Help!

[Guest guest]

Hello Vicky

Maybe after they go to the library and research it some they will find out that there is nothing to worry about. Kids and adults for that matter react out of ignorance when they first find out. Usually the truth prevails in the end. If it doesn't then these friend were not really friends in the first place.

Try not to get down on yourself too much, It is not your fault.

Have a good weekend.

[ ] Help!

I just found out last night (by eaves-dropping.....ok, i'm not perfect) that my 12 yr. old daughter told a couple of her friends about my hepc and treatment (probably because I had to sit down at the mall a couple times). Well, now a couple of them refuse to come to our house and she found out that they are going to the library to do research on it. She was sobbing last night when she got honest with me about it. School starts on Tuesday and she is so afraid that these FRIENDS of hers may tell others. I am consumed with heartache and guilt. My disease is affecting her life. What should I say or do? I offered to talk to her friends and their moms but she doesn't want me to. She is most afraid that they are gonna find out through their research that this disease is contagious and she will loose them as friends (remember she is only 12). In our area here, we also have some really harsh commercials pertaining to hepc. Thanks. Vicky

[Guest guest]

Thanks Dennis,

Yeah, It's building her character. Today she seemed a bit better and heres a kicker, her one friend who came over today has been really sick for the past 2 years. We were having clams with our dinner and we offered her some and she told me she couldn't cause she had hep b. She almost needed a liver transplant and goes to get blood tested once a month. This poor thing is only 12 years old and she told me that she could never give blood to help someone else. God really uses people you never imagine to keep things real.

Thanks Dennis, I will remember what you said. Have a great holiday.

Vicky

[Guest guest]

Here I go missing some messages again. Darnit.

[Guest guest]

Hi Vicky,

It looks like this may be the time that your daughter could learn some real values in life. There will be other times in her future when she will have to face the truth and hopefully accept it and make sensible decisions. She may lose friends but if she is strong and honest the worthwhile ones will be there and those are the important ones. They are few and far between sometimes.

Please don't be ashamed - there is no shame in being ill. Stand up for yourself and she will see the value in that. You both need to be strong now. I know this is easy for me to say but this is how I feel.

My thoughts are with you both in these difficult times.

Dennis

[ ] Help!

I just found out last night (by eaves-dropping.....ok, i'm not perfect) that my 12 yr. old daughter told a couple of her friends about my hepc and treatment (probably because I had to sit down at the mall a couple times). Well, now a couple of them refuse to come to our house and she found out that they are going to the library to do research on it. She was sobbing last night when she got honest with me about it. School starts on Tuesday and she is so afraid that these FRIENDS of hers may tell others. I am consumed with heartache and guilt. My disease is affecting her life. What should I say or do? I offered to talk to her friends and their moms but she doesn't want me to. She is most afraid that they are gonna find out through their research that this disease is contagious and she will loose them as friends (remember she is only 12). In our area here, we also have some really harsh commercials pertaining to hepc. Thanks. Vicky

[Guest guest]

Vicky,

Hi Sweetie,

Things will have a way of working out. Maybe it is a blessing that this

happened. If it creates a problem in school then the school should have

someone come in and explain just what Hep c is and how it is

transmitted.... Sort of a awareness type of thing... I really don't

think there will be a problem. My prayers are with you and your

daughter.... Sending my love to you..

(((( Vicky ))))

Angel Hugs,

Diane

[Guest guest]

There's no easy answers, are there. If her friends do

their research well, they will find out that it is not

contagious under normal social contact. Good luck.

-dz-

--- VicLea227@... wrote:

> I just found out last night (by

> eaves-dropping.....ok, i'm not perfect) that

> my 12 yr. old daughter told a couple of her friends

> about my hepc and

> treatment (probably because I had to sit down at the

> mall a couple times).

> Well, now a couple of them refuse to come to our

> house and she found out that

> they are going to the library to do research on it.

> She was sobbing last

> night when she got honest with me about it. School

> starts on Tuesday and she

> is so afraid that these FRIENDS of hers may tell

> others. I am consumed with

> heartache and guilt. My disease is affecting her

> life. What should I say or

> do? I offered to talk to her friends and their moms

> but she doesn't want me

> to. She is most afraid that they are gonna find out

> through their research

> that this disease is contagious and she will loose

> them as friends (remember

> she is only 12). In our area here, we also have

> some really harsh

> commercials pertaining to hepc. Thanks.

>

> Vicky

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Tell the 12 yr. old to hold her head up and she is definitly not responsible for having it. She should get on line with us. Sha baby.

[Guest guest]

Ya know Dave, I have a 13 yr. old son (as well as 12 yr. old daughter) and there whole life has been surrounded by the people in AA. My Son told me the other day that when he is 21, he will drink responsibly and i asked him what that meant and he said, going out with his friends once a week and having 2 beers. He then said that if he couldn't stop at 2 beers than he would never drink again (he doesn't get it about compulsion) so all I can do is educate and be honest with him.

