Re: Digest Number 68

[Guest guest]

Hi Ken good luck on your wait for your new liver. I'm on the transplant list also I'm listed at University of Colorado. I agree with you Ken is treatments may not work but if you don't try em they won't work at all. They told me from 93 to 98 that I had cirrohsis and it was too late for treatment for me. All I could do is wait for end stage . In 98 I found the hep community on the internet and realized from what I read that treatment might work on me. I contacted my Gastro at the time and said either you let me try a treatment or send me to another Dr. I felt like I needed to do something proactive. They finally agreed to combo and I cleared the virus . I'm still a responder and now its been 1 1/2 since I completed treatment. I finally was put on transplant list last Nov. even though I cleared the virus my liver is too far gone. Once they realized my brain fog was acutally encephalapathy (what Ken described) I was evaluated. The good news is when and if I get my new liver I don't have active Hep c now so my new liver should not get infected ))).

Peace/Love

Randi

HepRandi7

Seen it all, done it all, can't remember most of it.

HepRandi Support For Hepatitis "Don't take your organs to heaven, heaven knows we need them here"

[Guest guest]

and all,

My friend that has hep c, Judy, says that what I descibe with the right

shoulder and back of the neck pain, sounds like fibromyalgia.

Well, I wrote her back and told her I didn't think so, because I have

read that with fibromyalgia, there is pain like almost all over the

body.

Well, Judy then wrote me back and explained that the shoulder and neck

pain was all the start of it. That was how it was in the beginning and

now Judy has more advanced pain, years later, after the shoulder and

neck pain started.

Judy told me that's how it starts out.

Well, I don't know what to think, , but maybe that's right.

But even if it is, Fibromyalgia is something that goes along with hep c

sometimes?

Also, I read something interesting on Fibromyalgia. Supposidly, people

that have TRUE fibromyalgia, also have low blood pressure!! Well, that

was a new one, that I had not heard. Since Judy has been diagnosed with

fibromyalgia, I asked her if she had low blood pressure and she wrote me

back that she did and asked me why I had asked that question.

I also have low blood pressure, I mean, for example, last reading was 92

over 74.

, do you have low blood pressure?

I am just curious about the low blood pressure theory that I read and

wonder if there is anything to that.

Low blood pressure is good and all that, better than having high!! But,

it also makes me very tired, I have to push myself to get going.

Or maybe it is the hep c or the combination of both, I don't know!

But I have found a wonderful solution to that problem, licorice.

I actually eat the licorice root. It gives me an energy kick.

From what I have read, licorice is not good if you have high blood

pressure.

But for persons like me , that have hep c and low blood pressure, it is

wonderful. I am now trying to replace my caffeine intake, with licorice.

The only reason I drink so much caffeine, is because with the hep c,

plus low blood pressure, I get so tired!!

I have to keep going, so I have got in a bad habit of drinking sodas and

even coffee to keep me going! Now I am drinking more water and eating

the licorice root, instead. I also have licorice capsules, but I enjoy

chewing it, too, so I also have the root. I am also trying to quit

smoking, so the root gives me something to do. I have a little plastic

bag in my car, filled with the chopped root.

I have got some strange looks at stoplights, digging in my baggie and I

think it must look illegal or something. I hold the bag up, to look for

the little round sliced root that I like the best...not realizing how

that might look to others beside me. I am in my own little world.

One time, a couple of hippie looking guys rolled down their window and

asked me if I had a quarter. I thought they meant, of course, a quarter

in change!! I told them I had two dimes and a nickle.

They laughed and said, " naw, I mean like, you know, some smoke "

Geez louise, I had no idea. I threw them a marlboro and they laughed

even more, then sped off.

I later realized what they were looking for.

If they only new.... it was only licorice root.

Dr. McWherter is in Ft. Worth, . He is awesome and he does

seminars.

I wish you could go to one, I don't know when the next one will be.

I could find out, or....you can just see how I do with the vit c and his

protocol.

Dr. McWherter's explanation made alot of sense to me, that what he sees

with me is just part of the hep c and that I am toxic.

He is very positive and I like that, he has no doubt in his mind that I

will be zero viral load in just a few weeks.

The virus is active and I probably have ammonia build up and all of

that.

I guess it attacks and settles in the joints sometimes and the muscles.

If there is a virus circulating in our blood, it's going to be flowing

through all of the muscle tissue area and joints. It makes sense, that

it would also tend to settle in the tissue's and joints.

