Re: Re: Finally!

[Guest guest]

Colleen,

The gastro doc told me that my HCV was type 2, and I'm not sure what my viral

load is. Should I ask him? I have not had a biopsy yet. He wanted to go ahead

and get me started on treatment, I have a huge hernia in my abdomen on the left

side that has my small intestine pulled into it with several loops that almost

have me to the point of bowel obstruction, and it is pressing on a nerve in my

left leg causing my left leg to swell and hurt quiet a lot. I feel that I have

a good gastro doc, I'm praying that I do.

Thanks for the info

Sharon

MsTigerHawk wrote:

Hi Sharon,

I'm starting treatment in November. The same treatment as you, and for hepatitis

C. One shot of PegIntron a week and two Ribavirin capsules a day, all for 48

weeks. The treatment is grueling for some and not so bad for others. Some can

still go to work every day and some can't. Everyone's different, so you just

have to wait and see how it makes you feel. I'm a genotype 1b. One's are the

hardest to clear. With treatment, I have a 35 - 40% chance of clearing the

virus.The genotype 2's and 3's have a 70 - 75% chance of clearing, and they only

have to be on the treatment for 24 weeks. You must be a genotype one if the

doctor says you have to be on it for almost a year.

Have you had a liver biopsy yet? Do you know what your viral load is?

Colleen

Sharon McCarty wrote:

Debra,

Thanks for your prayers. I found out today that I have Hep C and Cirrhosis. The

Hep C is from a blood tranfusion that I had 23 years ago. I was pregnant, went

into labor with my only child, and had an early seperation of the

placenta,starting hemorraging and lost the baby, plateletts left the blood and

had to have 29 units of blood, and a partial hysterectomy.

The gastro doc is starting me on a year long treatment, with 2 pills a day and a

shot a week. Have you or has anyone had treatment for Hep C? He told me I would

feel like I had the flu, and have a really bad case of the blahs. I don't see

the nurse to start the treatment until this week, so I'm just wondering what I

should expect.

Praying for all

Sharon

Debra wrote:

Sharon, How did it go for you today with the gastro. Keeping you in my

prayers, Debra

>

> Finally, the 19th of October has arrived and I finally get to see the

> gastro doc. Sorry I have been posting, but I have been reading

> everyday all of the posts and you guys really help get me through

some

> rough times. I am really nervous about today, but I am anxious too

> and want to get things moving. I have been having quiet a few

> episodes over the last couple of weeks, and have been battling a cold

> for about a month. So just say a prayer for me today, as I keep all

> of you in my prayers. Talk to you all later.

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Bob,

Thanks for caring

Sharon

Bob Aragon wrote:

I'm so sorry about the diagnosis, Sharon

Re: Re: Finally!

Debra,

Thanks for your prayers. I found out today that I have Hep C and Cirrhosis. The

Hep C is from a blood tranfusion that I had 23 years ago. I was pregnant, went

into labor with my only child, and had an early seperation of the

placenta,starting hemorraging and lost the baby, plateletts left the blood and

had to have 29 units of blood, and a partial hysterectomy.

The gastro doc is starting me on a year long treatment, with 2 pills a day and a

shot a week. Have you or has anyone had treatment for Hep C? He told me I would

feel like I had the flu, and have a really bad case of the blahs. I don't see

the nurse to start the treatment until this week, so I'm just wondering what I

should expect.

Praying for all

Sharon

Debra <millwrightswife@ yahoo.com> wrote:

Sharon, How did it go for you today with the gastro. Keeping you in my

prayers, Debra

>

> Finally, the 19th of October has arrived and I finally get to see the

> gastro doc. Sorry I have been posting, but I have been reading

> everyday all of the posts and you guys really help get me through

some

> rough times. I am really nervous about today, but I am anxious too

> and want to get things moving. I have been having quiet a few

> episodes over the last couple of weeks, and have been battling a cold

> for about a month. So just say a prayer for me today, as I keep all

> of you in my prayers. Talk to you all later.

>

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ __

[Guest guest]

How does your Dr. know that you have cirrhosis if he hasn't ordered a biopsy?

I was under the impression that Genotype 2s usually only take about 24 weeks of

Peg Intron treatment.

Or at least that is what my husband gastro suggested to him. I had 18 months of

treatment back when there was only the monotherapy...no Riba.

