Re: Hi all...with an update

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/9/2004 5:15:24 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

tatezi@... writes:

Are you in cherry blossom season? You are in Virginia as I recall. I've

always said that some year I'd go visit my cousin in andria during cherry

blossom season.

We're a little too far South, but we do have an ornamental weeping cherry.

It's blooms are about gone. It really is beautiful.

I'm praying that the lesser dose of Ribavirin will do the trick for you.

Anemia wasn't the worst of my problems on treatment, but it was the symptom that

I carried with me the longest. Miserable is accurate. I certainly slowed

down on the cigs then, but can't seem to drop them completely. As many people

as

I see walking around with oxygen tanks, you'd think I'd take heed.

I don't know where I got the idea that being spokesperson for Pegasys was

going to be a paying job. Nevertheless, it's still wonderful that your helping

to keep everyone informed. I don't know what my treatment options are going to

be, but I'm not looking forward to any of it. I'll have to do some serious

thinking before I jump in. My viral load has decreased, since the last check,

thank God. So I may just keep on keeping on. We'll see.

At any rate, get lots of rest and take care. We need you.

Anne

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/9/2004 5:15:24 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

tatezi@... writes:

Are you in cherry blossom season? You are in Virginia as I recall. I've

always said that some year I'd go visit my cousin in andria during cherry

blossom season.

We're a little too far South, but we do have an ornamental weeping cherry.

It's blooms are about gone. It really is beautiful.

I'm praying that the lesser dose of Ribavirin will do the trick for you.

Anemia wasn't the worst of my problems on treatment, but it was the symptom that

I carried with me the longest. Miserable is accurate. I certainly slowed

down on the cigs then, but can't seem to drop them completely. As many people

as

I see walking around with oxygen tanks, you'd think I'd take heed.

I don't know where I got the idea that being spokesperson for Pegasys was

going to be a paying job. Nevertheless, it's still wonderful that your helping

to keep everyone informed. I don't know what my treatment options are going to

be, but I'm not looking forward to any of it. I'll have to do some serious

thinking before I jump in. My viral load has decreased, since the last check,

thank God. So I may just keep on keeping on. We'll see.

At any rate, get lots of rest and take care. We need you.

Anne

[Guest guest]

Hi Tatezi

Congrats on the non smoking.....it's such a struggle and one I haven't won yet.

I think it's wise to not take any iron....I really am hoping by dropping a riba

pill that you'll feel better. I haven't been keeping up with my emails so I

haven't read yet what's going on but I gather from your answer that you're

feeling really tired. I know you monitor your thyroid but have you done that

lately? Praying for ya girlfriend, so hang in there....you're my

inspiration....meow.

Hugggggs

Carol

Re: Hi all...with an update

Are you in cherry blossom season? You are in Virginia as I recall. I've always

said that some year I'd go visit my cousin in andria during cherry blossom

season.

Sweet potato muffins...sounds absolutely delicious. My mouth is watering at

the thought of them.

I've not done any iron...I going to see what happens by dropping that extra

ribavarinn once a day. I'm sure I will know if that is working because I've

discovered anemia to be almost debilitating.

Yeah, the smoking thing...it just sorta happened. Maybe it was the effects of

the anemia I was beginning to feel that made me decide not to smoke that first

day. I still don't say I've quit because in my mind I will probably always be a

smoker. But I'm not smoking today.

The spokesperson stuff for Pegasys is not a job...I'm not paid to do it and

will stay at my wonderful grassroots, not-for-profit organization. Even if it

were a paying job, I would not leave my organization. It's not often you get a

job where you are paid to fight for the social causes you already fight for

free.

Enjoy your weekend and don't forget I'm still drooling over sweet potato

muffins.

Tatezi

We've been enjoying Spring, too. The veggies are planted the flowers are

blooming and the daffodils are nodding there heads. Today I am baking sweet

potato muffins for the breakfast following Sunrise Service. ... Did anybody

suggest an Iron tablet to you? ... but they do help. ... Is treatment keeping

you from your new position?

[Guest guest]

Hi Tatezi

Congrats on the non smoking.....it's such a struggle and one I haven't won yet.

