Re: blood tests after treatment

[Guest guest]

I thought we were supp. to avoid them like the plague. Flu shots that is. I have heavy metals in me, high, and the flu shots have mercury in them so i dont' ever ever get those.

Bek

From: Theresa Gottlieb <theresagottlieb@...> < >Sent: Wed, February 9, 2011 2:43:29 PMSubject: Re: [ ] blood tests after treatment

Somehow I hit send too quickly.....

You need liver function tests twice a year, and depending on how many tests are being run, multiple tubes of blood may be needed. Each of those tubes have different colored tops. The color of the top indicates what chemical is in the tube. Some tubes, the red ones, have nothing in them and the blood clots. They use those tubes when the test is run on the serum in the blood. The purple topped ones are for CBC's only. The black and red ones have a separator in them to separate the blood from the serum when the tube is spun. The other colors all have different anticoagulants in them for specific blood tests.

Hope that helps ny.. and YES get that flu shot.

Hugs,Teri

On Wed, Feb 9, 2011 at 1:36 PM, Theresa Gottlieb <theresagottlieb@...> wrote:

ny, Yes sweetie, your immune system is weak. This is from the treatment. I am 5 years out of treatment and my immune system is STILL compromised, although mine was TOTALLY knocked out during treatment and may never come back all the way. Yes, get the flu shot, it is safe and probably the best thing you can do. Now I'm going to get a ton of push back on this from everyone on this group who has ever had a bad experience with a flu shot but it's a necessary evil when your immune system is compromised. I have a friend, or I should say HAD a friend who was a hep c survivor but had several other problems from the treatment and she wound up with a nice case of pneumonia a few weeks ago. She passed away last Tuesday. Please ny, get the flu shot. I'm sure 's family wishes she'd have gotten hers. She was my age... It's very sad. You probably need a flu shot and a pneumonia shot as well..

some of them are together ask when you get it.

You do NOT need a viral load every 3 months. You do need liver function tests at least twice a year.

On Wed, Feb 9, 2011 at 5:14 AM, Barrett <barrjohnm@...> wrote:

Hi,I saw the doctors at the clinic today I was told me my immune system is weak, not sure why but that now I can catch a cold or flu more easily. they want me to get a flu shot tomorrow, I feel scared about this. Is it safe to get the flu shot?I was told today that I will need to get a full blood test the PCR one(for the viral load I think) every 3 months, is this normal?I took the test today, I am happy to say that there were only 5 tubes, it was so painful, but way better than the amount they used to take. I don't know why they can't take just one big tube. I don't know if they fill each tube.I am still waiting for them to create a laser so there are no needles!Thanks,Hugs ny

[Guest guest]

Nope...  Especially when you've gone thru treatment or are on treatment.  During tx your immune system is compromised to such a point that if you were to get the flu it could actually kill you rather quickly.  Most docs don't play around with it and they give it to you whether you want it or not.    

Heavy metal poisoning is not a common side effect of hep c so it's usually not worried about.Hugs,TeriOn Wed, Feb 9, 2011 at 9:44 PM, Hill <pooderdog@...> wrote:

 

I thought we were supp. to avoid them like the plague. Flu shots that is.  I have heavy metals in me, high, and the flu shots have mercury in them so i dont' ever ever get those.

Bek 

From: Theresa Gottlieb <theresagottlieb@...> < >

Sent: Wed, February 9, 2011 2:43:29 PMSubject: Re: [ ] blood tests after treatment 

Somehow I hit send too quickly.....  

You need liver function tests twice a year, and depending on how many tests are being run, multiple tubes of blood may be needed.  Each of those tubes have different colored tops.  The color of the top indicates what chemical is in the tube.  Some tubes, the red ones, have nothing in them and the blood clots.  They use those tubes when the test is run on the serum in the blood.  The purple topped ones are for CBC's only.  The black and red ones have a separator in them to separate the blood from the serum when the tube is spun.  The other colors all have different anticoagulants in them for specific blood tests.  

Hope that helps ny..  and YES get that flu shot.