>I'm not sure what my viral load is. Should I ask him?

You need to know if your treatment is lowering your viral load. My experience

has been that you have to be proactive with your medical issues and not just

assume the doctor knows best. Sometimes they don't, or sometimes may simply

overlook something. Ask for a hard copy of every lab report you have done, be it

blood work, scans, etc

And seeing a psychiatrist to evaluate you for depression is

important....interferon can really do a number on your emotions.

There is a good mailing list for Hep C at HEPV-L@...

Good luck!

Re: Re: Finally!

Well, you have a lot better chance of clearing the virus with treatment than I

do. Genotype 2's generally do pretty well with the treatment.

Colleen

Sharon McCarty wrote:

Colleen,

The gastro doc told me that my HCV was type 2, and I'm not sure what my viral

load is. Should I ask him? I have not had a biopsy yet. He wanted to go ahead

and get me started on treatment, I have a huge hernia in my abdomen on the left

side that has my small intestine pulled into it with several loops that almost

have me to the point of bowel obstruction, and it is pressing on a nerve in my

left leg causing my left leg to swell and hurt quiet a lot. I feel that I have a

good gastro doc, I'm praying that I do.

Thanks for the info

Sharon

MsTigerHawk wrote:

Hi Sharon,

I'm starting treatment in November. The same treatment as you, and for

hepatitis C. One shot of PegIntron a week and two Ribavirin capsules a day, all

for 48 weeks. The treatment is grueling for some and not so bad for others. Some

can still go to work every day and some can't. Everyone's different, so you just

have to wait and see how it makes you feel. I'm a genotype 1b. One's are the

hardest to clear. With treatment, I have a 35 - 40% chance of clearing the

virus.The genotype 2's and 3's have a 70 - 75% chance of clearing, and they only

have to be on the treatment for 24 weeks. You must be a genotype one if the

doctor says you have to be on it for almost a year.

Have you had a liver biopsy yet? Do you know what your viral load is?

Colleen

Sharon McCarty wrote:

Debra,

Thanks for your prayers. I found out today that I have Hep C and Cirrhosis.

The Hep C is from a blood tranfusion that I had 23 years ago. I was pregnant,

went into labor with my only child, and had an early seperation of the

placenta,starting hemorraging and lost the baby, plateletts left the blood and

had to have 29 units of blood, and a partial hysterectomy.

The gastro doc is starting me on a year long treatment, with 2 pills a day and

a shot a week. Have you or has anyone had treatment for Hep C? He told me I

would feel like I had the flu, and have a really bad case of the blahs. I don't

see the nurse to start the treatment until this week, so I'm just wondering what

I should expect.

Praying for all

Sharon

Debra wrote:

Sharon, How did it go for you today with the gastro. Keeping you in my

prayers, Debra

>

> Finally, the 19th of October has arrived and I finally get to see the

> gastro doc. Sorry I have been posting, but I have been reading

> everyday all of the posts and you guys really help get me through

some

> rough times. I am really nervous about today, but I am anxious too

> and want to get things moving. I have been having quiet a few

> episodes over the last couple of weeks, and have been battling a cold

> for about a month. So just say a prayer for me today, as I keep all

> of you in my prayers. Talk to you all later.

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I got cut off. I dont know if that first part is going to post or not. What i

was saying is that when I went to the ER in Feb, there was a radiology report

that said I might have fibrosis in my lungs. So I pursued further investigation

through the COPD /pulmonology clinic, and they discovered hps at a gradient of

15 to 20%. it was because I didnt just sit on that radiololgy report, I made

phone calls, and got an appt for a pulmonary function test and shunt study. the

whole process took 6 months, but it never would have happened if I hadnt pushed

my way forward.

Re: Re: Finally!

Well, you have a lot better chance of clearing the virus with treatment than I

do. Genotype 2's generally do pretty well with the treatment.

Colleen

Sharon McCarty <sharon.mccarty@ yahoo.com> wrote:

Colleen,

The gastro doc told me that my HCV was type 2, and I'm not sure what my viral

load is. Should I ask him? I have not had a biopsy yet. He wanted to go ahead

and get me started on treatment, I have a huge hernia in my abdomen on the left

side that has my small intestine pulled into it with several loops that almost

have me to the point of bowel obstruction, and it is pressing on a nerve in my

left leg causing my left leg to swell and hurt quiet a lot. I feel that I have a

good gastro doc, I'm praying that I do.

