways. If all you are lookin at is ONE year then I might go ahead and do that. But do NOT put this off. WAY too many do. Then we see them back here cryin the blues.
If you do decide to put this off, lead a CLEAN life and get healthy with your diet and all. Take Vitamins without Iron and add some antioxidents like Vitamins C & E.
Just understand that as you wait and get older and your load and/or damage increases ,it will lower your "odds" to clear this with the current meds.
I WAS a type 1B. I had a low load. I had this for over 30 years. I am 52 yrs old. I did 50 weeks of the Peg/Intron combo tx. I am CURED baby! But I NEVER hesitated. I worked all through my tx. NOT well...but I was there. I guess t depends on the type of work.
As you wait...your "odds" go down.....every day...every hour....as the virus eats your liver and gets stronger.
It's up to you man. My vote is to choose tx in the form of Pegasys and deal with the work prob;rms. The Pegasys has FAR fewer sides normally. You CAN work on that stuff normally.
It's YOUR choice buddy.
If you do decide to do tx them we will ALL support you here. If not...we will STILL support you.
The toughest decision we make is wether or not to even start this. It takes a FIRM commitment to finish. You would need to prepare yourself and the family.
I wish you well as you wrestle with this tough decision. We will all be here for you whatever you decide............

[jonihs]

I also get headaches, not as long as yours and they start anywhere from 12 to 24 hrs. after my shots. I've had migraines for 34 yrs. and these aren't migraines, but the pain is just as bad. I didn't want to take anything that would further damage my liver besides what I already have to, so my Dr. prescribed Vioxx because it is first processed thru the kidneys and tho I haven"t tried them yet cuz my shot is Fri., I  will let you know if it has worked. I have heard good things on Vioxx on here several times. It's good to see your name on here and see you're still hanging in there. I hope you get some relief soon.  Love, Joni

[ral]

Layla I hope you, and I am sure you will find an answer for your headaches. Sometimes my wife has to go to ER for them they have some new drugs that are not like demerol but go directly to block the pain. Please check them out no one should be in that kind of pain for that amount of time. My wife is tougher than I am and she will just try to deal with it and sometimes I have to jump in and say you need to go get a shot, she is starting to listen when it gets to bad. She seems to need to break the cycle of pain and when she does that she is better for sometime.

Take care of yourself Layla.


GOD BLESS.

Thanks everyone for the beautiful posts

Bob L

[Luke307]

If you are otherwise healthy and not having other symptoms and you trust your doctor's opinion you're probably alright waiting. It's important to remember that this stuff can cause lots of different problems though. I would have loved to have waited but the doc said no. Good luck with your business.

[doll face]

Dallas- post like this is why I keep coming back here. A few words of encouragement goes a long way. Thanks

Hepcbilly- You and your doctor will make the best decision for you, but it is still wise for you to find out all the information that you can. Some people are fine with waiting and others obsess with getting rid of it as fast as possible. You will do what is best for you. God bless and good luck not only with your family and health but your new business as well.