Hugs,Teri

On Wed, Feb 9, 2011 at 1:36 PM, Theresa Gottlieb <theresagottlieb@...> wrote:

ny, Yes sweetie, your immune system is weak. This is from the treatment.  I am 5 years out of treatment and my immune system is STILL compromised, although mine was TOTALLY knocked out during treatment and may never come back all the way.  Yes, get the flu shot, it is safe and probably the best thing you can do.  Now I'm going to get a ton of push back on this from everyone on this group who has ever had a bad experience with a flu shot but it's a necessary evil when your immune system is compromised.  I have a friend, or I should say HAD a friend who was a hep c survivor but had several other problems from the treatment and she wound up with a nice case of pneumonia a few weeks ago.  She passed away last Tuesday.  Please ny, get the flu shot.  I'm sure 's family wishes she'd have gotten hers.  She was my age...  It's very sad.  You probably need a flu shot and a pneumonia shot as well..

 some of them are together ask when you get it.  

You do NOT need a viral load every 3 months.  You do need liver function tests at least twice a year.  

On Wed, Feb 9, 2011 at 5:14 AM, Barrett <barrjohnm@...> wrote:

 

Hi,I saw the doctors at the clinic today I was told me my immune system is weak, not sure why but that now I can catch a cold or flu more easily. they want me to get a flu shot tomorrow, I feel scared about this. Is it safe to get the flu shot?

I was told today that I will need to get a full blood test the PCR one(for the viral load I think) every 3 months, is this normal?I took the test today, I am happy to say that there were only 5 tubes, it was so painful, but way better than the amount they used to take. I don't know why they can't take just one big tube. I don't know if they fill each tube.

I am still waiting for them to create a laser so there are no needles!Thanks,Hugs ny

[Guest guest]

I did not know the flus shot had mercury in itOn Feb 9, 2011, at 5:44 PM, Hill wrote:

I thought we were supp. to avoid them like the plague. Flu shots that is. I have heavy metals in me, high, and the flu shots have mercury in them so i dont' ever ever get those.

Bek

From: Theresa Gottlieb <theresagottlieb@...> < >Sent: Wed, February 9, 2011 2:43:29 PMSubject: Re: [ ] blood tests after treatment Somehow I hit send too quickly.....

You need liver function tests twice a year, and depending on how many tests are being run, multiple tubes of blood may be needed. Each of those tubes have different colored tops. The color of the top indicates what chemical is in the tube. Some tubes, the red ones, have nothing in them and the blood clots. They use those tubes when the test is run on the serum in the blood. The purple topped ones are for CBC's only. The black and red ones have a separator in them to separate the blood from the serum when the tube is spun. The other colors all have different anticoagulants in them for specific blood tests.

Hope that helps ny.. and YES get that flu shot.

Hugs,Teri

On Wed, Feb 9, 2011 at 1:36 PM, Theresa Gottlieb <theresagottlieb@...> wrote:

ny, Yes sweetie, your immune system is weak. This is from the treatment. I am 5 years out of treatment and my immune system is STILL compromised, although mine was TOTALLY knocked out during treatment and may never come back all the way. Yes, get the flu shot, it is safe and probably the best thing you can do. Now I'm going to get a ton of push back on this from everyone on this group who has ever had a bad experience with a flu shot but it's a necessary evil when your immune system is compromised. I have a friend, or I should say HAD a friend who was a hep c survivor but had several other problems from the treatment and she wound up with a nice case of pneumonia a few weeks ago. She passed away last Tuesday. Please ny, get the flu shot. I'm sure 's family wishes she'd have gotten hers. She was my age... It's very sad. You probably need a flu shot and a pneumonia shot as well..

some of them are together ask when you get it.

You do NOT need a viral load every 3 months. You do need liver function tests at least twice a year.

