Hepatitis C's topics - tribe.net

What is the risk factor of developing liver cancer?

2008-08-08T22:43:33Z

If one has chronic hepatitis c and isn't at the late stages of the decease, cirrorhosis, how high is the risk of devoping liver cancer?

posted in Hepatitis C - 1 reply

Questions about side effects of peginterferon and ribavirin and basic Hep C....

2008-07-26T15:44:52Z

I just got diagnosed with Hep C in the summer and found out I got it as an infant during a blood tranfusion in 1982. Problem is I didn't get tested until I was doubled over with abdomenal pain, nausea, tiredness, glucose fluctuation, intense weight loss, maddening itching on my legs and feet and loss of appetite. Even the smell of food made me sick. But I was told that it is highly irregular to get such sever symptoms with hep C and it was at frist thought of as just acute hep C. After 7 months, I wasn't getting any better so I got a biopsy. It showed I already had fibrosis and had better start treatment of peginterferon and ribavirin, but the the meantime I was given ursodiol. Has anyone else been given ursodiol? And about the treatment, I joined the In Charge program the peninterferon company gives us access to but it seems to commercialized and the testimonies neglect the side effects of the treatment. What can I expect? I have genotype 2 which is good, but my hep C symptoms are so life intruding that I am now on antidepressants and valium. Help!!

posted in Hepatitis C - 9 replies

I'm Going To Do Treatment Again!

2008-07-10T18:43:55Z

As soon as I get a note from my psyciatrist faxed to the doctors office, I'll be good to go on starting treatment again.
My lab results: AST-26 normal is 40
ALT-70 normal is 55
Viral Load- 2,880,000

My biopsy results: stage 1, grade 1 (two years ago I was stage 1 grade 2) so I might have regenerated some.
Type of damage is that instead of a smooth sheen, my liver is becoming nodular (perforated).

So it has'nt progressed any since 2005... should I do treatment again, or say f_ ck it? What do you all think?

posted in Hepatitis C - 18 replies

Epidemic

2008-07-08T23:59:36Z

So far three people I either knew or was an aquaintenance of have died of end stage liver disease due to Hep c. I am begining to wonder if I will get my transplant or die first. Hep C is at a greater number then the AIDS epidemic by 4-1. I wonder if the powers that be will ever take Hep C as seriously as AIDS. I have been on the transplant list almost three years and have almost died until I got a TIPS shunt. Quite honestly I am scared one minute and the next I find myself being at peace with the idea of dying. Anybody else have similar feelings?

posted in Hepatitis C - 2 replies

Hey all New here.

2008-07-08T23:56:37Z

Ok here is a little about me. Probably to much to know but background is good.

Well I found out I was HIV+ and had Hep C back in June of 2003 i did the whole dr thing got the liver biopsy and and all that good stuff dr said all looked fine and that I had genotype 1a(i think thats what he said) he told me that it cant be cured even with the shots and what not. Great I thought and that was the last time I went to see a dr for anything I just gave up and denied it untill this february when i met someone who gave me the push I needed to go back to a different dr and get medical all taken care of.

Ok I did all this and just got the results from labwork and stuff last thursday Now I am pos for Hep B and need to start meds for the hiv. Blah blah blah.

I go in next week for my ct scan and another biopsy and was told i would have to start the shots if it doesnt cure the hepc then at least will kill the b they said. How bad are the shots really. I hear so many horror stories. My ex's father said alot of people he knew that started the treatment ended up commiting suicide. And when the dr said they would do a pshych evaluation on me before they do the shots I got a little scared as I think about suicide all the time. Between that and the cost of the shots and everything with the hiv and crap I am just want to curl up in the corner and die half the time. All I can think about is what the hell am I gonna do I cant afford this with no insurance and cant afford to cut hours at work because then I would loose my only way to get to the dr and back. Part of me just wants to run away and forget I even have a problem.

I just want my old life back before the whole drug episode wich was only 6 months. I know people that did and still do drugs for alot longer than that and dont have these problems.

Ok just bitching post but I would like to know about the shots like I said are they really as bad as people say they are

posted in Hepatitis C - 1 reply

New to the group- needing advice

2008-04-28T07:28:06Z

Hello all, I just joined and wanted to introduce myself , I am Charles first diagnosed with Hep-C in 1999. My Dr has told me that I have not reached the point that I need treatment, My wife has been urging me to see another Dr, as she feels he is not doing right by me at all. I live in rural Arkansas and most people here are very ignorant of Hep-C so I get shunned a lot for having what most pple here call the "druggies disease" Can anyone here offer me any advice? Thanx.
Charles

posted in Hepatitis C - 9 replies

Announcing Edition 2.6 of the International Carnival of Pozitivities (ICP)

2007-12-05T21:26:31Z

Dear Friends of the International Carnival of Pozitivities (ICP):

It is a tremendous pleasure to announce the publication of edition 2.6 of the ICP at

http://www.dropdeadhappy.com/dropdeadhappy/ICP26.html

Mark Kokocki is our third host from Canada and our second from the Vancouver area after Roro at Creampuff Revolution. I encourage you to bookmark this edition and visit it over time so that you can enjoy each of the contributions from the world of HIV/AIDS. I hope that you will also join me in thanking Mark for his work this month and Giles of Slimconomy and Roro of Creampuff Revolution for the previous Canadian editions.

This 18th consecutive edition of the ICP features personal accounts, video, music, self-help information and the latest in news from the HIV/AIDS community. Among these posts,you will find news about HIV/AIDS in women and children, a good sampling of posts from long-term survivors, a Bollywood-like HIV prevention video from India, news and personal accounts from Africa, Asia, Europe, and North and South America, I hope that you will spend some time reading and that you will leave comments for the contributors.

Next Edition

Please visit the ICP homepage to learn more about this project and how you can contribute at the following link:

http://internationalcarnivalofpozitivities.blogspot.com

We are now accepting submissions for edition 2.7 to be hosted at The Spin Cycle, located here:

http://thespincycle.blogspot.com

This new edition marks the first time that the ICP will have been hosted outside of North America as we go to Australia for host Matty the Damned and the Spin Cycle team. It is notable that Matty and the Spin Cycle contributed the first post to the ICP’s first edition in June of 2006. Please consider contributing your original artwork, poetry, news, personal accounts, short stories, videos or music files for the next edition.

Please Share with Your Friends

Please share this notice with your friends and consider posting announcements of our link on your blogs and websites. Our continuing presence is bolstered by your participation and outreach. Please help spread the word.

Contribute Your Work

Please join the growing community of contributors and hosts for this important international forum for genuine voices of AIDS. If you are interested in hosting the ICP, please send an email to ron.hudson@verizon.net and I will make the process for you as painless as possible. We have hosts inline through February, 2008, but if you would like to host in March, 2008, or beyond, please let me know. I hope that you will consider signing up to host a specific edition of the ICP.

To be Removed From or Added To the ICP mailing list:

Please send an email to ron.hudson@verizon.net with the word REMOVE or SUBSCRIBE in your subject line to have your name removed from or added to, respectively, the ICP mailing list. If you did not receive notice of the ICP from me via direct email, then I do not have your email address in the mailing list. Please note that I can not remove an email address that does not exist on the mailing list. Your privacy is absolutely critical and no email addresses will be shared, sold or given to any other source. I use blind-copy distribution technology to prevent your identity from being revealed.

Peace to you and yours.

Ron Hudson

posted in Hepatitis C - 10 replies

Newbie on Tribe but not newbie to Hep C...

2007-11-29T03:16:17Z

Hi Everyone,

My name is Diann, I live in Southern California, will turn 53 years old in November, Hep C + for approximately 27 years, diagnosed 6 years ago, initial and only VL count was high at 4,670,000 genotype 1a (of course )0;) and biopsy was a grade zero on all counts. My liver function tests have always been within the normal range. My original Gastroenterologist stated that he would not recommend treating, and he mentioned protease inhibitors that were in clinical trials and stated that he believed this was their greatest hope for achieving an SVR and for me to wait. I might also add that last year I had the slides re-read and have confirmed that the biopsy had not been misread.