Thanks for the info

Sharon

MsTigerHawk wrote:

Hi Sharon,

I'm starting treatment in November. The same treatment as you, and for hepatitis

C. One shot of PegIntron a week and two Ribavirin capsules a day, all for 48

weeks. The treatment is grueling for some and not so bad for others. Some can

still go to work every day and some can't. Everyone's different, so you just

have to wait and see how it makes you feel. I'm a genotype 1b. One's are the

hardest to clear. With treatment, I have a 35 - 40% chance of clearing the

virus.The genotype 2's and 3's have a 70 - 75% chance of clearing, and they only

have to be on the treatment for 24 weeks. You must be a genotype one if the

doctor says you have to be on it for almost a year.

Have you had a liver biopsy yet? Do you know what your viral load is?

Colleen

Sharon McCarty wrote:

Debra,

Thanks for your prayers. I found out today that I have Hep C and Cirrhosis.

The Hep C is from a blood tranfusion that I had 23 years ago. I was pregnant,

went into labor with my only child, and had an early seperation of the

placenta,starting hemorraging and lost the baby, plateletts left the blood and

had to have 29 units of blood, and a partial hysterectomy.

The gastro doc is starting me on a year long treatment, with 2 pills a day and

a shot a week. Have you or has anyone had treatment for Hep C? He told me I

would feel like I had the flu, and have a really bad case of the blahs. I don't

see the nurse to start the treatment until this week, so I'm just wondering what

I should expect.

Praying for all

Sharon

Debra wrote:

Sharon, How did it go for you today with the gastro. Keeping you in my

prayers, Debra

>

> Finally, the 19th of October has arrived and I finally get to see the

> gastro doc. Sorry I have been posting, but I have been reading

> everyday all of the posts and you guys really help get me through

some

> rough times. I am really nervous about today, but I am anxious too

> and want to get things moving. I have been having quiet a few

> episodes over the last couple of weeks, and have been battling a cold

> for about a month. So just say a prayer for me today, as I keep all

> of you in my prayers. Talk to you all later.

>

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ __

[Guest guest]

Yup, genotype 2's and 3's is 24 weeks; genotype 1 is 48 weeks.

Colleen

wrote:

How does your Dr. know that you have cirrhosis if he hasn't ordered a biopsy?

I was under the impression that Genotype 2s usually only take about 24 weeks of

Peg Intron treatment.

Or at least that is what my husband gastro suggested to him. I had 18 months of

treatment back when there was only the monotherapy...no Riba.

>I'm not sure what my viral load is. Should I ask him?

You need to know if your treatment is lowering your viral load. My experience

has been that you have to be proactive with your medical issues and not just

assume the doctor knows best. Sometimes they don't, or sometimes may simply

overlook something. Ask for a hard copy of every lab report you have done, be it

blood work, scans, etc

And seeing a psychiatrist to evaluate you for depression is

important....interferon can really do a number on your emotions.

There is a good mailing list for Hep C at HEPV-L@...

Good luck!

Re: Re: Finally!

Well, you have a lot better chance of clearing the virus with treatment than I

do. Genotype 2's generally do pretty well with the treatment.

Colleen

Sharon McCarty wrote:

Colleen,

The gastro doc told me that my HCV was type 2, and I'm not sure what my viral

load is. Should I ask him? I have not had a biopsy yet. He wanted to go ahead

and get me started on treatment, I have a huge hernia in my abdomen on the left

side that has my small intestine pulled into it with several loops that almost

have me to the point of bowel obstruction, and it is pressing on a nerve in my

left leg causing my left leg to swell and hurt quiet a lot. I feel that I have a

good gastro doc, I'm praying that I do.

Thanks for the info

Sharon

MsTigerHawk wrote:

Hi Sharon,

I'm starting treatment in November. The same treatment as you, and for hepatitis

C. One shot of PegIntron a week and two Ribavirin capsules a day, all for 48

weeks. The treatment is grueling for some and not so bad for others. Some can

still go to work every day and some can't. Everyone's different, so you just

have to wait and see how it makes you feel. I'm a genotype 1b. One's are the

hardest to clear. With treatment, I have a 35 - 40% chance of clearing the

virus.The genotype 2's and 3's have a 70 - 75% chance of clearing, and they only

have to be on the treatment for 24 weeks. You must be a genotype one if the

doctor says you have to be on it for almost a year.

