New here

July 21, 2006

Dear Carol,

Thanks for your kind words, I tried to put things in plain language, I'm kinda an emotional type person, and more than once I've cried while responding to others posts. It all floods back to me when I hear what others are going through at the beginning of this Flatback journey. Pain even though it's gone leaves an emotional imprint on your brain. One of the Gifts that Scoliosis has given me is empathy for others, a lesson I was dearly in need of. I'm glad I could be a help to you, thats what we are here for, no one gets this mess like we do.

Colorado Springs

[ ] Re: New here> > > I'm new here too, my > name is Marci. I see on > these groups everyone > talking about revision > surgury after revision > surgury. I've only had > one surgury that was in > 1980 when I had my > spinal fusion. I have > had to work all my life > to support myself and > cannot take time of to > have "surgury" after > surgury and I don't > think I'd want to. > It is now about 25 > years and I have had > increasing back pain. > I've lost the abilaty to > lift to much and also to > stand for a long period > of time, witch limits > the type of jobs I can > do.> I am petrified to get > more surgury, I don't > really trust doctors, > you know they don't > really know that much. > They fix one problem > and give you another one.> God Bless you, and be > careful, we only can > really take care of > ourselves. Luv, Marci>

July 21, 2006

Degenerative Disc Disease

>

> Thanks ........... What does DDD mean?

July 21, 2006

Thanks , it's good

to have support. Marci

July 23, 2006

Cam/Cristl/,

I realize that I'm in the minority with this one, but I did not require

an osteotomy to correct my sagittal imbalance (which was slight). Dr.

Bridwell was able to use the cages at L4-5 and L5-S1 to create

sufficient lordosis to restore my sagittal balance. Interestingly, Dr.

LaGrone stated that he would've done the same...used cages at the

unfused levels to create sufficient lordosis (that freaked me out the

most about the two consultations since I had not heard any patients

suggest that sufficient lordosis might be achieved with cages, but they

both said it - and Dr. Bridwell did it).

I do wonder if I had waited five more years or so if an osteotomy

would've been necessary. Thank God I'll never know. I feel perfectly

balanced now...knock on wood.

kam

Most of us that have had revision for flatback and are/were repairing a

fixed sagittal imbalance, which requires and osteotomy (removal of a

wedge shaped piece from the vertebrae) as well as dealing with the more

immediate causes of the pain...i.e. decompressing the nerve roots from

the degenerating discs below the fusion and stabilizing the whole mess

by fusing into the sacrum and also replacing the failing discs with

cages. Usually accomplished in two surgeries.

July 24, 2006

,

Welcome to the group. Hope you can find lots of useful info on here.

If you have any questions about the test results, post them here and

there are alot of ppl that will help you understand them.

Dawn

> >

> hi dawn

> im new too. my name is susan martz. im not sure i have low thryoid

> july 25th i have been research thryoid information you sound like i

> have it same. i will have another test july 25 to make sure same

> amount level or change so to see which im in low or high so thank

you

> for ur feeling and experience share on post message.

>

July 26, 2006

Well, you just got started, so you've got that out of the way. Welcome. My name is Dave and I've been around a few years. I went through treatment in 2001 and have been undetectable since. I don't know too much about the alternative medicines. Looking forward to learning more about you. -dz-lighteyes1012 <francesca1012@...> wrote: Hello,I am new to this site but quite a few years under the Dragon.I haven't done this before and don't know how to get started.Looking forward to talking with someone

re: symptoms and alternate treatments.F

July 26, 2006

First of all welcome to the group.

Your are making a pretty good start. Just jump in

there with your questions.

For me the worst symptom is the extreme fatigue. This

is probably due to the fact that I have stage 4

cirrhosis.

Most of us here have been on the convevtional

treatment. (Ribavarin & Some form of Interferon Usuall

Peg_ Intron) I have under gone this treatment 4 times

since 1996 always relapsing afterwards First 2 times

Peg-Intron was not available yet. Some of the side

effects are Extreme fatigue, Fever, Flu like aches and

pains. These usually become tolerable after a few

weeks of treatment. Some of the more serious side

effects are anemia from the Riba varin. Some of the

side effects for the Interferon include depression in

some cases thoughts of suicide, a lowering of

platelets.

