Re: migraines and sleep and stuff

[Guest guest]

Terry, I wish I hadn't done treatment either. The treatment can trigger things

in our bodies or cause problems that we never dreamed would happen. This stuff

is serious business. People think cancer patients do chemo and are only sick

while on the chemo... NOT! The chemo often wrecks their life even after the

cancer is gone. It can be the same with hep treatment for some people.

On a local fibro list I got this url: http://fibroandfatigue.com/ that might

be of interest to some of you.

Terry, have you tried Neurontin? Just curious. People with recurrent migraines

often respond to this medication (I didn't btw, while I was on tx I got terrible

migraines, but thankfully they have dissipated off tx).

Getting the 6 - 8 hours of good sleep, esp stage 4 sleep (with the help of meds)

is what keeps my daily pain away the most. Without sleep meds, I sleep maybe 2

hours at a time, somtimes only per day, and hurt worse each day I don't sleep.

But, when I get regular stage 4 sleep, the pain starts to subside and I have

many more pain-free days.

Good luck.

Alley

[Guest guest]

Hi Terry, Alley, and all. The more I think about attempting treatment

again, and the more I read and study and hear from others who have been through

treatment, the more inclined I am to not want to attempt it again. I only

lasted three weeks on it anyhow (had to be pulled because I developed an

infection, very quickly so, in my mouth and almost became septic from it). My

wbcs

weren't low enough for the docs to put me on Neupogen, but my mouth (gums)

became badly infected in that third week, and my wbcs were too low for the

periodontist to get in there and " deep scale and clean " (too high risk for

hemorrhage

and septicemia with those low wbcs and dropping platelets). Peridontist

told GI doc " she's in bad shape, but I can't touch her until those wbcs and

platelets come up " .

GI doc pulled me from treatment. While waiting for my wbcs to climb, my

ankles began swelling. I called the GI doc, and he told me to get to the ER

immediately. They were 2+ pitting edema, and I was retaining fluid all over

(fingers, face, etc). I had to drive myself because I'm single, I have no one

to

help me, and so off to the ER I drive -- 25 miles -- at 9 p.m., scared to

death. Due to low wbcs, they masked me right away and then commenced to rule

out

DVT (deep vein thrombosis), which I had never had before. And of course,

they would come in every 15 minutes and ask " are you having any difficulty

breathing? " . Being a nurse, I knew why they were asking, and I was scared to

death I was going to throw a clot and DIE from a pulmonary embolism. After 17

awful hours in the ER and DVT being ruled out by doppler, my GI doc thought I

might have an underlying blood disorder, such as hemophilia or Protein S

Deficiency Syndrome, and so he referred me to Hem / Onc after release from the

ER.

I was so mad and so exhausted, I only wanted to go home, but GI doc insisted

I go to Hem / Onc, and so I went.

After being off treatment for about a month and having my blood pulled weekly

and my mouth finally fixed by peridontist, all my labs (including AST / ALT)

returned to " within normal limits " . I was released from Hem / Onc,

(underlying blood disorder was ruled out). Protein S Deficiency Syndrome can be

congenital or acquired. It was believed by Hem / Onc to be " acquired " in my

case

(since I was on treatment) and it was believed by Hem / Onc that it would

spontaneously resolve, and it did. It was treatment-related.

After I was released by Hem / Onc and peridontist, I went for followup with

GI doc in January. He told me my labs looked great, my physical exam was

normal, and that I was still a candidate for treatment. He said if I ever

wanted

to do it again, they would probably put me on a lower dose, or possibly a

maintenance dose, and that I could go home and think about it and he'd see me

again in six months. Well -- it's six months. I think I've thought about it

long

enough. I've told my family and very close friends that I don't want to

attempt it again, and they can understand why.

I'm single, I live alone, I have a house and yard to upkeep, 4 big dogs, 4

cats (like my children), I have eldery parents -- one with dementia (my mom) and

since my dad still works -- I do a lot for her (visit her every day and make

sure she is OK). I take her shopping, to the post office, etc.

I feel fine now. Why in the HECK would ever want to put myself through

treatment again when the chances of my dying from Hep C are very low to begin

with? It took 27 years for my liver to advance to Grade 3 / Stage 2. (I

think I've been carrying this virus since the 70's when I contracted NonA Non B

back then). I might not ever advance to cirrhosis. I might remain at this

Grade / Stage for the rest of my life. If I start pumping pegylated interferon

and ribavirin in mega doses into my blood stream in an attempt to reach

" SVR " , I'm going to be very sick -- possibly for years. But I'm still a

candidate. (Yeah right). I'm a candidate, and GI docs DO enjoy kick-backs they

get

treating Hep C, too. I'm not saying they are doing it for the money, but

........ most of them will sure as HECK opt to treat the patient if they can.

OK -- I'll shut up now - lol. I'm so sorry that those of you who went

through treatment are not feeling good. Your stories sadden me, and they make

me

think long and hard. I would be very down and depressed had I been through

that kind of treatment for that long and wasn't feeling better (or worse yet

-- feeling worse). But it happens to some people (I've read the warnings and

have been very scared of those warnings myself). My heart goes out to you.

Hang in there.

[Guest guest]

Hi Terry, Alley, and all. The more I think about attempting treatment

again, and the more I read and study and hear from others who have been through

treatment, the more inclined I am to not want to attempt it again. I only

lasted three weeks on it anyhow (had to be pulled because I developed an

infection, very quickly so, in my mouth and almost became septic from it). My

wbcs

weren't low enough for the docs to put me on Neupogen, but my mouth (gums)

became badly infected in that third week, and my wbcs were too low for the

periodontist to get in there and " deep scale and clean " (too high risk for

hemorrhage

and septicemia with those low wbcs and dropping platelets). Peridontist

told GI doc " she's in bad shape, but I can't touch her until those wbcs and

platelets come up " .

GI doc pulled me from treatment. While waiting for my wbcs to climb, my

ankles began swelling. I called the GI doc, and he told me to get to the ER

immediately. They were 2+ pitting edema, and I was retaining fluid all over

(fingers, face, etc). I had to drive myself because I'm single, I have no one

to

help me, and so off to the ER I drive -- 25 miles -- at 9 p.m., scared to

death. Due to low wbcs, they masked me right away and then commenced to rule

out

DVT (deep vein thrombosis), which I had never had before. And of course,

they would come in every 15 minutes and ask " are you having any difficulty

breathing? " . Being a nurse, I knew why they were asking, and I was scared to

death I was going to throw a clot and DIE from a pulmonary embolism. After 17

awful hours in the ER and DVT being ruled out by doppler, my GI doc thought I

might have an underlying blood disorder, such as hemophilia or Protein S

Deficiency Syndrome, and so he referred me to Hem / Onc after release from the

ER.

