update

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

How sad and scary.

Suzy

>From: " joey75234 " <bobd1@...>

>Reply-SSRI medications

>SSRI medications

>Subject: Re: Update

>Date: Sun, 03 Mar 2002 06:46:56 -0000

>

>Suzy, hi and yew, I tried.....had him convinced to help Bob get off

>the stuff way last March...his way was to get him in the

>hospital...we agreed, and they locked him up, started a 10 reduction

>of the valium, Bob's schitso roomy called me one morning at about

>6am, said it was Bill, amazed me as Bill was the side of this man

>that never spoke...anyway, he told me Bob was laying in the bed and

>would not get up and was all cold and shaking and had messed himself

>and he had not gotten up since the day before...needless to say, I

>drove in 35 minutes the miles that usually took an hour and saw this

>wreck of humanity lying in his own filth, he did not even know me and

>he had not had food, water or his drugs for 18 hours...I went

>ballistic and ranted and yelled at everyone...his doc started rounds

>and heard me screaming and burst into the room, when he saw Bob he

>got scared, order brain scans and all sorts of things, guess he must

>have thought he messed up by the speed people ran... I insisted they

>get him to dose and send him home where he would at least be taken

>care of...he did that and Bob was home in 3 days....since then, I

>cannot even look at the ass wipe with out wanting to vomit...good

>suggestion, but no thanks, Bob can get murdered by this ass all by

>himself...

>

>

>

> >

> > Dear ,

> >

> > You were only telling him the truth. Have you tried talking to the

>doctor?

> > Not in an attack mode, but in a concerned, informative way?

> >

> > Love,

> > Suzy

> >

> >

> > _________________________________________________________________

> > MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos:

> > http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx

>

_________________________________________________________________

Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com

[Guest guest]

I asked them if it was too late to schedule me for

> Mexico.

- Glad to hear that you will be going to Mexico. You will love

Dr. Rumbaut. Let us know when you are scheduled. Be sure keep

bugging Fox's office about getting your money back or have them

transfer what needs to go to Dr. Rumbaut and the rest sent to you.

Saving money is just an extra bonus. Congrats!!!

Elma

Banded 2/27/01

Dr. Rumbaut/Monterrey

300/165/ 1/2 of the original

[Guest guest]

Glad to hear that, Kare.

Love,

Dayu

> I just received this in an email from Luciana's husband:

>

> P.S:last night, Luciana was visited by the gynecologyst, for an

> accurate scanning of the area, according to him, she shouldn't have

> problems, so far, as bleeding.the total examination says she is Ok .

>

> Thank you all for your prayers and healing energy. Bless you, Kare

[Guest guest]

Hi! I'm new here and was just reading through some of the old posts

and have some similarities with you. I was on the pill for about a

year and was so depressed I didn't leave the couch for days. I had a

different doc then and quit taking the pill. Before I was diagnosed,

I started having very irregular periods but not really heavy. My

gyno thought it was from an infection but tested my thyroid just to

be safe. My first bloodwork level was 27. My last was 4. I also

had some other level (I'm so overwhelmed right now I can't remember

all the abbreviations) that was supposed to be between 0-50 to be

normal and mine was 1421. I go back in 3 weeks to have more

bloodwork to check how the synthroid is working. So far, so good, I

think. Hope you keep getting better!

>

> Hello,

>

> Just an update. (Brief history, I went to my Dr because my periods

had gotten too heavy. She did a blood test and my TSH was 94. She put

me on birth control for my periods which caused severe depression.

Went off of them in Jan and depression lifted.)

>

> In Feb my TSH was 1.29 and in March .99. I am on .125 Levoxyl. I

don't feel much different but this month my period was alot lighter

(and a week early.) I am drowsy and tired but that could be a side

affect of the Prozac (and no or very little PMS thanks to Prozac.)

>

> I do agree you have to listen to your intuition. My Dr (a DO) kept

insisting my depression was caused by my thyroid. I kept insisting it

was the pill and went off of it against what she wanted. With in days

my depression started lifting. (And when menopause comes I will not

go back on estrogen.)