Some of the alternative treatments, at least ones that

I know about include Milk thistle, and high doses of

IV vitamin c.

I hope that this at least gives you some information

to start with.

--- lighteyes1012 <francesca1012@...> wrote:

> Hello,

>

> I am new to this site but quite a few years under

> the Dragon.

> I haven't done this before and don't know how to get

> started.

> Looking forward to talking with someone re: symptoms

> and alternate

> treatments.

>

> F

>

__________________________________________________

July 26, 2006

Hello and thank you for your response. I was diagnosed in 94 after a needle stick at work. I tried 1 injection of interferon but felt it would leave me too debilitated to even work. It took a few years before I would even have a liver biopsy done, what a joy that was! Since that time I have only used alternate treatments and try to eat healthy. My viral load does fluctuate but my liver enzymes have been normal for the most part. The Doc has tried to convince me to have another biopsy but I really don't want to go through that again. I go every few months to have my labs checked and to have a physical. I do experience ribcage pain from the chronic inflammation as well as joint and muscle aches and on occasion I break out in a rash. "Ain't life grand?" I can't even imagine taking intron/riba because I'd probably end up seeing a shrink. It's

good to be able to talk to some who can relate to all of this. Thanks, F. <ralexanthegreat@...> wrote: First of all welcome to the group.Your are making a pretty good start. Just jump inthere with your questions.For me the worst symptom is the extreme fatigue. Thisis probably due to the fact that I have stage 4cirrhosis.Most of us here have been on the convevtionaltreatment. (Ribavarin & Some

form of Interferon UsuallPeg_ Intron) I have under gone this treatment 4 timessince 1996 always relapsing afterwards First 2 timesPeg-Intron was not available yet. Some of the sideeffects are Extreme fatigue, Fever, Flu like aches andpains. These usually become tolerable after a fewweeks of treatment. Some of the more serious sideeffects are anemia from the Riba varin. Some of theside effects for the Interferon include depression insome cases thoughts of suicide, a lowering ofplatelets.Some of the alternative treatments, at least ones thatI know about include Milk thistle, and high doses ofIV vitamin c. I hope that this at least gives you some informationto start with.--- lighteyes1012 <francesca1012verizon (DOT) net> wrote:> Hello,> > I am new to this site but quite a few years under> the

Dragon.> I haven't done this before and don't know how to get> started.> Looking forward to talking with someone re: symptoms> and alternate > treatments.> > > F> > > > > __________________________________________________