I was so mad and so exhausted, I only wanted to go home, but GI doc insisted

I go to Hem / Onc, and so I went.

After being off treatment for about a month and having my blood pulled weekly

and my mouth finally fixed by peridontist, all my labs (including AST / ALT)

returned to " within normal limits " . I was released from Hem / Onc,

(underlying blood disorder was ruled out). Protein S Deficiency Syndrome can be

congenital or acquired. It was believed by Hem / Onc to be " acquired " in my

case

(since I was on treatment) and it was believed by Hem / Onc that it would

spontaneously resolve, and it did. It was treatment-related.

After I was released by Hem / Onc and peridontist, I went for followup with

GI doc in January. He told me my labs looked great, my physical exam was

normal, and that I was still a candidate for treatment. He said if I ever

wanted

to do it again, they would probably put me on a lower dose, or possibly a

maintenance dose, and that I could go home and think about it and he'd see me

again in six months. Well -- it's six months. I think I've thought about it

long

enough. I've told my family and very close friends that I don't want to

attempt it again, and they can understand why.

I'm single, I live alone, I have a house and yard to upkeep, 4 big dogs, 4

cats (like my children), I have eldery parents -- one with dementia (my mom) and

since my dad still works -- I do a lot for her (visit her every day and make

sure she is OK). I take her shopping, to the post office, etc.

I feel fine now. Why in the HECK would ever want to put myself through

treatment again when the chances of my dying from Hep C are very low to begin

with? It took 27 years for my liver to advance to Grade 3 / Stage 2. (I

think I've been carrying this virus since the 70's when I contracted NonA Non B

back then). I might not ever advance to cirrhosis. I might remain at this

Grade / Stage for the rest of my life. If I start pumping pegylated interferon

and ribavirin in mega doses into my blood stream in an attempt to reach

" SVR " , I'm going to be very sick -- possibly for years. But I'm still a

candidate. (Yeah right). I'm a candidate, and GI docs DO enjoy kick-backs they

get

treating Hep C, too. I'm not saying they are doing it for the money, but

........ most of them will sure as HECK opt to treat the patient if they can.

OK -- I'll shut up now - lol. I'm so sorry that those of you who went

through treatment are not feeling good. Your stories sadden me, and they make

me

think long and hard. I would be very down and depressed had I been through

that kind of treatment for that long and wasn't feeling better (or worse yet

-- feeling worse). But it happens to some people (I've read the warnings and

have been very scared of those warnings myself). My heart goes out to you.

Hang in there.

[Guest guest]

personally I think you've made the right decision. Treatment may be

totally wrong for you. And who knows, we may have something better before long

(not that I see anything that doesn't involve interferon with it yet).

What genotype are ya?

Alley

[Guest guest]

personally I think you've made the right decision. Treatment may be

totally wrong for you. And who knows, we may have something better before long

(not that I see anything that doesn't involve interferon with it yet).

What genotype are ya?

Alley

[Guest guest]

personally I think you've made the right decision. Treatment may be

totally wrong for you. And who knows, we may have something better before long

(not that I see anything that doesn't involve interferon with it yet).

What genotype are ya?

Alley

[Guest guest]

personally I think you've made the right decision. Treatment may be

totally wrong for you. And who knows, we may have something better before long

(not that I see anything that doesn't involve interferon with it yet).

What genotype are ya?

Alley

[Guest guest]

Hi Alley. I'm geno 1a. Stage 3 / grade 2. When the doc told me I had

been cleared by all the specialists and was still a candidate, I asked him what

they were going to do if my labs got all whacked out so quickly again, and he

offered referring me to Duke for treatment (which is 150 miels away). He

said they were " the experts " . Well, I sure as heck can't travel to Duke for

treatment (at least I don't see this as reasonable), and I'm inclined to

believe

that Peg / Rib is Peg / Rib like a rose is a rose. The protocol, I think,

would be the just about the same (as far as lab work, etc).

My GI doc is supposed to be considered the top hepatologist (he's in a

research group and treats many for HepC) in Greenville NC, and so I asked him if

--

at all possible -- could I continue under his care and do the treatment under

his care if I wanted to treat again, and he said " yes " . I asked him what they

would do if I responded badly again, and he said " well... we will probably

start you out at a lower dose next time, and we will monitor your labs as usual,

and we'll make sure your peridontal disease doesn't flare up, and there are

drugs to help with the low wbcs and rbcs (I know that), and we might try you

on maintenance, and we'll just have to take it week by week " . Since I felt

so good (for the first time in years) on that followup appointment with him in

January (which was the last time I saw him), I said " I think I want to think

about this -- I feel great now, and I have no more symptoms of fatigue or

anything -- I feel normal " . He agreed there was no rush to treat.

In the past few weeks, I have had edema (not isolated to the lower legs, but

the kind that makes you " puffy " feeling and causes imprints all over your

body), I've been feeling " icky " again, sweating horribly again, kind of getting

depressed feeling again, and I attribute this to the " waxing and waning of

symptoms " , and to the heat. I keep telling myself " you'll feel better in

October

when it cools off -- lol " . To begin feeling poorly again is scary (after

feeling so good for four months). So, feeling poorly, I've begun thinking about

treatment again, but -- I just don't know if I want to go through it.

I honestly don't think even my GI doc believes I'm going to respond very

well, but -- being a GI doc -- I guess he feels duty-bound to offer the

treatment

to me if I want to do it. It's a hard, hard decision. I would love to be

rid of this virus one day, and I would like to think I have " what it takes " to

endure the treatment. I read notes sometimes from people who have been

through treatment and have responded well (but not many). Mostly, it seems I

read notes from people who have been through treatment and have either not made

it or have relapsed or have taken on even worse symptoms because of their

attempt to treat.

Lately, when I think of my decision to NOT try treatment, I have found myself

getting depressed. I can't get this mess out of my head -- lol. I can't

find " peace of mind " with my decision to not try again -- even though I think

it's a good decision. I just don't know anymore. Thanks for asking.

It's cool here this morning (ahhhh -- only expected to get to 83 today

compared to 93), and so I'm going to go get in my garden and dig up some earth

and

enjoy getting dirty! You have a good day.

In a message dated 6/12/2004 11:45:22 PM Eastern Standard Time,

alleypat@... writes:

> personally I think you've made the right decision. Treatment may be

> totally wrong for you. And who knows, we may have something better before long

> (not that I see anything that doesn't involve interferon with it yet).