Vicky

[Guest guest]

I hope my talking with my children has helped also. My daughter is 13( one of them anyway). She is getting at that age. If nothing else I hope their memories of how I was does.

[Guest guest]

Kids can be surprisingly understanding. I have taken

advantage of my troubles to educate my 11 yr old. He

is fairly knowledgeable about alcoholism, drug

addiction, etc. Knowledge is power. I have been

careful not to tell him what he can or can't do, just

letting him know of the dangers. I know if he's

anything like I was, and I told he could not drink,

period! He would take the challenge and drink to spite

me. I guess we all hope we can help our kids avoid

making the same mistakes we did. -dz-

--- Jannewilms42@... wrote:

> Tell the 12 yr. old to hold her head up and she is

> definitly not responsible

> for having it. She should get on line with us. Sha

> baby.

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I thought I had Hep C for only 4 years due to drug use. Come to find out I"ve had it for almost 20 and have no idea how it was contacted. I remember having a DNC and the Dr. saying I had lost alot of blood. Maybe without my remembering they had to give me some. Honestly I don't know. I didn't have symptoms except for fatigue and very often feeling as though I had the flu. I thought I was just run down. I found out I had it after being involved in a car accident. Go figure. If it hadn't been for the accident I may still not know I have it.

[Guest guest]

Well, forewarned is forearmed. I know that sooner or

later my son will try alcohol, I just hope I have

taught him enough to be aware of the risks of abuse

and/or addiction. -dz-

--- VicLea227@... wrote:

> Ya know Dave, I have a 13 yr. old son (as well as 12

> yr. old daughter) and

> there whole life has been surrounded by the people

> in AA. My Son told me the

> other day that when he is 21, he will drink

> responsibly and i asked him what

> that meant and he said, going out with his friends

> once a week and having 2

> beers. He then said that if he couldn't stop at 2

> beers than he would never

> drink again (he doesn't get it about compulsion) so

> all I can do is educate

> and be honest with him.

>

> Vicky

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I guess I feel really blessed! When I told my 21 yr. old daughter

last week (who lives in CA) that I had asked for a Hep A,B & C blood

test a couple of weeks ago as well as other blood work up when I saw

my GYNO,and the HepC came back positive. She sent me I can't tell you

how many links and HepC sites! Now, my 14 year old son, we haven't

talked yet. I'm waiting to see what all the other tests come out to

be, the PCR etc. Since I know I contracted this in 1997 or 1998,

it'll be interesting to see how advanced it is or isn't. The blood

tests I had 3 weeks ago were purely at my request, I've had no

symptoms or anything, I just had a " gut instinct " to check. I always

listen to my gut! Thank God the HIV was negative and everything else

was ok, iron a bit low, but hey...what can ya say.

Lynn ;~)

[Guest guest]

I had been tested in 1996 for all Hep's, we were trying to find out

what was up, I was a mess. But everything was normal! The only one

that came out positive was Hep B as I had received the anti Hep B

vacines due to the fact I worked in the hospital and was a

firefighter before, exposed to alot of blood. But the last time I

worked in the hospital or went on a traffic collision was in 1994, so

I have to presume thatit is based on my drug use with my former

husband in 1997/1998. I haven't used since! And who knows where he

is! After I sent him to prison (gee a 1 yr. sentence) for beating &

terrorizing me for 4 1/2 hours on our wedding day Oct 1, 1998, I left

the states for good and he signed the divorce papers while in prison!

So, I can pretty much figure out where this " positive blood test "

came from and I'm just waiting to see if it's done any damage or if I

can stop it before it does.

Lynn ;~)

[Guest guest]

> I had been tested in 1996 for all Hep's, we were trying to find out

> what was up, I was a mess. But everything was normal! The only one

> that came out positive was Hep B as I had received the anti Hep B

> vacines due to the fact I worked in the hospital and was a

> firefighter before, exposed to alot of blood. But the last time I

> worked in the hospital or went on a traffic collision was in 1994,

so

> I have to presume thatit is based on my drug use with my former

> husband in 1997/1998. I haven't used since! And who knows where he

> is! After I sent him to prison (gee a 1 yr. sentence) for beating &

> terrorizing me for 4 1/2 hours on our wedding day Oct 1, 1998, I

left

> the states for good and he signed the divorce papers while in

prison!

> So, I can pretty much figure out where this " positive blood test "

> came from and I'm just waiting to see if it's done any damage or if

I

> can stop it before it does.