I suppose my greatest joy wasn't when my biopsy results came in so good considering length of time, high viral load, my age at time of diagnosis etc... but when all three of my children tested negative. That was the most horrible month of my entire life! Getting my 11 year old identical twin daughter's into see the doctor, trying to stay calm when I was more fearful than I had ever been in my entire life, then getting the blood drawn & waiting for the results.

I remember going into the pediatrician's office with so many tears of joy pouring down my face so I could barely read the results. I went out to my car and wept, and wept and wept wiping away the tears and looking at the negative over and over. I thanked GOD for answering my prayer's and consider that to be the greatest gift I have ever received, other than the gift of having three daughters in the first place. At that time I thought that all of my prayers had been answered, and that I required no more grace, and that even if my biopsy was going to turn out badly I knew that I was going to be okay because I had not passed this dreadful virus on to my innocent babies. My oldest daughter was 25 and she also tested negative so I was in a great place.

Now, something I have always considered a bit ironic about all this was that one of my longest and dearest friends was a Certified Nurse Practitioner, and coincidentally enough also a surgical nurse who worked side by side with liver transplant surgeons. She had tested positive the year prior and knew a lot about this dragon. She had a low viral load at under 100 but already had beginning states of portal hypertension. When she (I'll call her "C") began college to become a nurse I was a back office medical assistant. She had to work on her first thesis, and had asked my opinion since I was extremely interested in all things related to medicine. I ran and got my newest copy of newsweek because on the cover was a needle (lumen) with a drop of liquid dropping out and in huge letters "Interferon" the newest, greatest treatment on the horizen. So, I helped her on that level, she received a B+ I believe, and here we were almost thirty years later with hep C, and she working for a transplant doctor. She has been a great source of information and support for me, as well as just a good friend. It just so happens that she and I were injecting drugs for a year together and so we had both contacted it in that manner. I know...baaaad. We both stopped the same night when we were sitting under a street light "doing our thang" me in the driver seat, her looking on and I looked into her beautiful blue eyes and said, "You know "C" I don't want to do this anymore." She replied that she did not either. The irony of it all, eh?

My first boyfriend at age 13 who would a few years later become my first lover, and remained my best friend for 37 years passed away 7 years ago from complications of Hep C. I miss him dearly ,and there isn't a day that something doesn't remind me of this most loving soul. I have another friend who was a genotype 2 and was put on treatment for two solid years and cleared many years ago. She says if it returns she will not re-treat as it darn near killed her.

Today I still show no side effects of the virus, but also know that with age fibrosis does occur. The experts do believe that estrogen is a liver protectant and that once you go into menopause the virus will probably progress. Two months after my 52nd birthday I had the first sign that I might be going into menopause so I'm beginning to think about my options again, and also getting another biopsy. EEEEK! Mine didn't go well. I was not one of those that sailed through it and was able to say it was a piece of cake. The second the Doc stuck the biopsy needle into my liver it literally turned into a hard bowling ball! It felt like it was trying to jump out of my body to get away from that needle. The doctor immediately knew that I was not going to be one of those that didn't have pain and he mumbled something to the anesthesiologist and "lights out." I awoke in recovery in the worst pain I have ever experienced which lasted for two hours and then suddenly stopped. I asked the nurses where the baby was (0; So you see I am not looking forward to another biopsy and am considering the fibrosure test along with an ultrasound for liver cancer as well.

I was seen by one gastroenterologist since then and once I told him I was not planning on going through the current protocol's just yet, he tuned me out, turned me off and sent me packin' lol! One thing he did do was to order a blood test to check for liver cancer markers and mine was well below the limit. So there ya have it. Me, 53, need to move forward but a bit too anxious at the moment. I will get the nerve up again to address this dragon, I do stay up on current trials, etc. have used the Maximum Milkthistle and Liv-tone and drink plenty of water and stay at a healthy weight which is under 103 lbs. I am only 5'2" so that's okay.

There has been one study on women of Irish descent who have been infected with the virus and after 30 years still show no signs of progression. I have a lot of Irish blood in me and am wondering if somewhere in my DNA this might have something to do with my current lack of progression?

If anyone can relate to anything I've said, or has experiences to share with me I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you all for reading my story, and thank you "T" for directing me to this lovely site. As you say, all paths cross for a reason!

BFN,

DD

posted in Hepatitis C - 16 replies

Got my Start Date...

2007-11-16T00:55:29Z

Got the news that my first 'jab' will be next Thursday...will also find out then which arm of the study ( Schering genotype 1s w/ investigative pro-tease inhibitor, boceprevor, aka sch 504304) I'll be assigned - it will either be 28 weeks or 50 something...51, I think? I'm planning to do the shot at bedtime on Thursday night. My dh is off Fri/Sat/Sun so he can be there to help w/ dd (7) if I'm not up to snuff. Got my tylenol extra strength, my tylenol PMs and lots of water. Any other words of advice to ease into this thing? LOL - or is there no such thing?? :) Feeling increasingly excited and extremely apprehensive/nervous! Need to get my game face ON!!

posted in Hepatitis C - 12 replies

ICP 17 is now Available. I hope you are finding it helpful and interesting.

2007-11-12T03:02:56Z

Dear Friends of the International Carnival of Pozitivities (ICP):

The 17th consecutive edition of the ICP is now available at the following link:

http://slimconomy.blogspot.com/2007/11/w-elcome-to-november-10-2007-edition-of.html

This edition is the second to have been hosted by a Canadian blogger and the second to be hosted internationally. Please join me in thanking Giles at Slimconomy for his participation as our host this month. As usual, this edition features personal accounts, video, self-help information and the latest in news from the HIV/AIDS community. I hope that you will spend some time reading and that you will leave comments for the contributors.

Next Edition

Please visit the ICP homepage at the following link to learn more about this project and how you can contribute:

http://internationalcarnivalofpozitivities.blogspot.com/

We are now accepting submissions for edition 18 to be hosted at Drop Dead Happy, located here:

http://www.dropdeadhappy.com

Please consider contributing your original artwork, poetry, news, personal accounts, short stories, videos or music files for the next edition.

Please Share with Your Friends

Please share this notice with your friends and consider posting announcements of our link on your blogs and websites. Our continuing presence is bolstered by your participation and outreach. Please help spread the word.

Contribute Your Work

I hope that you will join the growing community of contributors and hosts for this important international forum for genuine voices of AIDS. If you are interested in hosting the ICP, please send me a message and I will make the process for you as painless as possible. Return hosts are welcome! We have hosts in line through December, 2007, but need to start recruiting new hosts for next year right now!! I hope that you will consider signing up to host a specific edition of the ICP.

To be Removed From or Added To the ICP mailing list:

Please send me a message with the word REMOVE or SUBSCRIBE in your subject line to have your name removed from or added to, respectively, the ICP mailing list. If you did not receive notice of the ICP from me via direct email, then I do not have your email address in the mailing list. Please note that I can not remove an email address that does not exist on the mailing list.

Peace to you and yours.

Ron Hudson

posted in Hepatitis C - 0 replies

Newly Diagnosed

2007-11-10T20:35:44Z

Hey Everyone,

After putting it off I finally went to the doctor to confirm the resultts of my HCV antibody home test. My doctor confirmed that i have Hepatitis C today and I have my first appointment with a gastroenterologist at 11AM. I'm surprised that I don't feel hopelessly depressed about the diagnosis, but I guess I came to terms with when i first found out 5 years ago that i was probably exposed to the virus.

I've been quietly reading this tribe for over a year now and you have all given me a lot of insight into what lies ahead for me. I really want to be as informed as possible and I want to know from all of you exactly what questions i should be asking of my doctor.

I don't yet know what my viral load is or my genotype. I'm lucky to be living in NYC where there are so many great doctors and hospitals.

So what questions should I be asking my doctor in the morning?
Do any of you think it would be a good idea to get in on any of the clinical trials/experimental treatments at local hospitals?

It would be really helpfull if you could give me any advice or tell me something that you wish you had been told when you were in my position.

