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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Hepatitis / March 2007started tx today
hello all not too happy about this but had to do it gen 1a I'm 30 Think I got it via shared tattoo needle ~10 yrs ago, or a shared ("bleached", WOO-HOO!!!, lol) needle about that same time when I used IV. I think that IV needle was the only one I shared. Anyway, I've read up here a little bit a few yrs ago, but haven't been here since. I take 3 riba's BID & 1 shot per week. Just hit it a few hours ago. Starting to notice something in me, but can't tell what it is yet. I broke the 1st needle, too, btw, lol. Anyway, I'm glad there's a forum here for this. cheers >hello all >not too happy about this but had to do it [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > >cheers Greetings, rastapasta! Glad you found us, hope we can help. Strap on your crash helmet and get ready for the ride for your life! Cheers - and good luck! /greyhackles >>hello all >>not too happy about this but had to do it [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > /greyhackles umm... yay Seroiusly, though, thanx a bunch! > hello all > not too happy about this but had to do it [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > cheers Welcome to our little part of the planet Rastapasta. Good luck on you 48 weeks of treatment. Did you have a biopsy etc.etc. Mags former G1b >> hello all >> not too happy about this but had to do it [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > Mags > former G1b welcome to the few newbies I've noticed lately, but I've been snoozing thru the past few weeks mostly. Tonite is my last shot :)) One more week of Riba and then I plan to follow in Mags' footsteps! It hasn't been too tough for me, but I'm lucky that I don't have to work. cooking, cleaning, shopping, well, stuff got done "good enuff" and I did get 'some' help from the family. Hubby's been a saint, bringing home takeout and not griping about basically being abandoned -- I do sleep a lot. Really looking forward to spring :) hope we get at least a few weeks of nice weather before the a/c has to go on, I love open windows and a nice breezy 70 degree day. In Southern Michigan, that turns to super humidity by June usually. sigh. Sara trying to decide whether to make dinner, or take a nap >>> hello all >>> not too happy about this but had to do it [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > thru the past few weeks mostly. Tonite is my last shot :)) One more week > of Riba and then I plan to follow in Mags' footsteps! Thanks so much! Last shot? FABULOUS!!!! Best of luck to you. > It hasn't been too tough for me, but I'm lucky that I don't have to work. > cooking, cleaning, shopping, well, stuff got done "good enuff" and I did > get 'some' help from the family. Hubby's been a saint, bringing home > takeout and not griping about basically being abandoned -- I do sleep a > lot. Got some good help, eh? Awesome! Sleep sounds great right about now. > Really looking forward to spring :) hope we get at least a few weeks of > nice weather before the a/c has to go on, I love open windows and a nice > breezy 70 degree day. In Southern Michigan, that turns to super humidity > by June usually. sigh. Indeed. Spring is great. I can't wait to go to Austin (I'm in Dallas) & hike down the greenbelt & swim in the water after a good rain. > Sara > trying to decide whether to make dinner, or take a nap I'll take the nap. ;} > welcome to the few newbies I've noticed lately, but I've been > snoozing thru the past few weeks mostly. Tonite is my last shot > :)) One more week of Riba and then I plan to follow in Mags' > footsteps! Way to go, Sara. I hope rastapasta follows in your footsteps! > Really looking forward to spring :) hope we get at least a few > weeks of nice weather before the a/c has to go on, I love open > windows and a nice breezy 70 degree day. In Southern Michigan, > that turns to super humidity by June usually. sigh. It'll be dry probably when you stop by here in the hills. I EMailed you a couple times but your box was full. I'll try again soon so you can have the info for whenever you come by. Glad you skipped thru TX...another 48 weeks and you should feel just fine! jk Jim Thanks! :)) I dunno why my email has been acting up, but I shouldn't have a limit in my inbox. Try me at bb at wowway dot com or iammibb at gmail.com >> welcome to the few newbies I've noticed lately, but I've been >> snoozing thru the past few weeks mostly. Tonite is my last [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > jk > >> hello all > >> not too happy about this but had to do it [quoted text clipped - 45 lines] > > - Show quoted text - Wow Sara you have done well! No whining or anything. It is like you hibernated through our nasty winter and will come out healthy at the end of this - good for you! Mags thinking Sara is the model tx'er [snipped] > Wow Sara you have done well! No whining or anything. It is > like you [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Mags > thinking Sara is the model tx'er Nah, just paid attention to my role models... and I have many on this group. When I see what you and Eileen have had to go through, When I think about KJ going through hell and relapsing, or read about Elmo's adventures in killing the dragon, Thip still hanging in here caring so much about all of you while she's struggling with her own dragons...Dortie always having a positive word for anyone who needs it, even when she could barely sit up straight!.... when I think of the MANY of you doing this 2 or 3 times..... you are all my heroes. I didn't whine much cause I didn't have much to whine about, I've been very lucky. Meds didn't really make me sick (ok, some "running to the toilet" - early in tx, but only a few times, never did get nauseaus or lose my appetite, dammit).... minor issues with canker sores, but got that straightened out, my stylist can tell my hair's quite a bit thinner, and my sides just look funny like someone took a bad razor to them :) and I get some itchies of course (I'll miss those huge red angry looking splotches all over my thighs and belly! NOT!) Mostly I dealt with the endless fatigue. The Procrit helped, I was semi functional during most of tx tho the last few weeks I've been just blah (and yes, I think weather has a lot to do with that).... and brainfog! my daughter and her friends think I am "cute" cause I can't remember anything, and at Christmas at my son's house, I went into their "smoking room" innocently and suddenly there were 7 young adults with sh.t eating grins on their faces as my son asked