July 26, 2006

Dear Francis, Welcome to this group My Dear, so glad that you found us, just sorry it is under these circumstances. You have come to a very knowledgeable group, and wonderful compassionate people. Know that you will never be judged in anyway shape of form for you o[ions or feelings. We will stand behind you in whatever decisions you make. Choosing to treat if a very tough call and a hard one to make no matter what the circumstances. Just to let you know a little about me - I am 42 years young, geno 1A stage 1 grade 3. Over all I am very blessed and my liver is in very good shape compared to what it could be. I found out I was hep-c postive, purely by accident while having an emergency surgery out in Pheonix, AZ. I was taken to the Mayo Hospital, and them being a research hospital, I feel tend to be more careful and check things out more often. Strictly my opinion. Nonetheless, they told me I had hep-c and asked me various questions, well I had a indurance physical about 3 y ears prior, and I had tried cocaine for the first time June 16 2002. This is the day I became infected, and I found out I had it Sept 9th 2003. I did the treatment right away, and cleared the virus by 11 weeks, unfortunately I had to move home to Kansas and lost my insurance and the state wouldn't pick me up at the time. I remained clear for almost 2 years and found out that I am out of remission this February. MY viral load in 2003 was never over 1 million, however t his time I am up to 7 million. As my Doctor puts it - it came back with a vengeance. I picked up my medications to start again today. I have to go back to the Doctor tomorrow. It's kind of a bummer as I have to drive 3 hours to my hep doc, as I live in a small and rural area in the southwest corner of Kansas, and to get some good doc's or specialist, we must go out of towm. After doing TX the first time, it's much harder for me to do it again, as I k now exactly what to expect, and I had allot of side affects. Most the time, actually about 75%, I was in bed and in allot of pain. I too have the rashes like you - which get very severe while on TX, and in fact I am very scarred from it, Although all the sides are just awful, I got a taste of what it is like to feel good again, and it was wonderful - so I am trying again. However, there are allot of people like yourself that are non responder's or should I say, can't take the TX. I have a very Dear Friend, that couldn't take it as he nearly went crazy with the first shot. However, he eventually got the TP and what is even more amazing was not long before that TP, his viral load was undetectable, and still remains a SVR... I feel like The Dear Lord played a part in this miracle. Anyways, I just wanted to introduce myself and give you a warm welcome. WE will all be here for you and try to help in any way we can. Love, hugs and prayers to you and your loved o nes May God Bless you and yours Marie -- Re: [ ] New Here Hello and thank you for your response. I was diagnosed in 94 after a needle stick at work. I tried 1 injection of interferon but felt it would leave me too debilitated to even work. It took a few years before I would even have a liver biopsy done, what a joy that was! Since that time I have only used alternate treatments and try to eat healthy. My viral load does fluctuate but my liver enzymes have been normal for the most part. The Doc has tried to convince me to have another biopsy but I really don't want to go through that again. I go every few months to have my labs checked and to have a physical. I do experience ribcage pain from the chronic inflammation as well as joint and muscle aches and on occasion I break out in a rash. "Ain't life grand?" I can't even imagine taking intron/riba because I'd probably end up seeing a shrink. It's good to be able to talk to some who can relate to all of this. Thanks, F. <ralexanthegreat > wrote: First of all welcome to the group.Your are making a pretty good start. Just jump inthere with your questions.For me the worst symptom is the extreme fatigue. Thisis probably due to the fact that I have stage 4cirrhosis.Most of us here have been on the convevtionaltreatment. (Ribavarin & Some form of Interferon UsuallPeg_ Intron) I have under gone this treatment 4 timessince 1996 always relapsing afterwards First 2 timesPeg-Intron was not available yet. Some of the sideeffects are Extreme fatigue, Fever, Flu like aches andpains. These usually become tolerable after a fewweeks of treatment. Some of the more serious sideeffects are anemia from the Riba varin. Some of theside effects for the Interferon include depression insome cases thoughts of suicide, a lowering ofplatelets.Some of the alternative treatments, at least ones thatI know about include Milk thistle, and high doses ofIV vitamin c. I hope that this at least gives you some informationto start with.--- lighteyes1012 <francesca1012verizon (DOT) net> wrote:> Hello,> > I am new to this site but quite a few years under> the Dragon.> I haven't done this before and don't know how to get> started.> Looking forward to talking with someone re: symptoms> and alternate > treatments.> > > F> > > > > __________________________________________________

July 27, 2006

Hey ..Bout time we hear from you..I've missed ya girll..How have you been?? I been doing ok..I itch rightn ow but I went tan yesterday and burned myself so I am itching today bad..LOL..Wish I had a monkey to scratch on command..LOL.Hope all is well with you..Stay in touch girl and to all the newbies...WELCOME TO OUR WORLD!!! JanDavies1988 <Davies1988@...> wrote: Dear Francis, Welcome to this group My Dear, so glad that you found us, just sorry it is under these circumstances. You have come to a very knowledgeable group, and wonderful compassionate people. Know that you will never be judged in anyway shape of form for you o[ions or feelings. We will stand

behind you in whatever decisions you make. Choosing to treat if a very tough call and a hard one to make no matter what the circumstances. Just to let you know a little about me - I am 42 years young, geno 1A stage 1 grade 3. Over all I am very blessed and my liver is in very good shape compared to what it could be. I found out I was hep-c postive, purely by accident while having an emergency surgery out in Pheonix, AZ. I was taken to the Mayo Hospital, and them being a research hospital, I feel tend to be more careful and check things out more often. Strictly my opinion. Nonetheless, they told me I had hep-c and asked me various questions, well I had a indurance physical about 3 y ears prior, and I had tried cocaine for the first time June 16 2002. This is the day I became infected, and I found out I had it Sept 9th 2003. I did the treatment right away, and

