Re: (unknown)

[Guest guest]

Terry, this was a constant problem for me. I usually

fell asleep ok, but woke up a couple of hours later.

My dr prescribed me xanax and sleeping pills. You

would have to weigh the dangers of these medications

against the problem of sleeplessness. I was on them

for the whole year. I have gotten off the sleeping

pills, but dr put me back on the xanax and the

antidepressants after I started having problems. I am

at a low dosage, so he feels it won't be a problem. I

should add that he warned me that as a recovering

alcoholic, xanax could increase my chances of relapse

if I start abusing it, so I have to watch carefully

that I stick to the recommended dosage. (I quit taking

everything as soon as my treatment ended, which was

inadvisable) -dz-

--- Terry Long <pawpawto3@...> wrote:

> Good Morning all.

> I have a question for those who have already gone

> through treatment. The last few days I have had

> trouble falling to sleep & staying asleep. Has

> anyone

> else esperance this.

> Hope all is well with everyone Praying for all of

> you.

> Terry

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

I am also in an HMO, but there are many dr's within

the HMO that I have to select from. I also changed my

primary care doctor when I was unhappy with the way he

was handling this. -dz-

--- kbwaltke <kbwaltke@...> wrote:

> I don't know if the doctor is his choice or not with

> this

> HMO but my suggestion will be for him to request it

> . I thought that

> was very strange for the doctor to act like this was

> somehow

> his fault.

>

>

> > > > Welcome . You have come to the right

> place.

> > > None

> > > > of us here are doctors, but we have found that

> we

> > > get

> > > > more information from each other than we get

> from

> > > the

> > > > doctors. Hepatitis C has only been isolated

> since

> > > the

> > > > early 80's so many dr's are not too up to date

> on

> > > it,

> > > > especially the long term prognosis.

> > > >

> > > > If you search the internet there is much good

> > > > information out there, but much of it is

> dated.

> > > You

> > > > have to be careful of that. Chances are slim

> that

> > > his

> > > > wife has contracted it. Neither my wife nor my

> > > ex-wife

> > > > have been infected with this disease. She

> should

> > > be

> > > > tested to be on the safe side.

> > > >

> > > > As you suspected the method of infection has

> > > little

> > > > impact on anything, it is more for the

> doctor's

> > > > studies on the transmission of the disease

> than

> > > > anything else.

> > > >

> > > > It is not a death sentence. There is treatment

> > > > available which is somewhat difficult but

> do-able.

> > > I

> > > > have been through the treatment and am

> currently

> > > in

> > > > remission. Most of us have had this disease

> for

> > > 15-20

> > > > years or more without knowing it. Your son's

> youth

> > > > would imply that he hasn't had it too long,

> which

> > > is a

> > > > plus. They say the earlier you treat it the

> better

> > > the

> > > > odds of success. It is a slow-moving disease

> which

> > > is

> > > > in our favor.

> > > >

> > > > Ask all the questions you want, there are no

> dumb

> > > > questions, we've all had them. Please ask

> away.

> > > > Chances are one or more of us have been

> through

> > > what

> > > > you are wondering about. -dz-

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> __________________________________________________

> > > >

[Guest guest]

I don't want to mislead you. Odds are that he has it,

but it is not certain until they find the virus

itself. Once you have hepatitis, the antibodies will

be in your body for the rest of your life, even if the

virus is gone. -dz-

--- kbwaltke <kbwaltke@...> wrote:

> Are you saying that he may not even have the virus?

> Just

> antibodies? I will have him go back and find that

> out

> immediately... I can't believe the care level he has

> received on this whole thing. No biopsy was even

> mentioned and he did not even know what I was asking

> when I asked him if he knew what his viral load was

> he said almost normal again he gave me his sgpt and

> sgot

> numbers he said that was the only thing they'd

> tested

> for other than he was positive for Hep. C thats all

> they told him and they don't treat it till he is

> much

> worse and needs it. Thats it....

>

>

> > > > " Cure " is an elusive term. Long term data is

> > > scarce.

> > > > The picture I was painted goes like this. If I

> > > respond

> > > > to the treatment (which I did) I am in

> remission.

> > > I

> > > > will be retested in 6 mos. and if still

> negative

> > > > tested again in 1 year. If still negative I

> will

> > > be

> > > > considered unlikely to ever be bothered by the

> > > virus

> > > > again.

> > > >

> > > > There is no reason grandchildren are not

> possible.

> > > > While either one of them is on treatment they

> > > cannot

> > > > risk a pregnancy. Most of us have had children

> > > while

> > > > (unknowingly) suffering from this disease. My

> son

> > > is

> > > > 12 years old and I know I have had this at

> least

> > > for

> > > > 20 years (my first elevated liver enzymes were

> > > > recorded, but ignored in 1982) I have not

> heard of

> > > one

> > > > case of the disease being passed on to the

> child.