I think it's wise to not take any iron....I really am hoping by dropping a riba

pill that you'll feel better. I haven't been keeping up with my emails so I

haven't read yet what's going on but I gather from your answer that you're

feeling really tired. I know you monitor your thyroid but have you done that

lately? Praying for ya girlfriend, so hang in there....you're my

inspiration....meow.

Hugggggs

Carol

Re: Hi all...with an update

Are you in cherry blossom season? You are in Virginia as I recall. I've always

said that some year I'd go visit my cousin in andria during cherry blossom

season.

Sweet potato muffins...sounds absolutely delicious. My mouth is watering at

the thought of them.

I've not done any iron...I going to see what happens by dropping that extra

ribavarinn once a day. I'm sure I will know if that is working because I've

discovered anemia to be almost debilitating.

Yeah, the smoking thing...it just sorta happened. Maybe it was the effects of

the anemia I was beginning to feel that made me decide not to smoke that first

day. I still don't say I've quit because in my mind I will probably always be a

smoker. But I'm not smoking today.

The spokesperson stuff for Pegasys is not a job...I'm not paid to do it and

will stay at my wonderful grassroots, not-for-profit organization. Even if it

were a paying job, I would not leave my organization. It's not often you get a

job where you are paid to fight for the social causes you already fight for

free.

Enjoy your weekend and don't forget I'm still drooling over sweet potato

muffins.

Tatezi

We've been enjoying Spring, too. The veggies are planted the flowers are

blooming and the daffodils are nodding there heads. Today I am baking sweet

potato muffins for the breakfast following Sunrise Service. ... Did anybody

suggest an Iron tablet to you? ... but they do help. ... Is treatment keeping

you from your new position?

[Guest guest]

Hi Tatezi

Congrats on the non smoking.....it's such a struggle and one I haven't won yet.

I think it's wise to not take any iron....I really am hoping by dropping a riba

pill that you'll feel better. I haven't been keeping up with my emails so I

haven't read yet what's going on but I gather from your answer that you're

feeling really tired. I know you monitor your thyroid but have you done that

lately? Praying for ya girlfriend, so hang in there....you're my

inspiration....meow.

Hugggggs

Carol

Re: Hi all...with an update

Are you in cherry blossom season? You are in Virginia as I recall. I've always

said that some year I'd go visit my cousin in andria during cherry blossom

season.

Sweet potato muffins...sounds absolutely delicious. My mouth is watering at

the thought of them.

I've not done any iron...I going to see what happens by dropping that extra

ribavarinn once a day. I'm sure I will know if that is working because I've

discovered anemia to be almost debilitating.

Yeah, the smoking thing...it just sorta happened. Maybe it was the effects of

the anemia I was beginning to feel that made me decide not to smoke that first

day. I still don't say I've quit because in my mind I will probably always be a

smoker. But I'm not smoking today.

The spokesperson stuff for Pegasys is not a job...I'm not paid to do it and

will stay at my wonderful grassroots, not-for-profit organization. Even if it

were a paying job, I would not leave my organization. It's not often you get a

job where you are paid to fight for the social causes you already fight for

free.

Enjoy your weekend and don't forget I'm still drooling over sweet potato

muffins.

Tatezi

We've been enjoying Spring, too. The veggies are planted the flowers are

blooming and the daffodils are nodding there heads. Today I am baking sweet

potato muffins for the breakfast following Sunrise Service. ... Did anybody

suggest an Iron tablet to you? ... but they do help. ... Is treatment keeping

you from your new position?

[Guest guest]

Hi Tatezi

Congrats on the non smoking.....it's such a struggle and one I haven't won yet.

I think it's wise to not take any iron....I really am hoping by dropping a riba

pill that you'll feel better. I haven't been keeping up with my emails so I

haven't read yet what's going on but I gather from your answer that you're

feeling really tired. I know you monitor your thyroid but have you done that

lately? Praying for ya girlfriend, so hang in there....you're my

inspiration....meow.

Hugggggs

Carol

Re: Hi all...with an update

Are you in cherry blossom season? You are in Virginia as I recall. I've always

said that some year I'd go visit my cousin in andria during cherry blossom

season.

Sweet potato muffins...sounds absolutely delicious. My mouth is watering at

the thought of them.

I've not done any iron...I going to see what happens by dropping that extra

ribavarinn once a day. I'm sure I will know if that is working because I've

discovered anemia to be almost debilitating.