cleared the virus by 11 weeks, unfortunately I had to move home to Kansas and lost my insurance and the state wouldn't pick me up at the time. I remained clear for almost 2 years and found out that I am out of remission this February. MY viral load in 2003 was never over 1 million, however t his time I am up to 7 million. As my Doctor puts it - it came back with a vengeance. I picked up my medications to start again today. I have to go back to the Doctor tomorrow. It's kind of a bummer as I have to drive 3 hours to my hep doc, as I live in a small and rural area in the southwest corner of Kansas, and to get some good doc's or specialist, we must go out of towm. After doing TX the first time, it's much harder for me to do it again, as I k now exactly what to expect, and I had allot of side affects. Most the time, actually about 75%, I was in bed and in

allot of pain. I too have the rashes like you - which get very severe while on TX, and in fact I am very scarred from it, Although all the sides are just awful, I got a taste of what it is like to feel good again, and it was wonderful - so I am trying again. However, there are allot of people like yourself that are non responder's or should I say, can't take the TX. I have a very Dear Friend, that couldn't take it as he nearly went crazy with the first shot. However, he eventually got the TP and what is even more amazing was not long before that TP, his viral load was undetectable, and still remains a SVR... I feel like The Dear Lord played a part in this miracle. Anyways, I just wanted to introduce myself and give you a warm welcome. WE

will all be here for you and try to help in any way we can. Love, hugs and prayers to you and your loved o nes May God Bless you and yours Marie -- Re: [ ] New

Here Hello and thank you for your response. I was diagnosed in 94 after a needle stick at work. I tried 1 injection of interferon but felt it would leave me too debilitated to even work. It took a few years before I would even have a liver biopsy done, what a joy that was! Since that time I have only used alternate treatments and try to eat healthy. My viral load does fluctuate but my liver enzymes have been normal for the most part. The Doc has tried to convince me to have another biopsy but I really don't want to go through that again. I go every few months to have my labs checked and to have a physical. I do experience ribcage pain from the chronic inflammation as well as joint and muscle aches and on occasion I break out in a rash. "Ain't life grand?" I can't even imagine taking intron/riba

because I'd probably end up seeing a shrink. It's good to be able to talk to some who can relate to all of this. Thanks, F. <ralexanthegreat > wrote: First of all welcome to the group.Your are making a pretty good start. Just jump inthere with your questions.For me the worst symptom is the extreme fatigue. Thisis probably due to the fact that I have stage 4cirrhosis.Most of us here have been on the convevtionaltreatment. (Ribavarin & Some form of Interferon UsuallPeg_ Intron) I have under gone this treatment 4 timessince 1996 always relapsing afterwards First 2 timesPeg-Intron was not available yet. Some of the sideeffects are Extreme fatigue, Fever, Flu like aches andpains. These usually become tolerable

after a fewweeks of treatment. Some of the more serious sideeffects are anemia from the Riba varin. Some of theside effects for the Interferon include depression insome cases thoughts of suicide, a lowering ofplatelets.Some of the alternative treatments, at least ones thatI know about include Milk thistle, and high doses ofIV vitamin c. I hope that this at least gives you some informationto start with.--- lighteyes1012 <francesca1012verizon (DOT) net> wrote:> Hello,> > I am new to this site but quite a few years under> the Dragon.> I haven't done this before and don't know how to get> started.> Looking forward to talking with someone re: symptoms> and alternate > treatments.> > > F> > > > >

__________________________________________________

July 28, 2006

Hey all, glad that you are all finally coming out to

greet the newbies. Life is grand, for me anyway. I

stopped the treatments 2 months ago on my own. I am

clean and free from the hep c so far. Treatments were

very very hard for me. No sign of the virus. I feel

good and am looking better every day.I lost a total of

65 lbs and have not after 2 months gained any back.My

hair is growing at a fast speed, i'm loving it!!Did

the treatments for 7 months and was clean from the

virus after 3 months. My viral load is good and i am

taking very good care of myself.Loving and embracing

life!! Would never do the treatments again. I would

rather die a slow death. But thats how i feel.Good

luck to all.