>

> Lynn ;~)

I forgot, Thanks for shring your private & personal info, it sure

helps a person feel more comfortable! Lynn

[Guest guest]

It's very hard to determine exactly how we got

infected with this virus, especially given the 15-20

years most of us have this before we find out. They

say the sooner you treat it the better your odds to

respond are, so it sounds like you got the jump on it

anyway. Sounds like it was a black day he walked into

your life! Good luck. -dz-

--- ADandyDeesign@... wrote:

> I had been tested in 1996 for all Hep's, we were

> trying to find out

> what was up, I was a mess. But everything was

> normal! The only one

> that came out positive was Hep B as I had received

> the anti Hep B

> vacines due to the fact I worked in the hospital and

> was a

> firefighter before, exposed to alot of blood. But

> the last time I

> worked in the hospital or went on a traffic

> collision was in 1994, so

> I have to presume thatit is based on my drug use

> with my former

> husband in 1997/1998. I haven't used since! And who

> knows where he

> is! After I sent him to prison (gee a 1 yr.

> sentence) for beating &

> terrorizing me for 4 1/2 hours on our wedding day

> Oct 1, 1998, I left

> the states for good and he signed the divorce papers

> while in prison!

> So, I can pretty much figure out where this

> " positive blood test "

> came from and I'm just waiting to see if it's done

> any damage or if I

> can stop it before it does.

>

> Lynn ;~)

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I agree to that Lynn. I too had an abusive hubby. That was 13 yrs. ago PTL. I will never let myself be put through that agin. I don't wish evil; on others but they do reap what they sew. We are just there to see it happen.

[Guest guest]

That's for sure...really black for him and only a little obscured for

me. Nobody will ever get the best of me! Here's what " anger " can do

to a person, I heard from him in the summer of 1999 when I had to

send him his divorce papers and need his new prison address, he now

has 3rd stage hodkins disease! I NEVER wish anyone to be ill or cast

bad things on them, that's what he sowed when he reaped! Thanks -dz-!!

Lynn ;~)

[Guest guest]

AMEN to that!Better them than me...and you and you and you,,, lynn ;~)

[Guest guest]

Our deeds do catch up with us eventually. I'm sorry to

hear that. I hope he finds forgiveness before it's too

late. -dz-

--- ADandyDeesign@... wrote:

> That's for sure...really black for him and only a

> little obscured for

> me. Nobody will ever get the best of me! Here's what

> " anger " can do

> to a person, I heard from him in the summer of 1999

> when I had to

> send him his divorce papers and need his new prison

> address, he now

> has 3rd stage hodkins disease! I NEVER wish anyone

> to be ill or cast

> bad things on them, that's what he sowed when he

> reaped! Thanks -dz-!!

> Lynn ;~)

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/6/01 2:09:06 AM Eastern Daylight Time, kikiconquers@... writes:

.. My endo tried to heavily push RAI but I demanded a second trial of Tap for another year which is almost up.

Please! A trial of tap for a year??? Tapezole is not an experimental drug--people can be on it for decades! Your doctor sounds totally unreasonable. Is the tap working--are your levels normal on the drug? Are you taking beta blockers to help your heart? I don't understand this idea of an arbitrary year-long trial unless the drug is not working, and so your doctor is looking for another way to reduce your thyroid levels. Otherwise, it looks like a tactic to pressure you into taking RAI. You are smart not to have submitted to this "treatment"--please go to iThyroid for lists of foods and supplements that will help you.

Good luck,

AntJoan

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/6/01 2:09:06 AM Eastern Daylight Time, kikiconquers@... writes:

before I am forced to consider a dramatic option.

P.S. Your doctor cannot force you to have RAI. You can choose your own treatment options, and you can also choose to go to another doctor. I have been totally cured of Graves for 4 years now after 3 months on Tapezole and Atenol, and using nutrition, supplements and acupuncture. I weaned off the Tap slowly when I started to become slightly hypo (I would never allow myself to become full-blown hypo, as the doctors seem to want us to do) and have been fine ever since. It sounds like your case is more complicated than mine--you have had it longer, and have a goiter. However, lots of folks were helped by the info at iThyroid. As long as your levels are under control with the drugs, you have lots of time to stay on the Tap and continue to use natural methods to work with the underlying causes of the disease (which RAI does not address).

Best,

AntJoan

[Guest guest]

Hi,

What's with the year? That's really an old fashioned notion. P. Larsen at Harvard recommends a minimum of 18 months and advises staying on ATD's longer if needed. Supplements definitely do help since many of the symptoms are caused by nutrient deficiencies. A healthy diet, supplements and stress reduction will all help you with a successful ATD outcome. And after you're off ATDs these suggestions will help you stay in remission.

[Guest guest]

I had three doctors before I found the one I'm with now. The first three pushed RAI and I refused. The doctor CAN NOT TELL YOU WHAT TO DO. It's your life, your health, your future. We know of one person who has been on TAP for 21 years!!