>

> What genotype are ya?

>

> Alley

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Alley. I'm geno 1a. Stage 3 / grade 2. When the doc told me I had

been cleared by all the specialists and was still a candidate, I asked him what

they were going to do if my labs got all whacked out so quickly again, and he

offered referring me to Duke for treatment (which is 150 miels away). He

said they were " the experts " . Well, I sure as heck can't travel to Duke for

treatment (at least I don't see this as reasonable), and I'm inclined to

believe

that Peg / Rib is Peg / Rib like a rose is a rose. The protocol, I think,

would be the just about the same (as far as lab work, etc).

My GI doc is supposed to be considered the top hepatologist (he's in a

research group and treats many for HepC) in Greenville NC, and so I asked him if

--

at all possible -- could I continue under his care and do the treatment under

his care if I wanted to treat again, and he said " yes " . I asked him what they

would do if I responded badly again, and he said " well... we will probably

start you out at a lower dose next time, and we will monitor your labs as usual,

and we'll make sure your peridontal disease doesn't flare up, and there are

drugs to help with the low wbcs and rbcs (I know that), and we might try you

on maintenance, and we'll just have to take it week by week " . Since I felt

so good (for the first time in years) on that followup appointment with him in

January (which was the last time I saw him), I said " I think I want to think

about this -- I feel great now, and I have no more symptoms of fatigue or

anything -- I feel normal " . He agreed there was no rush to treat.

In the past few weeks, I have had edema (not isolated to the lower legs, but

the kind that makes you " puffy " feeling and causes imprints all over your

body), I've been feeling " icky " again, sweating horribly again, kind of getting

depressed feeling again, and I attribute this to the " waxing and waning of

symptoms " , and to the heat. I keep telling myself " you'll feel better in

October

when it cools off -- lol " . To begin feeling poorly again is scary (after

feeling so good for four months). So, feeling poorly, I've begun thinking about

treatment again, but -- I just don't know if I want to go through it.

I honestly don't think even my GI doc believes I'm going to respond very

well, but -- being a GI doc -- I guess he feels duty-bound to offer the

treatment

to me if I want to do it. It's a hard, hard decision. I would love to be

rid of this virus one day, and I would like to think I have " what it takes " to

endure the treatment. I read notes sometimes from people who have been

through treatment and have responded well (but not many). Mostly, it seems I

read notes from people who have been through treatment and have either not made

it or have relapsed or have taken on even worse symptoms because of their

attempt to treat.

Lately, when I think of my decision to NOT try treatment, I have found myself

getting depressed. I can't get this mess out of my head -- lol. I can't

find " peace of mind " with my decision to not try again -- even though I think

it's a good decision. I just don't know anymore. Thanks for asking.

It's cool here this morning (ahhhh -- only expected to get to 83 today

compared to 93), and so I'm going to go get in my garden and dig up some earth

and

enjoy getting dirty! You have a good day.

In a message dated 6/12/2004 11:45:22 PM Eastern Standard Time,

alleypat@... writes:

> personally I think you've made the right decision. Treatment may be

> totally wrong for you. And who knows, we may have something better before long

> (not that I see anything that doesn't involve interferon with it yet).

>

> What genotype are ya?

>

> Alley

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Alley. I'm geno 1a. Stage 3 / grade 2. When the doc told me I had

been cleared by all the specialists and was still a candidate, I asked him what

they were going to do if my labs got all whacked out so quickly again, and he

offered referring me to Duke for treatment (which is 150 miels away). He

said they were " the experts " . Well, I sure as heck can't travel to Duke for

treatment (at least I don't see this as reasonable), and I'm inclined to

believe

that Peg / Rib is Peg / Rib like a rose is a rose. The protocol, I think,

would be the just about the same (as far as lab work, etc).

My GI doc is supposed to be considered the top hepatologist (he's in a

research group and treats many for HepC) in Greenville NC, and so I asked him if

--

at all possible -- could I continue under his care and do the treatment under

his care if I wanted to treat again, and he said " yes " . I asked him what they

would do if I responded badly again, and he said " well... we will probably

start you out at a lower dose next time, and we will monitor your labs as usual,

and we'll make sure your peridontal disease doesn't flare up, and there are

drugs to help with the low wbcs and rbcs (I know that), and we might try you

on maintenance, and we'll just have to take it week by week " . Since I felt

so good (for the first time in years) on that followup appointment with him in

January (which was the last time I saw him), I said " I think I want to think

about this -- I feel great now, and I have no more symptoms of fatigue or

anything -- I feel normal " . He agreed there was no rush to treat.

In the past few weeks, I have had edema (not isolated to the lower legs, but

the kind that makes you " puffy " feeling and causes imprints all over your

body), I've been feeling " icky " again, sweating horribly again, kind of getting

depressed feeling again, and I attribute this to the " waxing and waning of

symptoms " , and to the heat. I keep telling myself " you'll feel better in

October

when it cools off -- lol " . To begin feeling poorly again is scary (after

feeling so good for four months). So, feeling poorly, I've begun thinking about

treatment again, but -- I just don't know if I want to go through it.

I honestly don't think even my GI doc believes I'm going to respond very

well, but -- being a GI doc -- I guess he feels duty-bound to offer the

treatment

to me if I want to do it. It's a hard, hard decision. I would love to be

rid of this virus one day, and I would like to think I have " what it takes " to

endure the treatment. I read notes sometimes from people who have been

through treatment and have responded well (but not many). Mostly, it seems I

read notes from people who have been through treatment and have either not made

it or have relapsed or have taken on even worse symptoms because of their

attempt to treat.

Lately, when I think of my decision to NOT try treatment, I have found myself

getting depressed. I can't get this mess out of my head -- lol. I can't

find " peace of mind " with my decision to not try again -- even though I think

it's a good decision. I just don't know anymore. Thanks for asking.

It's cool here this morning (ahhhh -- only expected to get to 83 today

compared to 93), and so I'm going to go get in my garden and dig up some earth

and

enjoy getting dirty! You have a good day.

In a message dated 6/12/2004 11:45:22 PM Eastern Standard Time,

alleypat@... writes:

> personally I think you've made the right decision. Treatment may be

> totally wrong for you. And who knows, we may have something better before long

> (not that I see anything that doesn't involve interferon with it yet).

>

> What genotype are ya?

