introducing myself

[Guest guest]

No problem I hope it helps

> > > >

> > > > From: Debra <i_ownaberner@ ...>

> > > > Subject: RE: Introducing myself

> > > > spinedisorderssuppo rtgroup@gro ups.com

> > > > Date: Thursday, August 14, 2008, 10:24 AM

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Diane,

> > > >

> > > > As far as your question is this enough to collect disability?

> > Maybe

> > > or

> > > > maybe not. Depends on what type of work you have been doing.

If

> > the

> > > > question is do you have surgery and then bamb you

> > > collect.absolutely not.

> > > > You can not even begin collecting (for LTD) till day 91. For

> STD

> > it

> > > > depends on you waiting period, some is 7 days and some is 14.

> If

> > > you are

> > > > not disabled now...and surgery goes well..NO you should not

be

> > > disabled.

> > > > This should fix your problem not make it worse. From

> > > experience,, ,,,,

> > > > most people with back problems are not granted SSD the first

> time

> > > applying.I

> > > > received the first time I applied BUT I have the back

problems

> > with

> > > 2 back

> > > > surgeries PLUS severe crohns on TPN, and RA and severe

medical

> > > problems. I

> > > > do not believe that I would have been awarded based soley on

my

> > > back. BTW

> > > > after my first surgery I was pain free for 1.5 years and

> > continued

> > > to work.

> > > > The second surgery was is 5/06 and I was pain free up until

now

> > > when I have

> > > > now been diagnosed with adhesive arachnoiditis or aka failed

> back

> > > syndrome.

> > > > Good luck to you.

> > > >

> > > > Deb RN

> > > >

> > > > From: spinedisorderssuppo rtgroup@gro ups.com

> > > > [mailto:spinedisord erssuppo rtgroup@gro ups.com] On

> Behalf

> > Of

> > > diane

> > > > cormier

> > > > Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2008 9:53 AM

> > > > spinedisorderssuppo rtgroup@gro ups.com

> > > > Subject: Re: Introducing myself

> > > >

> > > > revised from the first.(below) part of it was deleted

> > > > Hi everyone,

> > > > I new to this group. I just wanted to share some of myself

with

> > > you.

> > > > Over years of back pain, I,m finally going for surgery. I

will

> be

> > > > having a spine fusion on october 16th. The will be using a

> piece

> > of

> > > my

> > > > hip bone, and replacing my L-5 disk. So far I have been told

I

> > > have,

> > > > degenerating disk diseases,lumbar spondylosis , and arthritus

> > > > spinal stenosis, I'm sure some of this is somewhat the same

> thing

> > > just a

> > > > different word. All with in this past year and from the same

> Dr.

> > > > Do you have any advise for me? What will I be looking at for

> the

> > > > future and is this enough to collect disability ?

> > > > Thanks Diane

> > > >

> > > > Smile Jesus Loves you!!!

> > > >

> > > > Introducing myself

> > > >

> > > > Hi everyone,

> > > > I new to this group. I just wanted to share some of myself

with

> > > you.

> > > > Over years of back pain, I,m finally going for surgery. I

will

> be

> > > > having a spine fusion on october 16th. The will be using a

> piece

> > of

> > > my

> > > > hip bone, and replacing my L-5 disk. So far I have ,

> degenerating

> > > disk

> > > > diseases, spinal stenosis, All with in this past year and

from

> > the

> > > same

> > > > Dr. Do you have any advise for me? What will I be looking at

> for

> > > the

> > > > future and is this enough to collect disability ?

> > > > Thanks Diane

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

message moderated to remove most of previous message already read. please will

you check you have done this before clicking SEND. Many thanks - Luv - Sheila

_____________________________________

Hi

Sorry to hear that you have been through alot of stress and trauma, I

hope things improve for you in the future. You said you were on

natural thyroid when you were younger what did you feel like then on

the natural thyroid replacement? I am on anti-depressants, quite a

high dose really because I have been through alot too, but from my own

experience the sort of depression I have now (whilst waiting to be

treated for hypoT) is a sort of dull, drainging depression, a feeling

of not being well in myself, as opposed to the sort of depression I

had a few years ago which was a bit different in that I had been

through a traumatic experience and it felt like it was more 'in my

head' so to speak it wasn't my body that felt tired,lethargic and

achey at all, like it gets now, I just need anti-depressants then

because I felt so unhappy and sad alot of the time because of loss of

family relationships, both my grandparents died within five years of

each other, I was and still am enstranged from my father and having to

live in a rough area because I didn't have enough money to live

anywhere else, so this was all life events that caused me to be

depressed - mind you I am still on anti-depressants after ten years,

but I have not really seriously thought of coming off them yet.

Bye-the-way what is mystery shopping - that sounds fun?!

luv

Ann

:

>

> I now don't know whether that depression is due to all the horrible

> things life has hurled at me in the last few years, or the

> hypothyroidism. I am not working, apart from little bits I earn

> online (blogging and some online businesses) and by doing mystery

> shopping. My perception is that some of the jobs I have been for, I

> have been discriminated against because of my age. IT is a very bad

> industry for that.

>

> So that's it really. I am looking forward to reading everyone else's

> stories and can see by the messages I have read so far that the

> atmosphere in the forum is friendly and supportive.

>

> Just thank heaven I found my way here.

>

> Fletcher

>

[Guest guest]

Hi

Can you

remember what the natural thyroid extract was called when you were taking it?

Another member remembers being on natural thyroid extract but can't remember

what it was called. Did they tell you that you would be taken off natural

desiccated thyroid and put onto synthetic levothyroxine, or did they just

switch without you knowing about it?

What is

the shock you haven't got over yet? I am intrigued.

Has

your GP never investigated to find out why you are needing more and more and

more levothyroxine? Please get your last couple of thyroid function test

results from your doctor together with the reference range for each test. TSH

alone is insufficient to find out what is going on. You need a Free T4 and a

Free T3 test to see the level of thyroxine in your blood and the level of

triiodothyronine (T3) in your blood. The mainly inactive T4 has to convert to

the active hormone T3 through the liver and many of us are not able to do this

for various reasons, though many doctors are not even aware of this. This is

why so many people find themselves on high doses of levothyroxine and their

symptoms just appear to get worse. You need to be referred to an

endocrinologist and I would ask your GP to do this. He is NOT a specialist and

being badly treated can cause you some serious problems.

Have a

look at our website www.tpa-uk.org.uk under hypothyroidism in

the menu, and then look at all the 'associated conditions' that go along with

being hypothyroid. Any of these conditions will stop your levothyroxine from

being absorbed and must be treated. Ask your GP to check your ferritin level,

B12, Vitamin D, zinc and magnesium. If these are low, these too will stop your

levothyroxine from working. Read about the effects of the adrenal/thyroid

connection and systemic candidiasis. Answer the questions in our Adrenal and

Candida Questionnaires that you will find in our files and see how you score.