me if I was gonna "join the circle". They offered, I was so flabberghasted I got out of there in a hurry! Dunno if I was more afraid of them seeing me smoke the stuff, or me seeing them do it! :)) It's been an adventure, for sure. I hope I don't have to repeat it, but because of the incredible warriors who hang out here and continue to support us, I know I can do whatever it takes to kill the dragon! And so can you. :) 48 weeks goes by pretty fast in reality, it just sounds like forever. Sara last shot of Procrit tonite 5 1/2 more days of Riba Labs Friday, and then again in 3 months, then 6 months. WAY to go Sara! Welcome to the world of tx survivors. You feel better already? And welcome rastapasta. This would be pasta with fresh ginger and jerked chicken?! Dreads? Patchouli? Anyway tell us how this goes for you, why you are just a youngster. Kathy J hasta la pasta > WAY to go Sara! Welcome to the world of tx survivors. You > feel better > already? I just feel like.... WHEW! > And welcome rastapasta. This would be pasta with fresh ginger > and jerked > chicken?! Dreads? Patchouli? see, I never lost my appetite, rastapasta sounds yummy to me! maybe it's Krispy Kremes time again (nah, I finally burned out to them) > Anyway tell us how this goes for you, why you are just a > youngster. Yes, RP, Please stay in touch. We know how scary it can be starting tx, and how lost you can feel at first. You'll be an expert in no time tho :) Sara > Kathy J > hasta la pasta > Yes, RP, Please stay in touch. We know how scary it can be starting tx, > and how lost you can feel at first. You'll be an expert in no time tho [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >> Kathy J >> hasta la pasta Thanks! > WAY to go Sara! Welcome to the world of tx survivors. You feel better > already? > > And welcome rastapasta. This would be pasta with fresh ginger and jerked > chicken?! Dreads? Patchouli? Thanks! RP is just a silly handle I chose when I got online ~10yrs ago. I've seen 'rastapasta' online many places, as far as food goes. I don't know the ingredients, but your recipe w/ginger & jerk chicken sounds great! > Anyway tell us how this goes for you, why you are just a youngster. > > Kathy J > hasta la pasta I'll fill ya'll in on the tx. & *Why* I'm a youngster? ummmmm... cuz I was born in '76? ;} Greetings....So what is "tx"? I am so newbie :) TIA ---TNS >> WAY to go Sara! Welcome to the world of tx survivors. You feel better >> already? [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] >ummmmm... >cuz I was born in '76? ;} >Greetings....So what is "tx"? I am so newbie :) >TIA > >---TNS RX = prescription SX = side effects TX = therapy EoTX or ETX = end of therapy EVR = early viral response SVR = sustained viral response NR = non-responder (I know there are more - I shouldda made the list before that bong hit ;-) Cheers /greyhackles this list needs an FAQ. I thought there was one. Maybe I was thinking of the Janis pages? cactus jammies ============ >>Greetings....So what is "tx"? I am so newbie :) >>TIA [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > /greyhackles >>Greetings....So what is "tx"? I am so newbie :) >>TIA [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > (I know there are more - I shouldda made the list before that bong hit ;-) Yeah sorry for the abbrvtns, lol Pass that ish!!! > Cheers > > /greyhackles TX = also means treatment BCLD = Big Chief Liver Doctor (gastro or hepatologist) > >> hello all > >> not too happy about this but had to do it [quoted text clipped - 45 lines] > > - Show quoted text - ******************************************** Sara, I'm very jealous, you know it would have been my last night too, if I hadn't been a non-resonder that first time. But my last shot will be November 2007. You go girl. eileen hey all I changed my login and email on the newsgroups so now I'm Normin. anyway, I know Eileen ;( I wish I could be closer to help you through this with something besides words and virtual hugs. The spring/summer will go by quickly, and it'll be nov before you know it. In the meantime, keep crossing little dragons off your calendar every day -- keep killing those nasty things! I know it's going to work this time! big hugs Sara >> > On Mar 4, 3:00 pm, "rastapasta" <rastapastry at msn.com> >> > wrote: [quoted text clipped - 67 lines] > > eileen Normin? Hunh. Ok. Stormin Normin :-) Congrats on the End of Riba. Stormin Koko not > hey all > > I changed my login and email on the newsgroups so now I'm Normin. Normin??? <sings> "Nor-minnnn, oo oo oooo oo oo, nor-min my love" <hoping there's others reading this old enough to remember that silly song> >> hey all >> [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > <hoping there's others reading this old enough to remember that > silly song> not only old enuff, but I have a cousin two years older than me whose name is Norman. Imagine what he went through :) >>> hey all >>> [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > not only old enuff, but I have a cousin two years older than me whose name > is Norman. Imagine what he went through :) LOL! Bet he still has the scars! But... just curious... why Normin? >>>> hey all >>>> [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > But... just curious... why Normin? KJ pegged it, but not for the right reasons. Very good friend of mine calls me Stormin' Normin'.... something about leading with my chin I think :) S >>>>> hey all >>>>> [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > S Haha, good one! Stormin' Normin you are. >> hello all >> not too happy about this but had to do it [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > Mags > former G1b Hello Mags--- thanks! No biopsy, but have had plenty of blood tests in a previous paid 3 day HCV drug study (formerly 'Radiant' Research, I think they changed their name) in the last year or so, so that in cluded CBC & FibroSure tests, as well as plenty of others I can't recall, but there were LFT's, an HCV RNA PCR, genotyping, etc. Fibrosure test was great. I have to dig it up to get all those #'s down on here, so maybe later. Saw doc only 1 time. I lack insurance, so I'll get my own blood tests done, thank you, lol. So tomorrow (ok, so I f'd up little & jump started this a day early) I need to get a CBC & prolly LFT. Shoulda had a baseline. Anyway, so I'll do that manana. Thanks for the support. > hello all > not too happy about this but had to do it [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > cheers Hi there rastapasta, and welcome to the Most Honourable Guild of Dragonslayers! Hopefully you're asleep now, the best way to get through the worst of the sides from your shot. Did you take anything medicinal? About an hour before my shot, I'd take a regular Tylenol and a gravol, which eased the side effects and put me to sleep. Drink lots of water! This crap will dehydrate you, and keeping your fluid level up (hm, I'm picturing you as an old Chevy engine...) will make you feel a bit better. Are you taking antidepressants? Highly recommended. Are you smoking pot? Highly (no pun intended) recommended, at least by me. It was a good alternative to puking and kept my apetite healthy. Also good to know that you should have a bite to eat with your riba pills, something with a bit of fat in it, helps your body to absorb the Evil Drugs. It's good that you're here, lots of wisdom to be shared and a few laughs too. It appears that you have a weird sense of humour, and that's your best weapon in getting through treatment. 