New to the Group

[Guest guest]

Shane, I think getting another opinion is never a bad thing. Unless he

has an in with the psychic hotline, I don't think he can say with

certainty the next step would be harmful.

[Guest guest]

Hi Shane,

Yes, I expect that most likely ALL of us feel depressed about our

condition at one time or another. I think there are two primary

things that we can and should do to cope with this disease - at least

they've worked for me.

1. The easiest thing you can do is to start taking an anti-anxiety

drug like Celexa or any of the other similar ones.

2. The hardest thing to do, but that in my opinion is by far

the " best medicine, " is to accept the fact that your life has changed

fundamentally, and to act accordingly.

This latter item is easier said than done. For me it came only a

couple of years ago as sort of an " epiphany. " For a great many years

up until the final realization that my life had fundamentally

changed, I strove to continue everything as normal and it caused

tremendous stress and unhappiness for me, particularly regarding my

job. After my ultimate acceptance of PA, I did what I should have

done years before - and that was to cut my work hours by half. I was

fortunate to have an employer that allowed me to do this while

retaining my employee benefits, etc. Knowing that it would likely

impact my yearly raises because most projects available have strict

(and very stressful) deadlines, I even asked my employer to try to

assign me work that had less demanding deadlines and specifically

mentioned the reason I was trying to reduce stress in my life. My

yearly raises went to zero as expected of course, but that was Ok

with me because money was no longer as important to me as it had been

before I realized that what was truly important was to be able to

live my life without being miserable every day. Since then I have

reduced my work hours to ZERO (I'm on extended sick leave), and it

has changed my whole outlook on life. I now look forward to living

each day, because the ONLY thing I have to deal with is the PA. I'm

strong enough to cope with PA one-on-one so to speak, but I'm not

strong enough to cope with PA in combination with everything else

that can cause stress in a person's life.

The only other revelation I can think of that's similar to my

epiphany that PA has changed my life fundamentally, is back when I

was just out of college and newly married. My wife and I maxed out

all our credit cards to the hilt. We divorced shortly afterwards, and

I got stuck with all the credit card debt. That's when it hit me like

a two-by-four alongside the head - being in debt is a BAD thing! Much

like Scarlet O'Hara in " Gone with the Wind, " I vowed from that moment

forward to never be in debt again. I spent the next two years or so

devoting my entire being to paying off those credit cards. Since

then, I've kept my promise to myself and (except for a 5 year home

mortgage that was paid off long ago) I have never ever been

financially in debt to anyone for anything. In fact, not only did I

make it a priority to live within my means, I even started living

BELOW my means so that I could save money in order to ensure that I'd

never have to borrow money again - even in case of emergencies. You

might think that I'd have felt deprived or unhappy by not splurging

money on the shiny, fancy new " toys " that I'd been buying previously,

but just the opposite was true. My whole value system changed

practically overnight. No longer did I value things in terms of their

novelty, but instead I began to value them in terms of their

functionality and long term usefulness to me. Instead of buying new

cars, I started taking better care of the one I had. The car I own

now is 21 years old and runs just as well as it did when it was brand

new. The peace of mind of knowing that I don't owe anyone a nickel,

has far outweighed the fleeting happiness of having something " new. "

I'm drifting off-topic here, but my revelation of many years ago

about money and saving, is the only thing comparable in my life to

the revelation I had two years ago about being stuck with PA. In

fact, the two are somewhat related because if I hadn't been saving

money all these years, I probably wouldn't have been able to cut my

hours at work because of my PA.

It will likely take quite some time for the fact that your life will

be different now that you have PA to fully sink in, but when that

happens I think you will be a happier person for it.

-- Ron

> Hello everyone

>

> My name is Shane and I am 22 years old. I have been living

> with PA for 2 years. In those last 2 years I have done

> everything to keep my life the way it was before i was

> diagnosed. Today I have realized that I am failing. Hence me

> joining this group. I have 2 children, a 3 year old and a 3

> month old. I am having a hard time coping. I am feeling

> really depressed. My doc put me on 2 25mg of Vioxx a day and

> everything still hurts. All I think about is that it has just

> begun. It will only get worst.