Thanks
Metro

posted in Hepatitis C - 9 replies

the dragon returns

2007-11-10T20:34:27Z

Well kids one year down, 4 inches of hair, gaining about 1 1/2 lbs a week, starting to feel human again.

The dreaded but expected call comes, the dragon has returned for a repeat performance. Oh, well its all familiar territory at this stage.

Got a year of down time and reflection, and met all my good friends here, perhaps worth the journey afterall.

On to better and brighter life events and me and the dragon can cozy up for the long haul.

How's the rest of the gang out there, loooong time no hear?

posted in Hepatitis C - 5 replies

Biopsy

2007-11-04T05:42:52Z

So, I get my liver biopsy performed on Tues. the 9th. What am I supposed to expect? The doc says as soon as he gets the results he wants to start treatment. But...what if I don't feel like I'm ready for treatment? Is it absolutely necessary? Or can I wait a while? My VL was kind of low and honestly I'm not ready to go through the horrible side effects just yet. I'm a single mother with two young children to support and I don't want to get to the point to where I can't take care of them or can't handle working or anything like that.

posted in Hepatitis C - 2 replies

ICP 16 is now available

2007-10-10T17:21:34Z

Dear Friends of the International Carnival of Pozitivities (ICP):

The 16th edition of the ICP is now available at:

http://ogresview.mu.nu/archives/243135.php.

This edition represents an attempt to reach out to a conservative political community about HIV/AIDS. It is my hope that our messages might encourage those who normally do not come in contact with the issues of HIV/AIDS to think about how to help us fight the pandemic. We have poetry, video, personal accounts and news from around the world.

Next Edition

Please visit the ICP homepage to learn more about this project and how you can contribute at the following link:

http://internationalcarnivalofpozitivities.blogspot.com/

We are now accepting submissions for edition 17 to be hosted at Slimconomy at the link:

http://slimconomy.blogspot.com

Please consider contributing your original artwork, poetry, news, personal accounts, short stories, videos or music files for the next edition.

Please Share with Your Friends

As usual, I would like to ask you to post a permanent link to the ICP homepage (you can get a widget there as well) on your blogs or websites and to share the word of this edition with your readers and friends. The more people who know about the ICP, the more likely it will be that we will continue to receive excellent contributions. In fact, feel free to nominate your own HIV/AIDS related contributions from your favorite blogs or websites. The most powerful stories are those of personal nature, so I would encourage you to seek out or write personal accounts and to share them with the ICP. There are many more of you than of me, so join me in the search for quality blogs that share personal stories about HIV/AIDS from around the world. We have hardly begun to tap into the situation in Asia, so blogs from that region of the world are particularly welcome.

Contribute Your Work

I hope that you will join the growing community of contributors and hosts for this important international forum for genuine voices of AIDS. If you are interested in hosting the ICP, please email me at ron.hudson@verizon.net and I will make the process for you as painless as possible. Return hosts are welcome! We have hosts in line through December, 2007, but need to start recruiting new hosts for next year. I hope that you will consider signing up to host a specific edition of the ICP.

To be Removed From or Added To the ICP mailing list:

Please email me with the word REMOVE or SUBSCRIBE in your subject line to have your name removed from or added to, respectively, the ICP mailing list. If you did not receive notice of the ICP from me via direct email, then I do not have your email address in the mailing list. Please note that I can not remove an email address that does not exist on the mailing list!!!!!

Peace to you and yours.

Ron Hudson

posted in Hepatitis C - 0 replies

1st appointment

2007-09-30T22:03:20Z

Okay so I just got news that I've been given an appt. on Sept. 10th. With a specialist so we can get things going. Can anyone tell me what I can expect during this first meeting? I know it's still about a month away but I can't help but to be anxious.

posted in Hepatitis C - 8 replies

Hey Y'All...Djuh Go To Sleep On Me?

2007-09-28T03:42:52Z

Check out my new blog and pictures.

posted in Hepatitis C - 4 replies

ICP 15 is now available at Living Mindfully with HIV

2007-09-10T20:18:56Z

Dear Friends of the International Carnival of Pozitivities (ICP):

The 15th edition of the ICP is now available at the following link:

http://hivhsnmindfulness.blogspot.com:80/2007/08/15th-edition-of-international-carnival.html

on the blog Living Mindfully with HIV. This edition includes a return of artwork from Colombian artist Farid de la Ossa, a video from Angelique Kidjo and Joss Stone for relief for Darfur, a special gift offer from me for your contribution to an AIDS Charity of your choice, HIV/AIDS news from around the world, more addiction recovery help, a very special introduction to "Big Love" or "Arohanui", and much more. Please take a few moments to read and leave comments, particularly for your host, James Wortz, who has done yet another great job despite a bout of bad health in the last few days.

Next Edition

Please visit the ICP homepage ( http://internationalcarnivalofpozitivities.blogspot.com ) to learn more about this project and how you can contribute. We are now accepting submissions for edition 16 to be hosted at Ogre's Politics and Views ( http://www.ogresview.mu.nu ). Please consider contributing your original artwork, poetry, news, personal accounts, short stories, videos or music files for the next edition. This next edition is very special. I have approached the host, Mr. Ogre, to participate as an outreach to a conservative political community that normally may not hear from people living with HIV/AIDS. Please consider this an opportunity to share your stories with a group of people who may not normally think of HIV/AIDS as often as we do and how you might make your case for teamwork with people who may not necessarily agree with you.

Please Share with Your Friends

As usual, I would like to ask you to post a permanent link to the ICP homepage (you can get a widget there as well) on your blogs or websites and to share the word of this edition with your readers and friends. The more people who know about the ICP, the more likely it will be that we will continue to receive excellent contributions. In fact, feel free to nominate your own HIV/AIDS related contributions from your favorite blogs or websites. The most powerful stories are those of personal nature, so I would encourage you to seek out or write personal accounts and to share them with the ICP. There are many more of you than of me, so join me in the search for quality blogs that share personal stories about HIV/AIDS from around the world. We have hardly begun to tap into the situation in Asia, so blogs from that region of the world are particularly welcome.

Contribute Your Work

I hope that you will join the growing community of contributors and hosts for this important international forum for genuine voices of AIDS. If you are interested in hosting the ICP, please email me and I will make the process for you as painless as possible. Return hosts are welcome!

To be Removed From or Added To the ICP mailing list:

Please send me an email (ron.hudson@verizon.net) with the word REMOVE or SUBSCRIBE in your subject line to have your name removed or added to the ICP mailing list.

Peace to you and yours.

Ron Hudson

posted in Hepatitis C - 0 replies

Help Me Out Everybody

2007-08-28T00:17:38Z

If you like tribe and myspace, why not get paid for what you are already doing. Connect with me and get others to join, thats how you get paid.
http://www.yuwie.com/yuwie.asp?r=33279

posted in Hepatitis C - 0 replies

ICP 14 is now available--Please share this news with your friends

2007-08-13T14:37:13Z

Dear Friends of the International Carnival of Pozitivities (ICP):

The 14th edition of the ICP is now available at the blog Straight, Not Narrow at the following link:

http://straightnotnarrow.blogspot.com/2004/08/welcome-to-14th-edition-of.html

This edition includes original artwork from HIV+ Colombian artist Farid de la Ossa, an original Spanish-language poem with translation by Mexican poet Jeannette Clariond, a video blog from the American comic ANT at his ANT Colony and a spoken-word video from my friend and 1 Giant Leap collaborator Rich Ferguson of Los Angeles, CA. Other posts address recognizing alcoholism within the HIV/AIDS community, as well as other thought-provoking articles about living with HIV/AIDS. We have a number of returning contributors as well as new participants. Please take a few minutes to visit and bookmark this edition so that you can enjoy it at your leisure over the next month.

Please visit the ICP homepage to learn more about this project and how you can contribute at the following link:

http://internationalcarnivalofpozitivities.blogspot.com/

We are now accepting submissions for edition 15 to be hosted at the blog Living Mindfully with HIV. Please consider contributing your original artwork, poetry, news, personal accounts, short stories, and video or music files for the next edition. The more of you who actively submit your articles, the more I will be able to identify and solicit new participants for this project.