1a should mean 52 weeks, a long haul but, believe me, the hardest part is that first shot. We're here for you. Now that I've buttered you up, I have to ask a personal question... how the heck did you break the needle??? Waterspider >> hello all >> not too happy about this but had to do it [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > before my shot, I'd take a regular Tylenol and a gravol, which eased the > side effects and put me to sleep. Man, it took me a while to get to sleep (on day 1), but then I don't know how I slept after all those cold sweats. I don't know if I ran a fever, but I was shakin' pretty good. Is this the personality of the Interferon shot, usually the next 12-24 hrs. following the shot? (mainly the chills/shaking/flu symptoms) See I don't know how much of the shot got in me, cuz it seemed like it was oozin' out the side where the needle attached to the vial. I mean, I'm not THAT much of a dumb-a.s, esp. when it comes to needles, after a few years of off & on again IV H use, so I don't know what the deal was. But I think I got more than I think I got. > Drink lots of water! This crap will dehydrate you, and keeping your fluid > level up (hm, I'm picturing you as an old Chevy engine...) will make you > feel a bit better. Oh man---got a Culligan bottle at home & drink plenty of lemonade & Arizona green tea w/plum juice on tap. > Are you taking antidepressants? Highly recommended. Nurse said she'd get an Rx for me if I needed any antidepressants or Lunestra or Ambien to sleep. > Are you smoking pot? Highly (no pun intended) recommended, at least by me. Look at my handle, brah! Already! (no not that one) > It was a good alternative to puking and kept my apetite healthy. Indeed. > Also good to know that you should have a bite to eat with your riba pills, > something with a bit of fat in it, helps your body to absorb the Evil > Drugs. I hear ya. Yeah I always dose w/food. > It's good that you're here, lots of wisdom to be shared and a few laughs > too. It appears that you have a weird sense of humour, and that's your > best weapon in getting through treatment. 1a should mean 52 weeks, a long > haul but, believe me, the hardest part is that first shot. > We're here for you. Fantastic. Thanks. I thought it was 48 wk? Maybe not. No biggie. Just grateful I could get patient drug assistance. I've heard a few people I know of personally who've relapsed on their viral loads, so I just hope this isn't in vain. > Now that I've buttered you up, I have to ask a personal question... how > the heck did you break the needle??? > > Waterspider I dunno, man. I'm not experienced with these needles, attaching that thing onto the dose itself. The nurse already gave me another one. Got lucky. >Man, it took me a while to get to sleep (on day 1), but then I don't know >how I slept after all those cold sweats. I don't know if I ran a fever, but [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >off & on again IV H use, so I don't know what the deal was. But I think I >got more than I think I got. Sounds like my first shot: I took a 500mg Tylenol around 10PM, did the shot at 11PM, tightened my chin strap and hopped into bed, and after about four hours BIG TIME sweats, chills, shaking...It felt like about the very worst flu I'd ever had. The sheets were soaked in short order - Saturday became "change the bedding" day for the first couple of months. That part got better and better each week, and by around the 8th week, there was very little "fluish" feeling. What there was instead was fatigue and a general sense of feeling-like-crap. That would peak on Sunday, and tail down from there until Friday morning - Fridays were my *GOOD* days, the days I could actually enjoy eating food, for instance. Eventually even that tailed off, and was replaced by the Riba sides - and a major case of anemia, the hallmark of which was fatigue like I'd never experienced before. Eventually, I got put on Epogen (aka Procrit, and other brand names). It didn't put me back in the pink, but it kept me out of the grave ;-) Yup - it's one heck of an E-ticket ride ("You must be THIS TALL to ride the TX Express" ;-) Cheers /greyhackles >>Man, it took me a while to get to sleep (on day 1), but then I don't know >>how I slept after all those cold sweats. I don't know if I ran a fever, [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > the > bedding" day for the first couple of months. I'm gonna do my shots around noon. F'k it. Those sweats suck. > That part got better and better each week, and by around the 8th week, > there [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > from there until Friday morning - Fridays were my *GOOD* days, the days I > could actually enjoy eating food, for instance. I see. > Eventually even that tailed off, and was replaced by the Riba sides - and > a [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > brand names). It didn't put me back in the pink, but it kept me out of the > grave ;-) Yikes. > Yup - it's one heck of an E-ticket ride ("You must be THIS TALL to ride > the TX [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > /greyhackles No doubt thanx top posting cause I'm lazy..... rasta, everyone is different. The first few shots I did did make me feel fluish, I ran a fever, had a headache, and slept a lot. Tylenol helps with that, 2 regular strength tylenol before I did the shot, then two more 4 hours later usually was enough to get me thru that, and doing the shot at night meant I slept thru most of the sides, helped by the tylenol. Then it stopped, and I didn't even need the tylenol. I never did get physically sick from the meds as far as puking but i did get the runs a few times. Immodium usually cleared that up with one dose. I didn't 'lose' a lot of