Have you had a liver biopsy yet? Do you know what your viral load is?

Colleen

Sharon McCarty wrote:

Debra,

Thanks for your prayers. I found out today that I have Hep C and Cirrhosis. The

Hep C is from a blood tranfusion that I had 23 years ago. I was pregnant, went

into labor with my only child, and had an early seperation of the

placenta,starting hemorraging and lost the baby, plateletts left the blood and

had to have 29 units of blood, and a partial hysterectomy.

The gastro doc is starting me on a year long treatment, with 2 pills a day and a

shot a week. Have you or has anyone had treatment for Hep C? He told me I would

feel like I had the flu, and have a really bad case of the blahs. I don't see

the nurse to start the treatment until this week, so I'm just wondering what I

should expect.

Praying for all

Sharon

Debra wrote:

Sharon, How did it go for you today with the gastro. Keeping you in my

prayers, Debra

>

> Finally, the 19th of October has arrived and I finally get to see the

> gastro doc. Sorry I have been posting, but I have been reading

> everyday all of the posts and you guys really help get me through

some

> rough times. I am really nervous about today, but I am anxious too

> and want to get things moving. I have been having quiet a few

> episodes over the last couple of weeks, and have been battling a cold

> for about a month. So just say a prayer for me today, as I keep all

> of you in my prayers. Talk to you all later.

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

,

He diagnosed me after I had an Ultrasound, MRI,and Liver Ultersound, that all

showed cirrhosis. I will find out what my viral load is this week.

Thanks

Sharon

wrote:

How does your Dr. know that you have cirrhosis if he hasn't ordered a

biopsy?

I was under the impression that Genotype 2s usually only take about 24 weeks of

Peg Intron treatment.

Or at least that is what my husband gastro suggested to him. I had 18 months of

treatment back when there was only the monotherapy...no Riba.

>I'm not sure what my viral load is. Should I ask him?

You need to know if your treatment is lowering your viral load. My experience

has been that you have to be proactive with your medical issues and not just

assume the doctor knows best. Sometimes they don't, or sometimes may simply

overlook something. Ask for a hard copy of every lab report you have done, be it

blood work, scans, etc

And seeing a psychiatrist to evaluate you for depression is

important....interferon can really do a number on your emotions.

There is a good mailing list for Hep C at HEPV-L@...

Good luck!

Re: Re: Finally!

Well, you have a lot better chance of clearing the virus with treatment than I

do. Genotype 2's generally do pretty well with the treatment.

Colleen

Sharon McCarty wrote:

Colleen,

The gastro doc told me that my HCV was type 2, and I'm not sure what my viral

load is. Should I ask him? I have not had a biopsy yet. He wanted to go ahead

and get me started on treatment, I have a huge hernia in my abdomen on the left

side that has my small intestine pulled into it with several loops that almost

have me to the point of bowel obstruction, and it is pressing on a nerve in my

left leg causing my left leg to swell and hurt quiet a lot. I feel that I have a

good gastro doc, I'm praying that I do.

Thanks for the info

Sharon

MsTigerHawk wrote:

Hi Sharon,

I'm starting treatment in November. The same treatment as you, and for hepatitis

C. One shot of PegIntron a week and two Ribavirin capsules a day, all for 48

weeks. The treatment is grueling for some and not so bad for others. Some can

still go to work every day and some can't. Everyone's different, so you just

have to wait and see how it makes you feel. I'm a genotype 1b. One's are the

hardest to clear. With treatment, I have a 35 - 40% chance of clearing the

virus.The genotype 2's and 3's have a 70 - 75% chance of clearing, and they only

have to be on the treatment for 24 weeks. You must be a genotype one if the

doctor says you have to be on it for almost a year.

Have you had a liver biopsy yet? Do you know what your viral load is?

Colleen

Sharon McCarty wrote:

Debra,

Thanks for your prayers. I found out today that I have Hep C and Cirrhosis. The

Hep C is from a blood tranfusion that I had 23 years ago. I was pregnant, went

into labor with my only child, and had an early seperation of the

placenta,starting hemorraging and lost the baby, plateletts left the blood and

had to have 29 units of blood, and a partial hysterectomy.