I hope that you will join the growing community of contributors and hosts for this important international forum for genuine voices of AIDS and allies. Please note that we are still seeking hosts for our November, 2007, edition and for all editions beyond December, 2007. If you are interested in hosting the ICP, please email me at ron(dot)hudson(at)verizon(dot)net and I will make the process for you as painless as possible. Return hosts are welcome!

If you have a blog, please feel free to post a notice about the availability of this edition. Also, please share this note with your friends. We need to involve as many people as possible. I really appreciate all of the links that you have added for the ICP in your blog sidebars and would encourage any of you who have not yet done so to consider adding a permanent link to the ICP to your blog.

TO BE ADDED OR REMOVED FROM THE ICP MAILING LIST

If you would like to be added to or removed from the ICP mailing list, please email me with either the word REMOVE or SUBSCRIBE in the subject line of the email and I will ensure that your desires are followed. This email list is confidential and will not be shared with anyone. All correspondence is handled using blind copy so that your identity will be protected.

Peace to you and yours.

Ron Hudson

posted in Hepatitis C - 3 replies

HIV/HEP C Co-infection? Please visit the International Carnival of Pozitivities (ICP)

2007-08-07T21:39:05Z

Hi Friends in the Hepatitis C community,

I have to state up-front that I do not have Hep C, but did have Hep-A that almost killed me due to my HIV infection. I am, instead, a 22 year survivor of HIV/AIDS and founder of the International Carnival of Pozitivities (ICP), a blog carnival for people living with HIV/AIDS and their allies.

I would like to invite all of you to visit the ICP homepage at:

www.internationalcarnivalofpozitivities.blogspot.com .

This forum accepts submissions of artwork, video, music, poetry, short-stories, personal accounts and maybe even other media that I haven't imagined yet to present what life with HIV/AIDS can be like. I am particularly interested in how people with Hep-C co-infection deal with their particular issues. I would like for you to feel welcome at the ICP and encourage you to read, contribute your stories and perhaps even host an edition.

Please visit the homepage link listed above and see how the HIV/AIDS community is supporting us and join us if you can. Perhaps this might inspire a new Hepatitis C blog carnival as well.

Peace to you all.

Ron Hudson

posted in Hepatitis C - 1 reply

dr. called today

2007-07-31T10:23:03Z

she said my viral load is 40.1 thousand and that is it type 1A. She is going to refer me to a gastroenterologist (sp?) so we can get the treatment process underway. I am pretty frightened about going through all the horrible side effects I have been reading about and I hope that I will be one of the luckier ones. My best friend just called and said she was doing some research on the net and she found a website promoting Mesosilver. I seems well worth a try before I put myself through treatments but if those testimonies are for real then why aren't dr's trying it? Has anyone here tried it?

posted in Hepatitis C - 2 replies

Still Clear.....

2007-07-30T19:14:14Z

When I went off the meds 3 months early... I had to wonder if I was making the right choice and would my decision cause the virus to return. Well it's now been 8 months off the meds and I thrilled to announce that I AM STILL CLEAR.

My friends, when it comes to this damn virus there are no real answers or clear cut path to take... so all I can say is FOLLOW YOUR HEART and believe.

Hugs... Keep Smiling,
T

posted in Hepatitis C - 4 replies

newly diagnosed

2007-07-15T16:18:43Z

Hey, everyone. I am a single mother of 2 young children and scared out of my mind. Although, I've done some research since my initial diagnosis just yesterday, I have learned that it is not as bad as I was thinking. Yet, I can't seem to keep myself from crying my eyes out. So here I am. What am I expecting be being here? I'm not sure, it just felt good to join the group for starters. I got more blood taken yesterday and went in for an ultrasound on my liver today and I guess I just have to sit back and wait. The future seems hopeful from reading your posts but why do I still feel so sad and lonely the way I do?

posted in Hepatitis C - 4 replies

FREE hepB testing!

2007-07-13T03:11:05Z

Hi everyone,

it's been a long time since i've said hello, maybe like 2.5 years or something. (hi bev, marcia, everyone.... time sure flies!)

heads-up: this could be great for some of you who are worried about cross-infection. the seminar is open to non-medical professionals.

it includes FREE hepB antigen and hepB antibody testing! (save approx $190)

i'll be there... come say hello!

mabel aka sheilah
-i'm now a practicing acupuncturist/herbalist! no more school, but i'm still learning a lot :)

Five Branches Co-hosts the Stanford Liver Symposium
Join us on July 15th for an informative and interactive symposium on the benefits of TCM on liver disorders, specifically hepatitis B. Stanford University, in collaberation with CAOMA, will be investigating recent finding on how TCM, combined with Western Medicine, can help those suffering from hepatitis and other liver disorders. A presentation will be given by Dr. Samuel So, director of the ALC and one of the world's foremost experts on liver disease.
Hewlett Teaching Center at Stanford University on July 15th from 8am - 4:30pm
Cost is $35 for pre-registrants and $45 for those paying after Thursday, July 12; cost includes breakfast, lunch and 8 CEU's.
To register, email you name, phone #, address and credit card information to marketing@fivebranches.edu.

posted in Hepatitis C - 0 replies

Where did everyone go?

2007-07-04T01:03:51Z

Hi. I haven't been online in a while and came back to silence on the tribe. What's up guys? How are you all doing?

Not you Tracey, you are having too much fun in Malta. I'm jealous.

I have news. I took my one year post treatment tma and I'm still negative. Pretty cool huh?

posted in Hepatitis C - 3 replies

dating with hepc

2007-06-29T06:03:10Z

I believe one should inform a potential partner before any body fluids are exchanged even though the chance of passing the virus on sexually is slim. However, how romantic is that? How to approach it and do you think it puts a person one down in the dating thingy?

posted in Hepatitis C - 15 replies

Left over medication: place to donate?

2007-05-08T00:44:01Z

My husband just completed his course of Interferon and Ribabvarin, but has a bunch of left over Ribabvarin - about 120 capsules of 200mg pills. He doesn't need it anymore, and we really would hate to just toss it in the garbage, since it is sooo expensive, and were sure there are folks in need!

so does anyone have any suggestions on what to do? is there a place to donate something like this, or a place we can offer it up to someone in need?

posted in Hepatitis C - 1 reply

Trial for SCH 503403...should I go for it or hold out...

2007-04-27T03:25:32Z

Hi all,

I'm a new tribe member. I have been co-existing quite well w/hcv for around 12-14 years...never considering treatment because I'm a 1a. Liver enzymes always normal, latest biopsy in 04 showed grade 1 stage 1-2, vl on last weeks labs had jumped from 285,000 in 04 to 2.5 million.

Anyway, life turned upside now last thursday when my doctor offered me a shot at a trial they'll be starting in a couple of weeks. Wow - I just really wasn't prepared for that one. Now I'm going back and forth about whether I should go for it ....or should I hold onto my 'virgin' naive status for a better thing in the future...

The trial will be using pegintron, rebetol and the sch stuff (they really need a shorter name for that one - lol)....but there's 5 different arms to the study - 2 of 'em going for 28 weeks w/one starting the new drug a month into the protocol, 2 arms going 48 weeks with the new drug starting a week into it...and the control group...using just the peg/rebetol for 24 weeks and if you test neg, continue on for 24 more weeks of the same...if you test positive still at 24 wks, you'd have the option of adding the new drug in the protocol for another 24 weeks.

So....what would you do if you were genotype one and at my stage w/f the hep c? Oh, and other info....I'm 52, married and have a 7 year old daughter I'm homeschooling. Dh wants me to go for it because he is worried that the hep c means a shortened life...(and I'm not so sure this is so in my case) but I worry that it will be so hard on he and my daughter....

I'll think I've made of my mind and then start backing away from it. I did go in today and took care of the pre-tests and signed consents, etc....so far it's looking very much like I AM doing it :) But I can't seem to shake the nagging doubt about being a guinea pig :)

Looking forward to meeting anyone who's still here! (I've been reading the archives and learned so much and have been so inspired by so many of the tribe here!