>

> As far as food. My cravings have changed and I am eating less. (Of

course with Prozac I have no appetite so that helps.)

>

> This is a great group. No one thinks much about the Thyroid until

something goes wrong with it and you realize how powerful it is.

>

> Louise

>

> PS My great aunt had an underactive Thyroid and it can be genetic.

My Dr doesn't know how long mine went untreated but said as high as

my TSH level was I could have been in a coma or dead within a year.

[Guest guest]

Wonderful Post: Thanks for your frankness. Phyllis

[Guest guest]

((((((((((((((( Janine!!! )))))))))))))))

That is so wonderful! I think Armour will help you since it adds the other needed components, not just the T4 so many docs want to give us.

Follow your Doc's advice and be sure to let us know when you hit 300......I'll toast to you with my carrot juice ;-}

Hugs,

Bev

Update

Well I saw my osteopathic dr. again today. She loved the food diary and said that wasn't that bad.Newest plan is to keep on slowly adding more veggies and fruit (have problems with them on my tummy so I gotta go sloooow).Gotta add more meat. She wants it twice a day now instead of once a day. And she wants less of the protein to be from diary.Cut down just a bit more on the carbs.Don't drink regular pop at all (I only had about 3 mt. Dews in a month). Keep up with the bike riding and the swimming and the lifting weightsGotta do measurements every week and keep up the food diary.Also an going to be stopping the synthroid and going to a natural thyroid med. Going to be taking that in the morning on an empty stomach as well.Ok heres the best news. In April when I first met her and she had me taking my thyroid me on an empty stomach, eating more meat and getting on vitamins....I was 346 lbs.End of May I was 339 lbs.Today I was 331 lbs.Total loss in 13 weeks is 15 lbs!!!!I can't really feel it and I can't see it. And I have been wearing knit pants and shorts due to summer so I don't know how my jeans fit.I was very discouraged after a year of not losing anything with a LOT of exercise. I haven't been doing my exercise like I should and I actually lost somethin! Thank god she had me start taking my meds on an empty stomache and got me in the right direction diet wise again. I'm beginning to hope that I actually can get below 300 again. And I feel like wanting to ride my bike and lift my weights again so that when I see her in the beginning of August I'm down closer to 325!I have not had to give up any foods and I have not felt restricted. I'm trying to open up my VERY limited diet and I'm doing things that I could live with forever.I had begun to think that I could be healthier but it would be impossible for me to lose much weight. Gosh 8 lbs without much exercise, I can't wait to see what exercise is going to do. And hopefully the Armour thyroid will help me feel better and lose even easier too.Janine

[Guest guest]

Thanks.

I was really wanting to be 300 by my wedding and depending on when we

do it, it might actually be more of reality now. (Could be anytime

from August to Feb! LOL....depends on when and where my fiance gets a

job).

I'm looking forward to seeing if Armour does make a differece, I'm

supposed to be starting it tomorrow morning..on an empty stomach.

Janine

> ((((((((((((((( Janine!!! )))))))))))))))

>

> That is so wonderful! I think Armour will help you since it adds

the other needed components, not just the T4 so many docs want to

give us.

>

> Follow your Doc's advice and be sure to let us know when you hit

300......I'll toast to you with my carrot juice ;-}

>

> Hugs,

> Bev

> Update

>

>

> Well I saw my osteopathic dr. again today. She loved the food

diary

> and said that wasn't that bad.

> Newest plan is to keep on slowly adding more veggies and fruit

(have

> problems with them on my tummy so I gotta go sloooow).

> Gotta add more meat. She wants it twice a day now instead of once

a

> day. And she wants less of the protein to be from diary.

> Cut down just a bit more on the carbs.

> Don't drink regular pop at all (I only had about 3 mt. Dews in a

> month).

>

> Keep up with the bike riding and the swimming and the lifting

weights

>

> Gotta do measurements every week and keep up the food diary.

>

> Also an going to be stopping the synthroid and going to a natural

> thyroid med. Going to be taking that in the morning on an empty

> stomach as well.