Sorry that you have to go through them again ,

i will pray for you. I think of you often.Hang tough,

--- Janet <jfw4359@...> wrote:

> Hey ..Bout time we hear from you..I've missed ya

> girll..How have you been?? I been doing ok..I itch

> rightn ow but I went tan yesterday and burned myself

> so I am itching today bad..LOL..Wish I had a monkey

> to scratch on command..LOL.Hope all is well with

> you..Stay in touch girl and to all the

> newbies...WELCOME TO OUR WORLD!!!

>

> Jan

>

> Davies1988 <Davies1988@...> wrote:

>

> Dear Francis,

> Welcome to this group My Dear, so glad that you

> found us, just sorry it is under these

> circumstances. You have come to a very

> knowledgeable group, and wonderful compassionate

> people. Know that you will never be judged in

> anyway shape of form for you o[ions or feelings. We

> will stand behind you in whatever decisions you

> make. Choosing to treat if a very tough call and a

> hard one to make no matter what the circumstances.

> Just to let you know a little about me - I am 42

> years young, geno 1A stage 1 grade 3. Over all I am

> very blessed and my liver is in very good shape

> compared to what it could be. I found out I was

> hep-c postive, purely by accident while having an

> emergency surgery out in Pheonix, AZ. I was taken

> to the Mayo Hospital, and them being a research

> hospital, I feel tend to be more careful and check

> things out more often. Strictly my opinion.

> Nonetheless, they told me I had hep-c and asked me

> various questions, well I had a indurance physical

> about 3 y ears prior, and I had tried cocaine for

> the first time June 16 2002. This is the day I

> became infected, and I found out I had it Sept 9th

> 2003. I did the treatment right away, and cleared

> the virus by 11 weeks, unfortunately I had to move

> home to Kansas and lost my insurance and the state

> wouldn't pick me up at the time. I remained clear

> for almost 2 years and found out that I am out of

> remission this February. MY viral

> load in 2003 was never over 1 million, however t

> his time I am up to 7 million. As my Doctor puts it

> - it came back with a vengeance. I picked up my

> medications to start again today. I have to go back

> to the Doctor tomorrow. It's kind of a bummer as I

> have to drive 3 hours to my hep doc, as I live in a

> small and rural area in the southwest corner of

> Kansas, and to get some good doc's or specialist, we

> must go out of towm.

> After doing TX the first time, it's much harder

> for me to do it again, as I k now exactly what to

> expect, and I had allot of side affects. Most the

> time, actually about 75%, I was in bed and in allot

> of pain.

> I too have the rashes like you - which get very

> severe while on TX, and in fact I am very scarred

> from it, Although all the sides are just awful, I

> got a taste of what it is like to feel good again,

> and it was wonderful - so I am trying again.

> However, there are allot of people like yourself

> that are non responder's or should I say, can't take

> the TX. I have a very Dear Friend, that couldn't

> take it as he nearly went crazy with the first shot.

> However, he eventually got the TP and what is even

> more amazing was not long before that TP, his viral

> load was undetectable, and still remains a SVR... I

> feel like The Dear Lord played a part in this

> miracle.

> Anyways, I just wanted to introduce myself and

> give you a warm welcome. WE will all be here for

> you and try to help in any way we can.

> Love, hugs and prayers to you and your loved o nes

> May God Bless you and yours

> Marie

>

> -- Re: [ ] New Here

>

> Hello and thank you for your response.

>

> I was diagnosed in 94 after a needle stick at

> work. I tried 1 injection of interferon but

> felt it would leave me too debilitated to even

> work. It took a few years before I would even have a

> liver biopsy done, what a joy that was!

> Since that time I have only used alternate

> treatments and try to eat healthy.

> My viral load does fluctuate but my liver enzymes

> have been normal for the most part.

> The Doc has tried to convince me to have another

> biopsy but I really don't want to go through that

> again. I go every few months to have my labs checked

> and to have a physical. I do experience ribcage pain

> from the chronic inflammation

> as well as joint and muscle aches and on occasion

> I break out in a rash. " Ain't life grand? " I can't

> even imagine taking intron/riba because I'd probably

> end up seeing a shrink.