I remember watching a bone scan, on my son. He has a hip deteriorating

disease called Perthes. It was amazing to see all of the blood flowing

throughout the body and organs. The blood feeds these joints and

muscles, but if there is a virus in that blood supply....then this is

what happens with the aches and pains that we have. The virus settles in

those areas, causing havoc.

That's just my hillbilly logic about it all, but one that makes sense to

me.

No wonder our muscles hurt sometimes, with all of that virus filled

blood flowing through there.

I'm just full of encouraging stuff here, aren't I?

Sorry, wish I could be a little more cheerful.

I am facinated with the human body and how it works, even when in

jeopardy.

But I am ready to do something about this, just like all of you.

I will find out more about the vitamin C and Dr. McWherter's protocol

and let you know right away.

Oh, also, , I sleep on my side at night, usually on the right side.

I wonder if that hinders this problem?

I'm trying to train myself to sleep on my back, but that is hard for me

to do.

I like to curl up in a fetal position, with my pillows used as props.

Hey, the hemorrhoid problem, don't feel like the lone ranger there.

Are you drinking caffeine?? The last I had talked to you, I thought you

were mostly drinking tea?

I thought mine was maybe caused by all the caffeine I drink.

It's all a pain in the rear, I tell ya.

No bun intended. I can relate to that problem and I'm sure alot of

others can, too.

I hope we call all be rid of this someday.

Until then, take care of yourself.

Love to all,

Sher

wrote:

>

>

[Guest guest]

Keep the faith. Remember you are what you think. Think happy thoughts

and think yerself well.

I am an end stager for over 4 years and still work a 40 hour a week ,

manual labor job.

I know I am as well as anyone.

Keep the positive thinking.

The dragon will exploit your weak spots and one of these is how you

feel about yerself.

Arm yourself with knowledge, Shield yerself in a positive image. Think

yerself well.

Go get em. Knowledge is our first line of defence against the dragon.

Now.....go get em.

-

[Guest guest]

> and all,

> My friend that has hep c, Judy, says that what I descibe with the

right

> shoulder and back of the neck pain, sounds like fibromyalgia.

>

>

writes:

*********Dear Sher, you had mentioned the low blood pressure and

fibro....yes, I do have " very " low blood pressure,,,I don't know it

exactly,,,but anytime it's taken there's usually a comment made about

how low it is... I do believe this could be fibro... and also, that

like you said a virus circulating in the blood goes into the bones

and muscle tissues,,,that's why our muscles don't heal as fast as a

healthy person. I do want to know more about that dr Wherther and his

seminaries...please post it soon!!! And my neck hurts so much right

now,,,it is numb...and cracks with every inch I move it.

Thanks for all the great info... Hepper Hugs*

*******and on another note,,,when someone replies to a message,,,they

can erase most or all of the preceeding message and then write their

name like this: writes: and then proceed with their

message,,,that way we don't have to read the same message with each

reply there is...does that make sense? I've seen other groups that

recommend that each person do that...just leave enough at the top of

what the person said that you want to answer and then write your

reply. It's just a suggestion from ~ you all's Hepper pal!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/10/01 9:25:46 AM US Mountain Standard Time,

deboerm@... writes:

<<

>>

Hi Everyone, I have been reading your messages for a while now . I love to

hear what is going on with your lives and your triumphs and victories.

My name is Charlene, I just found out I have hep-C oh about two months ago

now. I have been working in a Dialysis Unit where they test all employees

yearly. I was Shocked, then worried, thinking " Oh MY God " " what is going to

happen to me and my life. " I was tested three times and I have a high viral

count, but everything else is normal. When I went to a Gastro Dr. he said not

to worry everything is normal, my liver is functioning and that is all that

matters. he said you can live without any problems with hep C virus. He said

come back in six months and I will evaluate you again see how you are doing,

do more lab test. I did have an ultra sound of my liver, no masses were

noted. I tell you I have been so upset, because after reading and listening

to people, I know I have many symptoms that the Gastro never even considered

a problem. Although my primary doctor wrote a note to my employer that I

could not work more than five eight hour shifts due to multiple health

problems. I Lost around sixty pound in the one year without trying, this year

I have a hard time even keeping my weight up, IM five foot one inch, medium

bone size I would say, I very petit, try to keep my weight up to 115 lbs.,

but since I really never have an appetite or am nauseated after eating its

very hard. Sometimes people think IM anorexic when my weight drops, I am a

size 3 in juniors but sometimes smaller. I get sick all the time, Bronchitis,

pneumonia, extremely tired, IM allergic to many foods, I have an uncommon

allergies, IM allergic to the cold with anaphylactic shock reactions. My

primary care doctor recently put me on prozac for depression. Most of the

time I barley feel I can function, go to work, be a mother and sleep that's

it. My hair is so thin now. I Have five children four at home now to care

for, ages ... eight, twelve, fourteen, seventeen,( 24 she is not at home, she

is married now). I was married for sixteen years and got divorced last DEC.