You can also get tested to see if you have candida antibodies and also do the

24 hour salivary adrenal profile to see where your cortisol and DHEA are at

four specific times during the day. It is important that you check these out as

it is quite likely it is one of these problems that is causing you to have such

symptoms.

If you

are going to ask your GP for a trial of Armour, you should first realise that

Armour is not licensed in the UK. It never required a license because it is a

very old drug and it was 'grandfathered in' because there has never been any

problems with it and it has been used safely and effectively for such a long

time. You need to collect information to show your doctor because you can

guarantee he will tell you that it has had potency problems in the past and

that is why it is not licensed and that he is not allowed to prescribe it. He

CAN prescribe it and again, in our files, you will see a letter from the MHRA

telling doctors they can prescribe Armour thyroid if their patients are not

doing well on levothyroxine alone. However, because it isn't licensed, a doctor

has to take responsibility in prescribing it himself. His medical insurance

doesn't cover him if something goes wrong, but it is hardly likely to. All it

is doing is replacing the thyroid hormones you are not making naturally. He may

tell you the British Thyroid Association don't recommend it - so take him a

copy of the TPA rebuttal to the BTA citing over 147 references to show the BTA information

is both misleading and in parts, incorrect. If you want Armour, you must

realise that you will have to fight for it, and fight hard. Be assertive, which

you will be if you learn the true facts. I did, I gave them to my doubting

endocrinologist and he did recommend Armour for me and my GP prescribes it.

We are

still trying to get the correct information, back with evidence to all these

doubting 's and bit by bit, some of them are listening to us and

prescribing Armour for their patients and seeing their patients getting better

who were ill on levothyroxine alone.

Luv -

Sheila

So that's it really. I am looking forward to reading everyone else's

stories and can see by the messages I have read so far that the

atmosphere in the forum is friendly and supportive.

Just thank heaven I found my way here.

Fletcher

[Guest guest]

Hi

Sorry to hear all you have been through, like Sheila said I would want to question your GP as to why you keep needing increases in your Levothyroxine, there maybe something going on there that is stopping it from being absorbed and used properly by your body.

You may not be converting it to T3 thus you still have hypo symptoms, all docs seem to think everyone converts ok but this isnt the case

Some anti depressants do make you feel worse in the first couple of weeks that you take them and you can feel suicidal, seems you had a bad reaction but often if you stick out with them these feelings go and you do feel better, another thing docs dont seem to know.

It seems only us people who take them know how they work, I have become an expert!

I took prozac for a year and believe me it made me feel like that for a while but I am the sort of person who sticks things out and it did get better.

Hopefully though once the thyroid is sorted these depressive feelings should go, T3 is sometimes prescribed by the more knowledgable docs to treat depression, low T3 causes depression. Maybe your T3 is low? You should def ask for a T4 and T3 test as they are important too, but yes a lot of docs and endos are ruled by the TSH, I would hazard a guess that you used to be on armour thyroid or something similar and then when thyroxine was introduced they changed you over and of course you wouldnt question that at the time because the knowledge and understanding wasnt around back then, but thankfully its around now and we can make our own decisions on how we are treated and with what, thank god for the internet!

..

I am 57 and have always had to take replacement thyroid. When I was young this was always the natural product, I can't recall when I was moved to synthetic thyroxine. I was sent a link yesterday to www.tpa-uk.org. uk and another site, and I haven't got over the shock yet.About 10 years ago, I was going through menopause and on HRT, but felt increasingly ill and lethargic, and was also getting depressed. In late 2001 I had a severe viral illness. Never actually diagnosed as glandular fever or anything else. My whole face, scalp and neck swelled up and I looked like the elephant man. This lasted 2 weeks and took weeks to go totally back to normal. After that, things got worse and worse. I was on 125mcg thyroxine then. I got more and more depressed, and other life events like losing my mum, my husband having a serious road accident and his work problems compounded it

all.Just thank heaven I found my way here. Fletcher

[Guest guest]

Hi Sheila/

Although I am still waiting to see if Pat can throw any light on it

I believe it was extracted from sheep or cows and have a feeling

possibly was stopped due to BSE because this seems to co-incide with

when mine got switched unbeknown to me. Trouble is this was all

before PILs etc and the tablets came in brown bottles and were

white, hence we had no way of knowing who manufactured it and were

ignorant to the switches.

I was switched from l-thyroxin (natural) to thyroxine (T4), then

generic under the name of levothyroxine.

When I told the Endo I used to be on the natural stuff he said " yes

I know " .

Chris

>

> Hi

>

>

>

> Can you remember what the natural thyroid extract was called when

you were

> taking it? Another member remembers being on natural thyroid

extract but

> can't remember what it was called. Did they tell you that you

would be taken

> off natural desiccated thyroid and put onto synthetic

levothyroxine, or did

> they just switch without you knowing about it?

>

>

>

> What is the shock you haven't got over yet? I am intrigued.

>

> Luv - Sheila

>

>

>

> So that's it really. I am looking forward to reading everyone

else's

> stories and can see by the messages I have read so far that the

> atmosphere in the forum is friendly and supportive.

>

> Just thank heaven I found my way here.

>

> Fletcher

>

[Guest guest]

Hi - I would

love to know what the natural thyroid extract tablets prescribed by the NHS

were called - I have tried to find this on the Internet, but cannot. If your

endo knows you were on natural thyroid hormone replacement, is this written in

your medical notes. You could ask about this if you haven't already.

The demise of

prescribing thyroid extract is not because of BSE. Thyroid extracts continued

their popularity and were not affected by the introduction of synthetic

thyroxine in the 1930s until a hoax batch of thyroid extract, containing only

iodine with no thyroid hormone, was shipped to Europe and the US in 1963, with the

one and only goal of discouraging the use of thyroid extracts. This hoax made

thyroxine the only eligible thyroid preparation for hypothyroidism because the

iodophobic domino effect of the 1948 Wolff-Chaikoff publication prevented

physicians from supplementing their patients with iodine. Many doctors were reluctant to switch to

thyroxine only, preferring to prescribe the desiccated gland. They were,

however, eventually persuaded to change their allegiance.

In 1969, Dr. Wolff

from the National Institute of Health published his paper titled, “Iodide

goiter and the pharmacologic effects of excess iodide”.In 1970, Goodman

and Gilman stated, " This episode gave thyroid a bad name because several

publications about the unreliability of thyroid appeared before the hoax was

uncovered " . There was widespread concern that the effects of this

“drug” were not consistent with previous clinical experience and so

all thyroid extract was labelled “unreliable”. Although the hoax

was uncovered seven years later and ‘The Medical Letter’ in 1973

maintained that desiccated thyroid extract had never been unreliable, mud

sticks, and doctors started using synthetic levothyroxine - and doctors still

don't know this.