>

> Ok heres the best news. In April when I first met her and she had

me

> taking my thyroid me on an empty stomach, eating more meat and

> getting on vitamins....I was 346 lbs.

> End of May I was 339 lbs.

> Today I was 331 lbs.

>

> Total loss in 13 weeks is 15 lbs!!!!

> I can't really feel it and I can't see it. And I have been

wearing

> knit pants and shorts due to summer so I don't know how my jeans

fit.

>

> I was very discouraged after a year of not losing anything with a

LOT

> of exercise. I haven't been doing my exercise like I should and I

> actually lost somethin! Thank god she had me start taking my meds

on

> an empty stomache and got me in the right direction diet wise

again.

> I'm beginning to hope that I actually can get below 300 again.

And I

> feel like wanting to ride my bike and lift my weights again so

that

> when I see her in the beginning of August I'm down closer to 325!

>

> I have not had to give up any foods and I have not felt

restricted.

> I'm trying to open up my VERY limited diet and I'm doing things

that

> I could live with forever.

>

> I had begun to think that I could be healthier but it would be

> impossible for me to lose much weight. Gosh 8 lbs without much

> exercise, I can't wait to see what exercise is going to do. And

> hopefully the Armour thyroid will help me feel better and lose

even

> easier too.

>

> Janine

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

congratulations...great work......this is truley an

amazing feeling....

Jeanne in Ny

--- agtsf@... wrote:

> I have not talked to anyone in a while I would like

> to tell you all how I am

> doing if you care to know.

> I have lost 68 pds since june 6th and I feel great

> and look good. My blood

> pressure is normal and I only take a half pill every

> couple of days. My sleep

> apnea is almost all gone and I sleep thru the nite

> without my c pap machine.

> This was the greatest thing I could have done and

> now I have several friends

> that have gone thru surgury and are going to have it

> done in the near future.

> What I am most happy about is that my daughter is

> going to have the surgury

> on oct 6th and I will be down to see the girls in N

> C.

> Also my wife who was very sceptical is now a

> believer and she is very happy

> with my progress.

> Good Luck to every one and I'll keep you posted on

> my progress

> Sincerely,

>

> Tosto from Chicago 310/242

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

__________________________________________________

- We Remember

9-11: A tribute to the more than 3,000 lives lost

http://dir.remember./tribute

[Guest guest]

Congratulations ! You are doing so well.

Blessings from another Illinoisan!

Betty Pappas

update

> I have not talked to anyone in a while I would like to tell you all how I

am

> doing if you care to know.

> I have lost 68 pds since june 6th and I feel great and look good. My blood

> pressure is normal and I only take a half pill every couple of days. My

sleep

> apnea is almost all gone and I sleep thru the nite without my c pap

machine.

> This was the greatest thing I could have done and now I have several

friends

> that have gone thru surgury and are going to have it done in the near

future.

> What I am most happy about is that my daughter is going to have the

surgury

> on oct 6th and I will be down to see the girls in N C.

> Also my wife who was very sceptical is now a believer and she is very

happy

> with my progress.

> Good Luck to every one and I'll keep you posted on my progress

> Sincerely,

>

> Tosto from Chicago 310/242

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I sure would like to know what " this surgery " was. Hope you

feel better anyway.

in Eugene

[Guest guest]

Elma,

I'm sorry you are having a rough time. I was thinking about you today while I

held my belly in my hands. I was thinking how good you must feel now that all

the empty skin is gone. I didn't know you were having complications.

Sending well wishes your way!!

Donna

Seabeck, WA

8/27/02 Dr Rumbaut

- 42 lbs

[Guest guest]

- " This surgery " was my TT and boob job. I knew it was going to

be more involved and more radical than any other abdominal surgery I

have had, but I don't think I was really prepared for how rough it

might be. Dr. Pena removed a hunk of excess skin and left over fat

from my stomach that weighed 18 1/2#. The trauma of that surgery has

had its' affects on my body. I don't snap back like I did 20 years

ago. Recovering from this I definitely know that I am 52 years old.