Thanks,
Denise

posted in Hepatitis C - 10 replies

Some Good Nws

2007-04-19T13:46:45Z

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/healthnews.php?newsid=67937 about the protease-Art

posted in Hepatitis C - 2 replies

Biopsy vs blood test

2007-03-03T21:04:59Z

Is anyone familiar with the blood test that rates the condition of the liver. I had both the biopsy and blood test. The blood test say I am F1-F2, the biopsy rates me F0. I have had 3 biopsies in the last 8 years all rating close to F0, the last one last year. I have had 2 of the blood test in the last 2 years and both rated me at F1-F2. My doctor believes that the biopsy is more believable. But there are some that think that the blood test is more believable. Opiniones?
Also, what are people doing to boost thier immune system?
the rating is F0 t0 F4. F0 being no damage.

Thanks

posted in Hepatitis C - 2 replies

Bee venom treatment trial for Hepatitis C

2007-02-11T20:02:27Z

I need two volunteers with HC for bee venom therapy. I have two clinics in L.A. and some experience of treating HB. Patients with HB response this treatment very well and total recovery were achieved.
The treatment will be free, I will provide the bee venom treatments and required medications for you, free of charge. The treatment will last one or two month, 4 or 8 office visit may be requested. The office duration will last one 30 minutes. The first visit will last one hour. I will give a bee venom allergy test to see if you are allergy to the venom. Tom

posted in Hepatitis C - 0 replies

Three month post treatment follow up....

2007-02-06T19:40:56Z

I just received my 3 mo post treatment lab results and considering the fact that I ended treatment 3 months early and this should be the night of my last shot instead of the day I get post treatment results.... needless to say, I was more than just a little worried about the results.

However, I'm still clear of the virus and liver functions are perfect!

I need to put on a little more weight and grow some more hair (LOL), but I feel GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, that's one post treatment lab down and a life time of them to go... but at least I now have hope.

I hope everyone else is doing well....

Big HUGS and Keep Smiling,
Tonjha

posted in Hepatitis C - 10 replies

New to Hepatitis C need some advice pls on doctors/ treatment

2007-02-06T08:44:27Z

Hi Folks,

I have recently been diagonosed with Hep C . Needless to say I was devastated and as I gradually began to accept it I found this wonderful community and am hoping to gain from you all.

I am 32 yr old in the SFO bay area. about 3-4 months ago I found out during routine tests that I have Hep C. probably contacted it some years back during some fertility treatment ...Trying to concieve since last 5 yrs now and undergone ivf unsuccesfully too to achieve the joy of a baby ..

My genome is 3 and viral count was 3 million as per my last test in september. I am looking for soem advice on a good hepatalogist in bay area. I saw Dr Joanne Imperial and found her quite ok... any other good docs in the area ?

We are also planning to give one last shot to IVF for a baby and not sure which one to choose first IVF / HEP C treatment.... pls advice ..

I am so scareed of the side effects and scarred to loose my hair ??

thanks and good luck to you all !!

Rbless

posted in Hepatitis C - 8 replies

A Koala Bear In The Big Apple

2007-01-03T14:48:12Z

A koala bear from Australia decided to take a vacation to New York City to enjoy a different culture. After arriving in New York and getting settled in at his hotel, the koala bear decided to take a walk.

After touring this adventurous city for a few hours he noticed several women on the side of the street strutting their stuff. The koala bear approached one of them and asked, "What are you doing?"

The woman replied "I'm a prostitute. Are you looking for a good time?"

The koala bear immediately replied yes.

"Do you wanna have sex?" the prostitute asked.

"Well, sure. I mean, I did come here to live up the true New York experience," said the bear with a grin on his face.

The prostitute grabbed the bear's hand and directed him to her apartment where they had sex. Soon after, the koala bear got out of bed and proceeded to the door. The prostitute yelled, "Where are you going?"

The bear told her that he was done and it was time for him to go.

"I'm a prostitute. You have to pay me!"

The bear said with a disgusted tone, "Since when do I have to pay for sex?"

The prostitute replied, "Everyone I have sex with has to pay. It's in the dictionary, look it up."

The koala bear agreed to pull out a dictionary from one of her shelves to look up the word "prostitute." It said, "A woman who has sex in exchange for money." The prostitute immediately started to chuckle and asked for her money.

The koala bear then remarked, "Okay, to make it even, why don't you look up the word koala bear?"

The prostitute grabbed the dictionary and looked up "koala bear." The bear said, "Go ahead, read it aloud!"

The prostitute read the definition out loud. "An Australian animal that eats bush and leaves."

posted in Hepatitis C - 0 replies

DARN.... Mood Stablizers After Years of Being Off Them

2006-12-07T16:58:34Z

Post Tx riba-rage is a reallity. I'm going back on mood stablizers after getting by with just a mild anti-deppressant for years now. Mood swings have been loud and clear since I got off treatment.

posted in Hepatitis C - 7 replies

Act Now... (please read this)

2006-12-04T18:21:53Z

This link allows you to send a form letter to your state senetor in suport of important legislation to increase funding for hep c awareness or something like that. It's simple and easy and dont take but a second.

http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/IMPACTC/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=480&t=DefaultTemplateBU.dwt

Heres your chance to make a difference people - be an activist!

posted in Hepatitis C - 1 reply

Passin Gas

2006-12-01T10:35:20Z

Been a little short on yuk yuks lately. Well have to get that clown off her keister.

http://www.mydailyfunnies.com/funnies/videos/beep.mpg

http://www.mydailyfunnies.com/funnies/videos/Baby.mpeg

posted in Hepatitis C - 11 replies

Laugh Riot

2006-11-21T14:00:51Z

I was watching a re-run of Saturday Night Live, and they had this skit called "Appallatian Emergency Room" a bunch of in-breds at the emergency room. It was so freakin funny, I laughed so hard my gut hurt.
This thread is for spreading of cheer. The best way to remember us people on treatment, is to make us laugh.
Let the yuck yucks flow...

posted in Hepatitis C - 103 replies

is

2006-11-13T18:11:27Z

i wanted to ask if anyone has experinced dark urine when they have hep c is that normal?

posted in Hepatitis C - 12 replies

off topic here but

2006-11-09T21:22:27Z

the glorious period of the last few weeks after I was told I had sustained viral response following treatment, is now over. I was told today that I have breast cancer. I don't know what I was thinking, I actually thought there was hope for me. What a stupid thing for me to do.

posted in Hepatitis C - 4 replies

OFF Treatment....

2006-11-09T20:36:51Z

Well, I talked the doctor into rewriting the perscription so that I could go back on the name Rebitol... then was give the offer to stop treatment... and TOOK IT!

I am totally at peace with this...

Today's Blog:
http://people.tribe.net/tonya/blog/a2ca8e08-6902-46ba-b5b0-57e478f50e49

Keep Smiling My Friends....

posted in Hepatitis C - 15 replies

Clearing with TCM herbs

2006-10-28T05:04:41Z

Hi, I've been lurking for a year or so. Hope I'm not intruding but I'm an acupuncturist in Los Angeles and been treating and studying HCV for a number of years. I'm certainly aware of Misha's work although haven't taken her class yet. A few years ago I went to China to look at their treatments, mainly in HBV. Although I've had success in lowering viral loads and normalizing enzymes I'm curious to know of persons who have cleared the virus with only herbs. This is a question all my patients ask and although I've only met one person who has claimed this.
thanks,
doug eisenstark L.Ac.

posted in Hepatitis C - 2 replies

Post Treatment Results

2006-10-16T16:00:13Z

Guess I'm going to be a full time student of living with hep c. My count is 3 million.

posted in Hepatitis C - 11 replies

A question for all who have tied combo treatment...

2006-10-16T15:14:08Z

I'm wondering who took the brand named Rebetol or did you use the generice Ribavirin when on the combo treatment with the Peg-Intron?

For the first 32 weeks of treatment I was on the Peg-Intron and Rebetol treatment. My side effects were fairly mild. The only side effects were a loss in weight and that I would tire a little easily. Of course I had the occassional flu symptoms and couple of headaches, but these were very few and fairly short lived. Usually only for an hour or so in the day or two after the shot.