Luv - Sheila

Although I am still waiting to see if Pat can throw any light on it

I believe it was extracted from sheep or cows and have a feeling

possibly was stopped due to BSE because this seems to co-incide with

when mine got switched unbeknown to me.

When I told the Endo I used to be on the natural stuff he said " yes

I know " .

_,_._,___

[Guest guest]

>

> Other symptoms include recurring respiratory difficulties,

> frequent headaches and a craving for salty foods.

>

>

> Hi again Simon

>

> Please go to Dr Rind. com and fill in the 'questionairre'. I bet you

> are a mixture between adrenal fatigue and hypothyroid. Should possibly

> do the saliva test for your adrenals.

>

> lotsa luv

> Dawnx

>

Hi Dawn,

Thanks for digging out this old message of mine and forwarding the

reference to Dr Rind's site. You're right, I do have an adrenal

problem (in fact when I read through Dr Rind's scorecard, my adrenal

symptoms outweigh my thyroid symptoms on the whole, although there are

some exceptions). I've had the adrenal stress test done twice: the

first time (with NPtech) gave very weird results (cortisol low

throughout the day, rising at midnight). The second (with Genova)

showed a more normally-shaped curve (i.e. each reading lower than the

last) but all below the reference range. The lab said this signifies

the exhaustion stage of adrenal fatigue.

The trouble is I didn't respond at all to Nutri Adrenal extra (of

couse I first stopped my thyroxin, then resumed a low dose). I felt no

effect even when I was taking 4 NAE a day. I've since substituted them

for Allergy Research Group's organic glandular adrenals, just in case

a different product helped, but I don't detect any changes. I need to

go back to Dr Peatfield for further advice really. To be honest I've

been trying to put my health problems to the back of my mind and just

get on with life recently. But that approach doesn't work very well

either :-(

[Guest guest]

It

sounds as if you now need to replace the low adrenal hormone output with Cortisol

Simon. I would telephone Dr Peatfield and tell him what is happening and that

you are getting nowhere on the NAE or your mew ARG's organic glandular

adrenals. You cannot get well until you have boosted your adrenals properly so

they can cope with your thyroid problem.

Luv -

Sheila

The lab said this

signifies

the exhaustion stage of adrenal fatigue.

The trouble is I didn't respond at all to Nutri Adrenal extra (of

couse I first stopped my thyroxin, then resumed a low dose). I felt no

effect even when I was taking 4 NAE a day. I've since substituted them

for Allergy Research Group's organic glandular adrenals, just in case

a different product helped, but I don't detect any changes. I need to

go back to Dr Peatfield for further advice really.

[Guest guest]

Hi

Do you remember when the tablets were switched.

I too used to get my tablets in little brown bottle and I seemed quite well on

them. I just thought the bottles had been changed to blister pack and as I

hadn't taken much notice of the name on the bottle I wouldn't have know if it

was a different medication.

Judy

>

> Hi Sheila/

>

> Although I am still waiting to see if Pat can throw any light on it

> I believe it was extracted from sheep or cows and have a feeling

> possibly was stopped due to BSE because this seems to co-incide with

> when mine got switched unbeknown to me. Trouble is this was all

> before PILs etc and the tablets came in brown bottles and were

> white, hence we had no way of knowing who manufactured it and were

> ignorant to the switches.

>

> I was switched from l-thyroxin (natural) to thyroxine (T4), then

> generic under the name of levothyroxine.

>

> When I told the Endo I used to be on the natural stuff he said " yes

> I know " .

>

> Chris

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi and welcome.

Sounds like you have a lot on your plate. Yes, it's the not knowing that is the

hardest. I'm going to ask you to try not to go to " the dark side " . It's a skill

set I had to learn. I actually did have cancer and am fine now. One of the

skills I've had to learn is to stay in the " unknown " space and not get negative.

It's hard but so much better than catastrophizing (help i can never spell this

word)!

Anyway, I'm here to support you. You will get through this. Just take it one day

at a time and if there is anything else I can do to help please don't hesitate

to let me know.

[Guest guest]

Hi Liz,

Thank you so much for your reply. I was starting to think I did the wrong thing

in my introduction.

I had a much better night last night and I think that helps me to be able to

cope a bit better. I will try not to go to " the dark side " today, it is going to

be a beautiful day, even if I can only make it to the back yard to enjoy the

sunshine.

Cheers

________________________________

From: " liznicolehart@... " <liznicolehart@...>

spinal problems

Sent: Sunday, August 16, 2009 3:28:22 AM

Subject: Re: Introducing Myself

Hi and welcome.

Sounds like you have a lot on your plate. Yes, it's the not knowing that is the

hardest. I'm going to ask you to try not to go to " the dark side " . It's a skill

set I had to learn. I actually did have cancer and am fine now. One of the

skills I've had to learn is to stay in the " unknown " space and not get negative.

It's hard but so much better than catastrophizing (help i can never spell this

word)!

Anyway, I'm here to support you. You will get through this. Just take it one day

at a time and if there is anything else I can do to help please don't hesitate

to let me know.

[Guest guest]

>

Hello , You haven't come at a bad time. Some people get cranky when they

are in pain, no excuse but it happens to some. You are not whining you are

expressing yourself and that is why we are all here. To 'listen', to give a

shoulder to lean on, to possibly make you feel better, to give some experience

of sorts advice wise, and tell our stories so that others do not feel so alone

with their pain.

I am glad you have a wonderful hubby. Mine left when I was learning to use my

legs again. That was ok with our kids and me, he was some what of a jerk. I had

a great relationship with a man who understood my pain and helped me through

several hospitalizations and recuperations.

I hope your trip goes well, that the tests come back with a simple explanation,

that your dad is fine, that you will be at your daughter's wedding, and wish for

you peaceful relaxation (light a candle or two and cuddle up with that man of

yours you have a lot to be thankful for;)

Laugh a little and love much, me

> Hi, Looks like I have joined at a time with a bit of conflict.

>

> Anyway, my name is , I am 56 years old, I had a discectomy in 1996 and

had good and bad periods since then. A few months ago I started getting quite

bad pain in my hip in the morning which has now turned to excruciating. I had a

scan the other day and it showed bits of my spine are missing! Naturally I think

the worst. I had a full body bone scan yesterday and will get the results on

Tuesday. The stress is terrible and I am not too sure I want the results. The

only thing I can think of is that cancer eats bone away and I want to be at my

daughter's wedding in December. I know this is being dramatic, but sometimes

logic and feelings cannot be controlled.

>

> I was taking Tramadol 200mg at night but now find I need it every 12 hours.

Celebrex in the morning and night and Panadol Osteo every 4 hours. I feel I have

a high tolerance level to pain and I am probably not coping at the moment due to

the stress of the test.