>

> Alley

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Alley. I'm geno 1a. Stage 3 / grade 2. When the doc told me I had

been cleared by all the specialists and was still a candidate, I asked him what

they were going to do if my labs got all whacked out so quickly again, and he

offered referring me to Duke for treatment (which is 150 miels away). He

said they were " the experts " . Well, I sure as heck can't travel to Duke for

treatment (at least I don't see this as reasonable), and I'm inclined to

believe

that Peg / Rib is Peg / Rib like a rose is a rose. The protocol, I think,

would be the just about the same (as far as lab work, etc).

My GI doc is supposed to be considered the top hepatologist (he's in a

research group and treats many for HepC) in Greenville NC, and so I asked him if

--

at all possible -- could I continue under his care and do the treatment under

his care if I wanted to treat again, and he said " yes " . I asked him what they

would do if I responded badly again, and he said " well... we will probably

start you out at a lower dose next time, and we will monitor your labs as usual,

and we'll make sure your peridontal disease doesn't flare up, and there are

drugs to help with the low wbcs and rbcs (I know that), and we might try you

on maintenance, and we'll just have to take it week by week " . Since I felt

so good (for the first time in years) on that followup appointment with him in

January (which was the last time I saw him), I said " I think I want to think

about this -- I feel great now, and I have no more symptoms of fatigue or

anything -- I feel normal " . He agreed there was no rush to treat.

In the past few weeks, I have had edema (not isolated to the lower legs, but

the kind that makes you " puffy " feeling and causes imprints all over your

body), I've been feeling " icky " again, sweating horribly again, kind of getting

depressed feeling again, and I attribute this to the " waxing and waning of

symptoms " , and to the heat. I keep telling myself " you'll feel better in

October

when it cools off -- lol " . To begin feeling poorly again is scary (after

feeling so good for four months). So, feeling poorly, I've begun thinking about

treatment again, but -- I just don't know if I want to go through it.

I honestly don't think even my GI doc believes I'm going to respond very

well, but -- being a GI doc -- I guess he feels duty-bound to offer the

treatment

to me if I want to do it. It's a hard, hard decision. I would love to be

rid of this virus one day, and I would like to think I have " what it takes " to

endure the treatment. I read notes sometimes from people who have been

through treatment and have responded well (but not many). Mostly, it seems I

read notes from people who have been through treatment and have either not made

it or have relapsed or have taken on even worse symptoms because of their

attempt to treat.

Lately, when I think of my decision to NOT try treatment, I have found myself

getting depressed. I can't get this mess out of my head -- lol. I can't

find " peace of mind " with my decision to not try again -- even though I think

it's a good decision. I just don't know anymore. Thanks for asking.

It's cool here this morning (ahhhh -- only expected to get to 83 today

compared to 93), and so I'm going to go get in my garden and dig up some earth

and

enjoy getting dirty! You have a good day.

In a message dated 6/12/2004 11:45:22 PM Eastern Standard Time,

alleypat@... writes:

> personally I think you've made the right decision. Treatment may be

> totally wrong for you. And who knows, we may have something better before long

> (not that I see anything that doesn't involve interferon with it yet).

>

> What genotype are ya?

>

> Alley

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Claudine. I keep leaning more and more towards the thoughs of wanting to

try treatment again. When Iook back on it, I was only on it for three weeks,

and the only thing that happened to me was that risk of becoming septic due

to this underlying peridontal disease, which docs assure me they will stay on

top of, and which I'm surely staying on top of! (I've more implements of

destruction for mouth care than one can imagine - lol - and I religiously do

that

mouth care now, and checkups with peridontist have been A+.

I felt so dramtically improved overall within a few months of coming off

treatment, I even wondered if three measly weeks worth could have reduced the

inflammation in my liver. My AST / ALT's returned to within normal limits for

some reason. All I know is that -- for some reason -- I felt like a brand new

person by January (and for two years prior I could barely find the energy to get

off the couch).

Even though I live alone, I'm actually in a lot better position to treat than

some. I'm not working; I do have a very good friend who has offered to help

me get through this IF I decide to treat and have awful sides. My mom can

manage without my assistance if need be (my folks would make arrangements to

help me if I needed it).

The house and yard work can just go to POT if need be, and all things can be

taken care of -- in time -- if need be. Heck, for all I know, I might be OK

during treatment and not suffer tremendously!

My dad worked with a nurse who went through the treatment, and she worked the

entire year while on treatment. Granted, there were days she called in sick,

and she had some rough days, but she made it, she reached SVR, and she is

still SVR (she was just finishing up treatment when I was diagnosed). So,

that's

two years for her, and she's doing fine. And -- if I fall to pieces on

treatment and have a rough rough time, I've always got you guys to " bend an

ear "

- lol.

I'm not any getting younger, and advancing to end stage liver disease on

account of Hep C is something I want to try my best to avoid. The only way I

know to avoid this is to 1) wish and hope it doesn't or 2) do more than just

wish and hope and attempt the next best thing -- the treatment that's available

today. I've got Medicare and do qualify for the Peggasist program, so -- I'm

fortunate in that regard, too.

Thinking ....... " better get while the getting's good " ! Have a good night.

In a message dated 6/13/2004 9:37:47 PM Eastern Standard Time,

claudineintexas@... writes:

> It's to be expected that you will read and hear mostly from people

> who do not respond well, who have a difficult time, and from those

> who either don't respond or who relapse. It's normal - those are the

> people needing the most support, and sometimes it just helps to let

> off a little steam, or to complain. There's nothing wrong with that!

> But there are LOTS of people who deal well with treatment, and there

> are many many people who are responding to the peg/riba treatment.

> And, while some people do have permanent problems resulting from the

> treatment itself, they are the minority. You have to keep this in

> perspective when making a decision whether to treat or not to treat.

> You're not usually going to hear from the people who DON'T have any

> long-term problems, and the people who do have a sustained viral

> response often disappear from our lives, and so we forget all the

> good stories! It's one thing for someone with little or no fibrosis

> (like me) to decide not to treat right now, but anyone with advanced

> fibrosis should really consider treatment. Even if you don't have a

> viral response to treatment it might slow down or stop your fibrosis

> from progressing, maybe even reversing some damage, allowing you more

> time to wait for something more effective to come along. And, with

> the peg/riba treatment there is actually a good chance you will

> respond. Your doctor sounds willing to treat side effects

> (important), and if you start out treatment in good shape (no dental

> problems etc.) chances are you will do fine, even if it is hard and

> no fun! Treatment may be very hard, but advancing liver disease and

> cirrhosis can be much harder.

>

> Good luck!

> Claudine

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Claudine. I keep leaning more and more towards the thoughs of wanting to

try treatment again. When Iook back on it, I was only on it for three weeks,

and the only thing that happened to me was that risk of becoming septic due

to this underlying peridontal disease, which docs assure me they will stay on

top of, and which I'm surely staying on top of! (I've more implements of

destruction for mouth care than one can imagine - lol - and I religiously do

that

mouth care now, and checkups with peridontist have been A+.