Now my new insurance will not pay for the Rebetol, so I have been on the generic Ribavirin for the past couple of weeks. I now have constant headaches, daily flu symptoms, hot and cold spells everyday,.. I'm dizzy, tired, fog brain, and my heart about pounds out of my chest... I get depressed for no real reason... and today my eyes blurred to the point that I could not read... in short I feel like SHIT. All in two weeks, but still the doctor will not admit that I need to be back on the Rebetol and off the generic. If the doc would just write the perscription to read "Fill as Written", then I could go back on the Rebetol for an extra $20 per month. It probably does not help that my insurance in Humana... which never wants to pay anything... and always tries to have a say in treatment protocol. So, now I'm battling the system to make it through this without all the extra crap... while everyone tries to tell me that it is all in my head.

I was just wondering which one everyone else is either on... or has taken.... and what side effects they had with the one they were on. Everyone that I know of first hand, is on the generic and has always had a lot of side effect problems... I mentioned this to my doctor when I was first told that I had to switch (or pay) so now he says that it is all in my head. Well, I've got news for them... there were a lot more worries about side effects in the beginning of treatment. I kept waiting and looking and worried all the time about what side effect would begin and when.... but actually nothing much happened... no matter how much I waited... nothing. Now, in only two weeks I have become a physical mess, and it is just me talking myself into this.... and am making up side effects.... That's CRAP.

Sorry to be so negative guys.... but I'm PISSED and I'm going to war with the system!!!!

I only have 14 more of these damn shots to go... and I will not allow the system to derail it now. So, please... share your knowledge... I need the extra steam if I'm going to fight them on this... without letting the stress of the fight becoming too much for me to handle.

I plan on letting them know that WE ARE NOT DEAD MEN WALKING and I will not be treated this way... especially not just because the doctors allow the insurance company to call all of the shots.

After all, I pay them BOTH... so they work for ME. Besides, nobody should have to fight for the right to choose the best poison available... smiles
(see I do still have a since of humor... LOL)

Anyway, I'm just wanting to find out if others felt that the generic made them a lot sicker than was needed.

Keep Smiling.... and Keep Fighting,
Tonjha

posted in Hepatitis C - 5 replies

CPMC and USF Doctors

2006-10-15T03:50:10Z

For anyone in the Bay Area who may be interested, Quan Yin has been able to entice three different MDs from their liver unit to do hcv workshops on their specialties -

Next Saturday, October 21st, Natalie Bzowej (my doctor) is going to talk about interferon treatment and answer questions also.

On November 4th, Stewart Cooper, MD, is going to talk about Emerging Therapies (i.e., protease inhibitors, etc.). I heard him talk about this at the conference and it was very life affirming and hopeful. It was really great to hear how hard people are working out there to help us.

In December, Raphael Merriman of USF will present on Fatty Liver (NASH).

It would be great to meet any of you in person. We could have a real, rather than cyber, hug. And Tracey, it's okay, I know you can't make it.

posted in Hepatitis C - 0 replies

Watch out :)

2006-09-25T17:42:36Z

This is upsetting but I thought I should pass it along. Check your
drivers
license. Now you can see anyone's Driver's License on the Internet,
including your own! I just searched for mine and there it was picture
and
all!!

Thanks Homeland Security! Where are our rights?

I definitely removed mine. I suggest you do the same.

Go to the web site and check it out. Just enter your name, city and
state
to see if yours is on file. After your license comes on the screen,
click the box marked "Please Remove".

This will remove it from public viewing, but not from law enforcement.
http://www.license.shorturl.com/

LICENSE SEARCH-- VIEW

posted in Hepatitis C - 4 replies

do you

2006-09-13T22:33:19Z

hi there i wanted to know if there is more people like me that has been real tired i have no energy my side hurts so bad .... my stomach seems to be real bloted...amber thank you

posted in Hepatitis C - 21 replies

Friends Blog

2006-09-09T03:34:39Z

This blog post is from a dear friend of mine on myspace.
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=83065022&blogID=165437145&Mytoken=DC770764-3A7E-4B55-B00C60AF748A277B113473812

posted in Hepatitis C - 1 reply

Feelin back to my old self again

2006-09-04T11:38:32Z

There is life after ribaviron. Theres a new pep in my step and sum pride in my stride. Should have those pics to post later today.

posted in Hepatitis C - 3 replies

thank you

2006-08-28T17:24:07Z

thank you to all who has welcomed me and i'm sorry i have not responed but i have had alot of things bad happen in my life in the past couple of weeks my grandma passed away and my daughter i found out has hep c also and has kidney disesase and is on alist for a doner and this is very overwelming and hard for me to deal with she is only 4 years old..amber

posted in Hepatitis C - 3 replies

Hoosiers From Indiana

2006-08-28T10:58:57Z

Well I met Tonjha and her husband ( name withheld out of respect). She is very down to earth and and has a very sweet voice. They both have a hoosier accent which I thought sounded southern. After having Tojha go through some books I did'nt have room for
(she took them all - way to go Tonjha! Much appreciated.), we went out to eat at Bennigans.
Tonjha will be posting the picture we took standing in front of the Bennigans sign as soon as she gets back home.

It really felt good to discuss hep c frankly and openly in person with someone else who has it. Tonjha's husband was also knowledgeable about it and he was just real easy to talk to, like an old party buddy.

Oh yea, where are my manners, Tonjha can you tell your husband thank you for buying my dinner? - I forgot ( mabey just a little brain fog )

My thoughts afterward are that Tonjha is just like she is on tribe except she does'nt talk like an indian guru like she does in her blogs. Also, I came away from the experience emboldened (is that a word?) about speaking openly about my hep c. I was embarrassed
about it and only spoke about it in hushed tones when other people were near. But listening to Tonjha talk about it without any hint of embarrasment in that restaurant has somehow given me courage to not feel "less than" or inferior to other people.

God Bless You Tonjha,
You really are one of the beautifull people.

posted in Hepatitis C - 5 replies

Yeah.... the fun behind Hep-C and treatment.

2006-08-26T12:29:03Z

Well, it looks like I might be at the end of my treatment.

28 weeks in... non-detectable since week 5 and liver function doing great... but life can blind side you sometimes.

Now my company decides to hit me with a real whammy... Last week they changed our coverage, so now I have a new claim to submit. It appears that I will now have to come up with another annual deductabe to satisfy the new coverage requirements.... That is two annual coverages out of pocket in 6 months. Just to top off the deal... my company also sent me their first note since I have been on disability.... it was a $2000 invoice for the coverage paid during my leave. I had been told that they would cover it and work it out when I returned. Well two days after I return from disability leave.... I own them in full or coverage will be canceled.... WOW how nice of them. I mean a get well card ahead of time would have been nice.... LOL

So.... I go back to work in a week.... I do not have the money for the extra deductable nor do I have the money to repay the past coverage... so I will no longer have coverage. I guess, it appears that my shot last Friday was the end of it.

What a waste of time and money... Hell I should have just put my faith in Divine intervention from the very beginning... and saved myself all the crap of treatment.

Oh well.... such is Life.

Keep Smiling,
T

posted in Hepatitis C - 9 replies

Share Please

2006-08-22T15:30:46Z

I'm updating the resource chapter of a book on hcv. Please let me know of any websites or organizations or books etc. that have been hepful, er, helpful, to you dealing with hcv and treatment, if you are or have been on it. All information welcome. Thanks guys.

posted in Hepatitis C - 7 replies

i'm amber

2006-08-17T20:08:33Z

hi to everyone new here and wanted to introduce myself i'm amber i have hep c for about 6 years and don't know how i got it but wish i never had it...i'ts practically ruined my life...they told me i could have got it from the tattoes i got which were home made when i was a teenager but i really don't know how i really got it ....

posted in Hepatitis C - 10 replies

Hey Mike,

2006-08-16T21:29:43Z

How is it going? Have you created a groove from your door to Kaiser's front door? Are you feeling any better? Worse? Say No to that last question pls. Is there anything the tribe can do for you?

