Aa
great new s at 4 week pcr.. and other posts
I just got a call from Dr.'s office my 4 week pcr came back UND.
I cried and then called everybody I knew. My question is, I know this increases my chances of svr but does anybody know the percentage? FYI: 1a bx 3/2 have had hep c for 23 years on week 9/48 starting vl depends on who you ask 1 test said 75000 another said 2940.
Thanks for letting me share my happy news.
Lori
I cried and then called everybody I knew. My question is, I know this increases my chances of svr but does anybody know the percentage? FYI: 1a bx 3/2 have had hep c for 23 years on week 9/48 starting vl depends on who you ask 1 test said 75000 another said 2940.
Thanks for letting me share my happy news.
Lori
hey Ina girl, I hope you can enjoy some of the Summer this yr which means I hope those meds finally take things in the right direction. One question, did you continue the lachydrin during tx? I was wondering if it made any difference in the rest of your skin.
If you're still (or when you become) vertical, let me know if your husband was finally able to tolerate the sun again and if it still helps his psoriasis.
As mentioned, I think the UVB Narrow treatments might have also done me in. At first they cleared the psoriasis on the face, but later they just might have been too much and like your husband I became allergic. Just a theory.
-- Jim
As mentioned, I think the UVB Narrow treatments might have also done me in. At first they cleared the psoriasis on the face, but later they just might have been too much and like your husband I became allergic. Just a theory.
-- Jim
Don't know much about Metrogel, is it a topical steroid?
All I do know is that topical steroids in general are bad for the face because of the risk of permanent skin thinning. Definitely check out Elidel and Protopic as an everyday alternate to your topical steroids, using the topical steroids *sparingly*. If the sun sensitivity is mostly on your face, then there's a good chance that the redness you'r experiencing in the sun is from the Seborreah Dermatitis. Or is the sun inflaming the dermatitis. Chicken and egg again. What I'm hoping is that riba is still somewhat in the equation and when it finally clears my system, skin will improve some.
Best derm site I've found on the net is New Zealand Dermatological site http://www.dermnetnz.org/
Lots of pics, dx and treatment protocols. However, you may not find Elidel or Protopic as they have just recently been approved for more skin conditions and not available in every country.
All I do know is that topical steroids in general are bad for the face because of the risk of permanent skin thinning. Definitely check out Elidel and Protopic as an everyday alternate to your topical steroids, using the topical steroids *sparingly*. If the sun sensitivity is mostly on your face, then there's a good chance that the redness you'r experiencing in the sun is from the Seborreah Dermatitis. Or is the sun inflaming the dermatitis. Chicken and egg again. What I'm hoping is that riba is still somewhat in the equation and when it finally clears my system, skin will improve some.
Best derm site I've found on the net is New Zealand Dermatological site http://www.dermnetnz.org/
Lots of pics, dx and treatment protocols. However, you may not find Elidel or Protopic as they have just recently been approved for more skin conditions and not available in every country.
I think I deleted some type...
What I meant to say was regarding
"Face, neck, and upper chest are the hot spots."
is that these are the classical seb dermatitis areas. They were also my problem areas and my guess is they were made worse by my narrow band UVB treatment for my guttate psoriasis. D*mn dermatologist asleep on that one.
What I meant to say was regarding
"Face, neck, and upper chest are the hot spots."
is that these are the classical seb dermatitis areas. They were also my problem areas and my guess is they were made worse by my narrow band UVB treatment for my guttate psoriasis. D*mn dermatologist asleep on that one.
<Face, neck, and upper chest are the hot spots
----------------
That's the seb dermatitis areas. BTW did you get like a red rash on your neck? I had one for most of treatment and still trying to get rid of it. Neck often felt like Alligator skin.
I hear you about that chalky white look. Here are two screens without it.
Solarsense For Face, Nose and Lips -- spf 45 -- mostly zinc oxide and goes on pretty clear.
COTZ by Fallene -- spf 58 -- contains only zinc and titanium -- has a subtle beige tint to it, so it sort of looks like a tan rather than that white look.
----------------
That's the seb dermatitis areas. BTW did you get like a red rash on your neck? I had one for most of treatment and still trying to get rid of it. Neck often felt like Alligator skin.
I hear you about that chalky white look. Here are two screens without it.
Solarsense For Face, Nose and Lips -- spf 45 -- mostly zinc oxide and goes on pretty clear.
COTZ by Fallene -- spf 58 -- contains only zinc and titanium -- has a subtle beige tint to it, so it sort of looks like a tan rather than that white look.
Haven't checked out your oral meds but the Lipocream which contains hydrocortisone is proably OK for a few weeks at a time.