On Wed, Feb 9, 2011 at 5:14 AM, Barrett <barrjohnm@...> wrote:

Hi,I saw the doctors at the clinic today I was told me my immune system is weak, not sure why but that now I can catch a cold or flu more easily. they want me to get a flu shot tomorrow, I feel scared about this. Is it safe to get the flu shot?I was told today that I will need to get a full blood test the PCR one(for the viral load I think) every 3 months, is this normal?I took the test today, I am happy to say that there were only 5 tubes, it was so painful, but way better than the amount they used to take. I don't know why they can't take just one big tube. I don't know if they fill each tube.I am still waiting for them to create a laser so there are no needles!Thanks,Hugs ny

[Guest guest]

Hi Teri,Thanks so much! They told me today that mine is still weak, and i should get the flus shot on the 17th when I go back to Queens.They told me at Queens that every 3 months there would be a hep C blood test, they mean the pcr with viral load, right? yes you are right I did notice they had different color tops, next time I will take notice of the colorsthanks so much,Hugs, nyOn Feb 9, 2011, at 9:37 AM, Theresa Gottlieb wrote:

ny,Yes sweetie, your immune system is weak. This is from the treatment. I am 5 years out of treatment and my immune system is STILL compromised, although mine was TOTALLY knocked out during treatment and may never come back all the way. Yes, get the flu shot, it is safe and probably the best thing you can do. Now I'm going to get a ton of push back on this from everyone on this group who has ever had a bad experience with a flu shot but it's a necessary evil when your immune system is compromised. I have a friend, or I should say HAD a friend who was a hep c survivor but had several other problems from the treatment and she wound up with a nice case of pneumonia a few weeks ago. She passed away last Tuesday. Please ny, get the flu shot. I'm sure 's family wishes she'd have gotten hers. She was my age... It's very sad. You probably need a flu shot and a pneumonia shot as well.. some of them are together ask when you get it.

You do NOT need a viral load every 3 months. You do need liver function tests at least twice a year. On Wed, Feb 9, 2011 at 5:14 AM, Barrett <barrjohnm@...> wrote:

Hi,

I saw the doctors at the clinic today I was told me my immune system is weak, not sure why but that now I can catch a cold or flu more easily. they want me to get a flu shot tomorrow, I feel scared about this. Is it safe to get the flu shot?

I was told today that I will need to get a full blood test the PCR one(for the viral load I think) every 3 months, is this normal?

I took the test today, I am happy to say that there were only 5 tubes, it was so painful, but way better than the amount they used to take. I don't know why they can't take just one big tube. I don't know if they fill each tube.

I am still waiting for them to create a laser so there are no needles!

Thanks,

Hugs ny

[Guest guest]

ny,I don't see any reason for them to do a viral load every 3 months...  Liver function tests yes, viral load, no.  Your viral load is only important when you are on treatment... 

Hugs,TeriOn Thu, Feb 10, 2011 at 4:36 AM, Barrett <barrjohnm@...> wrote:

 

Hi Teri,Thanks so much! They told me today that mine is still weak, and i should get the flus shot on the 17th when I go back to Queens.

They told me at Queens that every 3 months there would be a hep C blood test, they mean the pcr with viral load, right?  yes you are right I did notice they had different color tops, next time I will take notice of the colors

thanks so much,Hugs, nyOn Feb 9, 2011, at 9:37 AM, Theresa Gottlieb wrote:

 

ny,Yes sweetie, your immune system is weak. This is from the treatment.  I am 5 years out of treatment and my immune system is STILL compromised, although mine was TOTALLY knocked out during treatment and may never come back all the way.  Yes, get the flu shot, it is safe and probably the best thing you can do.  Now I'm going to get a ton of push back on this from everyone on this group who has ever had a bad experience with a flu shot but it's a necessary evil when your immune system is compromised.  I have a friend, or I should say HAD a friend who was a hep c survivor but had several other problems from the treatment and she wound up with a nice case of pneumonia a few weeks ago.  She passed away last Tuesday.  Please ny, get the flu shot.  I'm sure 's family wishes she'd have gotten hers.  She was my age...  It's very sad.  You probably need a flu shot and a pneumonia shot as well..  some of them are together ask when you get it.  

You do NOT need a viral load every 3 months.  You do need liver function tests at least twice a year.  On Wed, Feb 9, 2011 at 5:14 AM, Barrett <barrjohnm@...> wrote:

 

Hi,

I saw the doctors at the clinic today I was told me my immune system is weak, not sure why but that now I can catch a cold or flu more easily. they want me to get a flu shot tomorrow, I feel scared about this. Is it safe to get the flu shot?

I was told today that I will need to get a full blood test the PCR one(for the viral load I think) every 3 months, is this normal?