They say good news comes in 3s. 1) I'm undetectable, 2) vet just called and said new treatment for bisou appears to be working, i.e., hopefully slowing descent to kidney failure, and 3) this one is open for you. Don't disappoint me, now...

xo, b

posted in Hepatitis C - 15 replies

How's everyone doing?

2006-08-12T03:09:16Z

Just wondering how everyone was doing as it's quiet on here? Also wondering how the other Bev was getting along with her treatment?
Just wondering really???........

Tracey

posted in Hepatitis C - 32 replies

TOO SOON WE'RE OLD, TOO LATE WE'RE SMART*

2006-08-04T16:46:06Z

Too many people put off something that brings them joy just because
they haven't thought about it, don't have it on their schedule, didn't
know it was coming or are too rigid to depart from their routine.

I got to thinking one day about all those women on the Titanic who
passed up dessert at dinner that fateful night in an effort to cut
back.
From then on, I've tried to be a little more flexible.

How many women out there will eat at home because their husband didn't
suggest going out to dinner until after something had been thawed?
Does
the word "refrigeration" mean nothing to you?

How often have your kids dropped in to talk and sat in silence while
you watched 'Jeopardy' on television?

I cannot count the times I called my sister and said, "How about going
to lunch in a half hour?" She would gas up and stammer, "I can't. I
have clothes on the line. My hair is dirty. I wish I had known
yesterday, I had a late breakfast, It looks like rain." And my
personal
favorite: "It's Monday." She died a few years ago. We never did have
lunch together.

Because Americans cram so much into their lives, we tend to schedule
our headaches.. We live on a sparse diet of promises we make to
ourselves when all the conditions are perfect!

We'll go back and visit the grandparents when we get Steve
toilet-trained. We'll entertain when we replace the living-room carpet
We'll go on a second honeymoon when we get two more kids out of
college.

Life has a way of accelerating as we get older. The days get shorter,
and the list of promises to ourselves gets longer. One morning, we
awaken, and all we have to show for our l ives is a litany of "I'm
going
to," "I plan on," and "Someday, when things are settled down a bit."

When anyone calls my 'seize the moment' friend, she is open to
adventure and available for trips. She keeps an open mind on new
ideas.
Her enthusiasm for life is contagious. You talk with her for five
minutes, and you're ready to trade your bad feet for a pair of
Rollerblades and skip an elevator for a bungee cord.

My lips have not touched ice cream in 10 years. I love ice cream.
It's just that I might as well apply it directly to my stomach with a
spatula and eliminate the digestive process. The other day, I stopped
the car and bought a triple-decker. If my car had hit an iceberg on
the
way home, I would have died happy.

Now...go on and have a nice day. Do something you WANT to.....not
something on your SHOULD DO list. If you were going to die soon and had
only one phone call you could make, who would you call a nd what would
you say? And why are you waiting?

Make sure you read this to the end; you will understand why I sent this
to you.

Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go round or listened to
the rain lapping on the ground? Ever followed a butterfly's erratic
flight or gazed at the sun into the fading night? Do you run through
each day on the fly? When you ask "How are you? " Do you hear the
reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed with the next hundred
chores running through your head? Ever told your child, "We'll do it
tomorrow." And in your haste, not see his sorrow? Ever lost touch?
Let
a good friendship die? Just call to say "Hi"?

When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an unopened
gift....Thrown away.... Life is not a race. Take it slower. Hear the
music before the song is over.

It's National Friendship and FAMILY WEEK Show your friends how much
you care. Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND. If it comes
back to you, then you'll know you have a circle of friends.

To those I have sent this to... I cherish our friendship and appreciate
all you do.

"Life may not be the party we hoped for... but while we are here, we
might as well dance!"

posted in Hepatitis C - 0 replies

Description Of Hepatitis C

2006-07-31T19:29:17Z

I am going to write a brief description of Hepatitis C for a group I'm starting at another site. What are some of the main points I should highlight in this description?

posted in Hepatitis C - 4 replies

Hi Everybody

2006-07-26T18:08:28Z

I begin week #37 of treatment tonight. Doing fine. Ive been getting out around people more lately and it certainly is a challenge not to reveal too much about myself by complaining about the meds or making excuses about why I'm just not right. So I'm learning some new non-selfish social skills and asking people about themselves and how they are doing and in general keeping the focus off of myself.

I will have some new pics to post later today. Hows everybody doing?

posted in Hepatitis C - 18 replies

Hey Mike No Mohauk, How Ya Doin?

2006-07-26T18:06:37Z

Hey Mike No Mohauk, how ya doin?

posted in Hepatitis C - 26 replies

Toxic Waste Dump

2006-07-26T03:53:10Z

Greetings everyone. I will be spending the morning at the toxic waste dump, i.e., new construction, carpet, paint, enamel, glue, etc. Upon entering my face will start burning, I will get sick to my stomach, dizzy and unable to think. Unfortunately I will need to run the meeting so I am just delighted at my upcoming day.

I went to an alternative clinic once and did all kinds of treatments for mis-diagnosed chronic fatigue syndrome. When they were raided by the fda, I got out. Ever since then I cannot be around chemicals, perfumes make me sick, soap w/fragrance makes me want to throw up, etc. It didn't get worse on treatment because it couldn't. Ha ha. For those of you new folks I did fly to NY next to fragrance laden people and had to breathe through my scarf all night.

Do you folks have the same problem?

posted in Hepatitis C - 3 replies

So how do we keep our liver healthy....?

2006-07-25T20:29:35Z

I've heard several different things in keeping a healthy liver but what really IS necessary besides the no alcohol? My Dr. is moving to Georgia- I went to see him yesterday to see what our game plan is and to also tell him I was contemplating going to Loma Linda. He told me that given my "weirdness" and response to treatment he feels I am better served at an Academic facility such as UCLA or Loma Linda and that there was really no one here locally he felt could handle me. But at the 3 mo. mark when I was taken off tx in May my viral load was 0 and he said it could very well stay at 0 for all we know. So I am left to find a new doctor who will undoubtedly check my viral load but for arguments sake..... it's now July, lets pretend I could still be at 0...anyway that you guys know of to keep myself at 0? To keep my liver healthy? I once in a great while will have one drink, like on my b-day, I don't eat greasy or fast foods, I take my vitamins (sometimes), I try to drink plenty of water, I do detox teas about 3-4 times a week, but I can't give up the starbucks. I'll allow myself one about 3 times a week.... any ideas or helpful info...? My new GP/Internist can't see me till Oct. and if my viral load is up I'll make the move to Loma Linda.

posted in Hepatitis C - 18 replies

Back To Work

2006-07-24T19:02:21Z

I was doing alot of physical activity anyway and proved to myself that I can get er done when I need to, so I decided to go back to work at my junkyard job. It's alot of hot, sweaty, heavy lifting but I'm doing well with it. The only bad thing is I've taken up smoking cigarettes again (half a pack a day). I'm eating healthy and drinking twice as much water, I just hope I'm not making all this time on treatment for nothing by smoking again.

Just thought I'd let you all know why I'm not around as much anymore.

posted in Hepatitis C - 3 replies

Kinda New-Kinda Not

2006-07-21T10:42:34Z

Hi Tribe,

My name is Jane, I've known that I had HepC geno type 1a since back November 2005. How or how long I've had this is un-important. I started treatment of Pegasys & Copegus on Sunday May 21, 2006. I kinda stumped apond this group back in November 2005 among many other HepC support group sites. In fact I started a forum of my own. I must say that this group is among the best I have been reading since November. You all have such great attitudes and I truely believe "attitude" is an important role in dealing with this. So, you may ask, Why have I been sitting back on the sidelines before now? Good question, but I haven't a clue as to why I've been silent! Today thought, I'm changing all that. My viral load back in November was 969,000. Last night was week 8. Eight down, forty to go. On June 19th after 4 weeks of treatment another viral load was taken, today I just got back from my doc, he said that viral load showed non-detectable! I haven't had any real bad sides, infact almost zip zero sides. Secretly, I was scared that the meds wasn't doing anything. Oh, I've had some brain-fog but I've had some of that before treatment, I've had some slight depression, my self medication that cures that is to blow it off and get busy so I don't have time to think about it, a few aches & pains here & there, nothing to get excited over. Sherrill, my oldest daughter is named Sherrill spelled the same way as yours & I loved your hair or no hair that I also cut all my locks off too. It was time to get real with myself, I just didn't want to fuss with my hair anymore, besides it's not about looking fabulous to anyone anymore, besides now I can truely wash & go! Brock, so many times you have had me actually "pimp" (peeing in my pants), you are so humorous, and Beverly you are one smart cookie! You all are just a great bunch of folks! Thanks!