Longer term there could be problems such as permanent thinning of the skin which could end up making things much worse. Fluocinonide (Lidex) is classified as a POTENT steroid and I was told to use that class of steroids on my face at most once a week, twice a week max -- as on weekends. Yes, it works great but again chronic use thins the skin permanently. As far as potent steroids are concerened, mine of choice was Elocon ointment or cream but I stick to the once a week rule.
After a 2-week stint of Lipocream, what you might ask your derm about to keep things clear is either the topical immunosuppressant Elidel or Protopic. That's what all the derms I've consulted with are now switching to.
Protopic is a little more potent but I found it irritating and have used Elidel cream with success. I was told by two top derms to ignore all press/internet warnings reagarding cancer risk, etc, as the studies it was based on do not have a lot of credibility in the derm community. Elidel and Protopic can be used two times a day, long term, with no thinning of the skin. Both have photosensitivity warnings but you're not going out in the sun much anyway. Right now I'm off Elidel as I did a two week stint of a low level hydrocortisone like you're using. I'll go back to Elidel if things get any worse.
Another thing to think about is how much your photosensitivity is related to the treatment drugs versus treatment induced dermatitis. If sun sensitivity is mostly on face, it may be the latter. While I still have some psoritic problems with my feet, I also cleared most of the rest of my body, with the exception of my face.
Good luck!
-- Jim
Longer term there could be problems such as permanent thinning of the skin which could end up making things much worse. Fluocinonide (Lidex) is classified as a POTENT steroid and I was told to use that class of steroids on my face at most once a week, twice a week max -- as on weekends. Yes, it works great but again chronic use thins the skin permanently. As far as potent steroids are concerened, mine of choice was Elocon ointment or cream but I stick to the once a week rule.
After a 2-week stint of Lipocream, what you might ask your derm about to keep things clear is either the topical immunosuppressant Elidel or Protopic. That's what all the derms I've consulted with are now switching to.
Protopic is a little more potent but I found it irritating and have used Elidel cream with success. I was told by two top derms to ignore all press/internet warnings reagarding cancer risk, etc, as the studies it was based on do not have a lot of credibility in the derm community. Elidel and Protopic can be used two times a day, long term, with no thinning of the skin. Both have photosensitivity warnings but you're not going out in the sun much anyway. Right now I'm off Elidel as I did a two week stint of a low level hydrocortisone like you're using. I'll go back to Elidel if things get any worse.
Another thing to think about is how much your photosensitivity is related to the treatment drugs versus treatment induced dermatitis. If sun sensitivity is mostly on face, it may be the latter. While I still have some psoritic problems with my feet, I also cleared most of the rest of my body, with the exception of my face.
Good luck!
-- Jim
ALG/AST ration has reversed as I believe I already posted. GGT is now in normal range but still higher than earlier. BTW some liver centers no longer test for GGT because it is so non-specfic. Platelets are now 182 which is higher than both during tx and pre-tx. BTW I think you meant to say your hgb is 13.5 (not RBC). That sounds about right on course given you haven't been off the drugs all that long. I also have Seborrheic Dermatitis and possibly
Rosacea, mixed with the psoriasis. One doctor dx it as sebopsoriasis. Some suggest there could be a yeast infection involved and therefore some treat with topical or systemic anti-yeast meds. If you haven't already, you should see a dermo and get a scrape examined under a microsope to check for yeast. Yeast runs rampant when your're immuno suppressed and could even be a factor with your sun sensitivty. BTW have you eliminated Lupus? DD thinks he might have a mild case from tx. Also, if you haven't arleady, you might want to try sun blocks with only zinc and titanium. Blocks more kinds of rays plus not as harsh on your skin as chemical screens. As I stated a number of times, post tx is not a cake walk for many of us -- especially those that treated long, hard and with a lot of sides. I feel I had no choice but to treat so that makes it easier to accept whatever happens from this point on.
-- Jim
Rosacea, mixed with the psoriasis. One doctor dx it as sebopsoriasis. Some suggest there could be a yeast infection involved and therefore some treat with topical or systemic anti-yeast meds. If you haven't already, you should see a dermo and get a scrape examined under a microsope to check for yeast. Yeast runs rampant when your're immuno suppressed and could even be a factor with your sun sensitivty. BTW have you eliminated Lupus? DD thinks he might have a mild case from tx. Also, if you haven't arleady, you might want to try sun blocks with only zinc and titanium. Blocks more kinds of rays plus not as harsh on your skin as chemical screens. As I stated a number of times, post tx is not a cake walk for many of us -- especially those that treated long, hard and with a lot of sides. I feel I had no choice but to treat so that makes it easier to accept whatever happens from this point on.
-- Jim
Congrads on your undetected status. I'm jealous! I've been unable to achieve undetected for years and presently I'm on my 9 mon. of this current treatment and still detected. My viral load is low though. But, being at this stage and still being detected doesn't bid too well for a long standing remission. Anything's possible and I keep trying. I'm happy for you.