hair, but it did thin enough that my stylist could tell. It's normally naturally wavy, and now it just sorta hangs there looking limp and defeated. It gets brittle from the treatment tho, the meds dehydrate you and you need to keep hydrated, use a good hydrating shampoo, drink drink drink that water. My dr suggested an ounce of water a day for every two pounds you weigh, ie: if you weigh 150, you want to drink AT LEAST 75 ounces of water a day, over and above anything else you drink (according to my BCLD). I always have a 32 oz container of ice water at hand, and I refill it at least 2-3 times a day. I still go thru a quart of water thru the night..... anyway, back to my hair :) it got the worst damage on the sides, I think from sleeping on them. Lots of broken hairs on my pillow for a while. The texture does change, and weird things happen. My cowlick moved!or I developed a second one, not sure. My eyebrows thinned, my eye lashes just look goofy. A shorter, layered hairdo worked well for me, tho then I got lazy and didn't get to the stylist for 6 months:) just got it trimmed up a couple weeks ago finally, but wouldn't let them do a lot to it or the sides would be too short. And you'll hear lots of stories here about folks losing 40 lbs or so during TX. I was looking forward to that, I need to lose 40 lbs, and then some :( but I was one of the "lucky" ones who didn't lose much, about ten lbs total.... and then the holidays came and I gained all that back so now I'm right back where I started out 48 weeks ago weight wise. I had mild sides, except for fatigue. I did need to go on anti depressants after a couple months.... when I caught myself yelling at a grocery store cashier for her bad attitude, I knew it was time. I also found it hard to sleep from the Riba, so we tried Ambien, which I didn't like, and finally settled on Xanax to help me get to sleep. Works great for me. Still on the Celexa for a while, and it really did a nice job to mellow me out without making me a zombie. (pretty sure you can get both as generics without it being super expensive) anyway, relax and don't cross yr bridges and all that.... we are all different, and you may be lucky enough to cruise through this without many side effects. as far as no insurance goes, some of the drug companies will help you get the drugs you need if you contact them and tell them you have no insurance - not sure if you have to go thru yr dr or how you contact them tho. I did get anemic after a few months on tx, and my doc started me on Procrit right away. I still had a lot of fatigue, and slept many a day away, but it did help me. I was able to semi function, cook meals, grocery shop, do laundry, etc. I pay someone to clean my house for now, I'm not that much a martyr :) My husband was/is great about bringing in carry-out 2-3 times a week, and that's been a huge help. He's also been very understanding and supportive, and that's even better. I really learned a lot about our relationship going through this. all good :) ok enuff babbling from me. Good luck with your treatment, and just don't anticipate. Deal with your sides as they come up, ask your doc for help. Be aware that the meds WILL screw with your head, and make you depressed and angry. Ask Elmo about the anger :) way past my bedtime :) keep asking your questions... the best way to defeat the dragon is to learn all you can about it! Sara >> On Thu, 8 Mar 2007 18:02:06 -0600, "rastapasta" <rastapastry >> at msn.com> [quoted text clipped - 64 lines] > No doubt > thanx > top posting cause I'm lazy..... > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > sick from the meds as far as puking but i did get the runs a few times. > Immodium usually cleared that up with one dose. Yeah I think I'll be hittin' the ibuprofen tomorrow (next shot). > I didn't 'lose' a lot of hair, but it did thin enough that my stylist > could tell. It's normally naturally wavy, and now it just sorta hangs [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > water at hand, and I refill it at least 2-3 times a day. I still go thru > a quart of water thru the night Yeah got the water goin' already! I've noticed I'm already more thirsty. >..... anyway, back to my hair :) it got the worst damage on the sides, I >think from sleeping on them. Lots of broken hairs on my pillow for a while. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >couple weeks ago finally, but wouldn't let them do a lot to it or the sides >would be too short. The cowlick moved--lol. Nice. > And you'll hear lots of stories here about folks losing 40 lbs or so > during TX. I was looking forward to that, I need to lose 40 lbs, and then > some :( but I was one of the "lucky" ones who didn't lose much, about > ten lbs total.... and then the holidays came and I gained all that back so > now I'm right back where I started out 48 weeks ago weight wise. I hear ya. The holidays do come! > I had mild sides, except for fatigue. I did need to go on anti > depressants after a couple months.... when I caught myself yelling at a > grocery store cashier for her bad attitude, I knew it was time. Funny. Yeah I'm trying to not let the anxiety/fatigue aspect ruin my days. >I also found it hard to sleep from the Riba, so we tried Ambien, which I >didn't like, and finally settled on Xanax to help me get to sleep. Works >great for me. Yeah Xanax sounds nice, though I indulged on a bunch I got once from Meyhico, 2mg Alprazolams, & ended up twice in the ER w/gran mal sezures, from benzo WD's. Didn't know at the time that I shoulda come off gradually to avoid seizures. I think I'd do the same, becuase I really don't want to be on sleep meds. > Still on the Celexa for a while, and it really did a nice job to mellow me > out without making me a zombie. (pretty sure you can get both as generics > without it being super expensive) I really don't want to be on antidepressants because I like to hang out with some very wonderful cacti and mushrooms on occasion, which don't mix with SSRI's. Jesus eases my depression. > anyway, relax and don't cross yr bridges and all that.... we are all > different, and you may be lucky enough to cruise through this without many > side effects. Right---thanx. > as far as no insurance goes, some of the drug companies will help you get > the drugs you need if you contact them and tell them you have no > insurance - not sure if you have to go thru yr dr or how you contact them > tho. Yeah, we'll see. Hopefully, if I need any other meds, I can find a way to afford them. > I did get anemic after a few months on tx, and my doc started me on > Procrit right away. I still had a lot of fatigue, and