I took the test today, I am happy to say that there were only 5 tubes, it was so painful, but way better than the amount they used to take. I don't know why they can't take just one big tube. I don't know if they fill each tube.

I am still waiting for them to create a laser so there are no needles!

Thanks,

Hugs ny

[Guest guest]

Well, lol, I'm worried about it. And am later on having oral chelation, and possibly getting my amalgam fillings removed, i just have 4.

Thanks,

Bek

From: Theresa Gottlieb <theresagottlieb@...> < >Sent: Thu, February 10, 2011 2:18:12 AMSubject: Re: [ ] blood tests after treatment

Nope... Especially when you've gone thru treatment or are on treatment. During tx your immune system is compromised to such a point that if you were to get the flu it could actually kill you rather quickly. Most docs don't play around with it and they give it to you whether you want it or not.

Heavy metal poisoning is not a common side effect of hep c so it's usually not worried about.

Hugs,Teri

On Wed, Feb 9, 2011 at 9:44 PM, Hill <pooderdog@...> wrote:

I thought we were supp. to avoid them like the plague. Flu shots that is. I have heavy metals in me, high, and the flu shots have mercury in them so i dont' ever ever get those.

Bek

From: Theresa Gottlieb <theresagottlieb@...> < >Sent: Wed, February 9, 2011 2:43:29 PMSubject: Re: [ ] blood tests after treatment

Somehow I hit send too quickly.....

You need liver function tests twice a year, and depending on how many tests are being run, multiple tubes of blood may be needed. Each of those tubes have different colored tops. The color of the top indicates what chemical is in the tube. Some tubes, the red ones, have nothing in them and the blood clots. They use those tubes when the test is run on the serum in the blood. The purple topped ones are for CBC's only. The black and red ones have a separator in them to separate the blood from the serum when the tube is spun. The other colors all have different anticoagulants in them for specific blood tests.

Hope that helps ny.. and YES get that flu shot.

Hugs,Teri

On Wed, Feb 9, 2011 at 1:36 PM, Theresa Gottlieb <theresagottlieb@...> wrote:

ny, Yes sweetie, your immune system is weak. This is from the treatment. I am 5 years out of treatment and my immune system is STILL compromised, although mine was TOTALLY knocked out during treatment and may never come back all the way. Yes, get the flu shot, it is safe and probably the best thing you can do. Now I'm going to get a ton of push back on this from everyone on this group who has ever had a bad experience with a flu shot but it's a necessary evil when your immune system is compromised. I have a friend, or I should say HAD a friend who was a hep c survivor but had several other problems from the treatment and she wound up with a nice case of pneumonia a few weeks ago. She passed away last Tuesday. Please ny, get the flu shot. I'm sure 's family wishes she'd have gotten hers. She was my age... It's very sad. You probably need a flu shot and a pneumonia shot as well..

some of them are together ask when you get it.

You do NOT need a viral load every 3 months. You do need liver function tests at least twice a year.

On Wed, Feb 9, 2011 at 5:14 AM, Barrett <barrjohnm@...> wrote:

Hi,I saw the doctors at the clinic today I was told me my immune system is weak, not sure why but that now I can catch a cold or flu more easily. they want me to get a flu shot tomorrow, I feel scared about this. Is it safe to get the flu shot?I was told today that I will need to get a full blood test the PCR one(for the viral load I think) every 3 months, is this normal?I took the test today, I am happy to say that there were only 5 tubes, it was so painful, but way better than the amount they used to take. I don't know why they can't take just one big tube. I don't know if they fill each tube.I am still waiting for them to create a laser so there are no needles!Thanks,Hugs ny

[Guest guest]

There is a difference Bek, you are not dealing with a compromised immune system from chemotherapy treatment.  The folks who are currently on treatment or have just finished have basically done a chemotherapy stint and their immune system is wiped out.  Being exposed to the flu is very dangerous without an immune system.  

On Thu, Feb 10, 2011 at 11:23 AM, Hill <pooderdog@...> wrote:

 

Well, lol, I'm worried about it.  And am later on having oral chelation, and possibly getting my amalgam fillings removed, i just have 4.