They said it would be about 3 months before I would be healed. I'm

beginning to believe them. I am really learning to listen to my body

and pay attention when it has enough. I go home from work when I

know I am getting too tired and I rest when I get home. The

housework will still be here when I feel like getting around to it.

I am also having to get used to these new " breasts " . I haven't had

anything with substance on top for years. When I was fat I certainly

had bigger breasts but they were soft and squishy. Believe me, these

implants are totally different. Better, but I still have to get used

to them.

Getting the fluid drained from my stomach helped and I am sure I will

probably have it done again next week. It isn't building up as fast

as before, so I think my body is able to keep up with it some.

Thank you all for you good thoughts. When I am totally healed and

the swelling is gone so I do have a flat tummy - I'll be the first

one screaming for joy.

Elma

[Guest guest]

Elma, I had a Dr. appt today with a new MD. He was very supportive of my

band. He knows about them and thinks they are a good option for those of us

who need help with weight loss. He is also supportive of my TT but thinks I

should wait until one year after surgery. He thinks I will continue to lose

slowly and every lb of fat lost makes the surgery easier on the body. I am

going to take his and your advice and wait until after the motorcycle trip.

I could then take the summer off if I needed to.

I am glad you are feeling better. How wonderful that your Dr. here will

work with you. Jan H. Dr. Rumbaut 3-19-2002 240-178-150

Re: Update

- " This surgery " was my TT and boob job. I knew it was going to

be more involved and more radical than any other abdominal surgery I

have had, but I don't think I was really prepared for how rough it

might be. Dr. Pena removed a hunk of excess skin and left over fat

from my stomach that weighed 18 1/2#. The trauma of that surgery has

had its' affects on my body. I don't snap back like I did 20 years

ago. Recovering from this I definitely know that I am 52 years old.

They said it would be about 3 months before I would be healed. I'm

beginning to believe them. I am really learning to listen to my body

and pay attention when it has enough. I go home from work when I

know I am getting too tired and I rest when I get home. The

housework will still be here when I feel like getting around to it.

I am also having to get used to these new " breasts " . I haven't had

anything with substance on top for years. When I was fat I certainly

had bigger breasts but they were soft and squishy. Believe me, these

implants are totally different. Better, but I still have to get used

to them.

Getting the fluid drained from my stomach helped and I am sure I will

probably have it done again next week. It isn't building up as fast

as before, so I think my body is able to keep up with it some.

Thank you all for you good thoughts. When I am totally healed and

the swelling is gone so I do have a flat tummy - I'll be the first

one screaming for joy.

Elma

[Guest guest]

Elma, I'm sorry to hear that you're not feeling great. Is there

anything us " Orting Gals " can do for you since we are so close by? Do

you need any shopping, meals, or laundry done. If you need anything

you can call me at work or home.

Work: 253-924-5507

Home: 360-893-2930

I know that and Tami will be concerned, too. So don't hesitate

to call us!

Phyllis in Orting

7/01/02 Dr. Kuri

240/210/140

> Hello Sisters - Yes, I do feel better after having 700 cc's of

[Guest guest]

> Elma, I'm sorry to hear that you're not feeling great. Is there

> anything us " Orting Gals " can do for you since we are so close by?

Phyllis & All - Thanks you all for your notes of encouragement and

concern. I am getting better, it is just a slow process. I'll let

you guys know if there is anything I need for you to do. Lucky for

me the DH is a gem and takes real good care of me. He is on my a**

all the time to take it easy and rest. I do what he says most of the

time. Can't make him think he too much control ya know.

Again, thanks.

Elma in Graham

[Guest guest]

Welcome I hope that you find comfort and education here. And alot

of friendships.

[Guest guest]

Hi Bruce,

You must not be looking very hard as there are alot of groups in the

SF Bay area and even a HCV/HIV co-infected group! Go check out this

link...they are based in SF and are a great source. They can find

you a group I'm sure.

http://www.hcvadvocate.org

LeighAnn

[Guest guest]

Hi Bruce,

Welcome to the group! Wow, having Hep C put into the mix on top of fighting HIV

for so many years is a bummer. But you sound like a remarkable person who has

taken charge of your health, and I'm happy to hear that the side effects have

gone away.

