Re: Re: Hi all...

[Guest guest]

Thanks alot Annita. I didn't drink last night, either.That's a major

accomplishment for me.I have to go back to the doctor.During my last visit the

doctor said, " By the way, did Dr.K. tell you that you tested positive for the

hepC antibody " ? Well no he didn't, and I almost fell off the chair.Just when I

had come to grips with the hiv infection.I never went back. That was 6 months

ago. All I know is my viral load is 300,000.I know nothing else and am terrified

of having a biopsy done.Lorraine

Annita Finkemeier wrote:Lorraine hang in there you will

be fine I kicked drugs (meth)

recentlyI have two months of treatment left AnnitaOh, gosh,

Lorraine, I hope I don't sound preachy because I don't mean to be.

First, let me say that some of us *never* know where we got Hep C

from. I've met people who never did drugs, got blood transfusions,

tattoos, piercings or anything. One woman is still married to her

high school sweetheart and he is negative.

>

> HIV - a really rotten break. My cousin lived with full-blown AIDS

for 21 years, from the time they didn't know what the heck to do

with it, until the time when they had great drugs. He died last

year from something called town Canyon Virus, an opportunistic

disease that isn't supposed to affect humans, but only deer, I

think. I learned so much from Chris. He never assigned blame or

felt sorry for himself. He told me this was the lot God gave him in

life and it was his job to live his life to the fullest. He led the

most complete life of anyone I have known.

>

> He became a child again. He delighted over an ice cream cone or a

sunset. He learned to live in the moment. Gosh, I loved him so

much and learned a lot from him.

>

> We all have our own ways to cope with what life throws at us. My

way is to keep all the negative, unstable people in my life as far

away from me as I possibly can - we could compare sisters, and I

could throw in a mother! Whenever somebody calls me up to bitch, I

interrupt them and ask them to tell me what was good about their

lives today. Honks them off, but I used to carry everybody's

burdens for them. All I did was drag myself down - they dumped and

felt better, and I was left with their loads. When I ask them

what's good about life, it cuts them off at the knees.

>

> I don't know why, Lorraine, but I just have a gut feeling that you

are a person who takes on the weight of the world, and shoulders

other people's burdens. If I'm all wrong, please tell me. I think

this is why this is so overwhelming to you, because you have always

prided yourself on being the strong one. You don't have to be

strong with this one, this time, it's about you, and you are in a

really safe place with a lot of good people here.

>

> Gawd, I must sound insane! But you truly do wake up every morning

and decide what you want your life to be, just for today. And every

day, you can make a different choice. There are a lot of good

people here to help you.

>

> Marilyn

> Hi all...

>

>

> Hi!My name is Lorraine and I'm really having a hard time coming

to

> terms with my hepatitis and would appreciate any support(or kick

in the

> butt) from everyone.I found out this past November that my

boyfriend of

> 5 years gave me hiv. Then, 2 months later I find out from the

doctor

> that I also have hepC. I have no idea where I got it from and my

> boyfriend doesn't have it(but my mentally unstable, jealous

sister

> does). I've never shot drugs, gotten a tattoo, never even been

to a

> nail salon. But one thing I've always been is a drunk, and I'm

drinking

> now.I work full time and have an outstanding performance record

(I just

> go home and fall apart). Sorry to make this so negative but I'm

really

> a mess. Thanks to all in advance, Lorraine

>

>

[Guest guest]

Lorraine

I just wanted you to know how proud I am of you girl. 2 alcohol free nights in

a row. WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!!!! Well done!!

Love

anne

(one of your many cheer squad!)

Re: Re: Hi all...

Thanks alot Annita. I didn't drink last night, either.That's a major

accomplishment for me.I have to go back to the doctor.During my last visit the

doctor said, " By the way, did Dr.K. tell you that you tested positive for the

hepC antibody " ? Well no he didn't, and I almost fell off the chair.Just when I

had come to grips with the hiv infection.I never went back. That was 6 months

ago. All I know is my viral load is 300,000.I know nothing else and am terrified

of having a biopsy done.Lorraine

[Guest guest]

My biopsy was a piece of cake! I got a lidocaine drip before they started, and

slept through the whole thing. I wasn't looking forward to having to lay on my

stomach with a pillow under my liver for five hours, but I slept through that,

too. Gosh, I've had umpteen surgeries, and I was more afraid of that liver

biopsy than anything I've ever had done!

Marilyn

Re: Re: Hi all...