>

> I guess I joined here because there are not that many who really understand

the kind of back pain we have. My friends say, " but I have that, I slept odd and

now my muscles hurt " , I feel like screaming at them. I do a lot of things for

other people and I find now I just have to say NO. I have to travel to Sydney

next Friday to collect my father from hospital as they will not let him home

without anyone with him. My mother has just had a hip replacement and my sister

is intellectually handicapped. I am lucky at home as my husband does everything

around the house.

>

> Anyway that is enough of my whinging and whining.

>

> Cheers

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi .

I'm new here too, and also had a diskectomy (at C6-7), when I was 38, in 2006. I

had severe neck pain for years before the surgery, and still do. It did get rid

of the pinched nerve pain right away, but didn't help with the long-term pain.

I sure hope the bone scan turns out okay! You said bits of your spine are

missing... which bits?

I did the tramadol thing for a few years, never getting much relief from it. I

never took the long-acting form, just the 100mg every few hours. There was also

a problem with docs and pharmacists not paying attention to other drugs they

gave me and I developed a bit of seretonin syndrome--not bad, just tightly

clenched jaw and rigid muscles that all eased up a few months after I quit

taking it. I guess they forgot about the seizure risks, or were just not paying

attention.

I'll think good thoughts for you, knowing you want to be the proud mother of the

bride in December. (Hopefully you'll also be getting a son-in-law you adore!)

I'm guessing you're in Australia, land of my traveling dreams? So that December

wedding will be during a warm time, rather than framed in snow... correct? Well,

I hope you get the best possible news Tuesday and can focus on those wedding

plans!

All best,

>

>

> > Hi, Looks like I have joined at a time with a bit of conflict.

> >

> > Anyway, my name is , I am 56 years old, I had a discectomy in 1996 and

had good and bad periods since then. A few months ago I started getting quite

bad pain in my hip in the morning which has now turned to excruciating. I had a

scan the other day and it showed bits of my spine are missing! Naturally I think

the worst. I had a full body bone scan yesterday and will get the results on

Tuesday. The stress is terrible and I am not too sure I want the results. The

only thing I can think of is that cancer eats bone away and I want to be at my

daughter's wedding in December. I know this is being dramatic, but sometimes

logic and feelings cannot be controlled.

> >

> > I was taking Tramadol 200mg at night but now find I need it every 12 hours.

Celebrex in the morning and night and Panadol Osteo every 4 hours. I feel I have

a high tolerance level to pain and I am probably not coping at the moment due to

the stress of the test.

> >

> > I guess I joined here because there are not that many who really understand

the kind of back pain we have. My friends say, " but I have that, I slept odd and

now my muscles hurt " , I feel like screaming at them. I do a lot of things for

other people and I find now I just have to say NO. I have to travel to Sydney

next Friday to collect my father from hospital as they will not let him home

without anyone with him. My mother has just had a hip replacement and my sister

is intellectually handicapped. I am lucky at home as my husband does everything

around the house.

> >

> > Anyway that is enough of my whinging and whining.

> >

> > Cheers

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

The past posts are NOT typical of this group and hopefully we have reached the

end of a difficult couple of days.

With that said, I too had a discetomy years ago and could " handle " the pain

afterward, but 5 years later could no longer tolerate it. Mine however focused

on my back and down my leg. The pain being in your hip could be something quite

different. I wouldn't think cancer though (I also like not to think about that

regardless). You will get the results back and know more from there. It could

be something as simple as joint pain that can dealt with.

I pray it is something along those lines. We all know that in the beginning

things can be scary, but trust yourself and feel free to ask questions and do

your own research until you feel comfortable!

Best wishes and many prayers!

> >

> Hello , You haven't come at a bad time. Some people get cranky when they

are in pain, no excuse but it happens to some. You are not whining you are

expressing yourself and that is why we are all here. To 'listen', to give a

shoulder to lean on, to possibly make you feel better, to give some experience

of sorts advice wise, and tell our stories so that others do not feel so alone

with their pain.

>

> I am glad you have a wonderful hubby. Mine left when I was learning to use my

legs again. That was ok with our kids and me, he was some what of a jerk. I had

a great relationship with a man who understood my pain and helped me through

several hospitalizations and recuperations.

>

> I hope your trip goes well, that the tests come back with a simple

explanation, that your dad is fine, that you will be at your daughter's wedding,

and wish for you peaceful relaxation (light a candle or two and cuddle up with

that man of yours you have a lot to be thankful for;)

>

> Laugh a little and love much, me

>

>

>

>

> > Hi, Looks like I have joined at a time with a bit of conflict.

> >

> > Anyway, my name is , I am 56 years old, I had a discectomy in 1996 and

had good and bad periods since then. A few months ago I started getting quite

bad pain in my hip in the morning which has now turned to excruciating. I had a

scan the other day and it showed bits of my spine are missing! Naturally I think

the worst. I had a full body bone scan yesterday and will get the results on

Tuesday. The stress is terrible and I am not too sure I want the results. The

only thing I can think of is that cancer eats bone away and I want to be at my

daughter's wedding in December. I know this is being dramatic, but sometimes

logic and feelings cannot be controlled.

> >

> > I was taking Tramadol 200mg at night but now find I need it every 12 hours.

Celebrex in the morning and night and Panadol Osteo every 4 hours. I feel I have

a high tolerance level to pain and I am probably not coping at the moment due to

the stress of the test.

> >

> > I guess I joined here because there are not that many who really understand

the kind of back pain we have. My friends say, " but I have that, I slept odd and

now my muscles hurt " , I feel like screaming at them. I do a lot of things for

other people and I find now I just have to say NO. I have to travel to Sydney

next Friday to collect my father from hospital as they will not let him home

without anyone with him. My mother has just had a hip replacement and my sister

is intellectually handicapped. I am lucky at home as my husband does everything

around the house.

> >

> > Anyway that is enough of my whinging and whining.

> >

> > Cheers

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

:

 

   I  don't know what kind of pain you are having in your hip, however there are

a few things that can be done before a total hip replacement, if that is deemed

what is necessary. I had a hip resurfacing, as my hip bone was dying (AVN)

Avascular Necrosis. I am now walking with no issues of my hip. If you would like

some information I can provide you with an awesome web site, as well as a group

here on .

 

Let me know,.

 

From: ljw75010 <ljw75010@...>

Subject: Re: Introducing Myself

spinal problems

Date: Sunday, August 16, 2009, 5:56 PM

 

The past posts are NOT typical of this group and hopefully we have reached the

end of a difficult couple of days.

With that said, I too had a discetomy years ago and could " handle " the pain

afterward, but 5 years later could no longer tolerate it. Mine however focused

on my back and down my leg. The pain being in your hip could be something quite

different. I wouldn't think cancer though (I also like not to think about that

regardless). You will get the results back and know more from there. It could be

something as simple as joint pain that can dealt with.

I pray it is something along those lines. We all know that in the beginning

things can be scary, but trust yourself and feel free to ask questions and do

your own research until you feel comfortable!