I checked out the photos on your website - very cool! Tell me, did you really

bungee jump? What was that like? I'm always curious about people who can do

these things, because I get dizzy on a stepladder!

Nice to meet you!

Marilyn

Update

Hi all, my name is Bruce and this is my letter of introduction to you. It's

nice to have company. Sometimes I feel a little alone and groups are helpfull.

Amazing thing is that there isn't much in the way of support groups here in the

SF Bay Area.

I have been on PegIntron (80mcg/ week) and Rebetrol (1200mg day) for like

four months now. I am happy to report all the side effects are gone for the

last three weeks. o. I just had the viral load done and it was 10,000

units less thatn original - whatever that means. It means I have to wait

another 6 months to have the test done again. I have Kaiser Health Plan and they

pay for everything except for my small copay. I am blessed.

I am no longer dizzy, nauseous, tired or depressed (well mostly). Sounds too

good to be true, but there you are. I had a rough go the first three months,

thank gawd for anti-depresssants. I also have dealt with being HIV positive

for 16 years. Been on meds for that for 15 years. So, I would say I am a long

term survivor, still got lots of fight in me.

I do yoga class twice times a week, workout at the YMCA , meditate and work

9- 5 Monday to Friday. I changed my diet to eating more healthy less fat and

sugar and I actually like it. Also, I completely stopped drinking and smoking .

That was the hardest, I loved wine. I'm not bragging, I'm not the type, but I

want you all to get a quick pic of who I . I hope we can be friends.

Enough for now. Take care and love yourselves.

[Guest guest]

" Marilyn Wilkinson " <MarilynWilkinson@...> wrote:

>Hi Bruce,

>

>Welcome to the group!  Wow, having Hep C put into the mix on top of fighting

HIV for so many years is a bummer.  But you sound like a remarkable person who

has taken charge of your health, and I'm happy to hear that the side effects

have gone away.  

> hi bruce

welcome

i am new also, just found out my genotype is 1a

kathy

>I checked out the photos on your website - very cool!  Tell me, did you really

bungee jump?  What was that like?  I'm always curious about people who can do

these things, because I get dizzy on a stepladder!

>

>Nice to meet you!

>

>Marilyn

>   Update

>

>

>

>  Hi all, my name is Bruce and this is my letter of introduction to you.  It's

nice to have company.  Sometimes I feel a little alone and groups are helpfull.

 Amazing thing is that there isn't much in the way of support groups here in the

SF Bay Area.

>    I have been on PegIntron (80mcg/ week) and Rebetrol (1200mg day) for like

four months now.  I am happy to report all the side effects are gone for the

last three weeks.  o.  I just had the viral load done and it was 10,000

units less thatn original - whatever that means.  It means I have to wait

another 6 months to have the test done again. I have Kaiser Health Plan and they

pay for everything except for my small copay.  I am blessed.

>  I am no longer dizzy, nauseous, tired or depressed (well mostly).  Sounds too

good to be true, but there you are.  I had a rough go the first three months,

thank gawd for anti-depresssants.   I also have dealt with being HIV positive

for 16 years.  Been on meds for that for 15 years.  So, I would say I am a long

term survivor, still got lots of fight in me.

>  I do yoga class twice times a week, workout at the YMCA ,  meditate and work

9- 5 Monday to Friday. I changed my diet to eating more healthy less fat and

sugar and I actually like it.  Also, I completely stopped drinking and smoking .

 That was the hardest, I loved wine.   I'm not bragging, I'm not the type, but I

want you all to get a quick pic of who I . I hope we can be friends.  

>  Enough for now.  Take care and love yourselves.

>

>  

[Guest guest]

Judy,

I think low platelet counts are common, at least for the

Interferon/ribavirin treatment, and Doctors are VERY conservative

about letting them get too low. Their worst nightmare is that u get

an infection and die as a result of a weakened immune system.