>

> Is there anyone here that has felt like this, and if so what

> can you do to look forward without feeling depressed?

>

> Cheers

[Guest guest]

Shane -

Live today with everything you've got. Don't let worrying about tomorrow,

what will hurt, what will be giving you trouble, etc., cheat you out of the

joy of today, of right now. Accept that you have a new normal. You have

PA. There is no way to know from here what that will mean for you in the

long run. How are you right now, this moment? What can you do, what do you

want to do, right now? Develop an attitude of gratitude. There is always

something to be thankful for or to note with joy and wonder. Figure out

what does it for you and do it every day. Find a rheumy you trust. Develop

some hobbies or interests that you enjoy that can be done pretty much no

matter how you are feeling. Have something you look forward to - regular

e-mails or phone calls with family or friends, a beloved pet, a trip,

something, anything, that you can look forward to. Take charge of your life

and your attitude and your expectations and get on with it. It may mean not

reading these e-mails everyday and wondering when what awfu symptom you're

reading about is going to happen to you. Be selective. Be optimistic.

This disease can be a challenge. You might have to get creative. But you

can LIVE with it. Figure out what that means for you. It's different for

each one of us. Good luck!!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/7/2002 1:24:45 AM Eastern Standard Time,

carlsonc@... writes:

> Accept that you have a new normal

Wow - this is about the best way I've seen advice given to newly diagnosed

people. That is exactly right and exactly the way you need to look at things

from now on. Once you do this, you can put it all in perspective and control

your PA instead of it controling you.

[Guest guest]

Hi Shane,

You might ask about an anti-depressant. And try to get as much exercise as

you can. There's great new stuff going on all the time. I think we will

soon find a cure for PA! That's what keeps me from being depressed! Hang

in there!

Cheryl

(mother of four little active boys!)

[ ] New To The Group

> Hello everyone

>

> My name is Shane and I am 22 years old. I have been living with PA

> for 2 years. In those last 2 years I have done everything to keep my

> life the way it was before i was diagnosed. Today I have realized

> that I am failing. Hence me joining this group. I have 2 children, a

> 3 year old and a 3 month old. I am having a hard time coping. I am

> feeling really depressed. My doc put me on 2 25mg of Vioxx a day and

> everything still hurts. All I think about is that it has just begun.

> It will only get worst.

>

> Is there anyone here that has felt like this, and if so what can you

> do to look forward without feeling depressed?

>

> Cheers

>

> [Meghan's Note: Hello Shane. We're glad you found this group and hope you

stay around. It is a good place to gather info and share stories and

support. PA is an unpredictable disease. So the good news is that it might

go into remission. The bad news is that it might just go back and forth. If

you've had the arthritis for 2 years and are continuing to have pain and

swelling, you may want to talk to your doctor about additional treatments

such as methotrexate and Enbrel. Best wishes!]

>

>

> Please visit our Psoriatic Arthritis Group's informational web page at:

> http://www.wpunj.edu/pa/ -- created and edited by list member

aka(raharris@...).

>

> In August 2001 list member Jack aka(Cornishpro@...) began to

conduct extensive research which he publishes as the Psoriatic Arthritic

Research Newsletter monthly in our emails and digest format. Many thanks to

Jack. Back issues of the newsletter are stored on our PA webpage.

>

> Also remember that the list archives comprise a tremendous amount of

information (Over two years of messages and answers).Feel free to browse

them at your convenience.

>

> Let's hear from some of you lurkers out there! If you have a comment or

question chances are there is a person who has been around a while who can

help you out with an educated guess for an answer. If not we can at least

steer you in the right direction with a good website to go to for the

answers.

>

> Blessings and Peace,

>

> Atwood-Stack, Founder

> Alan , Web & List Editor

> Jack , Newsletter Editor

> Pat Bias, List Editor

> Ron Dotson, List Editor

> and many others who help moderate (thank you!)