Best wishes and many prayers!

> >

> Hello , You haven't come at a bad time. Some people get cranky when they

are in pain, no excuse but it happens to some. You are not whining you are

expressing yourself and that is why we are all here. To 'listen', to give a

shoulder to lean on, to possibly make you feel better, to give some experience

of sorts advice wise, and tell our stories so that others do not feel so alone

with their pain.

>

> I am glad you have a wonderful hubby. Mine left when I was learning to use my

legs again. That was ok with our kids and me, he was some what of a jerk. I had

a great relationship with a man who understood my pain and helped me through

several hospitalizations and recuperations.

>

> I hope your trip goes well, that the tests come back with a simple

explanation, that your dad is fine, that you will be at your daughter's wedding,

and wish for you peaceful relaxation (light a candle or two and cuddle up with

that man of yours you have a lot to be thankful for;)

>

> Laugh a little and love much, me

>

>

>

>

> > Hi, Looks like I have joined at a time with a bit of conflict.

> >

> > Anyway, my name is , I am 56 years old, I had a discectomy in 1996 and

had good and bad periods since then. A few months ago I started getting quite

bad pain in my hip in the morning which has now turned to excruciating. I had a

scan the other day and it showed bits of my spine are missing! Naturally I think

the worst. I had a full body bone scan yesterday and will get the results on

Tuesday. The stress is terrible and I am not too sure I want the results. The

only thing I can think of is that cancer eats bone away and I want to be at my

daughter's wedding in December. I know this is being dramatic, but sometimes

logic and feelings cannot be controlled.

> >

> > I was taking Tramadol 200mg at night but now find I need it every 12 hours.

Celebrex in the morning and night and Panadol Osteo every 4 hours. I feel I have

a high tolerance level to pain and I am probably not coping at the moment due to

the stress of the test.

> >

> > I guess I joined here because there are not that many who really understand

the kind of back pain we have. My friends say, " but I have that, I slept odd and

now my muscles hurt " , I feel like screaming at them. I do a lot of things for

other people and I find now I just have to say NO. I have to travel to Sydney

next Friday to collect my father from hospital as they will not let him home

without anyone with him. My mother has just had a hip replacement and my sister

is intellectually handicapped. I am lucky at home as my husband does everything

around the house.

> >

> > Anyway that is enough of my whinging and whining.

> >

> > Cheers

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi there

Thanks for sharing..I have one question, you dont say how or

where the alternative to the hospital was that got you a liver

in 6 months. I am not to that point, but just in case, it would

be good to know..debbie

>

> Hello everyone, my name is Marco, I live in California and I was diagnosed

with Hep C and advanced lived disease back in 2000.

>

> In 2003, after many struggles, including a change of city to be able to enroll

in a different transplant clinic, I receive a liver transplant.

>

> The transplant was incredibly successful. Unlike many of the people I met

during my ordeal, I have lived a very productive life since shortly after my

transplant. I was in my early forties at the time and when diagnosed I thought

my life was over.

> It certainly did not improve my quality of life, but on the other hand it

wasn't the death sentence I believed it was.

>

> Since my transplant I went back to work for myself and I built a very

successful business (I was and still am a professional web developer)which

allows me to work from home and keep my own hours.

>

> I even went back to play sports, competing in several tennis tournaments at

the 5.0 level (downgraded to 4.0 recently, since I am nearing 50). I ride my

motorcycles, study new technologies for my work and I maintain my passion for

history and the sciences.

> I even returned to playing music and I crowned my dream of composing a

symphony (but not the one to have it played by a real orchestra. Maybe one day).

> In the musical department, I also started studying Jazz and Gipsy guitar

online from one of the best players in the business, crowning another dream I

have had since my teenage years.

>

> Naturally, these are the highlights. There have been and I am sure there will

be many dark days, disappointments and some limitations due to my illness. But

many would have probably occurred regardless of my condition and others are

infinitely better than being dead of in and out of the hospital like so many of

my fellow transplanted.

>

> My medicine regimen is very light. A couple of anti rejection pills a day, a

multivitamin and a fairly healthy diet (but not obsessively so). I do have to

take some anti-anxiety medicine when needed and I have to be on pain killers for

an unrelated (we think) condition.

>

> The most uncomfortable hold over from my pre-transplant days are the

occasional leg cramps which used to be a nightly, painful affair but that are

now a seldom (if still painful) occurrence.

>

> All in all, I have been very lucky. It wasn't always like that.

> At the beginning of my ordeal, my doctors were convinced that I was an

alchoolic and ordered me to submit to frequent urine tests, attend AA and

generally they tried to boycot me from being accepted in the transplant list.

None of this was done with any sense of mercy or care. The relationship quickly

became antagonistic and had I not done my own research (Allowing me to find

alternatives to their hospital) I would not be writing this introduction today.

>

> That experience was almost worse than the illness itself. Since I have never

been an alcoholic, and at the time this took place I had not touched a alcohol

for over a year I was very upset that it could jeopardize my chances of a

transplant. Having to attend AA was also very humiliating. Not because of any

prejudice I have against alcoholics, but because it was for me a no win

situation.

>

> If I went along with the program, it would have been a lie but if I proclaimed

myself sober I would have certainly been accused to being in denial.

> Incidentally, their prejudice (I believe) stemmed from the fact that I (a)

worked in the restaurant business 10 years prior to my illness, ( I answered

truthfully that I had enjoyed drinking wine and beer with my meals and that I

missed being able to drink, © I usually went to my visit riding my motorcycle

and therefore I had to dress appropriately.

>

> In their conservative minds, that, somehow made me an alcoholic.

>

> Never mind that my restaurant days were long behind me and that at that point

in my life I worked in an executive position at a technology company where I

made almost certainly more money than they did, or that my attitude toward beer

and wine was no different than my attitude toward ice cream, coffee or any other

food I enjoy. As for the motorcycle, obviously they never had to park downtown

and they could not understand that riding motorcycles, beside being a lifelong

passion, was for me a way of remembering and honoring my late father, with whom

I spent many weekends riding in the countryside when I was younger.

>

> Their job trained them into seeing alcoholics behind every corner and they

made my life hell.

>

> As I write this I can still remember the feeling of powerlessness I felt at

the time. The shame I felt for no reason and the fear that I would leave my

daughter fatherless because of a bunch of bigoted doctors.

>

> I was lucky to stumble upon a blog (at the time the term was barely in use)

from another survivor whom in recounting his own story allowed me to take my own

fate into my hands and move to another program. 6 months later I had my new

liver.

>

> The reason I am joining this group is because in my last biopsy they have

found some signs that the cirrhosis may be returning. According to them, I am

" borderline (they love that term) and it's going to be my choice to go on

Interferon or not. In these past few years my virus count was very low and I was

told that Interferon was not suggested. Apparently, things have changed.