I am not sure what HCV drug program you are on, but I will relate my

own experience with Rebatron (Interferon/Ribavirin) to you.

After 3 months of treatment, I showed a good response (very

encouraging). I went from viral count of 6 million to barely

tectable. Cant remember the number now but it was low. I also was

mildly anemic and plateletts were low normal. So we continued the

original dosage.

At 6 months, virus undectable (wohoo!)but very anemic and plateletts

were below normal. Dr put me on 1/2 dosage of interferon and told me

to deal with the anemia. I had read that HCV loves iron and I

convinced myself that I was starving the little bastages. I was weak

as hell though and often got tunnel vision and near fainting.

At 9 months, still anemic, and plateletts still below normal, but not

lower than at 6 months. Still no virus. Dr said to continue 1/2

dosage. Since I was self-administering the interferon, I decided to

ignore the Dr and up the dosage. It's hard to explain, but after 9

months of suffering thru interferon, I felt like I could tell when my

immune system was super-charged and killing virus, and when I had

taken more than needed and stressing my body too much. So I would

take a full dose sometimes, 3/4 dose sometimes. Somehow I knew I was

stressing the hell out of the virus.

At 1 year, anemic of course, plateletts " very low " , no virus still.

Stopped treatment. Now the fun part: waiting for and dreading the 3

month/ 6month/ 1 year/ 2 year post treatment viral counts. All good

news, by the way and I feel great.

I dont recommend self treating yourself, but if you have a feel for

whats going on in your body, you can probably moderate what the Dr

tells you and fudge a bit. The +platelett drugs (Nuprogen?) have

worked for others. My own belief is that stressing your body, not to

the breaking point of course, also stresses the virus. So dont expect

to sail thru a year of interferon, but the pain will be rewarded,

hopefully. There are also SO MANY other variables that will dictate

the outcome...too many to mention......and I doubt researchers can

predict who will respond and who wont.

I hope this helps in any small way.

Jeff

[Guest guest]

Judy,

You are in my prayers, too. I hope they find solutions to your problems and you

are feeling and doing better soon.

Love,

Marilyn

Update

Hello all....I've been trying to recouperate from the 3 weeks of

treatment.....someone spoke about the low platelet count and neupogen.....I

wonder why my gastro doctor didn't want to try that for me.....he just

seemed to eager for me to stop treatment......my primary doctor is going to

talk to the gastro doctor and see if I can't start back on treatment at a

lower dose or try the newest treatment that just came on market......I just

hate to give up without a fight.....

I'm still really tired.....legs feel like water....the platelets had

dropped to 49,000....normal is 140,000 to 540,000....

I'll try to do better about writing when I have a little more energy.....I

keep you all in my prayers....love....judy

[Guest guest]

Hi Doc!

I know for myself that, beside having little to no spare time lately since

working two jobs, I have been stunned since Connie's death. I expected to

see her around here for a long time yet.

I have a question that I have been wondering about for some time now-how

long does the HC virus stay active outisde of the body- say in a drop or

smear of blood? Thanks

gail

From: " Doc " <gidoc@...>

Reply-Hepatitis C

Date: Sun, 10 Nov 2002 21:12:10 +0530

" GIHepatitis " <Hepatitis C >

Subject: Update

Hi group,

I feel I have not contributed much in the past few months. Mostly I have

been travelling to Conferences.

I was recently in Seattle and CA and am just back.

Hope you are all doing fine.

Dr Sharat Misra MD,DM,FACG

[Guest guest]

Way to go potwhole ! Glad to hear things are getting better .I have

had less frequent dreams also.

Hugs all

Lesli

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Lesli. I've been following your progress, too, cuz it seems as

though your body/physiology and mine are similar. Hope others begin to feel

better, too. I don't have the anxiety component, so it has been an education

to listen to you folks who do.

On the other hand, I'd love to hear more from some of the other listies who

are " depression only " types. What's been your experience?

> Way to go potwhole ! Glad to hear things are getting better .I have

> had less frequent dreams also.

> Hugs all

> Lesli

[Guest guest]

Cheri, thanks for sharing your wonderful news!

Donna