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi , welcome to the group! How long has it been since you were diagnosed?

Were you having symptoms, or did you just get checked out because your mom is

positive for it? I'm guessing your diagnosis is pretty new, that's why this is

so scary.

I was diagnosed last March 15 - I thought I was going to die any day. I can't

remember anything in my life that scared me more than finding out I had

Hepatitis C. This group is so wonderful because they will tell you the truth.

They really calmed me down and told me what to expect, and just generally were

there when I needed them. Also, go to the website and read the posts from past

months. Most people with Hep C don't go on to develop cirrhosis, I don't know

what the figures are. When I first got diagnosed, I wanted to know everything.

Now it doesn't seem as important to me because I don't let it define my life

anymore.

So ask away about anything, there are a lot of great people here who can give

you answers.

Marilyn

new to the group

hello everyone. i am new to the group and wondering how this works.

my name is angela long and i am presently living with my mom who is

known in this group as migraine75 or sherry lynn. as you have

already been made aware of, i do have hep c and i have also read all

the stuff on hep c and the medicine peg-interferon. i know the side

affects and everything and also know that it is just something that

i have to deal with. but i would like some advice on how i can

better myself by other people's viewpoints as well and learn to deal

with the disease. a mother can only do so much before her child has

to spread their own wings, my mom has been working on that with me.

as you all may know and may have read, my mother had posted a

message regarding me. We have talked much on the subject and i

neither am mad at her or disappointed. she did what any loving

mother would do for her child, unfortunately i was unable to be

there to tell the gatro doctor myself. please, if anyone has some

advice other than scaring the hell out of me (cause i am there

already and i am working on taking my present meds regularly),

please send me an email. Thank you and God Bless.

Happy Holidays!!!

[Guest guest]

hi karen, i am only 7 weeks into dx so i cant answer your questions, but i just

wanted to say, welcome, you have found another family.

love and prayer

anita (the witch)

england

>

> From: " Weston " <karenw@...>

> Date: Tue 14/Jan/2003 01:45 GMT

> " Liver Support " < >

> Subject: [ ] new to the group

>

> Hello all,

> I am new to the group and just wanted to introduce myself. I originally

joined another group on that is not as large or active as this group.

Harper and Jerry suggested I join this group and also answered a lot of the

questions I had.

>

> I had a liver biopsy done on Dec 27th and I found out on Jan 6th that I have

AIH. I began taking 20 mg of prednisone a day on Wednesday. I will see my GI

again on Jan 27th and my rheumie on Feb 7th.

>

> I am 41 years old. Married to a great guy and I have one daughter (20) and

one stepdaughter (18), both are away at college, but not too far.

>

> In addition to the AIH, I have systemic lupus, recurrent acute pancreatitis,

and a clotting disorder caused by lupus (lupus anticoagulant).

>

> I do have a question. My liver enzymes first became slightly elevated in

March 2002. They were again elevated in April. Both my pcp and GI said it was

no big deal and told me not to worry about it. The next time I had labs was in

early July when I saw my rheumie (for the lupus). Again the enzymes were

slightly elevated. At that time, I was feeling better than I had in a very long

time. Two weeks after that visit, I ended up in the hospital with acute

pancreatitis while on a business trip in VA. I live in Alabama, so my family

was having a stroke. My pancreas enzymes were back to normal in a couple of

days but they couldn't understand why my liver enzymes were staying elevated.

Since July, I've had labs done a couple of times and the liver enzymes were

normal. The rest of the time, the liver enzymes range from just being slightly

elevated to about 800. My liver enzymes seem to vary greatly even from day to

day. This past Tuesday the AST was normal, ALT was 143. I had labs done

Saturday and my AST was 150 and the ALT was 335. I only began the prednisone

Wednesday, so I assume it hasn't had time to begin helping my liver function.

