THE DRAGON

[secondtime]

DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW HEP C HAS COME TO BE CALLED "THE DRAGON?" I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS DIFFICULT TO TREAT, BUT WHY THE DRAGON???

[BethUK]

I live in the West Midlands & got rid of my hep C in 2002 thanks to the Queen Elizabeth Liver Unit, Birmingham!  Have you turned into an American now after having lived there so long?

[LuckyHaskins]

Chevy, you rule, and have always been a very positive inspiration to me. Thanks!!! I can't tell you how many times I've thought about stopping this Tx, but am encouraged by all of the positive people here who are doing their best. It REALLY helps me,

God bless us all,

Pete

[Showboat]

Indi....Thanks for posting your research.  I am glad I checked back at the medhelp site. You saved me from myself.  I had been surfing the internet trying to find that answer....Must have surfed for two hours.....nothing....it wore me out!!!!! Thank you for posting.....I had to find that answer somewhere.....I should have come back here a lot sooner....would have saved me some time. (lol)

Amerabrit::: I like your name much better than ours....cotton floss sounds more light and has a healthier ring to it. hahahhaha......think I will buy some more tomorrow.....

[Amerabrit]

Hey, thanks... that post made sense... it must be my English heritage though that prevents me from embracing the chinese interpretation of this virus;  Although if I find out the virus is back after 12/31/2005, I may well move to China:)

[Indiana]

OK gang.......Here's the scoop.
Hcv is called The Dragon because ancient Chinese Medicine uses the Dragon to represent the Liver. Hcv has been around since Babalyonian times and before. So much for transmission primarily through needle sticks and all the stuff that goes with that.
Here is some stuff that I copied a long time ago as I began my personal battle with "The Dragon".....
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Viral hepatitis is a disease as old as the history of Medicine. Hepatitis was described in the Babylonian Talmud in the Fifth Century BC, and was referenced by Hippocrates over 2000 years ago.

This disease is often called the dragon because it will drag-on and drag-on for the rest of your life; and also because it sleeps for many years before awaking and breathing its fiery breath. It's name is frequently shortened to either HCV for Hepatitis C Virus or CHC for Chronic Hepatitis C.

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                        The Dragon Awaits!



Dragons are a source of both delight and awe as they are so powerful and such a fantasy creature.  In Tibet they say that dragons only appear to certain individuals and only then at certain times.  They represent 'eloquent speech' in Tibetan tradition.  In the Chinese Medical system dragons are said to be represented by the liver in the anatomical system and all the anger and resentments are stored in this organ.  Hepatitis C is a viral condition which may destroy the liver by inflammation and progressing liver disease until a transplant or end stage is reached.  The dragon is used as the symbol for HCV.  The anecdote for anger and like emotions is to modify behavior, meditate to remove stress and practice the art of eloquent speech.  
Here is a prose about the Dragon Of Hepatitis C.

  
                      The Dragon
  

I heard a story the other day, the mean old Dragon had gone away,
but when I looked what did I see?  That dreaded Dragon staring at me.
  
I said, "Hey Dragon, what is your fun?
He said, right off, "Your liver is one"
  
"Well let me be to live again or let me pass in peace,
for this virus you are, is hurting me, I want some quick release."
  
The Dragon breathed his fire as his eyes turned crimson red.
"I'll let you go when I want to, and then you will be dead."
  
Moral:  Get tested for HCV today, you may have it and cannot tell as it lies silently in the liver and destroys it without obvious symptoms until it gets too late.
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Here is a link for a good starter info site for Hcv. The treatment section is dated as it still says the current tx is the old 3x/week interferon, but the rest of it is pretty good.

http://articles.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FSL/is_6_77/ai_103379527
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Personally, I LIKE putting a name and a face on this disease. It is to create a picture for me of the "Thing" that I was fighting. Made it easier for me to wrap my mind around it all. PLUS......That makes me a "Dragon Slayer"!  And all the hottest Babes LOVED the Dragon Slayers in the movies.
Hahahahahahahahaha

[Amerabrit]

Yes, I'm English - I was born in Cheltenham, Glos. I came here in 1980 at the age of 24 and have lived here ever since; what about you?