The gastro doc is starting me on a year long treatment, with 2 pills a day and a

shot a week. Have you or has anyone had treatment for Hep C? He told me I would

feel like I had the flu, and have a really bad case of the blahs. I don't see

the nurse to start the treatment until this week, so I'm just wondering what I

should expect.

Praying for all

Sharon

Debra wrote:

Sharon, How did it go for you today with the gastro. Keeping you in my

prayers, Debra

>

> Finally, the 19th of October has arrived and I finally get to see the

> gastro doc. Sorry I have been posting, but I have been reading

> everyday all of the posts and you guys really help get me through

some

> rough times. I am really nervous about today, but I am anxious too

> and want to get things moving. I have been having quiet a few

> episodes over the last couple of weeks, and have been battling a cold

> for about a month. So just say a prayer for me today, as I keep all

> of you in my prayers. Talk to you all later.

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Sharon,

Pardon me for missing that you are genotype 2? That is the easiest to cure.

Most doctors these days figure 24 weeks for genotype 2 patients. Ask your

doctor.

Sally

Re: Re: Finally!

Debra,

Thanks for your prayers. I found out today that I have Hep C and Cirrhosis.

The Hep C is from a blood tranfusion that I had 23 years ago. I was

pregnant, went into labor with my only child, and had an early seperation of

the placenta,starting hemorraging and lost the baby, plateletts left the

blood and had to have 29 units of blood, and a partial hysterectomy. The

gastro doc is starting me on a year long treatment, with 2 pills a day and a

shot a week. Have you or has anyone had treatment for Hep C? He told me I

would feel like I had the flu, and have a really bad case of the blahs. I

don't see the nurse to start the treatment until this week, so I'm just

wondering what I should expect. Praying for all Sharon

Debra wrote:

Sharon, How did it go for you today with the gastro. Keeping you in my

prayers, Debra

>

> Finally, the 19th of October has arrived and I finally get to see the

> gastro doc. Sorry I have been posting, but I have been reading

> everyday all of the posts and you guys really help get me through

some

> rough times. I am really nervous about today, but I am anxious too and

> want to get things moving. I have been having quiet a few episodes

> over the last couple of weeks, and have been battling a cold for about

> a month. So just say a prayer for me today, as I keep all of you in my

> prayers. Talk to you all later.

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I have fired a lot of doctors until I finally found a good team of pcp and

specialists.

Colleen

Debra wrote:

>

>I had a doctor fire me once.. of course it was after I was released

from the hospital and went to pick up my prescriptions and he had

prescribed CIPRO which I am very allegic to and it was red flagged

all over my hospital chart.. I think he put it there.. So I asked him

was he trying to kill me.. Got a letter a few days later saying that

I need to find a new pcp.. lol.. Gladly, I thought.. Debra

Or they " fire " you for bogus reasons, as mine did. Either way,

you're ahead.

> A new doctor after that will be a blessing even if s/he's only a

step toward

> the right doctor!

>

>

>

> The decline in our standard of living may not be a sign of economic

failure;

> rather, it may be part of the cure for our economic ills. --

Hawken in

> The Next Economy

>

> Re: Finally!

>

> Good point Bob,

> And an excellent reason why everyone here needs to be up to speed on

> this disease and in control of their or their loved ones health

care.

> There use to be a time when you went to the doctor and they sat down

> and talked with you, explained everything, even called.

>

> Now it's in and out. " Next! "

>

> Even thought doctors for the most part care a lot about patients

they

> just don't have the time they once had to give exceptional care.

>

> Many of us (us population) would nod their head at the doctor and

take

> his word and either live or die.

> Others are proactive, and make the doctor face their decisions and

> explain them. Making them do this is a positive thing. One, it let's

> them interact with you and two creates a bond between the patient

and

> doctor. I find that when a bond develops, doctors tend to go out of

> their way in terms of care.

>

> MaC

>

> Thoughts? I probably could have put it, " Doctors are too busy

unless

> they know you. "

>

> No virus found in this outgoing message.

> Checked by AVG Free Edition.

> Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.15.5/1085 - Release Date:

10/22/2007

> 10:35 AM

>

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