Yeah, the smoking thing...it just sorta happened. Maybe it was the effects of

the anemia I was beginning to feel that made me decide not to smoke that first

day. I still don't say I've quit because in my mind I will probably always be a

smoker. But I'm not smoking today.

The spokesperson stuff for Pegasys is not a job...I'm not paid to do it and

will stay at my wonderful grassroots, not-for-profit organization. Even if it

were a paying job, I would not leave my organization. It's not often you get a

job where you are paid to fight for the social causes you already fight for

free.

Enjoy your weekend and don't forget I'm still drooling over sweet potato

muffins.

Tatezi

We've been enjoying Spring, too. The veggies are planted the flowers are

blooming and the daffodils are nodding there heads. Today I am baking sweet

potato muffins for the breakfast following Sunrise Service. ... Did anybody

suggest an Iron tablet to you? ... but they do help. ... Is treatment keeping

you from your new position?

[Guest guest]

Hi Carol...

My TSH was high a couple months ago and we upped my synthroid to 225mcg. My TSH

is due to be checked again in a week...but this is anemia without a doubt.

Actually I had planned to have him check my thyroid when I went in last week

(I've been going in twice a month the last 6 weeks because they've been keeping

an eye on my plateletts) because that is the way I felt. But my hemoglobin is at

4% and normal is 12%-16%...I am most definitely very anemic. So of course I did

my research and wow, the symptoms of anemia and high TSH are pretty much the

same. So I'm going to hope the drop in the ribavarinn will help...I only have 10

more weeks to get through.

And I doubt I will actually quit smoking...I think you have to think of yourself

as a non smoker and I've never been able to do that. I like smoking...cigarettes

have been my constant companion for 38 years. The longest I've ever gone with

not smoking is 3 months. And ofcourse when I'm able to breathe again....

Re: Hi all...with an update

Hi Tatezi

Congrats on the non smoking.....it's such a struggle and one I haven't won

yet. I think it's wise to not take any iron....I really am hoping by dropping a

riba pill that you'll feel better. I haven't been keeping up with my emails so

I haven't read yet what's going on but I gather from your answer that you're

feeling really tired. I know you monitor your thyroid but have you done that

lately? Praying for ya girlfriend, so hang in there....you're my

inspiration....meow.

Hugggggs

Carol

[Guest guest]

Hi Carol...

My TSH was high a couple months ago and we upped my synthroid to 225mcg. My TSH

is due to be checked again in a week...but this is anemia without a doubt.

Actually I had planned to have him check my thyroid when I went in last week

(I've been going in twice a month the last 6 weeks because they've been keeping

an eye on my plateletts) because that is the way I felt. But my hemoglobin is at

4% and normal is 12%-16%...I am most definitely very anemic. So of course I did

my research and wow, the symptoms of anemia and high TSH are pretty much the

same. So I'm going to hope the drop in the ribavarinn will help...I only have 10

more weeks to get through.

And I doubt I will actually quit smoking...I think you have to think of yourself

as a non smoker and I've never been able to do that. I like smoking...cigarettes

have been my constant companion for 38 years. The longest I've ever gone with

not smoking is 3 months. And ofcourse when I'm able to breathe again....

Re: Hi all...with an update

Hi Tatezi

Congrats on the non smoking.....it's such a struggle and one I haven't won

yet. I think it's wise to not take any iron....I really am hoping by dropping a

riba pill that you'll feel better. I haven't been keeping up with my emails so

I haven't read yet what's going on but I gather from your answer that you're

feeling really tired. I know you monitor your thyroid but have you done that

lately? Praying for ya girlfriend, so hang in there....you're my

inspiration....meow.

Hugggggs

Carol

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Anne....

If this anemia doesn't get resolved and I end up having to go off treatment, at

least this time I made it to undetectable at the half way point so still might

be able to sustain the response. And if not...I 'll ask for a biopsy and

depending on that, will determine if I will try again.

Tatezi

Re: Hi all...with an update

In a message dated 4/9/2004 5:15:24 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

tatezi@... writes:

Are you in cherry blossom season? You are in Virginia as I recall. I've

always said that some year I'd go visit my cousin in andria during cherry

blossom season.

We're a little too far South, but we do have an ornamental weeping cherry.