>

> I am dreading having to go on Interferon, as I am very proud of my work and I

am once again the main bread winner in the family. I am afraid that on

Interferon I may not be able to perform my job to the level I am accustomed to.

> I am also not looking forward to the many side effects and the very low

success rate interferon has on my genotype.

>

> I am hoping to find more information on the matter and maybe even some

personal support from those that are traveling the same road I am.

>

> For those of you contemplating a transplant, I hope to give you a bit of hope

that it doesn't necessarily means struggling for the rest of your life. But

remember to fight for your rights and no one will blame you if you decide to

omit a few details from your life when going into the admission interview. It's

not written anywhere that you have to be 100% truthful and candid, especially if

you life depends on it. Only give them what is relevant from a medical

standpoint, but leave anything having to do with your lifestyle and personal

choices out.

>

> I wish you all a happy new year and I hope to learn a lot from this forum.

>

[Guest guest]

At 11:11 AM 2/8/2010, you wrote:

Hey list-mates,

I am , a new member, joined b/c I am very concerned about the

possibility of forced vaccines at some point in the unknown

future.

I have three children (5 and twins, 2) all were vaccinated, but they are

now on the specific carbohydrate diet for severe GI distress and

yeast/bacterial overgrowth. To be fair, my son had digestive issues from

day one, but there is non doubt in my mind that the vaccines he received

enflamed his immune/digstive disfunction even more.

Well, on Day 1 your son got hepatitis b vaccine at 12 hours of age

or so. You probably weren't even aware of it.

People have to know ahead of time and refuse and guard their babies with

their lives

I have just recently

" learned " about the global elite/big pharma/even illuminati

type of stuff. It is all very interesting, and to be honest, it was such

a shock to my paradigm that I grieved for several weeks and had anxiety

attacks! I feel more centered now, but I am on a quest to learn as much

as I can and to contribute to patriotism/constitutional freedoms as I am

able.

Yes it is a shock when you first find out

So...what do I need to know? Can

anybody point me to some good websites, info, etc.?

vaccinations

http://vaccinationdangers.wordpress.com

http://www.whale.to/vaccines.html

http://www.nvic.org

Thanks...oh, and I called a

bunch of senators awhile back re: forced swine vaccinates.

good for you

welcome

Sheri

Sheri Nakken, R.N., MA, Hahnemannian

Homeopath

Vaccination Information & Choice Network, Washington State, USA

Vaccines -

http://vaccinationdangers.wordpress.com/ Homeopathy

http://homeopathycures.wordpress.com

Vaccine Dangers, Childhood Disease Classes & Homeopathy

Online/email courses - next classes start February 24 & 25

[Guest guest]

At 11:11 AM 2/8/2010, you wrote:

Hey list-mates,

I am , a new member, joined b/c I am very concerned about the

possibility of forced vaccines at some point in the unknown

future.

I have three children (5 and twins, 2) all were vaccinated, but they are

now on the specific carbohydrate diet for severe GI distress and

yeast/bacterial overgrowth. To be fair, my son had digestive issues from

day one, but there is non doubt in my mind that the vaccines he received

enflamed his immune/digstive disfunction even more.

Well, on Day 1 your son got hepatitis b vaccine at 12 hours of age

or so. You probably weren't even aware of it.

People have to know ahead of time and refuse and guard their babies with

their lives

I have just recently

" learned " about the global elite/big pharma/even illuminati

type of stuff. It is all very interesting, and to be honest, it was such

a shock to my paradigm that I grieved for several weeks and had anxiety

attacks! I feel more centered now, but I am on a quest to learn as much

as I can and to contribute to patriotism/constitutional freedoms as I am

able.

Yes it is a shock when you first find out

So...what do I need to know? Can

anybody point me to some good websites, info, etc.?

vaccinations

http://vaccinationdangers.wordpress.com

http://www.whale.to/vaccines.html

http://www.nvic.org

Thanks...oh, and I called a

bunch of senators awhile back re: forced swine vaccinates.

good for you

welcome

Sheri

Sheri Nakken, R.N., MA, Hahnemannian

Homeopath

Vaccination Information & Choice Network, Washington State, USA

Vaccines -

http://vaccinationdangers.wordpress.com/ Homeopathy

http://homeopathycures.wordpress.com

Vaccine Dangers, Childhood Disease Classes & Homeopathy

Online/email courses - next classes start February 24 & 25

[Guest guest]

hi there is a herbal healing group that is through google that offers great advice for almost everything even people that did the vacaine. jean

Hey list-mates,I am , a new member, joined b/c I am very concerned about the possibility of forced vaccines at some point in the unknown future.I have three children (5 and twins, 2) all were vaccinated, but they are now on the specific carbohydrate diet for severe GI distress and yeast/bacterial overgrowth. To be fair, my son had digestive issues from day one, but there is non doubt in my mind that the vaccines he received enflamed his immune/digstive disfunction even more.Well, on Day 1 your son got hepatitis b vaccine at 12 hours of age or so. You probably weren't even aware of it.People have to know ahead of time and refuse and guard their babies with their lives

I have just recently "learned" about the global elite/big pharma/even illuminati type of stuff. It is all very interesting, and to be honest, it was such a shock to my paradigm that I grieved for several weeks and had anxiety attacks! I feel more centered now, but I am on a quest to learn as much as I can and to contribute to patriotism/constitu tional freedoms as I am able.Yes it is a shock when you first find out

So...what do I need to know? Can anybody point me to some good websites, info, etc.?http://groups. / group/vaccinatio nshttp://vaccinationd angers.wordpress .comhttp://www.whale. to/vaccines. htmlhttp://www.nvic. org

Thanks...oh, and I called a bunch of senators awhile back re: forced swine vaccinates. good for youwelcomeSheri

Sheri Nakken, R.N., MA, Hahnemannian Homeopath Vaccination Information & Choice Network, Washington State, USAVaccines - http://vaccinationd angers.wordpress .com/ Homeopathy http://homeopathycu res.wordpress. comVaccine Dangers, Childhood Disease Classes & Homeopathy Online/email courses - next classes start February 24 & 25

[Guest guest]

hi there is a herbal healing group that is through google that offers great advice for almost everything even people that did the vacaine. jean

Hey list-mates,I am , a new member, joined b/c I am very concerned about the possibility of forced vaccines at some point in the unknown future.I have three children (5 and twins, 2) all were vaccinated, but they are now on the specific carbohydrate diet for severe GI distress and yeast/bacterial overgrowth. To be fair, my son had digestive issues from day one, but there is non doubt in my mind that the vaccines he received enflamed his immune/digstive disfunction even more.Well, on Day 1 your son got hepatitis b vaccine at 12 hours of age or so. You probably weren't even aware of it.People have to know ahead of time and refuse and guard their babies with their lives

I have just recently "learned" about the global elite/big pharma/even illuminati type of stuff. It is all very interesting, and to be honest, it was such a shock to my paradigm that I grieved for several weeks and had anxiety attacks! I feel more centered now, but I am on a quest to learn as much as I can and to contribute to patriotism/constitu tional freedoms as I am able.Yes it is a shock when you first find out

So...what do I need to know? Can anybody point me to some good websites, info, etc.?http://groups. / group/vaccinatio nshttp://vaccinationd angers.wordpress .comhttp://www.whale. to/vaccines. htmlhttp://www.nvic. org

Thanks...oh, and I called a bunch of senators awhile back re: forced swine vaccinates. good for youwelcomeSheri

Sheri Nakken, R.N., MA, Hahnemannian Homeopath Vaccination Information & Choice Network, Washington State, USAVaccines - http://vaccinationd angers.wordpress .com/ Homeopathy http://homeopathycu res.wordpress. comVaccine Dangers, Childhood Disease Classes & Homeopathy Online/email courses - next classes start February 24 & 25

[Guest guest]

Hi

What is the name of the herbal healing

group you mentioned?