> > > >

> > > > There are steps which must be taken to

> determine

> > > if

> > > > and when your son should start treatment.

> Mainly a

> > > > liver biopsy, which will tell them the extent

> of

> > > liver

> > > > damage, if any. It was almost a year between

> the

> > > time

> > > > I was diagnosed and I went on treatment. The

> > > treatment

> > > > puts a strain on the body and mind, so there

> are

> > > > certain conditions which would prevent the

> current

> > > > preferred treatment to be advised.

> > > >

> > > > There are new and better treatments always

> coming,

> > > so

> > > > take heart. -dz-

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> __________________________________________________

> > > >

[Guest guest]

Yes Diane I started them a couple of days before I

started treatment.

Terry

--- Jannewilms42@... wrote:

> Yep Terry it is one of the sides of the TX...Ask

> your Dr for something to

> help you with that..Are you on antidepressants??

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Sorry Jan I forgot who I was talking with I'll blame

it on the tx.

Terry

--- Jannewilms42@... wrote:

> Yep Terry it is one of the sides of the TX...Ask

> your Dr for something to

> help you with that..Are you on antidepressants??

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

So do I..... this group has actually made the difference of sleep. I

actually got some sleep last night. WHOO HOO!!!! I took in some

printed mails already to my son and his wife. She was going to try

to do this from work but wrote me back and said somehow she can't

join from the puter at work. I was like really?!?! But what

do I know I sent her all the links. But they wouldn't work and I

don't know if that is the ISP or what. I hope they get the puter at

home fixed soon..... they really neeeeeeeeed the support. I could

tell last night they want to believe it..... I can only tell them to

question everything and try to find your answers together. Past that

what can a mom do not much.

> Yes being a mother myself I know how you feel..But at this

time it is

> me doing the slaying myself..I just thank God for having this group

to turn

> to.

[Guest guest]

This is a very large HMO out here so I am sure something

can be arranged and I told him last night he needs a

Gastroenterologist and a Hepatologist and to see to it

they made the referals he needs. I can't believe it

do you know they didn't even schedule a follow up appointment

for him. I said when are you to see them again

he said Mom... I don't know, they didn't say just call on

the classes thats it. I said honey.... why didn't you ask

he said mom I was blown to smithereens I couldn't even

think straight.... well hopefully we will get him past

that in short order.

> > > > > Welcome . You have come to the right

> > place.

> > > > None

> > > > > of us here are doctors, but we have found that

> > we

> > > > get

> > > > > more information from each other than we get

> > from

> > > > the

> > > > > doctors. Hepatitis C has only been isolated

> > since

> > > > the

> > > > > early 80's so many dr's are not too up to date

> > on

> > > > it,

> > > > > especially the long term prognosis.

> > > > >

> > > > > If you search the internet there is much good

> > > > > information out there, but much of it is

> > dated.

> > > > You

> > > > > have to be careful of that. Chances are slim

> > that

> > > > his

> > > > > wife has contracted it. Neither my wife nor my

> > > > ex-wife

> > > > > have been infected with this disease. She

> > should

> > > > be

> > > > > tested to be on the safe side.

> > > > >

> > > > > As you suspected the method of infection has

> > > > little

> > > > > impact on anything, it is more for the

> > doctor's

> > > > > studies on the transmission of the disease

> > than

> > > > > anything else.

> > > > >

> > > > > It is not a death sentence. There is treatment

> > > > > available which is somewhat difficult but

> > do-able.

> > > > I

> > > > > have been through the treatment and am

> > currently

> > > > in

> > > > > remission. Most of us have had this disease

> > for

> > > > 15-20

> > > > > years or more without knowing it. Your son's

> > youth

> > > > > would imply that he hasn't had it too long,

> > which

> > > > is a

> > > > > plus. They say the earlier you treat it the

> > better

> > > > the

> > > > > odds of success. It is a slow-moving disease

> > which

> > > > is

> > > > > in our favor.

> > > > >

> > > > > Ask all the questions you want, there are no

> > dumb

> > > > > questions, we've all had them. Please ask

> > away.

> > > > > Chances are one or more of us have been

> > through

> > > > what

> > > > > you are wondering about. -dz-

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > __________________________________________________

> > > > >

[Guest guest]

I questioned him on this last night he said the doctor

told him he saw a normal liver by ultrasound and scan

and he was almost normal on the enzymes and that he

was NOT sick with HepC but that he had come in contact

with it at some point. Greg couldn't answer that himself

as the doctor didn't say ... He is going to try to set

an appointment to get many more questions answered however

the paper they gave him said he was Hep C positive. Don't

really know if that says he still has the virus or not either

They didn't explain hardly anything to him except the baby and

contact issues.