It's blooms are about gone. It really is beautiful.

I'm praying that the lesser dose of Ribavirin will do the trick for you.

Anemia wasn't the worst of my problems on treatment, but it was the symptom

that

I carried with me the longest. Miserable is accurate. I certainly slowed

down on the cigs then, but can't seem to drop them completely. As many people

as

I see walking around with oxygen tanks, you'd think I'd take heed.

I don't know where I got the idea that being spokesperson for Pegasys was

going to be a paying job. Nevertheless, it's still wonderful that your

helping

to keep everyone informed. I don't know what my treatment options are going to

be, but I'm not looking forward to any of it. I'll have to do some serious

thinking before I jump in. My viral load has decreased, since the last check,

thank God. So I may just keep on keeping on. We'll see.

At any rate, get lots of rest and take care. We need you.

Anne

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Anne....

If this anemia doesn't get resolved and I end up having to go off treatment, at

least this time I made it to undetectable at the half way point so still might

be able to sustain the response. And if not...I 'll ask for a biopsy and

depending on that, will determine if I will try again.

Tatezi

Re: Hi all...with an update

In a message dated 4/9/2004 5:15:24 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

tatezi@... writes:

Are you in cherry blossom season? You are in Virginia as I recall. I've

always said that some year I'd go visit my cousin in andria during cherry

blossom season.

We're a little too far South, but we do have an ornamental weeping cherry.

It's blooms are about gone. It really is beautiful.

I'm praying that the lesser dose of Ribavirin will do the trick for you.

Anemia wasn't the worst of my problems on treatment, but it was the symptom

that

I carried with me the longest. Miserable is accurate. I certainly slowed

down on the cigs then, but can't seem to drop them completely. As many people

as

I see walking around with oxygen tanks, you'd think I'd take heed.

I don't know where I got the idea that being spokesperson for Pegasys was

going to be a paying job. Nevertheless, it's still wonderful that your

helping

to keep everyone informed. I don't know what my treatment options are going to

be, but I'm not looking forward to any of it. I'll have to do some serious

thinking before I jump in. My viral load has decreased, since the last check,

thank God. So I may just keep on keeping on. We'll see.

At any rate, get lots of rest and take care. We need you.

Anne

[Guest guest]

Well Tatezi....please rest as much as possible until you can get back to

normal....I know it can't be easy with work and home life but dust bunnies can

be our friends too ;-) At least it works for me LOL.

Huggggs

Carol

Re: Hi all...with an update

Hi Tatezi

Congrats on the non smoking.....it's such a struggle and one I haven't won

yet. I think it's wise to not take any iron....I really am hoping by dropping a

riba pill that you'll feel better. I haven't been keeping up with my emails so

I haven't read yet what's going on but I gather from your answer that you're

feeling really tired. I know you monitor your thyroid but have you done that

lately? Praying for ya girlfriend, so hang in there....you're my

inspiration....meow.

Hugggggs

Carol

[Guest guest]

Well Tatezi....please rest as much as possible until you can get back to

normal....I know it can't be easy with work and home life but dust bunnies can

be our friends too ;-) At least it works for me LOL.

Huggggs

Carol

Re: Hi all...with an update

Hi Tatezi

Congrats on the non smoking.....it's such a struggle and one I haven't won

yet. I think it's wise to not take any iron....I really am hoping by dropping a

riba pill that you'll feel better. I haven't been keeping up with my emails so

I haven't read yet what's going on but I gather from your answer that you're

feeling really tired. I know you monitor your thyroid but have you done that

lately? Praying for ya girlfriend, so hang in there....you're my

inspiration....meow.

Hugggggs

Carol

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/9/2004 10:16:14 PM Eastern Daylight Time, csean@...

writes:

Well Tatezi....please rest as much as possible until you can get back to

normal....I know it can't be easy with work and home life but dust bunnies can

be

our friends too ;-) At least it works for me LOL.

Dust bunnies have been my friends for over 48 years................and will

continue to be. I'm rather fond have cat hair, too.........:-)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/9/2004 10:16:14 PM Eastern Daylight Time, csean@...

writes:

Well Tatezi....please rest as much as possible until you can get back to

normal....I know it can't be easy with work and home life but dust bunnies can

be

our friends too ;-) At least it works for me LOL.