I had one doc tell me I wouldn't have to worry about taking a pill every day if I had RAI. When I reminded hm that I'd eventually go hypo and have to take a pill for the rest of my life, he stumbled around and mumbled something about the hyper meds. He didn't realize I had a little knowledge about RAI - thanks to the thyroid BB's!!

By the way I've been off PTU since January and doing well! I will NEVER have RAI!! Take a friend or relative with you to your next appointment - they don't seem to be as pushy when there is a witness, especially when the other person asks lots of questions. Take care, Mona

Re: help!

In a message dated 10/6/01 2:09:06 AM Eastern Daylight Time, kikiconquers@... writes:

before I am forced to consider a dramatic option. P.S. Your doctor cannot force you to have RAI. You can choose your own treatment options, and you can also choose to go to another doctor. I have been totally cured of Graves for 4 years now after 3 months on Tapezole and Atenol, and using nutrition, supplements and acupuncture. I weaned off the Tap slowly when I started to become slightly hypo (I would never allow myself to become full-blown hypo, as the doctors seem to want us to do) and have been fine ever since. It sounds like your case is more complicated than mine--you have had it longer, and have a goiter. However, lots of folks were helped by the info at iThyroid. As long as your levels are under control with the drugs, you have lots of time to stay on the Tap and continue to use natural methods to work with the underlying causes of the disease (which RAI does not address). Best, AntJoan

[Guest guest]

Hi Mona,

I really liked the idea of taking a friend or relative with you when you go in to see the doctor or endo. I have only seen my endo once and I have an appointment next month. I must travel two hours for a 15 min appointment and it doesn't seem worth it as the last time, I came out of his office feeling more frustrated and let down. I didn't expect him to cure me but really, these doctors really seem to want to push having the RAI treatment. I had an antibody test done on Aug 8th and I STILL don't have the results back. Does anyone in Canada who is reading this remember having a similar problem? I am in the middle of the country and apparently my blood sample had to be sent to Toronto but really, two months, I am anxious to know the results. I see my regular doctor every two weeks and she never has the stupid test results. She calls the provincial lab every now and again to see if they are there but no luck! Anyway, I've gotten off topic here, I just wanted to say that when I see this endo next month, I WILL be taking my husband in with me because that way two heads will be hearing the answers to my questions and we may remember more that way. I am still confused by all the TSH and T3 and T4 numbers the doctor keeps rambling about!

On a positive note, I recently found out I should be able to stop taking PTU very soon. I've been on various dosages of PTU since the middle of July. Apparently now my blood tests that I have done every two weeks are coming back saying my TSH levels are very high so I guess I shouldn't be trying to suppress it anymore. That is good news. My doctor says my hyperT may have been a result of pregnancy and breastfeeding after all. And even though like someone else on this list mentioned, (I think Elaine) doctors would rather us think that all hyperT is a result of Graves disease, there is still hope that something else is the cause.

I have only been dealing with thyroid problems for three months and it seems like forever already. Even though I am feeling better and hope to be off my medication soon, I will always be aware that the possibility exists that I may become hyper again or go the other way. The day my doctor said I was hyper was the same day she said, "oh what a shame it isn't the other way, then we could do the RAI treatment and be done with the ATD's. And this was my first day, dealing with the initial shock of having been diagnosed with such a disorder! But at the same time, I am thankful that she didn't let me go on taking the high dose of PTU when it was making me hypo these last two blood tests. No wonder I was feeling so tired!

Another question: I know we are supposed to wear ourselves off ATD's slowly. So currently I am taking half a pill a day of PTU. 50mg. How do I go about doing this now? Take one every other day? I don't want to just quit cold turkey. I go back to the doctor Oct. 24th and my next blood tests will be back then, so she said that probably at that visit she would be able to tell me to go off PTU altogether. Is this the proper way to go about this? I also asked her if I should even keep my endo appointment that I have next month. It's a waste of time to drive two hours for a 15 min appointment but I'll go if it's necessary. I think just for his benefit I should go so that he can see how well I am feeling now and how he was wrong about Graves. But the thing is....I don't know if I even HAVE graves yet! I am sitting on pins and needles waiting for those stupid test results!

I know that there are people here on the list who have Graves but are in remission. My question is: How long were you on your antithyroid meds before going into a remission? Like I said, I was only diagnosed in early July as being hyperT and my son was born three months prior to that time. For anyone new here my son is six months old now and I continue to breastfeed him a couple times a day while taking PTU. He is taking the bottle well and I have adjusted to the idea that I will not be able to breastfeed him full time and for the length of time that I did my first son. That was the hardest part for me when I discovered my thyroid problems. I breastfed my first son for over two years!

I have also had my baby's blood tested twice since taking PTU and both times his tests have come back okay so it didn't seem to effect him at all which is good news!

Okay, I'll close now. I haven't posted in a couple of weeks. I have been trying to find time to catch up on all the e-mails I've gotten!

Jen in Canada