> > > > > " Cure " is an elusive term. Long term data is

> > > > scarce.

> > > > > The picture I was painted goes like this. If I

> > > > respond

> > > > > to the treatment (which I did) I am in

> > remission.

> > > > I

> > > > > will be retested in 6 mos. and if still

> > negative

> > > > > tested again in 1 year. If still negative I

> > will

> > > > be

> > > > > considered unlikely to ever be bothered by the

> > > > virus

> > > > > again.

> > > > >

> > > > > There is no reason grandchildren are not

> > possible.

> > > > > While either one of them is on treatment they

> > > > cannot

> > > > > risk a pregnancy. Most of us have had children

> > > > while

> > > > > (unknowingly) suffering from this disease. My

> > son

> > > > is

> > > > > 12 years old and I know I have had this at

> > least

> > > > for

> > > > > 20 years (my first elevated liver enzymes were

> > > > > recorded, but ignored in 1982) I have not

> > heard of

> > > > one

> > > > > case of the disease being passed on to the

> > child.

> > > > >

> > > > > There are steps which must be taken to

> > determine

> > > > if

> > > > > and when your son should start treatment.

> > Mainly a

> > > > > liver biopsy, which will tell them the extent

> > of

> > > > liver

> > > > > damage, if any. It was almost a year between

> > the

> > > > time

> > > > > I was diagnosed and I went on treatment. The

> > > > treatment

> > > > > puts a strain on the body and mind, so there

> > are

> > > > > certain conditions which would prevent the

> > current

> > > > > preferred treatment to be advised.

> > > > >

> > > > > There are new and better treatments always

> > coming,

> > > > so

> > > > > take heart. -dz-

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > __________________________________________________

> > > > >

[Guest guest]

Stress doesn't help ANYTHING, in my opinion, and I feel quite certain

that, while it may not CAUSE achalasia, certainly exacerbates it.

Stress worsens every digestive process I can think of. I think it's

SOOOOO important for us to try to DEAL with our stress in as many ways

as possible. Be kind to ourselves. Talk to people, and don't keep it

bottled inside. No one wants to hear anybody constantly go on and on

about something, but on the flip side, don't keep things locked up

inside. This group is an excellent forum. If necessary, seek help for

depression/anxiety. A life with a lot of pain and having to deal with

what we deal with IS stressful! But it doesn't have to be a ticket to

depression. Get help if you are depressed...there IS help out there!

Exercise, try to sleep when you can, take whatever supplementary drinks

you need if you can't eat to keep your weight up, And I ouind that my

spirituality was what saved me from severe depression when I have been

at my worst. Don't lose touch with that side of your life. It's my

rock. I know that when I was going through tests I could no longer hide

what I was going through from my employer, friends who didn't know, etc.

I don't know why, but I felt like I couldn't/wouldn't tell people what I

was going through. I don't mean that I suddenly told every stranger on

the bus, but I did share my story with some close friends and associates

when I began my diagnostic procedures. It was like a dam broke for me

emotionally. I don't know why I was HIDING what was wrong with me like

a criminal or some deep dark secret. Everyone was so compassionate and

showed me such tenderness. I felt freed of something...shame and fear.

I felt the love of my friends and family surrounding me, and it did so

much to ease my stress. It can be very stressful to HIDE something, and

this disease can be a way of life for periods of time, if not FOR life

for some. It is NOTHING to be ashamed of. Shame brings fear/guilt.

Hold your head up and face your problems with the dignity and strength

that is inside all of us. More strength came to me when I did this.

[Guest guest]

I couldnt agree more! I got to the point, that

I decided, if this is my cross to bear, then so be it,

and after reading about the members with problems I

consider heartbreaking, I will stay with that line of

thought. The way I sum it all up...A little God and a

lot of Zoloft, works wonders! Cathey

--- lindwood@... wrote:

> Stress doesn't help ANYTHING, in my opinion, and I

> feel quite certain

> that, while it may not CAUSE achalasia, certainly

> exacerbates it.

> Stress worsens every digestive process I can think

> of. I think it's

> SOOOOO important for us to try to DEAL with our

> stress in as many ways

> as possible. Be kind to ourselves. Talk to people,

> and don't keep it

> bottled inside. No one wants to hear anybody

> constantly go on and on

> about something, but on the flip side, don't keep

> things locked up

> inside. This group is an excellent forum. If

> necessary, seek help for

> depression/anxiety. A life with a lot of pain and

> having to deal with

> what we deal with IS stressful! But it doesn't have

> to be a ticket to

> depression. Get help if you are depressed...there

> IS help out there!