Dust bunnies have been my friends for over 48 years................and will

continue to be. I'm rather fond have cat hair, too.........:-)

[Guest guest]

Claudine....

I'm in pretty awful shape...I will admit that. Don't like admitting it, but

sometimes I have to be realistic. Been sleeping a whole lot (we were off

yesterday). The intern I saw this week at County actually gave me his pager

number and said if I felt worse to page him and get to the emergency room. So I

knew it was serious....county interns do not give out their pager numbers. But

of course they wouldn't tell a mere mortal anything about what was happening to

me. That's why I posted my update...I needed you guys and your knowledge.

And you are right about the dragging myself places. I live on the second floor

and after a few steps I have to sit down to not only catch my breath but to slow

down my heartrate. I've been leaving an half hour early for work because it's

the same thing with the stairs on the elevated. This has been going on for a

month now...and they've been running weekly CBCs tracking my platelettes...guess

they didn't pay attention to anything else. I looked back to my last lab and my

hemoglobin was at 6...surely that would have rung some warning bells to a real

doctor.

I was unaware of the danger I was in until I came home from County and did some

research...damn, you can die from severe anemia. My skin has no color to it...my

face is actually a pasty white. And once I get up and move to a different

location...I stay there as long as possible.

A friend drove 100 miles to come to the city to take me out to do my errands

yesterday...apparently he knew the danger I was in. But those interns at County

should have informed me of what to avoid...they never mentioned that if I

overextended myself I could have a heart attack. All they said was that if it

gets worse to page them and go to the emergency room. They didn't even warn me

to watch for chest pains.

Why they didn't prescribe procrit or epogen...I don't know. But if it does get

worse, I will go to a hospital....even though I don't have insurance, I will go

to a real hospital because I sure would not trust County with a blood

transfusion...especially now that I know how dangerous this is.

My doc (my doc of years and years who has been working with me all this time of

no insurance) was on vacation last week...I did call him to discuss this and ask

him to prescribe procrit or something for me. Darn, he's always there for me in

a crisis and this time he's on vacation.

So this is what I'm doing...maybe you can tell me if I can hold off until Monday

when my doc is back. With my friend to drive me around yesterday I got my

errands done. I had a major pigeon rescue this morning so went to breakfast with

my friends who helped in the rescue. I don't plan on leaving the house all

weekend. The only chores I will do are laundry...no cleaning house. I try to

stay in one location...but even sitting here typing I am breathless. They gave

me non-steroid inhalers to help with the breathlessness. Have to admit, I'm not

doing them as often as they prescribed...the back of my throat is so sore and my

voice is gone...man, they are nasty. I've taken the cardboard from a roll of

paper towels, lined it with foil on the inside and taped the inhaler to the end

so hopefully the air will help dilute what I'm inhaling (us old hippies still

remember little tricks like that <g>). And other than staying still as much as

possible that's my game plan until I can talk to my real doc on Monday.

Anything else I should avoid to make it through the weekend?

Tatezi

Re: Hi all...with an update

Tatezi!

Did I miss something? Let me get this straight - your hemoglobin is

** 4% **??!! Any person who presented to a hospital/ER with a

hemoglobin that low would be receiving a blood transfusion! I can't

believe they have let it get this low. You should be on Procrit or

Epogen. Dropping one riba capsule (if I'm reading this right) will

probably not make the difference that needs to be made as fast as it

needs to be made. With a Hgb of 4 I'm surprised you can drag yourself

out of bed and up to a computer to type anything. If you get to

feeling worse, please go to an ER. An Hgb of only 4 is dangerous.

Claudine

[Guest guest]

Claudine....

I'm in pretty awful shape...I will admit that. Don't like admitting it, but

sometimes I have to be realistic. Been sleeping a whole lot (we were off

yesterday). The intern I saw this week at County actually gave me his pager

number and said if I felt worse to page him and get to the emergency room. So I

knew it was serious....county interns do not give out their pager numbers. But

of course they wouldn't tell a mere mortal anything about what was happening to

me. That's why I posted my update...I needed you guys and your knowledge.