Thanks,

Bek

From: Theresa Gottlieb <theresagottlieb@...> < >

Sent: Thu, February 10, 2011 2:18:12 AMSubject: Re: [ ] blood tests after treatment 

Nope...  Especially when you've gone thru treatment or are on treatment.  During tx your immune system is compromised to such a point that if you were to get the flu it could actually kill you rather quickly.  Most docs don't play around with it and they give it to you whether you want it or not.    

Heavy metal poisoning is not a common side effect of hep c so it's usually not worried about.

Hugs,Teri

On Wed, Feb 9, 2011 at 9:44 PM, Hill <pooderdog@...> wrote:

 

I thought we were supp. to avoid them like the plague. Flu shots that is.  I have heavy metals in me, high, and the flu shots have mercury in them so i dont' ever ever get those.

Bek 

From: Theresa Gottlieb <theresagottlieb@...> < >

Sent: Wed, February 9, 2011 2:43:29 PMSubject: Re: [ ] blood tests after treatment 

Somehow I hit send too quickly.....  

You need liver function tests twice a year, and depending on how many tests are being run, multiple tubes of blood may be needed.  Each of those tubes have different colored tops.  The color of the top indicates what chemical is in the tube.  Some tubes, the red ones, have nothing in them and the blood clots.  They use those tubes when the test is run on the serum in the blood.  The purple topped ones are for CBC's only.  The black and red ones have a separator in them to separate the blood from the serum when the tube is spun.  The other colors all have different anticoagulants in them for specific blood tests.  

Hope that helps ny..  and YES get that flu shot.

Hugs,Teri

On Wed, Feb 9, 2011 at 1:36 PM, Theresa Gottlieb <theresagottlieb@...> wrote:

ny, Yes sweetie, your immune system is weak. This is from the treatment.  I am 5 years out of treatment and my immune system is STILL compromised, although mine was TOTALLY knocked out during treatment and may never come back all the way.  Yes, get the flu shot, it is safe and probably the best thing you can do.  Now I'm going to get a ton of push back on this from everyone on this group who has ever had a bad experience with a flu shot but it's a necessary evil when your immune system is compromised.  I have a friend, or I should say HAD a friend who was a hep c survivor but had several other problems from the treatment and she wound up with a nice case of pneumonia a few weeks ago.  She passed away last Tuesday.  Please ny, get the flu shot.  I'm sure 's family wishes she'd have gotten hers.  She was my age...  It's very sad.  You probably need a flu shot and a pneumonia shot as well..

 some of them are together ask when you get it.  

You do NOT need a viral load every 3 months.  You do need liver function tests at least twice a year.  

On Wed, Feb 9, 2011 at 5:14 AM, Barrett <barrjohnm@...> wrote:

 

Hi,I saw the doctors at the clinic today I was told me my immune system is weak, not sure why but that now I can catch a cold or flu more easily. they want me to get a flu shot tomorrow, I feel scared about this. Is it safe to get the flu shot?

I was told today that I will need to get a full blood test the PCR one(for the viral load I think) every 3 months, is this normal?I took the test today, I am happy to say that there were only 5 tubes, it was so painful, but way better than the amount they used to take. I don't know why they can't take just one big tube. I don't know if they fill each tube.

I am still waiting for them to create a laser so there are no needles!Thanks,Hugs ny

[Guest guest]

nyI was supposed to have the liver enzymes checked every 3 months from when I was first diagnosed. After my 1st tx failed, that was to continue. So, I was having the liver enzymes checked and a CBC (Teri knows what that means). Since my 2nd tx was successful, I don't have any routine blood work necessarily; but, I was supposed to have semi-annual Ultra Sounds.Unfortunately, from the very 1st semi-annual Ultra Sound, another spot was detected and so I've already had 2 CT Scans since. Somehow, I don't think any one is going to be looking for my next semi-annual ultra sound.

LOLGloria

ny,I don't see any reason for them to do a viral load every 3 months... Liver function tests yes, viral load, no. Your viral load is only important when you are on treatment...