Catfish

posted in Hepatitis C - 18 replies

six month pcr

2006-07-21T10:26:48Z

Hey, just had my six month pcr today and it was negative. Woooopppeee!

I still can't believe it. It's dead for life. It makes all the horrible stinking treatment worth it now.

It can be done.

Love to all

Tracey

posted in Hepatitis C - 6 replies

Ggggggggggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr,

2006-07-20T11:38:11Z

Sometimes I just wannta smack the crap out of my primary care doctor. Instead of checking with my specialist for HepC, she tried to send me to another specialist because my platets are low. I've had her for over 26 years, I think it's time to find a new primary care doc before I go off on this witch! No, it's not the treatments making me crappy, she's always been a witch! LOL............

posted in Hepatitis C - 5 replies

Still Smokin Pot?

2006-07-17T18:33:38Z

Treatment has left my face looking like I am permenantly STONED.
These are the comments I've been getting from people I know when I see them out and about.

" Your lookin kinda ruff Brock"

" Still smoking that shit"?

I dont smoke, drink or smoke pot anymore.

"No No No No I dont smoke it no more, I'm tired of waking up on the floor. No thank you please it only makes me sneeze, then it makes it hard to find a door".

posted in Hepatitis C - 8 replies

'New guy on the block'

2006-07-17T18:27:25Z

Hi,
My name is charles March aka 'chip'. About a month ago I had physical (can't spell either) smile! and a week later got THE CALL. At that time, can't say I knew anything bot Hep. But started to read and learn. I found out last week that I am a 1-B. Did have a shot to immunize vs a & b and will have another in 30 days then 6 months. I think then the REAL work begins.
A part of me is very scared - BUT I know that my lord Jesus will protect me and nothing will happen to me that He dosen't allow, I AM a christian First and I know this will be His Will in whatever happens to this 'shell' of mine.
I got this dragon in the 60's & early 70's when my ONLY care was drugs - drugs - and more drugs, Don't forget the drinking mass quanities of booze. It was a pretty sad life that I was living.
As a result of my lifestyle I visited 'the land that time forgot' for about 30 years.
I have been "clean and sober now for about 16 years (dec '92). But to be honest, over the past two months I've had 2 six packs of beer. No more period, my promise to the world and more importantly - myself.
I will do all in my power to kill the dragon - and live a healthy life style.
I can ramble on but, in the intrest(s) of boring you-all I'll stop here.
I am building a true support network and hope that you will be am intergral part of it.
thanx
God Bless You All & all you love.
chip

posted in Hepatitis C - 11 replies

New to this Board

2006-07-15T10:47:15Z

Hi there Hep C Tribe
This is my first time on this board, so excuse any mistakes I made (double posts, picture posts, whatever). I'm a 50 year old woman who recently found out I have HepC-1b VL+1Million, Stage 1 liver disease (fibrosis). For a month I cried hysterically and couldn't get a grip. I wouldn't even take the Pegasis Information Kit out of the doctor's office. I have a supportive husband (usually) a grown son and a grandson. The rest of my family lives in Florida. The doctor determined (after some very truthful discussion) I aquired this some 30 years ago. How paradoxical: For the past 20 years, I've been professionally and academically pushing myself beyond limits to make up for all the wasted, distructive youthful years. Well, they caught up anyway. I begin TX today and have already called in sick. I'm a School Library Media Specialist (formally called librarian;) and I adore my job. I'm terrified the SX wil negatively effect my performance. I will have July and August off to get used to the TX. I was going to wait until then, but after reading a lot and speaking to people, I decided to jump right in. No time is better than now. I hope to make some genuine friends on this board and maybe even meet up with some New Yorkers (city) Upstate is too far as I barely drive as it is. Well that's my story and I'd like to be an active member of your board.
Fondly,
Bev

posted in Hepatitis C - 50 replies

I'm back

2006-07-12T04:08:14Z

Figured it was about time to post something in veiw of my semi hiatus and current condition. As many of you know I am awaiting a liver transplant, well in the past week my ascites and edema is no longer controlable by the meds I was on, this after increasing the dosage four fold. I was told my Bellirueban count is way up and I might show signs of yellowish skin and eyes soon (attractive huh?) I seem to be throwing up every several days and my nusea level has risen to a noticable point. On top of this I can barely eat because of he bloating and if I eat a little too much I throw up (beleive me I am eating very tiny portions but even those are too much sometimes. I also am having problems defecating properly and my platlet count is down.

I am told that this is related to either my liver not secreating properly and/or blood not flowing through my circulatory system properly. They are still figuring out how they want to attack this, I know part of it is they need to stimulate the different parts to get a proper flow going...

Anyway good to be back here...

posted in Hepatitis C - 19 replies

Brain Fog - Or Just Plain Stupidity

2006-07-11T21:54:25Z

I went to the department of motor vehicles at 6:30 this morning so I could be first in line for the hearing officer. While he was screening my papers before the hearing, he found one thing that I forgot (something very simple that I knew I needed, but just plain forgot.)
Now I have to go back at 1:15 this afternoon to see how many people are waiting and if I will be able to get in for a hearing today.

I want to scream and break stuff! Life just isnt fair. I just want my constitutional right to freely travel. Evertime I think I'm close to reaching my goal, there is always some technicality to throw a monkey wrench in my forward progress. I hate what these freakin drugs do to my mind and memory!

posted in Hepatitis C - 8 replies

Vertex?

2006-07-08T16:55:42Z

http://www.vpharm.com/clinicaltrials.html

Anyone heared about clinical trials for this new treatment on the wire?

posted in Hepatitis C - 5 replies

Done - kinda

2006-07-05T15:21:45Z

The last shot has been delivered. I don't know why, but I am bawling my eyes out right now. These aren't tears of joy or of relief. They're just tears. And lots of them.

I'm also freaked out because this shot bled quite a bit.

I still have two weeks of the nasty mean pills left. But no more shots.

Why the hell am I crying so hard? Shouldn't I be celebrating?

Damned drugs!

posted in Hepatitis C - 5 replies

Almost There!!!

2006-06-30T20:53:10Z

I have been a real slacker when it comes to this community. I get the e-mails every day but haven't posted in forever. Thanks to the treatment, I don't come out from under my rock very often (the light bothers me).

But I had to share my excitement. I just took shot #47. My last shot is July 4. Due to some screwy things that happened with the timing of my shots, my last pills won't be until July 14. I can't believe this living hell is almost over.

TO THOSE OF YOU JUST STARTING OUT, PLEASE HANG IN THERE. YOU CAN DO IT!!

Oddly enough, I'm more scared about ending the treatment than I was about beginning. I think it's a fear of the unknown. When I started I knew what I was in for. Once I quit ingesting and shooting up these drugs, I have no idea how long it's going to take me to get my life, health, eyes and brain back - if ever.

One thing I want to do when this is all over is destroy my purple bucket. I have carried that damned thing around with me every single day to catch whatever my body might decide to spew out. I think I'm going to break it up into tiny pieces and make stepping stones for my garden. That way I can walk all over the miserable thing and never forget this time.

posted in Hepatitis C - 5 replies

That's it!!!

2006-06-30T20:51:15Z

That's it- I've had it with these D*** doctors. After seeing this new one who I thought was going to work out well, I called to inform him the meds he gave me to try to get my system back on track were making me more ill. What does he do...... Refers me to a SHRINK!!!!!!
So much for the "we are in this marathon together" BullS***!!

I think I am going to just take matters into my own hands, give myself 6months to recover, build my body back up and then start all over.

posted in Hepatitis C - 7 replies