I've even had times when they were in the 700+ range and just a few days later

down to about 100 or so. Is it normal for the liver enzymes to just be up and

down so sporadically? Is it possible that there is something I am doing or

eating that is maybe making the enzymes go up or is that just the nature of AIH?

>

> W

>

>

__________________________________________________________________________

Freeserve AnyTime - Go online whenever you want for just £6.99 a month for

your first 3 months, that's HALF PRICE! And then it's just £13.99 a month

after that.

For more information visit http://www.freeserve.com/time/ or call free on

0800 970 8890

[Guest guest]

Anita,

Thanks for the welcome.

W

[ ] new to the group> > Hello all,> I am new to the group and just wanted to introduce myself. I originally joined another group on that is not as large or active as this group. Harper and Jerry suggested I join this group and also answered a lot of the questions I had. > > I had a liver biopsy done on Dec 27th and I found out on Jan 6th that I have AIH. I began taking 20 mg of prednisone a day on Wednesday. I will see my GI again on Jan 27th and my rheumie on Feb 7th. > > I am 41 years old. Married to a great guy and I have one daughter (20) and one stepdaughter (18), both are away at college, but not too far.> > In addition to the AIH, I have systemic lupus, recurrent acute pancreatitis, and a clotting disorder caused by lupus (lupus anticoagulant).> > I do have a question. My liver enzymes first became slightly elevated in March 2002. They were again elevated in April. Both my pcp and GI said it was no big deal and told me not to worry about it. The next time I had labs was in early July when I saw my rheumie (for the lupus). Again the enzymes were slightly elevated. At that time, I was feeling better than I had in a very long time. Two weeks after that visit, I ended up in the hospital with acute pancreatitis while on a business trip in VA. I live in Alabama, so my family was having a stroke. My pancreas enzymes were back to normal in a couple of days but they couldn't understand why my liver enzymes were staying elevated. Since July, I've had labs done a couple of times and the liver enzymes were normal. The rest of the time, the liver enzymes range from just being slightly elevated to about 800. My liver enzymes seem to vary greatly even from day to day. This past Tuesday the AST was normal, ALT was 143. I had labs done Saturday and my AST was 150 and the ALT was 335. I only began the prednisone Wednesday, so I assume it hasn't had time to begin helping my liver function. I've even had times when they were in the 700+ range and just a few days later down to about 100 or so. Is it normal for the liver enzymes to just be up and down so sporadically? Is it possible that there is something I am doing or eating that is maybe making the enzymes go up or is that just the nature of AIH?> > W> > __________________________________________________________________________Freeserve AnyTime - Go online whenever you want for just £6.99 a month foryour first 3 months, that's HALF PRICE! And then it's just £13.99 a monthafter that.For more information visit http://www.freeserve.com/time/ or call free on 0800 970 8890

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

I just joined this group today. I was reading the archives until I

came across something of interest. It sais that Flax oil is very

high in phystoestrogens which suppresses thyroid function. I had

recently started taking flax oil hoping that it would help heal my

GERD (heartburn.) I think that I should stop as I don't need to

supress my thyroid.

Here is a brief history:

I am 48 years old. Had my first period at 8. It lasted for two

weeks. I didn't have another one until I was 15. I only had one at

15 was because my mother took me to the doctor and he gave me a shot

to start it.

I have had chronic heartburn for 3 years. Have dealt with it

daily. I had a bunch of tests for this and was placed on medication

that does not work very well. About 6 months ago I had a body

scan. I was hoping it might enlighten me on my constant heartburn.

I went into the woman's office to have my scan read and the first

thing she said was " So I see you had thyroid surgery. "

I looked at her dumbfounded and said " No Why?'

She then proceeded to show me my scan. I only half a half of a

thyroid.

Since then I went to the doctor (a thyroid specialist)and they did a

test and I am on the low end of normal. He said that I should be

tested every six months or so. He also said people who are born

with a half of a thyroid generally do all right. He said the one

half usually does a good job.

Most of my life I have struggled with keeping my weight down. I

have usually maintained about 10 lbs over what I would like to.