> Exercise, try to sleep when you can, take whatever

> supplementary drinks

> you need if you can't eat to keep your weight up,

> And I ouind that my

> spirituality was what saved me from severe

> depression when I have been

> at my worst. Don't lose touch with that side of

> your life. It's my

> rock. I know that when I was going through tests I

> could no longer hide

> what I was going through from my employer, friends

> who didn't know, etc.

> I don't know why, but I felt like I

> couldn't/wouldn't tell people what I

> was going through. I don't mean that I suddenly

> told every stranger on

> the bus, but I did share my story with some close

> friends and associates

> when I began my diagnostic procedures. It was like

> a dam broke for me

> emotionally. I don't know why I was HIDING what was

> wrong with me like

> a criminal or some deep dark secret. Everyone was

> so compassionate and

> showed me such tenderness. I felt freed of

> something...shame and fear.

> I felt the love of my friends and family surrounding

> me, and it did so

> much to ease my stress. It can be very stressful to

> HIDE something, and

> this disease can be a way of life for periods of

> time, if not FOR life

> for some. It is NOTHING to be ashamed of. Shame

> brings fear/guilt.

> Hold your head up and face your problems with the

> dignity and strength

> that is inside all of us. More strength came to me

> when I did this.

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

, stress trigors spasms for me. Yesterday was a stressful day for me and I was up all night with spasms. It was stress that first caused my very first symptoms (spasms) of achalasia. I have felt guilty over the years that I caused this disease to come upon myself by being too stressed. If I could have trusted God like I should have instead of worrying excessively I may not have brought this upon myself. The Dr.s have told me stress does not cause this and they don't know what causes it. But I know for sure stress brings on the spasms. But then I get them also when I am feeling good and not stressed at all. So all I can say is, try not to get stressed out. Maybe we won't get as many.

I've read about those who love chocolate. Chocolate will give me the worst spasms ever. I am afraid of chocolate. Anything with caffeine and chocolate has a lot of caffeine. I remember eating some Hershey's kisses. Ate more than I should have. They were delicious. Later on that night, I had spasms for 4 hours. I literally was leaning over my kitchen counter hyperventilating because I thought I would go crazy. My husband was rubbing my back and felt totally helpless. So I stay far away from chocolate! Joann

[Guest guest]

Originally I was told my symptoms where due to stress and they would pass.

I was 12 I believe. Not really under alot of stress. I was given

psychiatric drugs and muscle relaxers which helped for a little while. As

the symptoms got worse and I lost weight they though I was anorexic. I was

put in a psych hospital. Thankful the doctor there determined that the

swallowing problem was not psychiatric. Still there was no diagnosis.

Finally when I was 89 lb. and still loosing weight my mother (an R.N.)

demand that they do further testing. My family doctor, " not wanting to deal

with a emotionally disturbed child and her emotionally disturbed mother "

referred me to a Internal med doc. The moment he saw me he admitted me the

hospital. He did not know what was wrong, but he could see it was not good!

I had surgery 3 weeks later! I went through the your just stressed, psycho,

emotional thing for 5 yrs. before a real diagnosis.

I do feel that when I am sick, or stressed the symptoms are worse.

J.C.

(unknown)

> in responce to alisons message number 3033 my symtoms too are much

> much worse when under stress, in fact my symptoms stared 3yrs ago the

> same week i lost my job they just started out of the blue i was under

> such stress at that time i cant tell you, i had 2 small children and

> didnt know where the next meal was coming from, also we just moved

> house and i was quite bad with symptoms then, any one who has moved

> will knowhow stresssful that can be, id like too to know also if

> anyone else's symptoms worsen under stress its just a thought but

> there seem to be a few of us.

> regards

> teresa in the uk

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

This may have been answered already as I have over 200 e-mails to read, but I

would hold on all surgeries until you get those IgG's into a safer range.

Otherwise you could set your son up for a post surgical infection. I do not

think any surgeon would operate on a child as immunocompromised as yours.

Please make sure you're immunologist holds board certification in clinical

immunology. It is excellent if he also has a subspecialty in pediatric

immunology. This is an entirely different field than allergy/asthma MD

especially for diagnosing and treating primary immunodeficiencies. Remember

the saying " If all you have to work with is a hammer, you'll see everything

as a nail. "

Take care, Lynne

[Guest guest]

,

Forgive but for me it's if I have a lot of God I don't need the Zoloft! I

won't list for you the number of times I have been healed of things that

should have required surgery.

J.C.

Re: (unknown)

> I couldnt agree more! I got to the point, that

> I decided, if this is my cross to bear, then so be it,

> and after reading about the members with problems I

> consider heartbreaking, I will stay with that line of

> thought. The way I sum it all up...A little God and a

> lot of Zoloft, works wonders! Cathey

> --- lindwood@... wrote:

> > Stress doesn't help ANYTHING, in my opinion, and I

> > feel quite certain

> > that, while it may not CAUSE achalasia, certainly

> > exacerbates it.