slept many a day > away, but it did help me. I was able to semi function, cook meals, > grocery shop, do laundry, etc. I pay someone to clean my house for now, > I'm not that much a martyr :) Right. >My husband was/is great about bringing in carry-out 2-3 times a week, and >that's been a huge help. He's also been very understanding and supportive, >and that's even better. I really learned a lot about our relationship >going through this. all good :) That's great he's supportive! > ok enuff babbling from me. Good luck with your treatment, and just don't > anticipate. Deal with your sides as they come up, ask your doc for help. > Be aware that the meds WILL screw with your head, and make you depressed > and angry. Ask Elmo about the anger :) Thank you! Yeah the meds seem to have these crazy personalitites to them, or bring them out in us, or both. Crazy stuff man. Elmo, eh? > way past my bedtime :) keep asking your questions... the best way to > defeat the dragon is to learn all you can about it! > > Sara Adios! >> top posting cause I'm lazy..... >> [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > >Yeah I think I'll be hittin' the ibuprofen tomorrow (next shot). [...] You might want to consider using Tylenol. Ibuprophen has a negative effect on platelet production, even more so than Aspirin, and that effect can last several days... Cheers /greyhackles >>> top posting cause I'm lazy..... >>> [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > several days... > /greyhackles Yeah, what he says. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is the best choice for heppers... and do not exceed the recommended dose. Ibuprophen and ASA are bad juju. >>>> top posting cause I'm lazy..... >>>> [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > heppers... and do not exceed the recommended dose. Ibuprophen and ASA are > bad juju. Oh ok. Thanks. The nurse didn't mention that about ibuprofen. I generally don't take ASA unless I have a bad headache & there's nothin' else around. What about Naproxen sodium (Aleve)? I always try to avoid acetaminophen. >>> On Sat, 10 Mar 2007 22:14:28 -0600, "rastapasta" <rastapastry at >>> msn.com> [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > don't take ASA unless I have a bad headache & there's nothin' else around. > What about Naproxen sodium (Aleve)? I always try to avoid acetaminophen. I just did a quick google and learned that liver disease is listed as a major disease-drug contraindication. >>>> On Sat, 10 Mar 2007 22:14:28 -0600, "rastapasta" <rastapastry at >>>> msn.com> [quoted text clipped - 38 lines] > I just did a quick google and learned that liver disease is listed as a > major disease-drug contraindication. Contraindication of...... Naproxen? >>>>> On Sat, 10 Mar 2007 22:14:28 -0600, "rastapasta" >>>>> <rastapastry at msn.com> [quoted text clipped - 41 lines] > > Contraindication of...... Naproxen? Rasta - my BCLD told me to take Tylenol and only Tylenol, 2 regular strength 2-3 times a day when needed. yes, acetaminophen can be bad for your liver, but within limits it's still the med of choice for aches and fever. He was ok with me boosting it with ultram, but once I started the anti d's, I couldn't take ultram. my hep c nurses told me that Ibuprofen or Naproxen occasionally would be fine. My GP told me I could and should take aspirin once a day. talk to your hepc doc and see what HIS preference is. Since he's prescribing your meds and overseeing your treatment, I think he should be involved in all decisions about 'other' meds you take during tx. (and spidey was making a joke :) sorta. NO medicine is good for our livers, so in reality ALL meds are contraindicated for hep c patients.... get it? :)) ) Sara >>>>>> On Sat, 10 Mar 2007 22:14:28 -0600, "rastapasta" <rastapastry at >>>>>> msn.com> [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] >> >> Contraindication of...... Naproxen? <snip> (and spidey was making a joke :) sorta. NO medicine is good > for our livers, so in reality ALL meds are contraindicated for hep c > patients.... get it? :)) ) No, I was *not* joking. The Aleve warning specified liver disease and another google result included hepatitis. However, like Normin says, no medicine is good for your liver but, if you need to take something, it's best to find the least harmful and don't take more than the recommended dose. Consensus here, and many people have done hours of research on the subject, is that Tylenol is the least harmful for treatment of mild to moderate pain. My BCLD concurred with this. [snipped] >>>>> Oh ok. Thanks. The nurse didn't mention that about >>>>> ibuprofen. I generally don't take ASA unless I have a bad [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > the subject, is that Tylenol is the least harmful for treatment > of mild to moderate pain. My BCLD concurred with this. sorry, I misread or misinterpreted what you wrote. brainfog on my end no doubt Sara [blah] >>> Contraindication of...... Naproxen? >> [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > hours of research on the subject, is that Tylenol is the least harmful for > treatment of mild to moderate pain. My BCLD concurred with this. Right on. Thanks. >[cut] >>>> [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > ok with me boosting it with ultram, but once I started the anti d's, I > couldn't take ultram. Yeah I know it's fine @ low/recommended doses, but it's just a personal preference to try & take something else. It's just me. I will take it though. No big deal. I'm usually just concerned if/when I need surgery/& what not where I need a hydroc/APAP, @ 5 or 10/500mg. I've had to have generic Lortabs & stuff for odds & ends in the past few years due to sugeries & other things I can't place my finger on, maybe dental surgery, & I hate Lortabs. They make me nauseated. I will, however, be glad to take the Percodan Rx. If I need a lortab in the future & doc won't hand over the CII Rx for Percs or whatever, then I'll go with 5/500 Vicoprofen's. So maybe I'm a big pussy. I dunno. I don't care. Whatever. ;} > my hep c nurses told me that Ibuprofen or Naproxen occasionally would be > fine. > > My GP told me I could and should take aspirin once a day. Yeah the aspirin a day thing isn't on my agenda yet, but I know it is a good thing to take in a lot of cases. > talk to your hepc doc and see what HIS preference is. Since he's > prescribing your meds and overseeing your treatment, I think he should be > involved in all decisions about 'other' meds you take during tx. Yeah I know. I've only seen him once. I will see him in less than 2 wks when I need to bring him my CBC & liver panel tests. I'm using my own lab through a contact of my father's. $50 for the 2 tests for someone w/no ins. is a deal to me. Nurse just gave me a script w/the lab-codes to get done. But yeah, we've already discussed the other meds, & I'm sure we will many more times. I just can't physically see him more than once a month at most, @ $100 per visit. I know, I can't afford NOT to see him when I need to, but resources are not there. Nurse said they'd help the best they could. If I was just a few miles south of where I live, I'd be in Dallas county, where I could use the county hospital (Parkland Memorial) & get set up there. But I'm happy w/ my doc so far. > (and spidey was making a joke :) sorta. NO medicine is good for our > livers, so in reality ALL meds are contraindicated for hep c patients.... > get it? :)) ) > > Sara Yeah-- no doubt. Re: started tx today Group: alt.support.hepatitis-c Date: Sat, Mar 10, 2007, 10:14pm (CDT-1) From: rastapastry at msn.com (rastapasta) "Sara" <puffler@wowway.com> wrote in message news:aKCdnbrxBbhMoG_YnZ2dnUVZ_hisnZ2d@wideopenwest.com... top posting cause I'm lazy..... rasta, everyone is different. The first few shots I did did make me feel fluish, I ran a fever, had a headache, and slept a lot. Tylenol helps with that, 2 regular strength tylenol before I did the shot, then two more 4 hours later usually was enough to get me thru that, and doing the shot at night meant I slept thru most of the sides, helped by the tylenol. Then it stopped, and I didn't even need the tylenol. I never did get physically sick from the meds as far as puking but i did get the runs a few times. Immodium usually cleared that up with one dose. Yeah I think I'll be hittin' the ibuprofen tomorrow (next shot). I didn't 'lose' a lot of hair, but it did thin enough that my stylist could tell. It's normally naturally wavy, and now it just sorta hangs there looking limp and defeated. It gets brittle from the treatment tho, the meds dehydrate you and you need to keep hydrated, use a good hydrating shampoo, drink drink drink that water. My dr suggested an ounce of water a day for every two pounds you weigh, ie: if you weigh 150, you want to drink AT LEAST 75 ounces of water a day, over and above anything else you drink (according to my BCLD). I always have a 32 oz container of ice water at hand, and I refill it at least 2-3 times a day. I still go thru a quart of water thru the night Yeah got the water goin' already! I've noticed I'm already more thirsty. .... anyway, back to my hair :) it got the worst damage on the sides, I think from sleeping on them. Lots of broken hairs on my pillow for a while. The texture does change, and weird things happen. My cowlick moved!or I developed a second one, not sure. My eyebrows thinned, my eye lashes just look goofy. A shorter, layered hairdo worked well for me, tho then I got lazy and didn't get to the stylist for 6 months:) just got it trimmed up a couple weeks ago finally, but wouldn't let them do a lot to it or the sides would be too short. The cowlick moved--lol. Nice. And you'll hear lots of stories here about folks losing 40 lbs or so during TX. I was looking forward to that, I need to lose 40 lbs, and then some :( but I was one of the "lucky" ones who didn't lose much, about ten lbs total.... and then the holidays came and I gained all that back so now I'm right back where I started out 48 weeks ago weight wise. I hear ya. The holidays do come! I had mild sides, except for fatigue. I did need to go on anti depressants after a couple months.... when I caught myself yelling at a grocery store cashier for her bad attitude, I knew it was time. Funny. Yeah I'm trying to not let the anxiety/fatigue aspect ruin my days. I also found it hard to sleep from the Riba, so we tried Ambien, which I didn't like, and finally settled on Xanax to help me get to sleep. Works great for me. Yeah Xanax sounds nice, though I indulged on a bunch I got once from Meyhico, 2mg Alprazolams, & ended up twice in the ER w/gran mal sezures, from benzo WD's. Didn't know at the time that I shoulda come off gradually to avoid seizures. I think I'd do the same, becuase I really don't want to be on sleep meds. Still on the Celexa for a while, and it really did a nice job to mellow me out without making me a zombie. (pretty sure you can get both as generics without it being super expensive) I really don't want to be on antidepressants because I like to hang out with some very wonderful cacti and mushrooms on occasion, which don't mix with SSRI's. Jesus eases my depression. anyway, relax and don't cross yr bridges and all that.... we are all different, and you may be lucky enough to cruise through this without many side effects. Right---thanx. as far as no insurance goes, some of the drug companies will help you get the drugs you need if you contact them and tell them you have no insurance - not sure if you have to go thru yr dr or how you contact them tho. Yeah, we'll see. Hopefully, if I need any other meds, I can find a way to afford them. I did get anemic after a few months on tx, and my doc started me on Procrit right away. I still had a lot of fatigue, and slept many a day away, but it did help me. I was able to semi function, cook meals, grocery shop, do laundry, etc. I pay someone to clean my house for now, I'm not that much a martyr :) Right. My husband was/is great about bringing in carry-out 2-3 times a week, and that's been a huge help. He's also been very understanding and supportive, and that's even better. I really learned a lot about our relationship going through this. all good :) That's great he's supportive! ok enuff babbling from me. Good luck with your treatment, and just don't anticipate. Deal with your sides as they come up, ask your doc for help. Be aware that the meds WILL screw with your head, and make you depressed and angry. Ask Elmo about the anger :) Thank you! Yeah the meds seem to have these crazy personalitites to them, or bring them out in us, or both. Crazy stuff man. Elmo, eh? //////////// Yeah, crazy stuff, man. It'll make you angry. elmo http://community.webtv.net/elmoemerson/DocElmosHepFile http://community.webtv.net/elmoemerson/TheFamilyAlbum Re: started tx today Group: alt.support.hepatitis-c Date: Sun, Mar 11, 2007, 8:31am From: elmoemerson@webtv.net Re: started tx today Group: alt.support.hepatitis-c Date: Sat, Mar 10, 2007, 10:14pm (CDT-1) From: rastapastry at msn.com (rastapasta) "Sara" <puffler@wowway.com> wrote in message news:aKCdnbrxBbhMoG_YnZ2dnUVZ_hisnZ2d@wideopenwest.com... top posting cause I'm lazy..... rasta, everyone is different. The first few shots I did did make me