Who knows how I got the hep C, I suppose I will never know. IM very troubled

by having it, I was disappointed the Gastro doctor did not help me, I thought

oh finally I now know why I get sick so easily and why I am so very tired,

but according to him, the hep -C is not the reason for all my health problems.

I will be waiting to hear from you with the dragon..... Charlene

[Guest guest]

FIND A NEW GASTRO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am sorry to hear you are having such a difficult time. On the up side..many people live to be in their 80's before they even know they have had hep c for the past 30 years....rebetron therapy works for some,but not many..my fiancee was on it for one year and it was extremely difficult for us both...it did not work,so now we have gone the herbal remedy way...heck...2 billion chineese cant all be wrong! So,we will wait and see...but with all your symptoms...you need to search out a doctor that will listen. I wish you all the best. ...cathy in upstate NY There is a specialist at Mt Sinai in NYC I will get his name when I go to work on Monday...he is the best of the best...dont know where you live,but it never hurts to put all possiblity in front and take it from there...my email address is cathy11757@... write me again on Monday and I will get the name for you when I go to work......cathy Re: [ ] Digest Number 68 In a message dated 4/10/01 9:25:46 AM US Mountain Standard Time, deboerm@... writes:<< >>Hi Everyone, I have been reading your messages for a while now . I love to hear what is going on with your lives and your triumphs and victories.My name is Charlene, I just found out I have hep-C oh about two months ago now. I have been working in a Dialysis Unit where they test all employees yearly. I was Shocked, then worried, thinking "Oh MY God" "what is going to happen to me and my life." I was tested three times and I have a high viral count, but everything else is normal. When I went to a Gastro Dr. he said not to worry everything is normal, my liver is functioning and that is all that matters. he said you can live without any problems with hep C virus. He said come back in six months and I will evaluate you again see how you are doing, do more lab test. I did have an ultra sound of my liver, no masses were noted. I tell you I have been so upset, because after reading and listening to people, I know I have many symptoms that the Gastro never even considered a problem. Although my primary doctor wrote a note to my employer that I could not work more than five eight hour shifts due to multiple health problems. I Lost around sixty pound in the one year without trying, this year I have a hard time even keeping my weight up, IM five foot one inch, medium bone size I would say, I very petit, try to keep my weight up to 115 lbs., but since I really never have an appetite or am nauseated after eating its very hard. Sometimes people think IM anorexic when my weight drops, I am a size 3 in juniors but sometimes smaller. I get sick all the time, Bronchitis, pneumonia, extremely tired, IM allergic to many foods, I have an uncommon allergies, IM allergic to the cold with anaphylactic shock reactions. My primary care doctor recently put me on prozac for depression. Most of the time I barley feel I can function, go to work, be a mother and sleep that's it. My hair is so thin now. I Have five children four at home now to care for, ages ... eight, twelve, fourteen, seventeen,( 24 she is not at home, she is married now). I was married for sixteen years and got divorced last DEC. Who knows how I got the hep C, I suppose I will never know. IM very troubled by having it, I was disappointed the Gastro doctor did not help me, I thought oh finally I now know why I get sick so easily and why I am so very tired, but according to him, the hep -C is not the reason for all my health problems.I will be waiting to hear from you with the dragon..... Charlene

[Guest guest]

..thank you for writing me back. I live in Tucson, Arizona. I will

take your advice and search for a new Gasto doctor. IM just wondering if how

I feel due to the Hep-C? And what should I expect of a Gastro doctor? I did

expect him to listen more that's for sure. This last doctor never advised me

on diet/ or anything. thanks for helping......Charlene

[Guest guest]

try a woman...they tend to be better listeners......cathy Re: [ ] Digest Number 68 ..thank you for writing me back. I live in Tucson, Arizona. I will take your advice and search for a new Gasto doctor. IM just wondering if how I feel due to the Hep-C? And what should I expect of a Gastro doctor? I did expect him to listen more that's for sure. This last doctor never advised me on diet/ or anything. thanks for helping......Charlene

[Guest guest]

Hi Sally,

I had surgery last June-10 mos ago now; I'm close to your age (I'm 50)

and female, so my post-surgery recovery might be comparable to yours.