> > Stress worsens every digestive process I can think

> > of. I think it's

> > SOOOOO important for us to try to DEAL with our

> > stress in as many ways

> > as possible. Be kind to ourselves. Talk to people,

> > and don't keep it

> > bottled inside. No one wants to hear anybody

> > constantly go on and on

> > about something, but on the flip side, don't keep

> > things locked up

> > inside. This group is an excellent forum. If

> > necessary, seek help for

> > depression/anxiety. A life with a lot of pain and

> > having to deal with

> > what we deal with IS stressful! But it doesn't have

> > to be a ticket to

> > depression. Get help if you are depressed...there

> > IS help out there!

> > Exercise, try to sleep when you can, take whatever

> > supplementary drinks

> > you need if you can't eat to keep your weight up,

> > And I ouind that my

> > spirituality was what saved me from severe

> > depression when I have been

> > at my worst. Don't lose touch with that side of

> > your life. It's my

> > rock. I know that when I was going through tests I

> > could no longer hide

> > what I was going through from my employer, friends

> > who didn't know, etc.

> > I don't know why, but I felt like I

> > couldn't/wouldn't tell people what I

> > was going through. I don't mean that I suddenly

> > told every stranger on

> > the bus, but I did share my story with some close

> > friends and associates

> > when I began my diagnostic procedures. It was like

> > a dam broke for me

> > emotionally. I don't know why I was HIDING what was

> > wrong with me like

> > a criminal or some deep dark secret. Everyone was

> > so compassionate and

> > showed me such tenderness. I felt freed of

> > something...shame and fear.

> > I felt the love of my friends and family surrounding

> > me, and it did so

> > much to ease my stress. It can be very stressful to

> > HIDE something, and

> > this disease can be a way of life for periods of

> > time, if not FOR life

> > for some. It is NOTHING to be ashamed of. Shame

> > brings fear/guilt.

> > Hold your head up and face your problems with the

> > dignity and strength

> > that is inside all of us. More strength came to me

> > when I did this.

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Fair enough J.C. .....Cathey

--- JC Elder <jc_elder@...> wrote:

> ,

> Forgive but for me it's if I have a lot of God I

> don't need the Zoloft! I

> won't list for you the number of times I have been

> healed of things that

> should have required surgery.

>

> J.C.

> Re: (unknown)

>

>

> > I couldnt agree more! I got to the point,

> that

> > I decided, if this is my cross to bear, then so be

> it,

> > and after reading about the members with problems

> I

> > consider heartbreaking, I will stay with that line

> of

> > thought. The way I sum it all up...A little God

> and a

> > lot of Zoloft, works wonders! Cathey

> > --- lindwood@... wrote:

> > > Stress doesn't help ANYTHING, in my opinion, and

> I

> > > feel quite certain

> > > that, while it may not CAUSE achalasia,

> certainly

> > > exacerbates it.

> > > Stress worsens every digestive process I can

> think

> > > of. I think it's

> > > SOOOOO important for us to try to DEAL with our

> > > stress in as many ways

> > > as possible. Be kind to ourselves. Talk to

> people,

> > > and don't keep it

> > > bottled inside. No one wants to hear anybody

> > > constantly go on and on

> > > about something, but on the flip side, don't

> keep

> > > things locked up

> > > inside. This group is an excellent forum. If

> > > necessary, seek help for

> > > depression/anxiety. A life with a lot of pain

> and

> > > having to deal with

> > > what we deal with IS stressful! But it doesn't

> have

> > > to be a ticket to

> > > depression. Get help if you are

> depressed...there

> > > IS help out there!

> > > Exercise, try to sleep when you can, take

> whatever

> > > supplementary drinks

> > > you need if you can't eat to keep your weight

> up,

> > > And I ouind that my

> > > spirituality was what saved me from severe

> > > depression when I have been

> > > at my worst. Don't lose touch with that side of

> > > your life. It's my

> > > rock. I know that when I was going through

> tests I

> > > could no longer hide

> > > what I was going through from my employer,

> friends

> > > who didn't know, etc.

> > > I don't know why, but I felt like I

> > > couldn't/wouldn't tell people what I

> > > was going through. I don't mean that I suddenly

> > > told every stranger on

> > > the bus, but I did share my story with some

> close

> > > friends and associates

> > > when I began my diagnostic procedures. It was

> like

> > > a dam broke for me

> > > emotionally. I don't know why I was HIDING what

> was

> > > wrong with me like

> > > a criminal or some deep dark secret. Everyone

> was

> > > so compassionate and

> > > showed me such tenderness. I felt freed of

> > > something...shame and fear.