Thanks alot Annita. I didn't drink last night, either.That's a major

accomplishment for me.I have to go back to the doctor.During my last visit the

doctor said, " By the way, did Dr.K. tell you that you tested positive for the

hepC antibody " ? Well no he didn't, and I almost fell off the chair.Just when I

had come to grips with the hiv infection.I never went back. That was 6 months

ago. All I know is my viral load is 300,000.I know nothing else and am terrified

of having a biopsy done.Lorraine

[Guest guest]

Well thats really strange,, lidocaine is for heart rhythm problems,, and it

doesnt make you sleep, you must have had something else...I just had to lay on

my right side for about 4 hours after the biopsy, never on my stomach,, where do

you live? Are you in the USA?

Im glad things went well tho and that you didnt have much pain,, neither did

I...lol

Marilyn Wilkinson wrote:

My biopsy was a piece of cake! I got a lidocaine drip before they started, and

slept through the whole thing. I wasn't looking forward to having to lay on my

stomach with a pillow under my liver for five hours, but I slept through that,

too. Gosh, I've had umpteen surgeries, and I was more afraid of that liver

biopsy than anything I've ever had done!

Marilyn

Re: Re: Hi all...

Thanks alot Annita. I didn't drink last night, either.That's a major

accomplishment for me.I have to go back to the doctor.During my last visit the

doctor said, " By the way, did Dr.K. tell you that you tested positive for the

hepC antibody " ? Well no he didn't, and I almost fell off the chair.Just when I

had come to grips with the hiv infection.I never went back. That was 6 months

ago. All I know is my viral load is 300,000.I know nothing else and am terrified

of having a biopsy done.Lorraine

[Guest guest]

It was the same way with me...I had lidocaine and wasn't tired at all. I

was up the entire time and never had to sleep on my stomach. Just on my

right side for several hours and then a little bit on my back, but mostly

on my right side to prevent bleeding.

At 07:36 PM 6/15/2005, you wrote:

>Well thats really strange,, lidocaine is for heart rhythm problems,, and

>it doesnt make you sleep, you must have had something else...I just had to

>lay on my right side for about 4 hours after the biopsy, never on my

>stomach,, where do you live? Are you in the USA?

>Im glad things went well tho and that you didnt have much pain,, neither

>did I...lol

>Marilyn Wilkinson wrote:

>My biopsy was a piece of cake! I got a lidocaine drip before they

>started, and slept through the whole thing. I wasn't looking forward to

>having to lay on my stomach with a pillow under my liver for five hours,

>but I slept through that, too. Gosh, I've had umpteen surgeries, and I

>was more afraid of that liver biopsy than anything I've ever had done!

>

>Marilyn

> Re: Re: Hi all...

>

>

> Thanks alot Annita. I didn't drink last night, either.That's a major

> accomplishment for me.I have to go back to the doctor.During my last

> visit the doctor said, " By the way, did Dr.K. tell you that you tested

> positive for the hepC antibody " ? Well no he didn't, and I almost fell off

> the chair.Just when I had come to grips with the hiv infection.I never

> went back. That was 6 months ago. All I know is my viral load is

> 300,000.I know nothing else and am terrified of having a biopsy done.Lorraine

>

>

[Guest guest]

Lidocaine is also used for pain and can cause sleepiness. It is what was

administered to me for my biopsy. I had trouble staying awake. It is also

given to me for mouth sores, along with a mixture of imodium for texture and

benadryl for the swelling. It puts me out like a bad bulb!! Sharon

Re: Re: Hi all...

Thanks alot Annita. I didn't drink last night, either.That's a major

accomplishment for me.I have to go back to the doctor.During my last visit the

doctor said, " By the way, did Dr.K. tell you that you tested positive for the

hepC antibody " ? Well no he didn't, and I almost fell off the chair.Just when I

had come to grips with the hiv infection.I never went back. That was 6 months

ago. All I know is my viral load is 300,000.I know nothing else and am terrified

of having a biopsy done.Lorraine

[Guest guest]

It's the unknown that's so scary!! When they get through telling us what MIGHT

happen, we don't want to play!! It's like all the side effects that are now

spouted with each commercial! Who wants to take that chance? Mine was just

like yours, slept right through it. Sharon

Re: Re: Hi all...