And you are right about the dragging myself places. I live on the second floor

and after a few steps I have to sit down to not only catch my breath but to slow

down my heartrate. I've been leaving an half hour early for work because it's

the same thing with the stairs on the elevated. This has been going on for a

month now...and they've been running weekly CBCs tracking my platelettes...guess

they didn't pay attention to anything else. I looked back to my last lab and my

hemoglobin was at 6...surely that would have rung some warning bells to a real

doctor.

I was unaware of the danger I was in until I came home from County and did some

research...damn, you can die from severe anemia. My skin has no color to it...my

face is actually a pasty white. And once I get up and move to a different

location...I stay there as long as possible.

A friend drove 100 miles to come to the city to take me out to do my errands

yesterday...apparently he knew the danger I was in. But those interns at County

should have informed me of what to avoid...they never mentioned that if I

overextended myself I could have a heart attack. All they said was that if it

gets worse to page them and go to the emergency room. They didn't even warn me

to watch for chest pains.

Why they didn't prescribe procrit or epogen...I don't know. But if it does get

worse, I will go to a hospital....even though I don't have insurance, I will go

to a real hospital because I sure would not trust County with a blood

transfusion...especially now that I know how dangerous this is.

My doc (my doc of years and years who has been working with me all this time of

no insurance) was on vacation last week...I did call him to discuss this and ask

him to prescribe procrit or something for me. Darn, he's always there for me in

a crisis and this time he's on vacation.

So this is what I'm doing...maybe you can tell me if I can hold off until Monday

when my doc is back. With my friend to drive me around yesterday I got my

errands done. I had a major pigeon rescue this morning so went to breakfast with

my friends who helped in the rescue. I don't plan on leaving the house all

weekend. The only chores I will do are laundry...no cleaning house. I try to

stay in one location...but even sitting here typing I am breathless. They gave

me non-steroid inhalers to help with the breathlessness. Have to admit, I'm not

doing them as often as they prescribed...the back of my throat is so sore and my

voice is gone...man, they are nasty. I've taken the cardboard from a roll of

paper towels, lined it with foil on the inside and taped the inhaler to the end

so hopefully the air will help dilute what I'm inhaling (us old hippies still

remember little tricks like that <g>). And other than staying still as much as

possible that's my game plan until I can talk to my real doc on Monday.

Anything else I should avoid to make it through the weekend?

Tatezi

Re: Hi all...with an update

Tatezi!

Did I miss something? Let me get this straight - your hemoglobin is

** 4% **??!! Any person who presented to a hospital/ER with a

hemoglobin that low would be receiving a blood transfusion! I can't

believe they have let it get this low. You should be on Procrit or

Epogen. Dropping one riba capsule (if I'm reading this right) will

probably not make the difference that needs to be made as fast as it

needs to be made. With a Hgb of 4 I'm surprised you can drag yourself

out of bed and up to a computer to type anything. If you get to

feeling worse, please go to an ER. An Hgb of only 4 is dangerous.

Claudine

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/10/2004 12:15:29 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

tatezi@... writes:

I'm in pretty awful shape...I will admit that. Don't like admitting it, but

sometimes I have to be realistic. Been sleeping a whole lot (we were off

yesterday). The intern I saw this week at County actually gave me his pager

number

and said if I felt worse to page him and get to the emergency room. So I knew

it was serious....county interns do not give out their pager numbers. But of

course they wouldn't tell a mere mortal anything about what was happening to me.

That's why I posted my update...I needed you guys and your knowledge.

Yea gads and little fishes, Tat, If they gave you an inhaler, then they

should have hospitalized you then.......and all they told you to do was lower

your

ribavirin level.......

Well, since it's Sat. I guess you can wait until Monday, but for heaven's

sake stay put, do nothing, and keep the phone in your hand. Not to sound

frightening, but if I were there you'd be in the hospital. I forgot about your

thyroid problem or I wouldn't have suggested the iron.

Please be careful and call county intern on pager if

necessary...........don't hesitate........

and that's a friendly order.

Anne

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/10/2004 12:15:29 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

tatezi@... writes:

I'm in pretty awful shape...I will admit that. Don't like admitting it, but

sometimes I have to be realistic. Been sleeping a whole lot (we were off

yesterday). The intern I saw this week at County actually gave me his pager

number

and said if I felt worse to page him and get to the emergency room. So I knew

it was serious....county interns do not give out their pager numbers. But of

course they wouldn't tell a mere mortal anything about what was happening to me.