> > > I felt the love of my friends and family

> surrounding

> > > me, and it did so

> > > much to ease my stress. It can be very

> stressful to

> > > HIDE something, and

> > > this disease can be a way of life for periods of

> > > time, if not FOR life

> > > for some. It is NOTHING to be ashamed of.

> Shame

> > > brings fear/guilt.

> > > Hold your head up and face your problems with

> the

> > > dignity and strength

> > > that is inside all of us. More strength came to

> me

> > > when I did this.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

[Guest guest]

It doesn't matter how anyone contracts the virus. There are many modes of

transmission for the virus. some of which are IV drug use, blood

transfusions, tattoos, I have even read a study that points to possible

transmission from the pneumatic air guns used for mass inoculations. I got

it from IV drug use while in the Army in the early 70's. Not one of the

Doctors I have seen held this against me.

I think if I was your son I would be looking for a new DR. as fast as I

could. The attitude that his DR. has taken is completely unacceptable, at

least to me. I don't know, maybe it is his lack of knowledge about this

disease. the experts still don't know a lot about it.

When I get a little more time I will send you some links with information

about Hepc. Probably Sunday or the first part of the week while I'm off

work.

[ ] Re: (unknown)

> Thanks a million. I wish I even knew the questions

> to ask. We are just past the numb stage heading into

> kick the wall. I am thinking Greg got his tattoo in

> 91. Just out of high school. So just around 10 years

> The doctor told him how sick he gets and how long he

> lives is up to him no alcohol... modify the caffine

> drink 8 glasses of water a day and well I hate to say

> this but he suggested that it was Gregs doing he was in

> the mess he's in and to start making better choices.

> Like Greg would have gotten the tattoo had it come

> with a warning label of Hep C? NOT The more I think

> on all you have said, all of you so far, the more angry

> I am at the doctor. This attitude of your positive

> and come see me when your sick is not appropriate at all.

> Rest assured I will be making suggestions to our son to

> get proactive in his care and find out the facts.

>

>

> > Welcome . You have come to the right place. None

> > of us here are doctors, but we have found that we get

> > more information from each other than we get from the

> > doctors. Hepatitis C has only been isolated since the

> > early 80's so many dr's are not too up to date on it,

> > especially the long term prognosis.

> >

> > If you search the internet there is much good

> > information out there, but much of it is dated. You

> > have to be careful of that. Chances are slim that his

> > wife has contracted it. Neither my wife nor my ex-wife

> > have been infected with this disease. She should be

> > tested to be on the safe side.

> >

> > As you suspected the method of infection has little

> > impact on anything, it is more for the doctor's

> > studies on the transmission of the disease than

> > anything else.

> >

> > It is not a death sentence. There is treatment

> > available which is somewhat difficult but do-able. I

> > have been through the treatment and am currently in

> > remission. Most of us have had this disease for 15-20

> > years or more without knowing it. Your son's youth

> > would imply that he hasn't had it too long, which is a

> > plus. They say the earlier you treat it the better the

> > odds of success. It is a slow-moving disease which is

> > in our favor.

> >

> > Ask all the questions you want, there are no dumb

> > questions, we've all had them. Please ask away.

> > Chances are one or more of us have been through what

> > you are wondering about. -dz-

> >

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

[Guest guest]

Biopsy is where they take a small piece of his liver through a needle. It is

a fairly simple process, but can be somewhat uncomfortable right after the

procedure. When I had my second one done, I went in early in the morning and

went home about 3 in the afternoon. Some doctors do like for their patients

to spend the night to make sure there isn't any internal bleeding.

[ ] Re: (unknown)

> This is the first time I think I have smiled since

> Greg called 2 weeks ago now Friday. Can someone

> explain the difference between an ultrasound

> of the liver and a biopsy? They did ultrasound

> and said it was normal. But that is not a biopsy

> is it? I also read something about viral count

> and I know they didn't do that on him. Just the

> sgpt sgot. and the Hep C test. That and told him

> to call and attend this class to learn more about

> this. Thats it. I feel at least like now I can

> tell Greg that there is hope and there is treatment

> and you need to ask if tests have not been done why not

> You have to know at least what questions to ask.

> He was told he could live a long life if he never

> drinks .. that was about it.

>

>

>

> > " Cure " is an elusive term. Long term data is scarce.

> > The picture I was painted goes like this. If I respond

> > to the treatment (which I did) I am in remission. I

> > will be retested in 6 mos. and if still negative

> > tested again in 1 year. If still negative I will be

> > considered unlikely to ever be bothered by the virus

> > again.

> >

> > There is no reason grandchildren are not possible.