> It's good to be able to talk to some who can

> relate to all of this.

>

> Thanks,

>

> F.

>

> <ralexanthegreat@...> wrote:

> First of all welcome to the group.

>

> Your are making a pretty good start. Just jump in

> there with your questions.

>

> For me the worst symptom is the extreme fatigue.

> This

> is probably due to the fact that I have stage 4

> cirrhosis.

>

> Most of us here have been on the convevtional

> treatment. (Ribavarin & Some form of Interferon

> Usuall

> Peg_ Intron) I have under gone this treatment 4

> times

> since 1996 always relapsing afterwards First 2 times

> Peg-Intron was not available yet. Some of the side

> effects are Extreme fatigue, Fever, Flu like aches

> and

> pains. These usually become tolerable after a few

> weeks of treatment. Some of the more serious side

> effects are anemia from the Riba varin. Some of the

> side effects for the Interferon include depression

> in

> some cases thoughts of suicide, a lowering of

> platelets.

>

> Some of the alternative treatments, at least ones

> that

> I know about include Milk thistle, and high doses of

> IV vitamin c.

>

> I hope that this at least gives you some information

> to start with.

>

> --- lighteyes1012 <francesca1012@...> wrote:

>

> > Hello,

> >

> > I am new to this site but quite a few years under

> > the Dragon.

> > I haven't done this before and don't know how to

> get

> > started.

> > Looking forward to talking with someone re:

> symptoms

> > and alternate

> > treatments.

> >

> > F

> >

>

> __________________________________________________

>

July 29, 2006

-

Hi Amber,

I know how you are feeling. I am scared stressed also. Please

continue to come back. I also sit at the cp and look for a glimmer

of hope. So don't despair hope is there. It is great that he has

said words before. I have never heard my child say " Mama " . He is

18months. I scheduled an early intervention appoint in Aug. The wait

is killing me too!

Chantelle

-- In , " Amber "

<AlphavilleWych@...> wrote:

>

> This is my first letter here. I found this list from an apraxia

> website. I only first heard the word apraxia last night.

>

> I have to admit I am sitting here with tears streaming down my

> face. My son is 2 1/2. His name is Hunter and the pediatrician

> just suggested speech therapy for him. He said he's never seen

> a child do what Hunter does when he tries to talk. He seems to

> have whole conversations without opening his mouth. Hunter

> has said a few words before... he would use them for a couple

> weeks and then not again. Like shoe, socks, car, Apache, dada...

> he's never said mama. He is normal in all other areas, or even

> ahead in some areas. He uses the computer even (turns it on,

> goes through folders, double clicks on his games).

>

> So right now I am trying to get a speech therapist to come see

> him. I was told they will come to the house but I don't know

> exactly where to go. I have a number to call today and hopefully

> that will help.

>

> Anyway, I don't know what to say. I just wanted to let myself be

> known. Thanks for reading.

>

> ~~ Amber ~~

>

July 29, 2006

I'm so glad to here that you have responded well to treatment.I'll keep you in my prayers that you remain virus free.For those of us that respond and relapse, keep hanging in there. Even after four rounds of treatment I try to keep a positive attitude. Maybe there will be something in the future for us.I just wish that hepc got as much funding as HIV research. <royaltyjack@...> wrote: Hey all, glad that you are all finally coming out to greet the newbies. Life is

grand, for me anyway. I stopped the treatments 2 months ago on my own. I am clean and free from the hep c so far. Treatments were very very hard for me. No sign of the virus. I feel good and am looking better every day.I lost a total of 65 lbs and have not after 2 months gained any back.My hair is growing at a fast speed, I'm loving it!!Did the treatments for 7 months and was clean from the virus after 3 months. My viral load is good and i am taking very good care of myself.Loving and embracing life!! Would never do the treatments again. I would rather die a slow death. But that's how i feel.Good luck to all. Sorry that you have to go through them again , i will pray for you. I think of you often.Hang tough, .

See the all-new, redesigned .com. Check it out.

July 29, 2006