I felt so dramtically improved overall within a few months of coming off

treatment, I even wondered if three measly weeks worth could have reduced the

inflammation in my liver. My AST / ALT's returned to within normal limits for

some reason. All I know is that -- for some reason -- I felt like a brand new

person by January (and for two years prior I could barely find the energy to get

off the couch).

Even though I live alone, I'm actually in a lot better position to treat than

some. I'm not working; I do have a very good friend who has offered to help

me get through this IF I decide to treat and have awful sides. My mom can

manage without my assistance if need be (my folks would make arrangements to

help me if I needed it).

The house and yard work can just go to POT if need be, and all things can be

taken care of -- in time -- if need be. Heck, for all I know, I might be OK

during treatment and not suffer tremendously!

My dad worked with a nurse who went through the treatment, and she worked the

entire year while on treatment. Granted, there were days she called in sick,

and she had some rough days, but she made it, she reached SVR, and she is

still SVR (she was just finishing up treatment when I was diagnosed). So,

that's

two years for her, and she's doing fine. And -- if I fall to pieces on

treatment and have a rough rough time, I've always got you guys to " bend an

ear "

- lol.

I'm not any getting younger, and advancing to end stage liver disease on

account of Hep C is something I want to try my best to avoid. The only way I

know to avoid this is to 1) wish and hope it doesn't or 2) do more than just

wish and hope and attempt the next best thing -- the treatment that's available

today. I've got Medicare and do qualify for the Peggasist program, so -- I'm

fortunate in that regard, too.

Thinking ....... " better get while the getting's good " ! Have a good night.

In a message dated 6/13/2004 9:37:47 PM Eastern Standard Time,

claudineintexas@... writes:

> It's to be expected that you will read and hear mostly from people

> who do not respond well, who have a difficult time, and from those

> who either don't respond or who relapse. It's normal - those are the

> people needing the most support, and sometimes it just helps to let

> off a little steam, or to complain. There's nothing wrong with that!

> But there are LOTS of people who deal well with treatment, and there

> are many many people who are responding to the peg/riba treatment.

> And, while some people do have permanent problems resulting from the

> treatment itself, they are the minority. You have to keep this in

> perspective when making a decision whether to treat or not to treat.

> You're not usually going to hear from the people who DON'T have any

> long-term problems, and the people who do have a sustained viral

> response often disappear from our lives, and so we forget all the

> good stories! It's one thing for someone with little or no fibrosis

> (like me) to decide not to treat right now, but anyone with advanced

> fibrosis should really consider treatment. Even if you don't have a

> viral response to treatment it might slow down or stop your fibrosis

> from progressing, maybe even reversing some damage, allowing you more

> time to wait for something more effective to come along. And, with

> the peg/riba treatment there is actually a good chance you will

> respond. Your doctor sounds willing to treat side effects

> (important), and if you start out treatment in good shape (no dental

> problems etc.) chances are you will do fine, even if it is hard and

> no fun! Treatment may be very hard, but advancing liver disease and

> cirrhosis can be much harder.

>

> Good luck!

> Claudine

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ...

It's a tough question to treat again or not. Willem (where is that guy) did

treatment 3x and responded the last time and has sustained that response. I'm

finishing up my second round and responded at 3 months but I don't know what

will happen post treatment. It's a pot shot...we don't know what harm treatment

does to our bodies, but we do know what the hep will do.

If you had a rough time with your first round, what treatment did you do...the

peg or rebetron? I guess you would have to take into consideration what you went

through during treatment vs. another round of treatment that could slow or

reverse your fibrosis. I had many more sides on rebetron than on pegasys...the

docs say it's cause the pegasys maintaines a consistent level in your system

whereas the rebetron was up and down...my biggest problem on pegasys was the

battle with anemia, but that was resonably maintained with epogen. And I could

have dealt much better with the anemia had I not had to work...those stairs up

to the public transportation train about did me in.

I'm genotype 1b...stage and phase 2 when I had my biopsy back in '99. I'm going

to ask the doctor at county if he would do a biopsy so I can see if my counts

have changed. I've done two rounds of treatment since my biopsy.

There is a fairly big difference between the pegs...pegasys is a different type

of peg...it's a pegalated 2b or something like that while the PegInron is a 1a.

Huge difference there...studies have proven that the PegIntron needs to be done

more than once a week but I don't think they've changed their protocol (at least

not to my knowledge). Pegasys stays in your system for a full week...and they

are now doing studies on folks who did the PegIntron and either didn't respond

or responded and then relapsed.

So a Peg is not a Peg...

And if you don't get a lot of sides, maintenance is not a bad thing. Smaller

doses to keep the virus from replicating so fast.

It's a tough decision, that's for sure. But I think if I don't sustain my

response that I would be willing to go another round.

Tatezi

Re: migraines and sleep and stuff

I'm inclined to believe that Peg / Rib is Peg / Rib like a rose is a rose. The

protocol, I think,

would be the just about the same...if I wanted to treat again, and he said

" yes " . I asked him what they would do if I responded badly again, and he said

" well... we will probably start you out at a lower dose next time,

[Guest guest]

Hi ...

It's a tough question to treat again or not. Willem (where is that guy) did

treatment 3x and responded the last time and has sustained that response. I'm

finishing up my second round and responded at 3 months but I don't know what

will happen post treatment. It's a pot shot...we don't know what harm treatment

does to our bodies, but we do know what the hep will do.

If you had a rough time with your first round, what treatment did you do...the

peg or rebetron? I guess you would have to take into consideration what you went

through during treatment vs. another round of treatment that could slow or

reverse your fibrosis. I had many more sides on rebetron than on pegasys...the

docs say it's cause the pegasys maintaines a consistent level in your system

whereas the rebetron was up and down...my biggest problem on pegasys was the

battle with anemia, but that was resonably maintained with epogen. And I could

have dealt much better with the anemia had I not had to work...those stairs up

to the public transportation train about did me in.

I'm genotype 1b...stage and phase 2 when I had my biopsy back in '99. I'm going

to ask the doctor at county if he would do a biopsy so I can see if my counts

have changed. I've done two rounds of treatment since my biopsy.

There is a fairly big difference between the pegs...pegasys is a different type

of peg...it's a pegalated 2b or something like that while the PegInron is a 1a.