Susan
Susan
Dale, hang in there friend, as long as your kicking your breathing.
Beagle, Your getting closer, have your sweet daughter keep you in or at least on a short leash.
Beagle, Your getting closer, have your sweet daughter keep you in or at least on a short leash.
Dale sorry your having a bad week, with this meds it always a up and down. Hope it get's better soon for you. I'm doing fine, saw the doc today and every thing is going fine. He said when I get down to the last 2 weeks he wants me to have a PCR done.
Can do It's getting closer to the end and daughter has me on a real short leash, with her I can't do a thing. She's like a mother hen and driving me nuts. LOL
Beagle
Can do It's getting closer to the end and daughter has me on a real short leash, with her I can't do a thing. She's like a mother hen and driving me nuts. LOL
Beagle
beagle says......She's like a mother hen and driving me nuts....
Short drive huh? :) You got it made my friend, Sounds like you got one heck of a family.
Short drive huh? :) You got it made my friend, Sounds like you got one heck of a family.
She means well, but I'm tired of eating organic food, etc I need some real food. LOL When I'm with my daughter I lose weight and when I go home in Fl I gain some back. This is torture and thank God I have 8 weeks left. If the meds don't kill me the health food will, LOL
Beagle
Beagle
I sneak cheeseburgers. I can't help it. If I eat another chicken I swear I will start pecking in the gravel. Dale
great,
with a starting vl of only 75,000 that is very, very low your chances go way up. to be und at 4 weeks makes that even better.wish i would have had a 4 week pcr also.
YOU ARE ON YOUR WAY.
BOBBY
with a starting vl of only 75,000 that is very, very low your chances go way up. to be und at 4 weeks makes that even better.wish i would have had a 4 week pcr also.
YOU ARE ON YOUR WAY.
BOBBY
Glad you didn't have to endure another transfusion this week. I hope those numbers stay up. Are you doing okay otherwise. I'm having a pitiful week here but still kicking and determined. Dale
Mom - Congratulations on your early response. I should warn you though, just because you are clear you will not be able to convince people that you can stop tx at 40 weeks (they say you should treat 36 weeks beyond the week that you clear). Same thing happened to me and I really wanted to stop at 40 (now at 43) but could not convince one person that it was OK to stop. I thinked the meds zapped my powers of persuasion.
Jim - picking up on some previous threads, I know that at least a few people or maybe Beagle asked a few times how you are feeling. You seem to have sidestepped this issue very nicely. OK, at this point I am curious to know as well. Are you not telling us because you are sparing us the disappointment? Are you not telling us because you feel good and dont want to rub it in our faces? Are you too busy trying to feel even better - diet exercise etc? Are you too busy helping others to worry about yourself? Damnit Jim, we are patients not mind readers!(star trek reference). Inquiring minds need to know. After all those weeks and all those meds, is there life after treatment?
Jim - picking up on some previous threads, I know that at least a few people or maybe Beagle asked a few times how you are feeling. You seem to have sidestepped this issue very nicely. OK, at this point I am curious to know as well. Are you not telling us because you are sparing us the disappointment? Are you not telling us because you feel good and dont want to rub it in our faces? Are you too busy trying to feel even better - diet exercise etc? Are you too busy helping others to worry about yourself? Damnit Jim, we are patients not mind readers!(star trek reference). Inquiring minds need to know. After all those weeks and all those meds, is there life after treatment?
CONGRATULATIONS MAN YOU GOT IN THERE AND GOT THE JOB DONE FAST THAT IS JUST WONDERFUL NEWS FOR A 1A,
Return said: I know that at least a few people or maybe Beagle asked a few times how you are feeling. You seem to have sidestepped this issue very nicely.
-------------------------------
I guess you two haven't been reading the board lately. I've probably answered that exact question in one form or another at least a dozen times over the past couple of weeks. I apologize if I haven't answered everyone's questions -- but unlike earlier when treating, I do not spend as much time here, and certainly don't read every post. Sometimes just glance through the threads.
In fact, I'm rarely on during the day -- usually early morning and late evening.
But just so you two know -- virus wise, I've was non-detectible at my post tx 3-week TMA. My hemoglobin is now almost normal and my ANC has increased dramatically. Been working out at the gym 4-5 times a week. Stopped ALL medications a week ago, including those for BP, GERD and prostate. Started a high fiber, lower fat diet with selected supplements for a number of reasons, but in general to improve health and boost immune system. Energy level is OK, but certainly not back to pre-tx levels. My doctor said to give it time as the tx drugs do linger, especially the ribavirin. Well, that's the short version -- more stuff if you want to go through the last couple of weeks threads.