Thanks alot Annita. I didn't drink last night, either.That's a major

accomplishment for me.I have to go back to the doctor.During my last visit the

doctor said, " By the way, did Dr.K. tell you that you tested positive for the

hepC antibody " ? Well no he didn't, and I almost fell off the chair.Just when I

had come to grips with the hiv infection.I never went back. That was 6 months

ago. All I know is my viral load is 300,000.I know nothing else and am terrified

of having a biopsy done.Lorraine

[Guest guest]

Well a form of lido can be used in the mouth for dental work but never has it

been my awareness that it can cause sleepiness, I used it for 15 years on the

ambulance and NEVER had anyone fall asleep, I'll have to look that up in the PDR

as I have never seen it as a side effect.... Im not trying to be arguementative,

but having used it for years, I have never ever heard it used to cause

sleepiness.. Ill post what I find...

SHARON CROSBY wrote:Lidocaine is also used for pain and

can cause sleepiness. It is what was administered to me for my biopsy. I had

trouble staying awake. It is also given to me for mouth sores, along with a

mixture of imodium for texture and benadryl for the swelling. It puts me out

like a bad bulb!! Sharon

Re: Re: Hi all...

Thanks alot Annita. I didn't drink last night, either.That's a major

accomplishment for me.I have to go back to the doctor.During my last visit the

doctor said, " By the way, did Dr.K. tell you that you tested positive for the

hepC antibody " ? Well no he didn't, and I almost fell off the chair.Just when I

had come to grips with the hiv infection.I never went back. That was 6 months

ago. All I know is my viral load is 300,000.I know nothing else and am terrified

of having a biopsy done.Lorraine

[Guest guest]

Yes, please do. I am now curious. I had the notion that all " caine " meds could

cause sleepiness.

Sharon

Re: Re: Hi all...

Thanks alot Annita. I didn't drink last night, either.That's a major

accomplishment for me.I have to go back to the doctor.During my last visit the

doctor said, " By the way, did Dr.K. tell you that you tested positive for the

hepC antibody " ? Well no he didn't, and I almost fell off the chair.Just when I

had come to grips with the hiv infection.I never went back. That was 6 months

ago. All I know is my viral load is 300,000.I know nothing else and am terrified

of having a biopsy done.Lorraine

[Guest guest]

Ok,, according to webmd,, lidocaine should not be given or given sparely with

someone with liver disease, I remember that now from my training, its been 3

years since I was last on the ambulance,, and sleepiness is a side effect that

you are supposed to report to the doc if you experience it...you should not have

that kind of sleepiness that allows you to have a biopsy and sleep through

it,,,,

SHARON CROSBY wrote:Lidocaine is also used for pain and

can cause sleepiness. It is what was administered to me for my biopsy. I had

trouble staying awake. It is also given to me for mouth sores, along with a

mixture of imodium for texture and benadryl for the swelling. It puts me out

like a bad bulb!! Sharon

Re: Re: Hi all...

Thanks alot Annita. I didn't drink last night, either.That's a major

accomplishment for me.I have to go back to the doctor.During my last visit the

doctor said, " By the way, did Dr.K. tell you that you tested positive for the

hepC antibody " ? Well no he didn't, and I almost fell off the chair.Just when I

had come to grips with the hiv infection.I never went back. That was 6 months

ago. All I know is my viral load is 300,000.I know nothing else and am terrified

of having a biopsy done.Lorraine

[Guest guest]

I KNEW it was for pain too,, but those of us with liver problems should have

very little of it,, because it sits in the liver for so long, but it should not

put you to sleep where you can sleep through a procedure like a liver biopsy,,

thats not right.

Marilyn Wilkinson wrote:Aha, Jackie, I found a

website that may resolve the issue: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lidocaine.

Where you are right about it's use for heart problems, it is also a local

anesthetic, metastasized in the liver. The 1/2 life is 109 minutes, which is

*far* longer than what is needed to do a liver biopsy.

BTW, I'm just outside of Chicago, and had it done at Loyola University Hospital,

with some of the best hepatologists in the country. Hey, they kept Cardinal

Bernadin alive for years with liver cancer, I've got to trust them!

Marilyn

Re: Re: Hi all...

Well thats really strange,, lidocaine is for heart rhythm problems,, and it

doesnt make you sleep, you must have had something else...I just had to lay on

my right side for about 4 hours after the biopsy, never on my stomach,, where do

you live? Are you in the USA?

[Guest guest]

a little sleepiness is totally different than being able to sleep through a

liver biopsy!

SHARON CROSBY wrote:Yes, please do. I am now curious. I

had the notion that all " caine " meds could cause sleepiness.

