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Russian - 31 Jan 2007 07:40 GMT

I saw my liver doc today. It was a thorough meeting and I have no
complaints there.

He asked how the side effects were going, but what can you say?
Basically I've figured out (with a lot of help and advice here) how to
sort of steer around them or include them in my daily plans and lifestyle.

As long as I stay on top of everything, it's not too bad. I use Eucerin
Calming Creme and a fancy humidifier at night (can be set to a
humidity level). I stay on top of things and get to work on any
worsening rash before it goes very far (lotion, soft clothes, taking a
little steam bath by running the hot water in the bathroom) and of
course drinking water.

I just totally chill all day Saturday and expect to be back at 50% on
Sunday. Eventually some people I know may start to wonder why I have
the flu on weekends so much, but they haven't yet.

I don't take the morning Riba until I'm dressed and ready to walk out
the door to work because I get nausea and malaise because I get nausea
about 30 minutes after taking it. If I'm already out, it's not so bad
that I can't distract myself with work, but if I'm not out already when
it comes on, I somehow can't get out of the house for a couple of hours.

I've just started taking the evening Riba after dinner instead of before
bedtime - I think it keeps me up at night less that way. But I'm up
until 2 am, mostly I just accept it, try to sleep a bit later, or make
it up as soon as I can.

The biggest things for me are accepting that I can't do everything but
especially that I can't do specific things at specific times when I want
to or believe I should do those things.

Since week 10 or so I've been more forgetful and doing more weird
things. Of course, I always was and always did, but it's more now.
Also not being able to come up with the specific words I want happens more.

Mostly I don't let it all get to me, but of course there are those
moments... sometimes I feel like I'm 20 years older than I am. The loss
of strength and endurance makes me feel like an old man. Sometimes I
catch myself self-identifying as someone with a terminal illness who is
on chemo, and I have to remind myself that the symptoms I have are 95%
treatment related, and that I'm not slowly sliding out of this world.

Thanks to all for the help in dealing with each obstacle as it comes up.

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Lonesomedave - 31 Jan 2007 15:09 GMT

As long as I stay on top of everything, it's not too bad. I use
Eucerin
Calming Creme and a fancy humidifier at night (can be set to a
humidity level). I stay on top of things and get to work on any
worsening rash before it goes very far (lotion, soft clothes, taking a
little steam bath by running the hot water in the bathroom) and of
course drinking water.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My Dermatologist told me to stay away from long, hot, steamy showers.
He said its makes the dryness of the skin worse.
He also recommended nuetrogena moisterizing lotion as the lotion of
choice. He said it has no residual oily feel and lasts must longer
than most. Also told me to only use soap on those important areas
every day in the shower, and every 2-3 days on leg, arms, etc.

Only on shot 8....
Lonesomedave-

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Russian - 31 Jan 2007 17:27 GMT

> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> My Dermatologist told me to stay away from long, hot, steamy showers.
> He said its makes the dryness of the skin worse.

Yes, I also don't do the long hot shower or even a short hot shower. I
turn on the bathroom heater so the room is warm, and then I don't stand
under shower except initially and then when rinsing.

Standing in the hot water feels great, but after I get out it
immediately triggers itching - I think the hot water stimulates and
ultimately irritates the nerve endings.

If I"m having a specific problem with itching, I will actually turn the
water on ice cold and put my arms, legs, and or shoulders in the cold
water for 30 seconds. (This can also be done with the sink for arms at
any time).

Once a month maybe I'll take a hot shower for old time's sake, but then
I have to do the cold water thing at the end or I'll have an attack of
itching afterwards.

Do you live in a high or low humidity area? I find keeping the humidity
in the bedroom above 40% overnight helps, and if the dry skin thing even
starts to get worse, I'll put it at 65% for a night or two.

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Waterspider - 31 Jan 2007 22:44 GMT

> As long as I stay on top of everything, it's not too bad. I use
> Eucerin
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> than most. Also told me to only use soap on those important areas
> every day in the shower, and every 2-3 days on leg, arms, etc.

Anything Aveeno! Recommended by nine out of ten dragonslayers everywhere.

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