Huge difference there...studies have proven that the PegIntron needs to be done

more than once a week but I don't think they've changed their protocol (at least

not to my knowledge). Pegasys stays in your system for a full week...and they

are now doing studies on folks who did the PegIntron and either didn't respond

or responded and then relapsed.

So a Peg is not a Peg...

And if you don't get a lot of sides, maintenance is not a bad thing. Smaller

doses to keep the virus from replicating so fast.

It's a tough decision, that's for sure. But I think if I don't sustain my

response that I would be willing to go another round.

Tatezi

Re: migraines and sleep and stuff

I'm inclined to believe that Peg / Rib is Peg / Rib like a rose is a rose. The

protocol, I think,

would be the just about the same...if I wanted to treat again, and he said

" yes " . I asked him what they would do if I responded badly again, and he said

" well... we will probably start you out at a lower dose next time,

[Guest guest]

Hi ...

It's a tough question to treat again or not. Willem (where is that guy) did

treatment 3x and responded the last time and has sustained that response. I'm

finishing up my second round and responded at 3 months but I don't know what

will happen post treatment. It's a pot shot...we don't know what harm treatment

does to our bodies, but we do know what the hep will do.

If you had a rough time with your first round, what treatment did you do...the

peg or rebetron? I guess you would have to take into consideration what you went

through during treatment vs. another round of treatment that could slow or

reverse your fibrosis. I had many more sides on rebetron than on pegasys...the

docs say it's cause the pegasys maintaines a consistent level in your system

whereas the rebetron was up and down...my biggest problem on pegasys was the

battle with anemia, but that was resonably maintained with epogen. And I could

have dealt much better with the anemia had I not had to work...those stairs up

to the public transportation train about did me in.

I'm genotype 1b...stage and phase 2 when I had my biopsy back in '99. I'm going

to ask the doctor at county if he would do a biopsy so I can see if my counts

have changed. I've done two rounds of treatment since my biopsy.

There is a fairly big difference between the pegs...pegasys is a different type

of peg...it's a pegalated 2b or something like that while the PegInron is a 1a.

Huge difference there...studies have proven that the PegIntron needs to be done

more than once a week but I don't think they've changed their protocol (at least

not to my knowledge). Pegasys stays in your system for a full week...and they

are now doing studies on folks who did the PegIntron and either didn't respond

or responded and then relapsed.

So a Peg is not a Peg...

And if you don't get a lot of sides, maintenance is not a bad thing. Smaller

doses to keep the virus from replicating so fast.

It's a tough decision, that's for sure. But I think if I don't sustain my

response that I would be willing to go another round.

Tatezi

Re: migraines and sleep and stuff

I'm inclined to believe that Peg / Rib is Peg / Rib like a rose is a rose. The

protocol, I think,

would be the just about the same...if I wanted to treat again, and he said

" yes " . I asked him what they would do if I responded badly again, and he said

" well... we will probably start you out at a lower dose next time,

[Guest guest]

Hi ...

It's a tough question to treat again or not. Willem (where is that guy) did

treatment 3x and responded the last time and has sustained that response. I'm

finishing up my second round and responded at 3 months but I don't know what

will happen post treatment. It's a pot shot...we don't know what harm treatment

does to our bodies, but we do know what the hep will do.

If you had a rough time with your first round, what treatment did you do...the

peg or rebetron? I guess you would have to take into consideration what you went

through during treatment vs. another round of treatment that could slow or

reverse your fibrosis. I had many more sides on rebetron than on pegasys...the

docs say it's cause the pegasys maintaines a consistent level in your system

whereas the rebetron was up and down...my biggest problem on pegasys was the

battle with anemia, but that was resonably maintained with epogen. And I could

have dealt much better with the anemia had I not had to work...those stairs up

to the public transportation train about did me in.

I'm genotype 1b...stage and phase 2 when I had my biopsy back in '99. I'm going

to ask the doctor at county if he would do a biopsy so I can see if my counts

have changed. I've done two rounds of treatment since my biopsy.

There is a fairly big difference between the pegs...pegasys is a different type

of peg...it's a pegalated 2b or something like that while the PegInron is a 1a.

Huge difference there...studies have proven that the PegIntron needs to be done

more than once a week but I don't think they've changed their protocol (at least

not to my knowledge). Pegasys stays in your system for a full week...and they

are now doing studies on folks who did the PegIntron and either didn't respond

or responded and then relapsed.

So a Peg is not a Peg...

And if you don't get a lot of sides, maintenance is not a bad thing. Smaller

doses to keep the virus from replicating so fast.

It's a tough decision, that's for sure. But I think if I don't sustain my

response that I would be willing to go another round.

Tatezi

Re: migraines and sleep and stuff

I'm inclined to believe that Peg / Rib is Peg / Rib like a rose is a rose. The

protocol, I think,

would be the just about the same...if I wanted to treat again, and he said

" yes " . I asked him what they would do if I responded badly again, and he said

" well... we will probably start you out at a lower dose next time,

[Guest guest]

Hi Tatezi. So you've been through both, huh? Wow! I was very

disappointed when my first GI doc told me he only used PegIntron and Ribavirin

(as I

had heard that Pegasys was " better " because it stayed at a more consistent level

the entire week (didn't peeter out). When I asked him about this, he

commented (something to effect ) " they are both are tit for tat and one is not

better

than the other " . When I found out I would have to absorb 20% of what

Medicare did not cover under his care, I had to seek another GI doc and was

relieved

to know that -- under his care -- I qualified for the Pegasys and Copegus

(which was what I wanted to treat with anyway). Even he said, though, that

both were about the same when push came to shove. These statements by both

these GI docs made me wonder about their expertise (as I had heard so many good

things about Pegasys in comparison to PegIntron). According to what I've seen

on the internet, though, Pegasys is " better " , and so I'm glad -- if I do

decide to treat, that I will be on Peg/Cop (I qualify under Roche for the

patient

assistance and can at least get these two drugs at no cost to me). Any side

effect medications, though, such as Neupogen, Procrit, etc. I will have to

absorb myself, which uh...... I'll have to depend on my family to help (they

have

said they will indeed help in this regard). I would rather be able to find a

program to help cover the cost of those VERY expensive drugs, but this

Medicare I've got covers NO drugs. Currently, I have to pay out of pocket for

all

prescription drugs (other than Peg/Cop). Currently, I only take Toprol and

Valium, which aren't all that expensive, but -- when one starts getting into d

rugs like Neuopen and Procrit, it can be enormously expensive.