Sharon

Re: Re: Hi all...

Thanks alot Annita. I didn't drink last night, either.That's a major

accomplishment for me.I have to go back to the doctor.During my last visit the

doctor said, " By the way, did Dr.K. tell you that you tested positive for the

hepC antibody " ? Well no he didn't, and I almost fell off the chair.Just when I

had come to grips with the hiv infection.I never went back. That was 6 months

ago. All I know is my viral load is 300,000.I know nothing else and am terrified

of having a biopsy done.Lorraine

[Guest guest]

I had more than a little sleepiness, tho. Sharon

Re: Re: Hi all...

Thanks alot Annita. I didn't drink last night, either.That's a major

accomplishment for me.I have to go back to the doctor.During my last visit the

doctor said, " By the way, did Dr.K. tell you that you tested positive for the

hepC antibody " ? Well no he didn't, and I almost fell off the chair.Just when I

had come to grips with the hiv infection.I never went back. That was 6 months

ago. All I know is my viral load is 300,000.I know nothing else and am terrified

of having a biopsy done.Lorraine

[Guest guest]

WELL, is there a different form of it? According to my doc, Lidocaine was

included in the mouth rinse prescribed for me because it would help with the

pain and allow me to get a good night's sleep. Benadryl also causes sleepiness,

but accourding to her, the lidocaine was for pain and for sleep??? I still

have a bout with it occasionally, with stuffed ears and that mixture fixes it.

Sharon

Re: Re: Hi all...

Thanks alot Annita. I didn't drink last night, either.That's a major

accomplishment for me.I have to go back to the doctor.During my last visit the

doctor said, " By the way, did Dr.K. tell you that you tested positive for the

hepC antibody " ? Well no he didn't, and I almost fell off the chair.Just when I

had come to grips with the hiv infection.I never went back. That was 6 months

ago. All I know is my viral load is 300,000.I know nothing else and am terrified

of having a biopsy done.Lorraine

[Guest guest]

well do you think your doc might have given you something else in addition to

the lidocaine?

so do you get sleepy when you have a filling filled at the dentist if he numbs

you up with xylocaine??????

SHARON CROSBY wrote:

I had more than a little sleepiness, tho. Sharon

Re: Re: Hi all...

Thanks alot Annita. I didn't drink last night, either.That's a major

accomplishment for me.I have to go back to the doctor.During my last visit the

doctor said, " By the way, did Dr.K. tell you that you tested positive for the

hepC antibody " ? Well no he didn't, and I almost fell off the chair.Just when I

had come to grips with the hiv infection.I never went back. That was 6 months

ago. All I know is my viral load is 300,000.I know nothing else and am terrified

of having a biopsy done.Lorraine

[Guest guest]

I'm glad to hear of this report. I just got through with a bout of cold sores

clear up into my sinuses. This elixir, so-called, is the only thing I've found,

through my doc, that will help. But, you know, somethings I think I know

something and then have to back peddle like crazy when I find out I was thinking

of something all together different. LOL

Sharon

Re: Re: Hi all...

Well thats really strange,, lidocaine is for heart rhythm problems,, and it

doesnt make you sleep, you must have had something else...I just had to lay on

my right side for about 4 hours after the biopsy, never on my stomach,, where do

you live? Are you in the USA?

[Guest guest]

Ok,,,

Marilyn Wilkinson wrote:I wonder how much we

really know about how Hep C affects the liver, even if we don't have many

symptoms for years. I have *always* had to be careful about medications because

I get over-medicated so easily. For instance, one Sudafed works great, 2 put me

to sleep - and to take an antihistament will practically put me in a coma!

I know I've had this since I was a pretty young kid. The hepatologist told me

the lidocaine would relax me, give me a sense of not caring, and may even make

me fall asleep for a while. I was out cold for 6 hours!

Marilyn

Re: Re: Hi all...

Lidocaine is also used for pain and can cause sleepiness. It is what was

administered to me for my biopsy. I had trouble staying awake. It is also

given to me for mouth sores, along with a mixture of imodium for texture and

benadryl for the swelling. It puts me out like a bad bulb!! Sharon

[Guest guest]

You know, the doc told my DH to remember what was said, that I would not, well,

having said that to him, he forgot his name along with all the details, so it's

quite possible that something else was administered along with it, but I don't

think so.

Sharon

Re: Re: Hi all...