> > While either one of them is on treatment they cannot

> > risk a pregnancy. Most of us have had children while

> > (unknowingly) suffering from this disease. My son is

> > 12 years old and I know I have had this at least for

> > 20 years (my first elevated liver enzymes were

> > recorded, but ignored in 1982) I have not heard of one

> > case of the disease being passed on to the child.

> >

> > There are steps which must be taken to determine if

> > and when your son should start treatment. Mainly a

> > liver biopsy, which will tell them the extent of liver

> > damage, if any. It was almost a year between the time

> > I was diagnosed and I went on treatment. The treatment

> > puts a strain on the body and mind, so there are

> > certain conditions which would prevent the current

> > preferred treatment to be advised.

> >

> > There are new and better treatments always coming, so

> > take heart. -dz-

> >

> >

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

[Guest guest]

Terry

This too is one of the side effects of the treatment. I had more than a few

restless nights while on the treatment. I wasn't on the Peg combo. Wasn't

available when I started.

[ ] (unknown)

> Good Morning all.

> I have a question for those who have already gone

> through treatment. The last few days I have had

> trouble falling to sleep & staying asleep. Has anyone

> else esperance this.

> Hope all is well with everyone Praying for all of

> you.

> Terry

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Feel free, we all use that one. Even those of us no

longer on the tx... -dz-

--- Terry Long <pawpawto3@...> wrote:

> Sorry Jan I forgot who I was talking with I'll

> blame

> it on the tx.

> Terry

> --- Jannewilms42@... wrote:

> > Yep Terry it is one of the sides of the TX...Ask

> > your Dr for something to

> > help you with that..Are you on antidepressants??

> >

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

If they have an internet connection they should be

able to get to ... I message from work,

the only thing I can't do it set up the messenger.

-dz-

--- kbwaltke <kbwaltke@...> wrote:

> So do I..... this group has actually made the

> difference of sleep. I

> actually got some sleep last night. WHOO HOO!!!! I

> took in some

> printed mails already to my son and his wife. She

> was going to try

> to do this from work but wrote me back and said

> somehow she can't

> join from the puter at work. I was like

> really?!?! But what

> do I know I sent her all the links. But they

> wouldn't work and I

> don't know if that is the ISP or what. I hope they

> get the puter at

> home fixed soon..... they really neeeeeeeeed the

> support. I could

> tell last night they want to believe it..... I can

> only tell them to

> question everything and try to find your answers

> together. Past that

> what can a mom do not much.

>

>

>

> > Yes being a mother myself I know how you

> feel..But at this

> time it is

> > me doing the slaying myself..I just thank God for

> having this group

> to turn

> > to.

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

It's not that surprising. My pcp told me that I must

just be one of those lucky ones whose body can handle

the virus and I should just continue to monitor my alt

and ast levels every year. Many times a

gastroenterologist is the only specialist you will

see. In my case it was. The nearest hepatologist is in

Milwaukee. But my dr seemed fairly knowledgeable about

it. Time is on our side, much more so than many other

illnesses, hepatitis is normally a very slow

progressing disease. We can take heart in that,

anyway. -dz-

--- kbwaltke <kbwaltke@...> wrote:

> This is a very large HMO out here so I am sure

> something

> can be arranged and I told him last night he needs a

>

> Gastroenterologist and a Hepatologist and to see to

> it

> they made the referals he needs. I can't believe it

> do you know they didn't even schedule a follow up

> appointment

> for him. I said when are you to see them again

> he said Mom... I don't know, they didn't say just

> call on

> the classes thats it. I said honey.... why didn't

> you ask

> he said mom I was blown to smithereens I couldn't

> even

> think straight.... well hopefully we will get him

> past

> that in short order.

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

This is one of the frustrating things about hepatitis,

to many people outside we " look " like we're fine.

Symptoms and sickness usually don't appear until the

late stages of the disease.

This is only my opinion, so take it for what it's

worth. The test for the presence of hcv antibodies is

fairly simple and could be considered part of a normal

physical. The test for the presence of the virus

itself is expensive and I suspect that HMO dr's

hesitate to order it.

It's a good sign that his enzyme levels are good, but

that isn't always a good barometer of the stage of the

illness. Just for peace of mind alone I would push for

the PCR test (measures the virus itself) and if that

is positive, a biopsy. -dz-

--- kbwaltke <kbwaltke@...> wrote:

>

> I questioned him on this last night he said the

> doctor

> told him he saw a normal liver by ultrasound and

> scan

> and he was almost normal on the enzymes and that he

> was NOT sick with HepC but that he had come in

> contact

> with it at some point. Greg couldn't answer that

> himself

> as the doctor didn't say ... He is going to try to

> set

> an appointment to get many more questions answered

> however

> the paper they gave him said he was Hep C positive.