Eisbein, have no recollection about the post you're talking about but I will post any further PCRs when I have the results in hand and in the mood. Just like how you did it :)
-- Jim
-------------------------------
I guess you two haven't been reading the board lately. I've probably answered that exact question in one form or another at least a dozen times over the past couple of weeks. I apologize if I haven't answered everyone's questions -- but unlike earlier when treating, I do not spend as much time here, and certainly don't read every post. Sometimes just glance through the threads.
In fact, I'm rarely on during the day -- usually early morning and late evening.
But just so you two know -- virus wise, I've was non-detectible at my post tx 3-week TMA. My hemoglobin is now almost normal and my ANC has increased dramatically. Been working out at the gym 4-5 times a week. Stopped ALL medications a week ago, including those for BP, GERD and prostate. Started a high fiber, lower fat diet with selected supplements for a number of reasons, but in general to improve health and boost immune system. Energy level is OK, but certainly not back to pre-tx levels. My doctor said to give it time as the tx drugs do linger, especially the ribavirin. Well, that's the short version -- more stuff if you want to go through the last couple of weeks threads.
Eisbein, have no recollection about the post you're talking about but I will post any further PCRs when I have the results in hand and in the mood. Just like how you did it :)
-- Jim
Just so you won't feel you got short-changed LOL I'll tell you what I told my shrink the other day...
Basically that post tx is like being neither here nor there.
You're not on the treatment drugs but they still linger. You don't have any virus but you're not sure it won't return. You feel a lot better, but you still don't feel normal. You want to make future plans but you're not sure what the future will bring. You want to tell people you're all better but you really don't know that yet.
My advice to anyone post treatment is to try and stay as busy as possible and do good things for your body including exercise, diet, relaxation, etc. This will help carry you through this period of uncertainty which it certainly is. Personally, I'm trying to handle lingering sides with "natural" therapies as opposed to adding on more drugs to conteract the sx of other drugs. Will it work? Maybe for me, not necessarily for others.
-- Jim
Basically that post tx is like being neither here nor there.
You're not on the treatment drugs but they still linger. You don't have any virus but you're not sure it won't return. You feel a lot better, but you still don't feel normal. You want to make future plans but you're not sure what the future will bring. You want to tell people you're all better but you really don't know that yet.
My advice to anyone post treatment is to try and stay as busy as possible and do good things for your body including exercise, diet, relaxation, etc. This will help carry you through this period of uncertainty which it certainly is. Personally, I'm trying to handle lingering sides with "natural" therapies as opposed to adding on more drugs to conteract the sx of other drugs. Will it work? Maybe for me, not necessarily for others.
-- Jim
I know what you mean, just got back from buying 2 gallons of ice cream. I'm looking forward to the week-end because she will be in the city all day with her boy friend and that means I can pig out with what I want to eat. As soon as she leaves it's junk food heaven for me. She means well, but I can't take much more of this. LOL
How are you feeling tonight?
Beagle
How are you feeling tonight?
Beagle
Thanks Jim - I did see your other posts after writing mine. Somehow, I am glad you answered anyway. Very honest and thoughtful answer as usual. Too close to home perhaps - sorry for pushing.
I guess I am looking for someone to say that everything will be back to normal. But that is only possible with a great amount of time and perhaps several clean blood tests. I have been trained by this disease to be skeptical. It will take a while to drop that habit I bet.
Just as I feared, it doesn't get any simpler after we stop tx. You may feel better but the unknown overwhelms it all. Oh well, its not like we're not used to it.
I guess I am looking for someone to say that everything will be back to normal. But that is only possible with a great amount of time and perhaps several clean blood tests. I have been trained by this disease to be skeptical. It will take a while to drop that habit I bet.
Just as I feared, it doesn't get any simpler after we stop tx. You may feel better but the unknown overwhelms it all. Oh well, its not like we're not used to it.
Return says: I guess I am looking for someone to say that everything will be back to normal.
---------------------------
As you suggest, time will tell. But we all know -- or should know -- the risks going into this. I probably can give you a clearer answer to your question in six months to a year. Still, so many folks have different post treatment stories...
But right now, it's just too soon. But I did have an excellent day today, if that helps. And when I really sit back and think -- post treatment is so much better than treatment. So much.
I meant to thank you for your concern before, so thank you.
-- Jim
---------------------------
As you suggest, time will tell. But we all know -- or should know -- the risks going into this. I probably can give you a clearer answer to your question in six months to a year. Still, so many folks have different post treatment stories...
But right now, it's just too soon. But I did have an excellent day today, if that helps. And when I really sit back and think -- post treatment is so much better than treatment. So much.
I meant to thank you for your concern before, so thank you.
-- Jim
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