I consider myself VERY lucky that I'm not working (I'm on disability) and

don't HAVE drag myself to work while attempting this treatment). If I decide

to

treat and begin to feel anything like I felt two years ago, there is no way

in H I could drag myself to work. I'm going to think positive. The one thing

I would wish for most would be to return to the work force one day. I feel

very guilty at times for being on disability (what a blow), but then again -- I

try not to feel too badly about it. Maybe one day -- if I get rid of this

virus, I'll feel more at ease about attempting to return full time. But right

now (even though I feel OK most days), I would really be putting my healthcare

at risk if I attempted to return to work. I would not be insured

)(pre-existing condition all in my records now). If I ever did return to work

with HCV

(and lost my disability benefits because I had returned to work), I'd be up

the creek if I became symptomatic again and could no longer work, as I've heard

it would be close to impossible to ever get back on disability IF I get off

disability. My docs have cautioned me about returning to work -- even if I feel

good -- because it could mean losing ALL access to health care -- permanently

-- if I do. But if I could reach SVR and stay that way for a year and feel

" normal " again, I'd be back at work.

And Williem has gone through treatment three times ? ? ? And he's SVR now ?

? ? That is such good news.

Best of luck to you. I hope your days at work won't be too tough on you.

Hang in there. You're almost FINISHED!! You're going to be fine, I have all

ideas.

In a message dated 6/14/2004 7:57:46 PM Eastern Standard Time,

tatezi@... writes:

> Hi ...

>

> It's a tough question to treat again or not. Willem (where is that guy) did

> treatment 3x and responded the last time and has sustained that response. I'm

> finishing up my second round and responded at 3 months but I don't know what

> will happen post treatment. It's a pot shot...we don't know what harm

> treatment does to our bodies, but we do know what the hep will do.

>

> If you had a rough time with your first round, what treatment did you

> do...the peg or rebetron? I guess you would have to take into consideration

what

> you went through during treatment vs. another round of treatment that could

> slow or reverse your fibrosis. I had many more sides on rebetron than on

> pegasys...the docs say it's cause the pegasys maintaines a consistent level in

your

> system whereas the rebetron was up and down...my biggest problem on pegasys

> was the battle with anemia, but that was resonably maintained with epogen. And

> I could have dealt much better with the anemia had I not had to work...those

> stairs up to the public transportation train about did me in.

>

> I'm genotype 1b...stage and phase 2 when I had my biopsy back in '99. I'm

> going to ask the doctor at county if he would do a biopsy so I can see if my

> counts have changed. I've done two rounds of treatment since my biopsy.

>

> There is a fairly big difference between the pegs...pegasys is a different

> type of peg...it's a pegalated 2b or something like that while the PegInron is

> a 1a. Huge difference there...studies have proven that the PegIntron needs

> to be done more than once a week but I don't think they've changed their

> protocol (at least not to my knowledge). Pegasys stays in your system for a

full

> week...and they are now doing studies on folks who did the PegIntron and

> either didn't respond or responded and then relapsed.

>

> So a Peg is not a Peg...

>

> And if you don't get a lot of sides, maintenance is not a bad thing. Smaller

> doses to keep the virus from replicating so fast.

>

> It's a tough decision, that's for sure. But I think if I don't sustain my

> response that I would be willing to go another round.

>

> Tatezi

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Tatezi. So you've been through both, huh? Wow! I was very

disappointed when my first GI doc told me he only used PegIntron and Ribavirin

(as I

had heard that Pegasys was " better " because it stayed at a more consistent level

the entire week (didn't peeter out). When I asked him about this, he

commented (something to effect ) " they are both are tit for tat and one is not

better

than the other " . When I found out I would have to absorb 20% of what

Medicare did not cover under his care, I had to seek another GI doc and was

relieved

to know that -- under his care -- I qualified for the Pegasys and Copegus

(which was what I wanted to treat with anyway). Even he said, though, that

both were about the same when push came to shove. These statements by both

these GI docs made me wonder about their expertise (as I had heard so many good

things about Pegasys in comparison to PegIntron). According to what I've seen

on the internet, though, Pegasys is " better " , and so I'm glad -- if I do

decide to treat, that I will be on Peg/Cop (I qualify under Roche for the

patient

assistance and can at least get these two drugs at no cost to me). Any side

effect medications, though, such as Neupogen, Procrit, etc. I will have to

absorb myself, which uh...... I'll have to depend on my family to help (they

have

said they will indeed help in this regard). I would rather be able to find a

program to help cover the cost of those VERY expensive drugs, but this

Medicare I've got covers NO drugs. Currently, I have to pay out of pocket for

all

prescription drugs (other than Peg/Cop). Currently, I only take Toprol and

Valium, which aren't all that expensive, but -- when one starts getting into d

rugs like Neuopen and Procrit, it can be enormously expensive.

I consider myself VERY lucky that I'm not working (I'm on disability) and

don't HAVE drag myself to work while attempting this treatment). If I decide

to

treat and begin to feel anything like I felt two years ago, there is no way

in H I could drag myself to work. I'm going to think positive. The one thing

I would wish for most would be to return to the work force one day. I feel

very guilty at times for being on disability (what a blow), but then again -- I

try not to feel too badly about it. Maybe one day -- if I get rid of this

virus, I'll feel more at ease about attempting to return full time. But right

now (even though I feel OK most days), I would really be putting my healthcare

at risk if I attempted to return to work. I would not be insured

)(pre-existing condition all in my records now). If I ever did return to work

with HCV

(and lost my disability benefits because I had returned to work), I'd be up

the creek if I became symptomatic again and could no longer work, as I've heard

it would be close to impossible to ever get back on disability IF I get off

disability. My docs have cautioned me about returning to work -- even if I feel

good -- because it could mean losing ALL access to health care -- permanently

-- if I do. But if I could reach SVR and stay that way for a year and feel

" normal " again, I'd be back at work.

And Williem has gone through treatment three times ? ? ? And he's SVR now ?

? ? That is such good news.

Best of luck to you. I hope your days at work won't be too tough on you.

Hang in there. You're almost FINISHED!! You're going to be fine, I have all

ideas.

In a message dated 6/14/2004 7:57:46 PM Eastern Standard Time,

tatezi@... writes:

> Hi ...

>

> It's a tough question to treat again or not. Willem (where is that guy) did

> treatment 3x and responded the last time and has sustained that response. I'm

> finishing up my second round and responded at 3 months but I don't know what

> will happen post treatment. It's a pot shot...we don't know what harm

> treatment does to our bodies, but we do know what the hep will do.