I am excited about joining this group and hope to learn.

Sheryl

[Guest guest]

Sheryl,

try some FRESH pineapple for your heartburn.I swear by it.Works great

for me.

Deneen:)

[Guest guest]

Deneen,

Thanks for the tip I will try it.

Sheryl

Sheryl Illustrations

http://dovedesignsrus.com/

[Guest guest]

Hi Judy - my name is - I just got diagnosed with dyspepsia last week and

have been consumed with reading and learning about reflux and gerd and all the

rest of this crap.

I understand how you feel - I was happy to find these support groups too.

I find that I'm very angry at how this all has just consumed and changed my life

- and in only 3 weeks! I was very happy with my life the way it was. I hope to

learn and heal and support everyone in their journey and to receive support as

well.

I am constrained by the love of Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:14

New to the group

Hi my name is Judy & I just joined the group today. I am 56 years old

& have been trying to find out what's wrong with me for years. My

medical doctor has given me numerous tests & they all come out

normal. I have been given all different kinds of medications that I

end up not being able to take because they make me worse. I am so

glad to hear that there are other people with this. I am anxious to

learn how to live with it & hope that I can find a way to get better.

I am looking forward to learning from all of you. Judy

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group and come back soon and ask your questions. We've been

concentrating on the war and other things, but this is a great source for

information, and we don't get tired of the questions and answers.

C

[ ] New to the Group

> Just wanted to send out this posting to all of the members.. I am a

> 22 yr old female who just recently found out I have hep c. (3 months

> ago) Going to have a Liver Biopsy on the 28th wow that is tomorrow..

> Most say that I am beyond scared and everything seems to just come

> shooting at me.. I'm sure you all know that feeling.. At the most I

> have had hep c for about 2-4 years.. whose to really say.. Doc says I

> have genotype 1 have only seem him one time so I have so many more

> questions to ask... I have so many emotions.. Will keep you all

> notified and have so many questions to ask...

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/17/03 1:48:06 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

ldubois2@... writes:

> Here is my

> question: Do I assume the disease and start the diet?

You should go ahead and start the diet. It is very similar to the diet that

is suggested in " tired of being tired " anyways. odds are if you are hitting

the wall, then you have candida. Since I have gotten the yeast under

control, and changed my diet, I have not had nearly as many adrenal related

problems. And my score on the adreanl test went way down. So it can't hurt.

But you do realize that this is a high protein diet. Not vegan at all, since

they allow no animal protein or by products at all. Animals and veggies are

the whole diet for us, and if you have adrenal issues, you must eat more

protien then ever. Being a vegan myself once, this is hard to do. I still

have meat issues, and I have been on this diet for over a year!

Hanida

[Guest guest]

--- But you do realize that this is a high protein diet. Not vegan

at all, since

> they allow no animal protein or by products at all.

Thanks, understand that it is high protein....will eat meat now. Am

I correct in learning that no peanut butter....but is almond butter

ok? Saw a suggestion for almond butter on celery that looked ok.

The tired of being tired diet is suggesting 5 meals a day, so I need

ideas.

And...thanks for responding...I am unable to think about any thing

but this.

[Guest guest]

I am new to this group and I am not sure what I expected but I am not

sure if this is what I want. I have had Chronic Yeast Syndrome for

34 years, and got into the further complications of Chronic Fatigue

Syndrome, Leaky Gut Syndrome, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Fibromyalgia,

Arthritis,multiple allergies and Bi-polar Disorder. I knew that I did

not have the will-power to start any of the recommended diets because

of the unbearable carbohydrate and sugar cravings I had. I also knew

that I did not have the money to get all the recommended supplements,

so opted for the medical prescription route (which was VERY

successful until I had to miss it for 3 days, the yeast mutated and

became resistant)and now I am looking for persons interested in the

very root cause (including the biological and bio-chemical causes and

changes in the disease). I am also looking for persons who know of

doctors or clinics that have experience in this that are closer than

California and Arizona (I live in Missouri). What I can tell you is

that in the 10 months that I was on the original medication, I

dropped all my diagnosis's except the arthritis and x-rays have

confirmed that I really do have it. So, I really do believe in CYS

and would like to find others that really want information like me.