Joni

[Guest guest]

Hi

What is the name of the herbal healing

group you mentioned?

Joni

[Guest guest]

Hi Don,

Thank you so much for that encouragement. I too am thinking of waiting, I am also deathly afraid of the side effects. I will check out the info you shared with me and continue to learn all I can learn before I begin this fight.

Cheryl

[ ] Introducing myself

Date: Saturday, March 6, 2010, 5:41 PM

Hello all I am sort of a newbie, been here a couple of months just reading and learning new things. I am 47 years old and was diagnosed last year after test results showed my 16 year old daughter tested positive for the Hep C virus. Her doctor said I should be tested to rule out that she had gotten it from me. My tests also came back positive for the virus, I was in total shock when we were contacted from my daughter's doctor and then to realize I was the one who had been the reason she was facing this, has been devastating to us. I know how I contacted it, very bad decisions I made in the early 80's. When I married and decided to have children, I told my OB of what I did and asked him to test me to make sure I didn't have HIV or anything else related to IV drug use. Happily I was told I didn't have HIV, but back in 1987 they didn't test for HCV. I went on to have 2 children, my son (who is older) and my husband have not been tested yet. My son doesn't have health insurance at the moment and I don't want this to be considered as a pre-existing condition for when he does get it so he is waiting to get tested. My husband for whatever reason won't go get tested. He also dabbled with drug use in the early 80's and my very well have it also. My daughter and I have both started seeing a gastro doctor, and we are thinking about starting treatment, but with all the side effects I am not sure if we should wait until the new treatment comes out or start the one that is available now? We are both genotype 1a. My HCV RNA SER/PLAS PCR is 1660000. My HEPATITIS C VIRUS RNA, LOG, SER/PLAS, SIGNAL AMPLIFIED PROBE is 6.22.

My liver function test results are as follows

Component Your value Standard range

TOTAL PROTEIN

7.8

6.3-8.3 G/DL

ALBUMIN

4.3

4.0-5.4 G/DL

ALT

76

0-50 U/L

AST

64

9-53 U/L

ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE

59

35-129 U/L

BILIRUBIN, TOTAL

0.3

0.2-1.3 MG/DL

BILIRUBIN, DIRECT

0.1

0.0-0.3 MG/DL

I don't know what any of the test results mean, I have not been back to my gastro doctor since Sept when I told him I would start the treatment, but from what I read I should have a liver biopsy first. He didn't suggest one before I start treatment. I was scheduled to do a liver biopsy and chickened out. Everything was happening so fast I just needed time to research and learn everything I can learn. I am for the most part healthy, I am about 40 - 50 lbs overweight and on a low dose of high blood pressure med to control my blood pressure. I am trying to loose weight before starting the treatment, I heard that helps in the success rate.

I appreciate all the information that I have learned from this list and will keep you up to date as to what I decide to do as to treatment. Please feel free to share any of what you've learned and any encouragement I could really use it.

Cheryl

[Guest guest]

Hi Cheryl

Dont be 'overly' concerned about treatment side effects, but awareness is good.

Remember, everyone is different, and will react differently too.

Some people breeze through TX.

Some people have the world crash down on them.

I believe most people fall somewhere in the middle.

Being afraid BEFORE you cross a bridge, makes RIGHT NOW a bummer.

Think - 'all will be ok'.

We have enough to carry without breaking our backs with a load of maybes.

love

don in ks

From: Honey1962aol (DOT) com <Honey1962aol (DOT) com>Subject: [ ] Introducing myself Date: Saturday, March 6, 2010, 5:41 PM

Hello all I am sort of a newbie, been here a couple of months just reading and learning new things. I am 47 years old and was diagnosed last year after test results showed my 16 year old daughter tested positive for the Hep C virus. Her doctor said I should be tested to rule out that she had gotten it from me. My tests also came back positive for the virus, I was in total shock when we were contacted from my daughter's doctor and then to realize I was the one who had been the reason she was facing this, has been devastating to us. I know how I contacted it, very bad decisions I made in the early 80's. When I married and decided to have children, I told my OB of what I did and asked him to test me to make sure I didn't have HIV or anything else

related to IV drug use. Happily I was told I didn't have HIV, but back in 1987 they didn't test for HCV. I went on to have 2 children, my son (who is older) and my husband have not been tested yet. My son doesn't have health insurance at the moment and I don't want this to be considered as a pre-existing condition for when he does get it so he is waiting to get tested. My husband for whatever reason won't go get tested. He also dabbled with drug use in the early 80's and my very well have it also. My daughter and I have both started seeing a gastro doctor, and we are thinking about starting treatment, but with all the side effects I am not sure if we should wait until the new treatment comes out or start the one that is available now? We are both genotype 1a. My HCV RNA SER/PLAS PCR is 1660000. My HEPATITIS C VIRUS RNA, LOG, SER/PLAS, SIGNAL AMPLIFIED PROBE is 6.22.

My liver function test results are as follows

Component Your value Standard range

TOTAL PROTEIN

7.8

6.3-8.3 G/DL

ALBUMIN

4.3

4.0-5.4 G/DL

ALT

76

0-50 U/L

AST

64

9-53 U/L

ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE

59

35-129 U/L

BILIRUBIN, TOTAL

0.3

0.2-1.3 MG/DL

BILIRUBIN, DIRECT

0.1

0.0-0.3 MG/DL

I don't know what any of the test results mean, I have not been back to my gastro doctor since Sept when I told him I would start the treatment, but from what I read I should have a liver biopsy first. He didn't suggest one before I start treatment. I was scheduled to do a liver biopsy and chickened out. Everything was happening so fast I just needed time to research and learn everything I can learn. I am for the most part healthy, I am about 40 - 50 lbs overweight and on a low dose of high blood pressure med to control my blood pressure. I am trying to loose weight before starting the treatment, I heard that helps in the success rate.