>

> If you had a rough time with your first round, what treatment did you

> do...the peg or rebetron? I guess you would have to take into consideration

what

> you went through during treatment vs. another round of treatment that could

> slow or reverse your fibrosis. I had many more sides on rebetron than on

> pegasys...the docs say it's cause the pegasys maintaines a consistent level in

your

> system whereas the rebetron was up and down...my biggest problem on pegasys

> was the battle with anemia, but that was resonably maintained with epogen. And

> I could have dealt much better with the anemia had I not had to work...those

> stairs up to the public transportation train about did me in.

>

> I'm genotype 1b...stage and phase 2 when I had my biopsy back in '99. I'm

> going to ask the doctor at county if he would do a biopsy so I can see if my

> counts have changed. I've done two rounds of treatment since my biopsy.

>

> There is a fairly big difference between the pegs...pegasys is a different

> type of peg...it's a pegalated 2b or something like that while the PegInron is

> a 1a. Huge difference there...studies have proven that the PegIntron needs

> to be done more than once a week but I don't think they've changed their

> protocol (at least not to my knowledge). Pegasys stays in your system for a

full

> week...and they are now doing studies on folks who did the PegIntron and

> either didn't respond or responded and then relapsed.

>

> So a Peg is not a Peg...

>

> And if you don't get a lot of sides, maintenance is not a bad thing. Smaller

> doses to keep the virus from replicating so fast.

>

> It's a tough decision, that's for sure. But I think if I don't sustain my

> response that I would be willing to go another round.

>

> Tatezi

>

[Guest guest]

HI guys and dolls.Here I.am and reading your post everyday but for the second

time in my life I.am in love which somebody much younger and it saps all my

energy.It.s a impossible relation denounced by almost every good upright citizen

but it.s the happiest time I had for a long time and those who denounce me can

go to hell.I.am not throwing any bombs or torturing prisoners ,fornicating

children or fill my pockets which tax-payers money.I.am making love,Tatezi has

to wait,sorry gal.Yes I had three tX and the third one hits home.Two which the

old treatment and the third one with Peg-interferon.I feel wonderfull because of

the elixer of love but also I feel that I hve finally beaten the dragon.So go

for it if your system can take it.Love to all of you Willem

Re: migraines and sleep and stuff

I'm inclined to believe that Peg / Rib is Peg / Rib like a rose is a rose.

The protocol, I think,

would be the just about the same...if I wanted to treat again, and he said

" yes " . I asked him what they would do if I responded badly again, and he said

" well... we will probably start you out at a lower dose next time,

[Guest guest]

eh he -- someone knew you were " all wrapped up " in something -- lmao. I'm SO

glad for you that it's a great something and that's it's the happiest time of

your life After three attempts and beating that dragon's butt down for

GOOD, you deserve ALL the sweet grapes of life you can handle -- and then

some.

Way to go willem! You two have fun tonight!

and at breakfast, and at lunch, and at .......... lol.

In a message dated 6/15/2004 1:31:42 PM Eastern Standard Time,

lands142@... writes:

> HI guys and dolls.Here I.am and reading your post everyday but for the

> second time in my life I.am in love which somebody much younger and it saps

all

> my energy.It.s a impossible relation denounced by almost every good upright

> citizen but it.s the happiest time I had for a long time and those who

denounce

> me can go to hell.I.am not throwing any bombs or torturing prisoners

> ,fornicating children or fill my pockets which tax-payers money.I.am making

> love,Tatezi has to wait,sorry gal.Yes I had three tX and the third one hits

home.Two

> which the old treatment and the third one with Peg-interferon.I feel

> wonderfull because of the elixer of love but also I feel that I hve finally

beaten

> the dragon.So go for it if your system can take it.Love to all of you Willem

>

[Guest guest]

younger than YOU? Tell me it ain't true! What, does that mean we'e talking

about someone from a previous life? haha just kidding

I'm happy for you Willem. Life is to live. Do it.

Alley

[Guest guest]

...

Remember that doctors promote whichever drug they are getting kickbacks

from...don't ever completely trust doctors.

I didn't start having platelet or low WBC counts until the last 6ish weeks of

treatment.

Find out if you have a county, state or city public health system. If you do,

use them. Plan on spending a day there and take something to drink and reading

materials. It's a hastle to go through the initial process (took me 4 trips and

spending the day there) but you will be eligible. Then you can get your

prescriptions free. Use the system! That's why it's there.

Tatezi

Re: migraines and sleep and stuff

Hi Tatezi. So you've been through both, huh? Wow! I was very disappointed

when my first GI doc told me he only used PegIntron and Ribavirin (as I

had heard that Pegasys was " better " because it stayed at a more consistent level

the entire week (didn't peeter out). When I asked him about this, he

commented (something to effect ) " they are both are tit for tat and one is not

better than the other " . When I found out I would have to absorb 20% of what

Medicare did not cover under his care, I had to seek another GI doc and was

relieved

to know that -- under his care -- I qualified for the Pegasys and Copegus

(which was what I wanted to treat with anyway). Even he said, though, that

both were about the same when push came to shove. These statements by both

these GI docs made me wonder about their expertise (as I had heard so many good

things about Pegasys in comparison to PegIntron). According to what I've seen

on the internet, though, Pegasys is " better " , and so I'm glad -- if I do decide

to treat, that I will be on Peg/Cop (I qualify under Roche for the patient

assistance and can at least get these two drugs at no cost to me). Any side

effect medications, though, such as Neupogen, Procrit, etc. I will have to

absorb myself, which uh...... I'll have to depend on my family to help (they

have said they will indeed help in this regard). I would rather be able to find

a rogram to help cover the cost of those VERY expensive drugs, but this Medicare

I've got covers NO drugs. Currently, I have to pay out of pocket for all

prescription drugs (other than Peg/Cop). Currently, I only take Toprol and

Valium, which aren't all that expensive, but -- when one starts getting into

drugs like Neuopen and Procrit, it can be enormously expensive.

[Guest guest]

Willem,

How wonderful...and I'll wait for you <g>

Tatezi

Re: migraines and sleep and stuff

HI guys and dolls.Here I.am and reading your post everyday but for the second

time in my life I.am in love which somebody much younger and it saps all my

energy.

[Guest guest]

<<Even he said, though, that both were about the same when push came to shove.

>>

They are. You can't believe everything you read. If one drug is established as

one thing, the second drug has to be established as something else, new and

improved. So of course they are going to say they stay in the body longer,

better tolerated, etc.

Gotta read between the lines as they say.

<<Any side effect medications, though, such as Neupogen, Procrit, etc. I will

have to absorb myself>>

My whole 48 weeks on treatment, none of my labs went out of spec. Some do, some

don't. Not a lot of people have to use those drugs.

Let us know what you decide!

Alley