[Guest guest]

please reply how to sign off this group

[Guest guest]

candidiasis-unsubscribe

Re: Re: New to the Group

please reply how to sign off this group

[Guest guest]

Hi , is the arterial biopsy liver related. Excuse my ignorance I have not heard of this.

Let me know if you need anything.

Debbie

I took my love and I took it downClimbed a mountain then I turned aroundAnd I saw my reflection in the snow covered hillsWell the landslide brought me downOh, mirror in the skyWhat is love?Can the child within my heart rise aboveCan I sail through the changing ocean tidesCan I handle the seasons of my life

[ ] New

to the group

I'm not really sure I know what to expect from this

group. I'm just

so tired and sick any more I don't know where to

turn. I will be

having an arterial biopsy soon, and I hope after

that to start

Interferon treatments.

[Guest guest]

Yes, it is a liver biopsy that they will do from inside my arteries

to the liver. Because of my size, (over 300 pounds), my doctor said

that this way is much safer, though much more expensive and time

consuming. Thank you for your interest... and you have GREAT taste

in music.

[Guest guest]

Hi

Welcome to the group.

We try to support each other here as best as we can. If you have any

questions you will find that someone probably has an answer for you.

[ ] New to the group

> I'm not really sure I know what to expect from this group. I'm just

> so tired and sick any more I don't know where to turn. I will be

> having an arterial biopsy soon, and I hope after that to start

> Interferon treatments.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Well that is cool…hope you have good news when you have it. I’m a non responder on the peg intron but trying infergen in a

couple weeks. Need anything let me know.

Debbie

I took my love and I took it downClimbed a mountain then I turned aroundAnd I saw my reflection in the snow covered hillsWell the landslide brought me downOh, mirror in the skyWhat is love?Can the child within my heart rise aboveCan I sail through the changing ocean tidesCan I handle the seasons of my life

[ ] Re:

New to the group

Yes, it is a liver biopsy that they will do from

inside my arteries

to the liver. Because of my size, (over 300

pounds), my doctor said

that this way is much safer, though much more

expensive and time

consuming. Thank you for your interest...

and you have GREAT taste

in music.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the offer. But what I need I don't think anyone in this

group can provide. And anyone who can provide it probably is not in

this group. Nor am I likely to find it in any form until after I

finish my treatments, once they start. I also am awaiting some major

surgery which stands in my way.

I want to thank everyone for their prayers.

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I have just joined the group and would like to share my experience with

interferon treatment.

In 1998 I went on Interferon thru a protocol group with Drs. Schiff and

Jeffers at U of Miami (FL)- 10 million units 3xs per week for 6 mos.

I responded during treatment but rebounded afterwards.

Last year I did 6mos on PegIntron and Ribaviron and the same thing happened.

Last night I started a new regime with Multiferon (not available in USA) that

I imported from Sweden. If the last 24 hrs is any indication - the side

effects are significantly less and I have a lot of energy today. Fatigue has

been the worst indication of my Hep-C

More to come

[Guest guest]

Hi

Welcome to the group.

Please keep us updated on the progress of your treatment.

[ ] Re: New to the group

> Hi,

> I have just joined the group and would like to share my experience with

> interferon treatment.

> In 1998 I went on Interferon thru a protocol group with Drs. Schiff and

> Jeffers at U of Miami (FL)- 10 million units 3xs per week for 6 mos.

> I responded during treatment but rebounded afterwards.

> Last year I did 6mos on PegIntron and Ribaviron and the same thing

happened.

> Last night I started a new regime with Multiferon (not available in USA)

that

> I imported from Sweden. If the last 24 hrs is any indication - the side

> effects are significantly less and I have a lot of energy today. Fatigue

has

> been the worst indication of my Hep-C

> More to come

>

>

>

>