That's why I posted my update...I needed you guys and your knowledge.

Yea gads and little fishes, Tat, If they gave you an inhaler, then they

should have hospitalized you then.......and all they told you to do was lower

your

ribavirin level.......

Well, since it's Sat. I guess you can wait until Monday, but for heaven's

sake stay put, do nothing, and keep the phone in your hand. Not to sound

frightening, but if I were there you'd be in the hospital. I forgot about your

thyroid problem or I wouldn't have suggested the iron.

Please be careful and call county intern on pager if

necessary...........don't hesitate........

and that's a friendly order.

Anne

[Guest guest]

Tatezi, I am worried about your rapid heartbeat too.....I had that when I tried

the old combo....in fact, I still have it and am going to a cardiologist after

having an ECG. That's one of the many reasons I quit the treatment....my heart

was racing so fast I couldn't take my pulse and then I started getting chest

pains. I think it's from the riba rather than the interferon....which could be

why they told you to drop a pill. But that's not acceptable in your case. Try

to sleep as much as you can this weekend and go to the hospital immediately if

you get chest pains or your heart is racing. I don't know the numbers like

Claudine does but you're way too low for hemoglobin. I'll feel better knowing

you can get ahold of your doc on Monday....please, do nothing physical ok?

Huggggs

Carol

Re: Hi all...with an update

In a message dated 4/10/2004 12:15:29 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

tatezi@... writes:

I'm in pretty awful shape...I will admit that. Don't like admitting it, but

sometimes I have to be realistic. Been sleeping a whole lot (we were off

yesterday). The intern I saw this week at County actually gave me his pager

number

and said if I felt worse to page him and get to the emergency room. So I knew

it was serious....county interns do not give out their pager numbers. But of

course they wouldn't tell a mere mortal anything about what was happening to

me.

That's why I posted my update...I needed you guys and your knowledge.

Yea gads and little fishes, Tat, If they gave you an inhaler, then they

should have hospitalized you then.......and all they told you to do was lower

your

ribavirin level.......

Well, since it's Sat. I guess you can wait until Monday, but for heaven's

sake stay put, do nothing, and keep the phone in your hand. Not to sound

frightening, but if I were there you'd be in the hospital. I forgot about

your

thyroid problem or I wouldn't have suggested the iron.

Please be careful and call county intern on pager if

necessary...........don't hesitate........

and that's a friendly order.

Anne

[Guest guest]

HI Tat...I was pulled from treatment several times during my 13 months due to

anemia. Eventually, I was managed fairly well with Procrit 40,000 units

weekly. Are u on it? I remember when the anemia first hit and my counts

bottomed

out..OMG! I could not get out of bed. It's a terrible feeling..the

shortness of breath etc. My doc also had me on Vit A, Folic Acid, Vit E. It

took me

8 months before I became jundectable, but I've remained that way (at least I

still was at my last test last year.) I was never able to take the proper dose

of Riba because of the anemia. Anemia is really nothing to fool around

with...better to drop the Riba down or altogether, or even to stop treatment for

a

few weeks than put your body in jeopardy. Hang in there..this too shall

pass! magee

[Guest guest]

HI Tat...I was pulled from treatment several times during my 13 months due to

anemia. Eventually, I was managed fairly well with Procrit 40,000 units

weekly. Are u on it? I remember when the anemia first hit and my counts

bottomed

out..OMG! I could not get out of bed. It's a terrible feeling..the

shortness of breath etc. My doc also had me on Vit A, Folic Acid, Vit E. It

took me

8 months before I became jundectable, but I've remained that way (at least I

still was at my last test last year.) I was never able to take the proper dose

of Riba because of the anemia. Anemia is really nothing to fool around

with...better to drop the Riba down or altogether, or even to stop treatment for

a

few weeks than put your body in jeopardy. Hang in there..this too shall

pass! magee

[Guest guest]

Hi McGee...

No, the interns did not prescribe procrit or epogen...this is the problem with

using a county facility...the knowledge level is even lower than with MDs.

Had I known then what I now know, I would have made a fuss and demanded one or

the other. I never had this problem with the last treatment and I honestly

" assumed " it was my thyroid again. I am in constant battle with my thyroid when

on treatment.