feel fluish, I ran a fever, had a headache, and slept a lot. Tylenol helps with that, 2 regular strength tylenol before I did the shot, then two more 4 hours later usually was enough to get me thru that, and doing the shot at night meant I slept thru most of the sides, helped by the tylenol. Then it stopped, and I didn't even need the tylenol. I never did get physically sick from the meds as far as puking but i did get the runs a few times. Immodium usually cleared that up with one dose. Yeah I think I'll be hittin' the ibuprofen tomorrow (next shot). I didn't 'lose' a lot of hair, but it did thin enough that my stylist could tell. It's normally naturally wavy, and now it just sorta hangs there looking limp and defeated. It gets brittle from the treatment tho, the meds dehydrate you and you need to keep hydrated, use a good hydrating shampoo, drink drink drink that water. My dr suggested an ounce of water a day for every two pounds you weigh, ie: if you weigh 150, you want to drink AT LEAST 75 ounces of water a day, over and above anything else you drink (according to my BCLD). I always have a 32 oz container of ice water at hand, and I refill it at least 2-3 times a day. I still go thru a quart of water thru the night Yeah got the water goin' already! I've noticed I'm already more thirsty. .... anyway, back to my hair :) it got the worst damage on the sides, I think from sleeping on them. Lots of broken hairs on my pillow for a while. The texture does change, and weird things happen. My cowlick moved!or I developed a second one, not sure. My eyebrows thinned, my eye lashes just look goofy. A shorter, layered hairdo worked well for me, tho then I got lazy and didn't get to the stylist for 6 months:) just got it trimmed up a couple weeks ago finally, but wouldn't let them do a lot to it or the sides would be too short. The cowlick moved--lol. Nice. And you'll hear lots of stories here about folks losing 40 lbs or so during TX. I was looking forward to that, I need to lose 40 lbs, and then some :( but I was one of the "lucky" ones who didn't lose much, about ten lbs total.... and then the holidays came and I gained all that back so now I'm right back where I started out 48 weeks ago weight wise. I hear ya. The holidays do come! I had mild sides, except for fatigue. I did need to go on anti depressants after a couple months.... when I caught myself yelling at a grocery store cashier for her bad attitude, I knew it was time. Funny. Yeah I'm trying to not let the anxiety/fatigue aspect ruin my days. I also found it hard to sleep from the Riba, so we tried Ambien, which I didn't like, and finally settled on Xanax to help me get to sleep. Works great for me. Yeah Xanax sounds nice, though I indulged on a bunch I got once from Meyhico, 2mg Alprazolams, & ended up twice in the ER w/gran mal sezures, from benzo WD's. Didn't know at the time that I shoulda come off gradually to avoid seizures. I think I'd do the same, becuase I really don't want to be on sleep meds. Still on the Celexa for a while, and it really did a nice job to mellow me out without making me a zombie. (pretty sure you can get both as generics without it being super expensive) I really don't want to be on antidepressants because I like to hang out with some very wonderful cacti and mushrooms on occasion, which don't mix with SSRI's. Jesus eases my depression. anyway, relax and don't cross yr bridges and all that.... we are all different, and you may be lucky enough to cruise through this without many side effects. Right---thanx. as far as no insurance goes, some of the drug companies will help you get the drugs you need if you contact them and tell them you have no insurance - not sure if you have to go thru yr dr or how you contact them tho. Yeah, we'll see. Hopefully, if I need any other meds, I can find a way to afford them. I did get anemic after a few months on tx, and my doc started me on Procrit right away. I still had a lot of fatigue, and slept many a day away, but it did help me. I was able to semi function, cook meals, grocery shop, do laundry, etc. I pay someone to clean my house for now, I'm not that much a martyr :) Right. My husband was/is great about bringing in carry-out 2-3 times a week, and that's been a huge help. He's also been very understanding and supportive, and that's even better. I really learned a lot about our relationship going through this. all good :) That's great he's supportive! ok enuff babbling from me. Good luck with your treatment, and just don't anticipate. Deal with your sides as they come up, ask your doc for help. Be aware that the meds WILL screw with your head, and make you depressed and angry. Ask Elmo about the anger :) Thank you! Yeah the meds seem to have these crazy personalitites to them, or bring them out in us, or both. Crazy stuff man. Elmo, eh? //////////// Interferon will make you crazy and the ribavirin will make you angry. I was probably the most angry when I became anemic. The combination of extreme fatigue and mental confusion causes what's known as 'riba rage'. You'll know what I'm talking about in a few weeks. :-) elmo http://community.webtv.net/elmoemerson/DocElmosHepFile http://community.webtv.net/elmoemerson/TheFamilyAlbum "rastapasta" <rastapastry at msn.com> wrote... > "Waterspider" <nospam@all.com> wrote >> >> Are you taking antidepressants? Highly recommended. > Nurse said she'd get an Rx for me if I needed any antidepressants or > Lunestra or Ambien to sleep. Antidepressants take a few weeks to kick in and do their thing, so it's best to start on them a bit before you're thinking of flinging yourself in front on an oncoming interstate bus. And, sometimes docs will play around with scrips to find the right one for the patient (they seem to work differently on everyone). >> Are you smoking pot? Highly (no pun intended) recommended, at least by >> me. > Look at my handle, brah! Already! Duh. I'm not brain-damaged from tx, really I'm not <g> >> It's good that you're here, lots of wisdom to be shared and a few laughs >> too. It appears that you have a weird sense of humour, and that's your [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > know of personally who've relapsed on their viral loads, so I just hope > this isn't in vain. Oh crap. I'm sorry, it is 48 weeks for you, not 52 like I said. In 12 weeks (one down already!) you'll have a good idea if the Evil Drugs are working or not. You're looking for a two-log drop in your viral load, and if that shows up it's all good. Not to say that tx won't work with less of a drop, but odds say it's a lot less likely. >> Now that I've buttered you up, I have to ask a personal question... how >> the heck did you break the needle??? > I dunno, man. I'm not experienced with these needles, attaching that thing > onto the dose itself. The nurse already gave me another one. Got lucky. Are you using the "pen" type needles? Others here have had problems with them. I had the old school type, and my worst experience was dropping one and having it miss my bare foot on the bathroom floor by mere milimeters. I did quite the little hopping dance while the thing fell to the floor. My package of goodies would come with two needles for each shot. I guess the manufacturers were expecting the worst. Bet you're feeling a lot better by now. Don't worry, that will all be over with your next shot! I'm just kidding you of course, most of us found that it got easier as time went on. Other than the crashing WBCs and anemia and stuff, but you don't have to worry about that yet. Maybe never. Some folks here breezed through with hardly any problems at all. That's why it's so much fun... you never know what to expect, other than you'll lose a lot of hair <evil grin>. You take care, Rastapasta, and keep us posted on what's happening in your corner of the ring. Let us know if you have any problems, chances are at least one of us has had the problem, and learned how to resolve it. This place is all about passing on good info, and much of it is beyond what your doc knows. Waterspider > "rastapasta" <rastapastry at msn.com> wrote... >> "Waterspider" <nospam@all.com> wrote >> [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > with scrips to find the right one for the patient (they seem to work > differently on everyone). Yeah I'm not a big fan of them personally. I have 0 insurance & I prefer my extensive herbal tx regimen, lol. >>> Are you smoking pot? Highly (no pun intended) recommended, at least by >>> me. >> Look at my handle, brah! Already! > > Duh. I'm not brain-damaged from tx, really I'm not <g> heh >>> It's good that you're here, lots of wisdom to be shared and a few laughs >>> too. It appears that you have a weird sense of humour, and that's your [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > and if that shows up it's all good. Not to say that tx won't work with > less of a drop, but odds say it's a lot less likely. Ok. Thanks. >>> Now that I've buttered you up, I have to ask a personal question... how >>> the heck did you break the needle??? [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > My package of goodies would come with two needles for each shot. I guess > the manufacturers were expecting the worst. Old school? I dunno, but I have 3 boxes of 4 shots, & a few boxes of individual needles & alcohol swabs. The needles have an orange protective thing on them, & slip onto the amp./vial > Bet you're feeling a lot better by now. Don't worry, that will all be over > with your next shot! [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > you never know what to expect, other than you'll lose a lot of hair <evil > grin>. Oh Joy! ;} > You take care, Rastapasta, and keep us posted on what's happening in your > corner of the ring. Let us know if you have any problems, chances are at [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Waterspider Yeah I know this is a good place. I'll definitely keep ya'll posted! see ya! Welcome to the Jungle, Rastamon. Don't shooot the sheriff. elmo http://community.webtv.net/elmoemerson/DocElmosHepFile http://community.webtv.net/elmoemerson/TheFamilyAlbum > Welcome to the Jungle, Rastamon. Don't shooot the sheriff. > elmo Woo--hoo!! thanx > http://community.webtv.net/elmoemerson/DocElmosHepFile > > http://community.webtv.net/elmoemerson/TheFamilyAlbum > hello all > not too happy about this but had to do it [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > cheers Welcome Rasta, This group will give you tons of info, hours of fun and an equal horror of what people will say online, but would never say in real life. It's amazing! Good Luck eileen <~~~~~Inferneene, week 22 >> hello all >> not too happy about this but had to do it [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > Good Luck > eileen <~~~~~Inferneene, week 22 That's great! Thanks! >> hello all >> not too happy about this but had to do it [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > horror of what people will say online, but would never say in real > life. It's amazing! That's a pretty wild assumption. >> On Mar 4, 4:00 pm, "rastapasta" <rastapastry at msn.com> >> wrote: [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > > That's a pretty wild assumption. I think Eileen has earned the right to make a statement like that, and have folks accept it at face value. And you know she's right, many people will share a lot of things here with this group that they'd never say face to face to someone. Good things and bad things. Sara >>>> hello all >>>> not too happy about this but had to do it [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > will share a lot of things here with this group that they'd never say face > to face to someone. Good things and bad things. Of course, everyone has the right to post whatever they wish, but remember that Eileen did preface her statement with "and an equal horror..." so I don't think she was talking about posts she perceived as all nice and supportive. However, it was the "would never say in real life" that I question; Eileen certainly does not know what most of us would or would not say in real life. The comment was judgemental and I think the judgement was poor. >>>> On Mar 4, 4:00 pm, "rastapasta" <rastapastry at msn.com> >>>> wrote: [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] > in real life. The comment was judgemental and I think the > judgement was poor. She meant what she said, and I concur with her. There have been some things said here that I've reacted to with horror, and I can only hope that face to face most of those things would not be said. If they would, I sure hope I'm never face to face with some of the folks who post here. Sara >>>>>> hello all >>>>>> not too happy about this but had to do it [quoted text clipped - 41 lines] > If they would, I sure hope I'm never face to face with some of the folks > who post here. Fair enough. But, although you may *hope* that those people who posted those things would never say them, you don't know if they would or not. I'd rather think that people's posts here (like em or not) are true to their characters. It's those who pretend to be something different than they are who make me uncomfortable. Unless, of course, it's over in the Swamp... |
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