Thanks alot Annita. I didn't drink last night, either.That's a major

accomplishment for me.I have to go back to the doctor.During my last visit the

doctor said, " By the way, did Dr.K. tell you that you tested positive for the

hepC antibody " ? Well no he didn't, and I almost fell off the chair.Just when I

had come to grips with the hiv infection.I never went back. That was 6 months

ago. All I know is my viral load is 300,000.I know nothing else and am terrified

of having a biopsy done.Lorraine

[Guest guest]

I have always had trouble sleeping. Wish I could find something predictable to

use safely each noght. Lidocaine would not be the choice. It makes sense that

something else was given along with that, but so long after the fact, I cannot

be sure. If you keep trying, you will convince me what I really had was kool

aide, I am slightly flaky anyway. lol

Sharon

Re: Re: Hi all...

Lidocaine is also used for pain and can cause sleepiness. It is what was

administered to me for my biopsy. I had trouble staying awake. It is also

given to me for mouth sores, along with a mixture of imodium for texture and

benadryl for the swelling. It puts me out like a bad bulb!! Sharon

[Guest guest]

Aha, Jackie, I found a website that may resolve the issue:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lidocaine. Where you are right about it's use for

heart problems, it is also a local anesthetic, metastasized in the liver. The

1/2 life is 109 minutes, which is *far* longer than what is needed to do a liver

biopsy.

BTW, I'm just outside of Chicago, and had it done at Loyola University Hospital,

with some of the best hepatologists in the country. Hey, they kept Cardinal

Bernadin alive for years with liver cancer, I've got to trust them!

Marilyn

Re: Re: Hi all...

Well thats really strange,, lidocaine is for heart rhythm problems,, and it

doesnt make you sleep, you must have had something else...I just had to lay on

my right side for about 4 hours after the biopsy, never on my stomach,, where do

you live? Are you in the USA?

[Guest guest]

, are you saying that you had no pain either? I've heard horror stories

from other people whose doctors gave them nothing.

Marilyn

Re: Re: Hi all...

It was the same way with me...I had lidocaine and wasn't tired at all. I

was up the entire time and never had to sleep on my stomach. Just on my

right side for several hours and then a little bit on my back, but mostly

on my right side to prevent bleeding.

[Guest guest]

I wonder how much we really know about how Hep C affects the liver, even if we

don't have many symptoms for years. I have *always* had to be careful about

medications because I get over-medicated so easily. For instance, one Sudafed

works great, 2 put me to sleep - and to take an antihistament will practically

put me in a coma!

I know I've had this since I was a pretty young kid. The hepatologist told me

the lidocaine would relax me, give me a sense of not caring, and may even make

me fall asleep for a while. I was out cold for 6 hours!

Marilyn

Re: Re: Hi all...

Lidocaine is also used for pain and can cause sleepiness. It is what was

administered to me for my biopsy. I had trouble staying awake. It is also

given to me for mouth sores, along with a mixture of imodium for texture and

benadryl for the swelling. It puts me out like a bad bulb!! Sharon

[Guest guest]

t seems odd that the hospital, professionals would give it for a biopsy. I must

be crazy and flaked out. GA GA

Sharon

Re: Re: Hi all...

Ok,, according to webmd,, lidocaine should not be given or given sparely

with someone with liver disease, I remember that now from my training, its been

3 years since I was last on the ambulance,, and sleepiness is a side effect that

you are supposed to report to the doc if you experience it...you should not have

that kind of sleepiness that allows you to have a biopsy and sleep through

it,,,,

[Guest guest]

I have a friend who was a nurse in Scandinavia before she came here, she was

appalled that they gave me lidocaine, told me they could have killed me! I've

never heard anything else negative about it until you. Sheesh, guess I was

lucky!

Marilyn

Re: Re: Hi all...

Ok,, according to webmd,, lidocaine should not be given or given sparely with

someone with liver disease, I remember that now from my training, its been 3

years since I was last on the ambulance,, and sleepiness is a side effect that

you are supposed to report to the doc if you experience it...you should not have

that kind of sleepiness that allows you to have a biopsy and sleep through

it,,,,

[Guest guest]

Little hard for me to tell, because I have the worst gag reflex in the world! I

have to have nitrous oxide before I can ever open my mouth, I gag myself when I

brush my teeth during the day. I have never fallen asleep, but I have to say I

have zoned out.

Marilyn

Re: Re: Hi all...

well do you think your doc might have given you something else in addition to

the lidocaine?

so do you get sleepy when you have a filling filled at the dentist if he numbs

you up with xylocaine??????