I had oa in my right hip. I'm about 20 lbs overweight, having lost 12

thru weight watchers since surgery. I am not doing great in that I can

only be on my feet for for an hour or so at a time and I have

considerable pain, although I'm told it will get better. In answer to

your questions;

1) My doctor relaxed the restriction on leg crossing after a couple

of months. Doctors differ in their recommendations. None allow

leg-crossing or bending over for at least 6 weeks. You won't want to.

It hurts. It is only operated leg which can't be crossed over the

other.

2) You will want to be out of work 6-8 weeks. I took 8 weeks and

went on a vacation which didn't require being on my feet for the last

2. I took my 2 kids (8 and 13) to visit their uncles, my brothers. My

brothers and I saw some plays at the Oregon Shakespeare festival. My

brothers took my daughters rafting and kayaking while I chilled at the

hotel pool. It was fun and I was well up to it. I wasn't allowed to

drive for 6 weeks and had the strict hip precautions, but I could have

worked at my sedentary job after 4 weeks (I'm a psychologist) if I had

had to.

3) You can certainly provide emotional support, do light housework,

and read to older kids after 5 mos, but don't count on doing any heavy

lifting. People are supposed to be able to walk and/or stand for an

hour by 6 mos, but that is a bit much for me at 10 mos, and I have

faithfully done my re-hab exercises. I now do water exercise because

walking is so hard on me. I am actually using a cane and talking

Fosamax. My outcome is not what you are supposed to have happen, but i

don't know how common it is.

Congrats on the expected grandchild! Your first?

On Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at 12:33 PM,

Joint Replacement wrote:

>

[Guest guest]

Pat,

Good luck with your upcoming surgery. I had thr on my right hip in October. One thing I have learned from reading the posts in this group is that everyone is different. I am 43 and I did have some complications during surgery. As a result I am still using a cane 6 months post-op. Now if you asked me was it worth it? My answer would be a resounding yes. I feel 300% better than I did prior to surgery. I am also able to keep up with my 4 year old daughter. She is surprised sometimes because I get around faster with my cane than with out it and can catch her if I need to. Like you, I also had to lose weight. I lost only 15 prior to surgery but have lost an additional 20 since. I still have a ways to go. It feels good to be able to exercise without pain. Although my types of exercise are restricted, I am walking in a pool for about 50 minutes at a time. I am sure you will do well and the only question you will ask yourself is why did I wait.

Keep us posted.

Jodi

[Guest guest]

,

Thank you for sharing your experience with me. I am sorry you aren't

progressing as expected. Must be frustrating!

Oh how I wish I were only 20# overweight. I am trying to get down

closer to that before surgery but with the limited mobility, I am not

there. I went for a walk around my block last evening, feeling great

when I started, in discomfort when I got done AND in significant pain

the rest of the evening. However, I will not be detered...I am going

to do it again tonight!

Yes, this is our first grandchild. Coming a year sooner than I wish

but since my daughter and her husband are adults, I guess I have no

say in their planning. LOL!

Thanks again for sharing your experience. I hope the water aerobics

help.

Pat

>

> >

[Guest guest]

You give me such hope! Even with complications you would do it

again...thank you for the encouraging words.

PatT

> Pat,

> Good luck with your upcoming surgery. I had thr on my right hip in

October.

> One thing I have learned from reading the posts in this group is

that

> everyone is different. I am 43 and I did have some complications

during

> surgery. As a result I am still using a cane 6 months post-op.

Now if you

> asked me was it worth it? My answer would be a resounding yes. I

feel 300%

> better than I did prior to surgery. I am also able to keep up with

my 4 year

> old daughter. She is surprised sometimes because I get around

faster with my

> cane than with out it and can catch her if I need to. Like you, I

also had

> to lose weight. I lost only 15 prior to surgery but have lost an

additional

> 20 since. I still have a ways to go. It feels good to be able to

exercise

> without pain. Although my types of exercise are restricted, I am

walking in

> a pool for about 50 minutes at a time. I am sure you will do well

and the

> only question you will ask yourself is why did I wait.

> Keep us posted.

> Jodi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/27/2004 6:16:23 PM Eastern Daylight Time, health writes:

From: "Janet Seidlitz" <dragonhealing@...>Subject: Re: percorino cheeseIt has been a while since I have been to NY I bet my Aunt Vera would know where to get it though hehehe. She is so funny. The epitomy of an old Italian lady. She will feed you the best foods till you burst lol.Janet

..

..

>>> Janet and all

Again, I get decent, imported Pecorino Romano at Sam's Club. Costco no doubt carries it also.

mjhhttp://foxhillfarm.us/FireBasil/