It is a terrible feeling...and each time I push myself to do one little thing

around the house, I end up taking a couple hours nap. I feel helpless and I

don't do helpless well.

If County won't do anything tomorrow, I'll go get some accupuncture. I don't

know what I'm going to do about work. I'll just have to play that by ear (or

breath <g>)

Tatezi

Re: Hi all...with an update

HI Tat...I was pulled from treatment several times during my 13 months due to

anemia. Eventually, I was managed fairly well with Procrit 40,000 units

weekly. Are u on it? I remember when the anemia first hit and my counts

bottomed

out..OMG! I could not get out of bed. It's a terrible feeling..the

shortness of breath etc. My doc also had me on Vit A, Folic Acid, Vit E. It

took me

8 months before I became jundectable, but I've remained that way (at least I

still was at my last test last year.) I was never able to take the proper

dose

of Riba because of the anemia. Anemia is really nothing to fool around

with...better to drop the Riba down or altogether, or even to stop treatment

for a

few weeks than put your body in jeopardy. Hang in there..this too shall

pass! magee

[Guest guest]

Hi McGee...

No, the interns did not prescribe procrit or epogen...this is the problem with

using a county facility...the knowledge level is even lower than with MDs.

Had I known then what I now know, I would have made a fuss and demanded one or

the other. I never had this problem with the last treatment and I honestly

" assumed " it was my thyroid again. I am in constant battle with my thyroid when

on treatment.

It is a terrible feeling...and each time I push myself to do one little thing

around the house, I end up taking a couple hours nap. I feel helpless and I

don't do helpless well.

If County won't do anything tomorrow, I'll go get some accupuncture. I don't

know what I'm going to do about work. I'll just have to play that by ear (or

breath <g>)

Tatezi

Re: Hi all...with an update

HI Tat...I was pulled from treatment several times during my 13 months due to

anemia. Eventually, I was managed fairly well with Procrit 40,000 units

weekly. Are u on it? I remember when the anemia first hit and my counts

bottomed

out..OMG! I could not get out of bed. It's a terrible feeling..the

shortness of breath etc. My doc also had me on Vit A, Folic Acid, Vit E. It

took me

8 months before I became jundectable, but I've remained that way (at least I

still was at my last test last year.) I was never able to take the proper

dose

of Riba because of the anemia. Anemia is really nothing to fool around

with...better to drop the Riba down or altogether, or even to stop treatment

for a

few weeks than put your body in jeopardy. Hang in there..this too shall

pass! magee

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/11/2004 8:09:40 PM Eastern Daylight Time, csean@...

writes:

Tatezi, I am worried about your rapid heartbeat too.....I had that when I

tried the old combo....in fact, I still have it and am going to a cardiologist

after having an ECG. That's one of the many reasons I quit the treatment....my

heart was racing so fast I couldn't take my pulse and then I started getting

chest pains. I think it's from the riba rather than the interferon....which

could be why they told you to drop a pill. But that's not acceptable in your

case. Try to sleep as much as you can this weekend and go to the hospital

immediately if you get chest pains or your heart is racing. I don't know the

numbers like Claudine does but you're way too low for hemoglobin. I'll feel

better

knowing you can get ahold of your doc on Monday....please, do nothing

physical ok?

I agree take it slow. I had that same problem while on treatment, but I put

it off to the fact that I received two air emboli with the same injection that

gave me Hep C. So........

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/11/2004 8:09:40 PM Eastern Daylight Time, csean@...

writes:

Tatezi, I am worried about your rapid heartbeat too.....I had that when I

tried the old combo....in fact, I still have it and am going to a cardiologist

after having an ECG. That's one of the many reasons I quit the treatment....my

heart was racing so fast I couldn't take my pulse and then I started getting

chest pains. I think it's from the riba rather than the interferon....which

could be why they told you to drop a pill. But that's not acceptable in your

case. Try to sleep as much as you can this weekend and go to the hospital

immediately if you get chest pains or your heart is racing. I don't know the

numbers like Claudine does but you're way too low for hemoglobin. I'll feel

better

knowing you can get ahold of your doc on Monday....please, do nothing

physical ok?

I agree take it slow. I had that same problem while on treatment, but I put

it off to the fact that I received two air emboli with the same injection that

gave me Hep C. So........