> Don't

> really know if that says he still has the virus or

> not either

> They didn't explain hardly anything to him except

> the baby and

> contact issues.

>

>

> > > > > > " Cure " is an elusive term. Long term data

> is

> > > > > scarce.

> > > > > > The picture I was painted goes like this.

> If I

> > > > > respond

> > > > > > to the treatment (which I did) I am in

> > > remission.

> > > > > I

> > > > > > will be retested in 6 mos. and if still

> > > negative

> > > > > > tested again in 1 year. If still negative

> I

> > > will

> > > > > be

> > > > > > considered unlikely to ever be bothered by

> the

> > > > > virus

> > > > > > again.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > There is no reason grandchildren are not

> > > possible.

> > > > > > While either one of them is on treatment

> they

> > > > > cannot

> > > > > > risk a pregnancy. Most of us have had

> children

> > > > > while

> > > > > > (unknowingly) suffering from this disease.

> My

> > > son

> > > > > is

> > > > > > 12 years old and I know I have had this at

> > > least

> > > > > for

> > > > > > 20 years (my first elevated liver enzymes

> were

> > > > > > recorded, but ignored in 1982) I have not

> > > heard of

> > > > > one

> > > > > > case of the disease being passed on to the

> > > child.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > There are steps which must be taken to

> > > determine

> > > > > if

> > > > > > and when your son should start treatment.

> > > Mainly a

> > > > > > liver biopsy, which will tell them the

> extent

> > > of

> > > > > liver

> > > > > > damage, if any. It was almost a year

> between

> > > the

> > > > > time

> > > > > > I was diagnosed and I went on treatment.

> The

> > > > > treatment

> > > > > > puts a strain on the body and mind, so

> there

> > > are

>

=== message truncated ===

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

, I read a similar article. During the Vietnam

era, something like 30-50% of people who were

inoculated in a certain time frame were infected. -dz-

--- <ralexan@...> wrote:

>

>

> It doesn't matter how anyone contracts the virus.

> There are many modes of

> transmission for the virus. some of which are IV

> drug use, blood

> transfusions, tattoos, I have even read a study that

> points to possible

> transmission from the pneumatic air guns used for

> mass inoculations. I got

> it from IV drug use while in the Army in the early

> 70's. Not one of the

> Doctors I have seen held this against me.

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I had a similar experience. I had to wait for several

hours to make sure I didn't start bleeding. I had a

moderate amount of pain that day and I was given a

couple of tylenol 3's. By the next day I was feeling

allright. -dz-

--- <ralexan@...> wrote:

> Biopsy is where they take a small piece of his liver

> through a needle. It is

> a fairly simple process, but can be somewhat

> uncomfortable right after the

> procedure. When I had my second one done, I went in

> early in the morning and

> went home about 3 in the afternoon. Some doctors do

> like for their patients

> to spend the night to make sure there isn't any

> internal bleeding.

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

We went to dinner with Greg and his wife. Greg I could tell was very

interested seeking more knowledge. He also told me he felt he was

going to need someone that was not only more knowledgeable but more

inclined to look toward treatment and not as focused on the how and

why. I would appreciate any help you have with that. I know Greg is

listening. Now to get him on board himself. That is what would help

the most is for Greg to be able to be here himself. You all have

been so tremendously helpful and supportive.

> > > Welcome . You have come to the right place. None

> > > of us here are doctors, but we have found that we get

> > > more information from each other than we get from the

> > > doctors. Hepatitis C has only been isolated since the

> > > early 80's so many dr's are not too up to date on it,

> > > especially the long term prognosis.

> > >

> > > If you search the internet there is much good

> > > information out there, but much of it is dated. You

> > > have to be careful of that. Chances are slim that his

> > > wife has contracted it. Neither my wife nor my ex-wife

> > > have been infected with this disease. She should be

> > > tested to be on the safe side.

> > >

> > > As you suspected the method of infection has little

> > > impact on anything, it is more for the doctor's

> > > studies on the transmission of the disease than

> > > anything else.

> > >

> > > It is not a death sentence. There is treatment

> > > available which is somewhat difficult but do-able. I

> > > have been through the treatment and am currently in

> > > remission. Most of us have had this disease for 15-20

> > > years or more without knowing it. Your son's youth

> > > would imply that he hasn't had it too long, which is a

> > > plus. They say the earlier you treat it the better the

> > > odds of success. It is a slow-moving disease which is

> > > in our favor.

> > >

> > > Ask all the questions you want, there are no dumb

> > > questions, we've all had them. Please ask away.

> > > Chances are one or more of us have been through what

> > > you are wondering about. -dz-

> > >

> > >

> > > __________________________________________________

> > >