I appreciate all the information that I have learned from this list and will keep you up to date as to what I decide to do as to treatment. Please feel free to share any of what you've learned and any encouragement I could really use it.

Cheryl

[Guest guest]

CherylI am sooo sorry to hear about your daughter!! As a mother, as well, that was one of my greatest concerns and at that time, there sure wasn't a whole lot of information about the possibility. Of course, he wouldn't just go to a Dr. for the simple little blood test either. Eventually, while he was back home and going to the local college, he got very ill and two sets of Hepatitis tests were run on him. (He was the brightest yellow I've ever seen on a human being). But, it turned out HALLELUH that it was not the Hep C; but, get this - Mono....Now, your daughter is very young and if she is healthy otherwise, there should be VERY little problems with kicking the virus. In fact, I'd venture to say that she is not

showing much in the way of bad readings etc.As for yourself, yes - your readings are a little over the norm; but, really not much at all. Also, thoses ALT and AST (liver enzyme readings) flucuate constantly. Could even be that the next time you have a test, they could read within the normal range. I'll bet that you haven't even felt ill or overly fatigued have you??? That, unfortunately is the "silent" part of this epidemic.Now, please, the liver biopsy for either one of you, is the most important of all the tests!! Here's a suggestion, because you mentioned you are a bit overweight (aren't we all in our mid years) ask the Gastro to suggest on the request for the biopsy, that they use extra freezing. Plain outright tell him/her that the biopsy scares you spitless. Even overact your fear!! On my last biopsy, that

wonderful Radiologist made sure she got the freezing right through my fat and right down to the liver (and I didn't even ask for extra). Livers can not be frozen; however, but neither do they have any nerves, so one can not feel anything from it. Thus, I did not feel a thing and just found it boring that I had to wait for the hour afterwards, in case I started bleeding!!! Oh and don't be afraid to tell the Radiologist as well, when he/she comes in to do the procedure. Beef it up real good!!! There is a second or two that you are not to move, so if you are shivering in fear before that, they are more likely to ensure enough freezing because it's easier on them then.Now, as for treatment!! I'm thinking just at the moment that the Gastro is not going to push very hard about treatment with your readings. As Don has probably already told you, there is a new addition to an old treatment, that is supposed to

raise the chances of genotype 1's getting a higher probability of success. My first treatment, back in 2004/2005 ended after 48 weeks, that I was a Non-Responder. In the early months, I was responding wonderfully and in fact, it shocked the whole team that was working with me that it ended with such a disappointment. However, as a result of it, as well, I was selected to go on the Clinical Trial with the Protease Inhibitor along with Interferon/Ribivirn last year. I'm so pleased to say that I appear to be totally successful after this round.The only reason that I would suggest the wait, is because, you want to do the treatment that has the highest rate of success. It should be available at the end of this year or early next. Yes, it is a long haul, doing it for 48 weeks. With the new Trio, there is a great possibility that you would only have to do 24 weeks; however, I haven't seen studies on the success

of that yet. Truthfully, on my first treatment, I did not experience many side affects and the ones that did happen, like a hyper thyroid and a bit of hair loss, was all fixed the moment the treatment was ended. I never got sick; but, just more fatigued than normal. The HepC nurses suggested I pick a certain evening of the week, when the next couple of days would be times that I wouldn't have to be so busy. So, I choose a Friday night!! As far as I was concerned, the weekends were mine for that 48 weeks. Sometimes I needed the whole weekend and sometimes I was honestly just being lazy... By the way, I lost MAYBE 5 lbs from start to finish and of course, the side that I really wanted was the weight loss.Now, my 2nd treatment, kicked me with sides that were different from the 1st. I lost a whole lot less hair; but, did also loose 30 lbs. Not from being sick either, just because it seemed to

want to shed and especially as I began to stop some little habits. However, I could certainly stand to loose another 30 lbs and it would leave me just a plump older lady and not a FAT one. LOL LOLKnow that I would be here for you through the entire treatment and you can use my personal e-mail address anytime at all. In fact, if you use MSN, that same e-mail address will lead you right to my MSN.Please keep the spirit really high and don't let the stress of any of this make you any sicker!!! I always looked to the successful finish and doing something that would be entirely enjoyable to me. Like, taking the travel trailer out to one of the numerous beaches surrounded by hugh trees, on this island where I live. Sometimes, I even used the wish that my son would make me a Grandmother some day; but, couldn't do that so much because it was just a fantasy LOLGloriaHello all I am sort of a newbie, been here a couple of months just reading and learning new things. I am 47 years old and was diagnosed last year after test results showed my 16 year old daughter tested positive for the Hep C virus. Her doctor said I should be tested to rule out that she had gotten it from me. My tests also came back positive for the virus, I was in total shock when we were contacted from my daughter's doctor and then to realize I was the one who had been the reason she was facing this, has been devastating to us. I know how I contacted it, very bad decisions I made in the early

80's. When I married and decided to have children, I told my OB of what I did and asked him to test me to make sure I didn't have HIV or anything else related to IV drug use. Happily I was told I didn't have HIV, but back in 1987 they didn't test for HCV. I went on to have 2 children, my son (who is older) and my husband have not been tested yet. My son doesn't have health insurance at the moment and I don't want this to be considered as a pre-existing condition for when he does get it so he is waiting to get tested. My husband for whatever reason won't go get tested. He also dabbled with drug use in the early 80's and my very well have it also. My daughter and I have both started seeing a gastro doctor, and we are thinking about starting treatment, but with all the side effects I am not sure if we should wait until the new treatment comes out or start the one that is available now? We are both genotype

1a. My HCV RNA SER/PLAS PCR is 1660000. My HEPATITIS C VIRUS RNA, LOG, SER/PLAS, SIGNAL AMPLIFIED PROBE is 6.22.

My liver function test results are as follows

Component Your value Standard range

TOTAL PROTEIN

7.8

6.3-8.3 G/DL

ALBUMIN

4.3

4.0-5.4 G/DL

ALT

76

0-50 U/L

AST

64

9-53 U/L

ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE

59

35-129 U/L

BILIRUBIN, TOTAL

0.3

0.2-1.3 MG/DL

BILIRUBIN, DIRECT

0.1

0.0-0.3 MG/DL

I don't know what any of the test results mean, I have not been back to my gastro doctor since Sept when I told him I would start the treatment, but from what I read I should have a liver biopsy first. He didn't suggest one before I start treatment. I was scheduled to do a liver biopsy and chickened out. Everything was happening so fast I just needed time to research and learn everything I can learn. I am for the most part healthy, I am about 40 - 50 lbs overweight and on a low dose of high blood pressure med to control my blood pressure. I am trying to loose weight before starting the treatment, I heard that helps in the success rate.

I appreciate all the information that I have learned from this list and will keep you up to date as to what I decide to do as to treatment. Please feel free to share any of what you've learned and any encouragement I could really use it.

Cheryl

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