Newb Gettin' Educated in SC

[Guest guest]

Hello all. I've been reading your posts and am amazed at the wealth of

information you've all been in such a short period of time! I haven't known

when to jump in, but, here goes anyway.

In Dec. 2009, my home burned down. Family and pets all fine but 20+ years of

memorabilia gone up in flames. (Not to mention that year's Xmas gifts.)

A couple months later I began having the worst case of diarhea ever! Horrible

stomach pains and swelling ensued. GP ordered blood work, ultrasound and sent

me home with instructions to take a mild laxative. REALLY bad idea. Went back

only to find I had hypothyroidism and HepC. Was given Synthroid, muscle

relaxers, dilaudid and some anti-anxiety drug that gave me wicked weird

hallucinations. Now I know what I didn't miss out on in my youth.

Was referred to Gastro guy who ordered more blood work and another ultrasound.

HepC positive again, thyroid still low functioning and, ultrasound indicated

cyrrhosis of the liver. Was diagnosed with alcoholic cyrrhosis with no mention

of HepC contribution. I've always been a drinker. Mostly just wine. My heritage

is Irish, ish and French. (A bit of German too.) I come by it honest. (I

haven't had so much as a sip of wine, or any other alcohol, since all this

began.)

I have no idea where the HepC came from, no idea how long I've had it and Gastro

guy never speaks of it. His parting line to me is always " you're dying, I'm

dying, we're all dying " . Real comforting! I've been on my own trying to find

out what it all means. I've requested another referral to a Doc who has

knowledge of HepC. I've been so swollen at times I can't move without horrible

pain. Gastro gave me diurhetics but refuses to allow me anything for pain.

(Guess I'm a potential drug addict too.) Wound up in the hospital after Xmas

where I finally got some relief!

Did I mention I also have a hernia in my groin from the extra pressure? Gastro

keeps telling me not to worry about it, just lay down and put my feet up. Now

it's the size of a tennis ball and extremely painful after a long day. Needless

to say, I have an appt. with a surgeon to get it fixed.

Whew! And that's the short of it. Anyway, I'm trying to wrap my mind around

all this. I've educated myself enough to know I need a real specialist who is

willing and able to help me. Now that the fog is lifting I'm starting to get a

little pissed!

Thanks for listening! And thank you for this wonderful group of people! Even

my family thinks I'm just lazy. Fatique? Me? Never!

I'm off to start another day after a long night without sleep.

Love to all! You have no idea how much I mean that!