Hugs,TeriOn Thu, Feb 10, 2011 at 4:36 AM, Barrett <barrjohnm@...> wrote:

[Guest guest]

Hi Gloria,thanks!I suppose that is he blood test that they are doing checking liver enzymes & CBC. I am scheduled for a liver ultra sound in a few weeks, I guess this is twice a year.Maybe when they do mine they will discover that my liver is not inflamed anymore(back to the normal size, what ever that is), probably not but it is a nice thought`-`thanks,johnnyOn Feb 10, 2011, at 5:55 PM, Gloria wrote:

nyI was supposed to have the liver enzymes checked every 3 months from when I was first diagnosed. After my 1st tx failed, that was to continue. So, I was having the liver enzymes checked and a CBC (Teri knows what that means). Since my 2nd tx was successful, I don't have any routine blood work necessarily; but, I was supposed to have semi-annual Ultra Sounds.Unfortunately, from the very 1st semi-annual Ultra Sound, another spot was detected and so I've already had 2 CT Scans since. Somehow, I don't think any one is going to be looking for my next semi-annual ultra sound.

LOLGloria

ny,I don't see any reason for them to do a viral load every 3 months... Liver function tests yes, viral load, no. Your viral load is only important when you are on treatment...

Hugs,TeriOn Thu, Feb 10, 2011 at 4:36 AM, Barrett <barrjohnm@...> wrote:

[Guest guest]

nyIf I recall correctly, you are a genotype 1 and at stage 3/4. With a diagnosis of stage 4, they begin to have us doing Ultra Sounds every 6 months. They are watching for any signs of cancer. However, it should also give them some information about why your liver is inflamed or swollen.Unfortunately, I still felt like a pregnant cow after tx was over. Suppose my liver was still inflamed as well.Gloria

Hi Gloria,thanks!I suppose that is he blood test that they are doing checking liver enzymes & CBC. I am scheduled for a liver ultra sound in a few weeks, I guess this is twice a year.Maybe when they do mine they will discover that my liver is not inflamed anymore(back to the normal size, what ever that is), probably not but it is a nice thought`-`thanks,johnnyOn Feb 10, 2011, at 5:55 PM, Gloria wrote:

[Guest guest]

yeah they did say I would be getting ultra sounds and cat scans often, they told they alternate between them.Hopefully it tells them why my liver is inflamed and maybe some other info too.yeah I feel so bloated, like I am pregnant.thanks,nyOn Feb 11, 2011, at 6:59 PM, Gloria wrote:

nyIf I recall correctly, you are a genotype 1 and at stage 3/4. With a diagnosis of stage 4, they begin to have us doing Ultra Sounds every 6 months. They are watching for any signs of cancer. However, it should also give them some information about why your liver is inflamed or swollen.Unfortunately, I still felt like a pregnant cow after tx was over. Suppose my liver was still inflamed as well.Gloria

Hi Gloria,thanks!I suppose that is he blood test that they are doing checking liver enzymes & CBC. I am scheduled for a liver ultra sound in a few weeks, I guess this is twice a year.Maybe when they do mine they will discover that my liver is not inflamed anymore(back to the normal size, what ever that is), probably not but it is a nice thought`-`thanks,johnnyOn Feb 10, 2011, at 5:55 PM, Gloria wrote:

[Guest guest]

yeah they did say I would be getting ultra sounds and cat scans often, they told they alternate between them.Hopefully it tells them why my liver is inflamed and maybe some other info too.yeah I feel so bloated, like I am pregnant.thanks,nyOn Feb 11, 2011, at 6:59 PM, Gloria wrote:

nyIf I recall correctly, you are a genotype 1 and at stage 3/4. With a diagnosis of stage 4, they begin to have us doing Ultra Sounds every 6 months. They are watching for any signs of cancer. However, it should also give them some information about why your liver is inflamed or swollen.Unfortunately, I still felt like a pregnant cow after tx was over. Suppose my liver was still inflamed as well.Gloria

Hi Gloria,thanks!I suppose that is he blood test that they are doing checking liver enzymes & CBC. I am scheduled for a liver ultra sound in a few weeks, I guess this is twice a year.Maybe when they do mine they will discover that my liver is not inflamed anymore(back to the normal size, what ever that is), probably not but it is a nice thought`-`thanks,johnnyOn Feb 10, 2011, at 5:55 PM, Gloria wrote: