question

March 18, 2004

> Hi Tammi....

>

> You said you are a 1...are you talking about genotype or your

liver. If you are talking about your liver, you don't have much

fibrosis. If you are talking about your genotype, than that is

completely different.

As a matter of fact I am a 1 in both. 1b to be exact on the genotype.

And now I am starting to get all kinds of advice from everywhere. I

am trying to NOT get confused on what to do next. One doc says " do

the treatments, do the treatments. " One doc says, " naaaa, it will

wait. Some people never have trouble. "

Do you do the treatments while you are NOT having trouble and hope

that you never will or do you wait UNTIL you have trouble and hope to

get rid of it? Are the effects of the treatment worth the risk?

AAARRRRGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!

More than likely, I will start the treatments when school is out for

the summer, if it is approved by insurance. That way I won't have to

worry about getting kids back and forth to school, homework, etc. I

will be able to stay at home all of the time if I need to.

As many joint aches and pains as I am having now, I would love to get

through with the treatment and have this go away too. That would be

great. I have my mind set that there will be little/no effects and a

total remission (is that the right word?)

Thanks for the answers.

<><TammieD><>

March 18, 2004

I have copied this info and put it into my hep c folder. Thanks. I

can use that for reference when he tells me exactly what I will be

using.

<><TammieD><>

>

> There have not been any head-to-head studies of Pegasys vs.

> Peg-Intron, but I confess, if I had to choose between the two I

would

> go with Pegasys. They are slightly different from one another. The

> Pegasys is pegyalted interferon alfa-2a, the Peg-Intron is pegylated

> interferon alfa-2b. A VERY slight difference in that sense. However,

> the pegylation used by Roche (Pegasys) created a product with a

> longer half-life than Schering's Peg-Intron, meaning it will remain

> at theraputic levels in your body for a longer period of time than

> the Schering brand, especially in the beginning, and that gives the

> virus less chance to rebound between injections. As far as I know

> there is no difference in the brands of ribavirin, but more and more

> it is being seen that the ribavirin does have a significant impact

on

> the success of treatment. It is very important to be on the highest

> optimal dose as possible, and to remain at that optimal dose for as

> much time as possible.

March 19, 2004

-----Original Message-----

From: tammster62 [mailto:t1d1r1d1@...]

And now I am starting to get all kinds of advice from everywhere. I

am trying to NOT get confused on what to do next. One doc says " do

the treatments, do the treatments. " One doc says, " naaaa, it will

wait. Some people never have trouble. "

Do you do the treatments while you are NOT having trouble and hope

that you never will or do you wait UNTIL you have trouble and hope to

get rid of it? Are the effects of the treatment worth the risk?

AAARRRRGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!

Tammie-

Yes, the decision is a hard one. I have been mulling for quite some time

now whether or not to try again, my mind keeps changing. What gets me so

frustrated with the doctors is that they do not take into consideration the

impact on the body of the immune system's constant battle against the

HCvirus invader-that is why many of them say not to treat when there is

little liver damage. All the aches and pains you have are quite likely a

result of your immune system-sort of like 'civilian casualties' of the body.

The immune response is quite nasty and not meant to be on full time as ours

are, so we do not get to heal completely from its actions like we would if

the infection was of short duration. Good luck whatever you decide.

gail

March 19, 2004

As Gail said, it can be a very difficult decision. But do keep in mind that

damage to the liver is not the only thing HCV causes. It is not a liver disease

but a systemic virus. What makes it so hard to treat is that it attaches to the

nucleus of your cells unlike AIDs which attaches to the outside of the cells.

One thing I see if your note is: " Are the effects of the treatment worth the

risk. " Without having done treatment, how do you know how you will react it it.

And if it's terrible, then you can just stop treatment. Remember, everyone

responds differently to treatment.

Read the studies that are posted...they are now proving that HCV can cause brain

dementia. What else will they discover are results of the virus now that they

have accepted it is not a liver disease and are braodening the scope of

research?

But don't allow anyone to pressure you to do or not do treatment. Unless my high

TSH caused brain fog has me thinking of the wrong person, weren't you only

diagnosed several months ago? Don't push yourself to make a decision if you

aren't ready.

Remember that we only have fear itself to fear. Educate yourself and you will

find the answer you are seeking that will be right for you.

Blessings

Tatezi <who is getting ready to do her Week 32 shot as soon as it reaches room

temperature>

And now I am starting to get all kinds of advice from everywhere. I

am trying to NOT get confused on what to do next. One doc says " do

the treatments, do the treatments. " One doc says, " naaaa, it will

wait. Some people never have trouble. "

Do you do the treatments while you are NOT having trouble and hope

that you never will or do you wait UNTIL you have trouble and hope to

get rid of it? Are the effects of the treatment worth the risk?

AAARRRRGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!

Tammie-

March 19, 2004

As Gail said, it can be a very difficult decision. But do keep in mind that

damage to the liver is not the only thing HCV causes. It is not a liver disease

but a systemic virus. What makes it so hard to treat is that it attaches to the

nucleus of your cells unlike AIDs which attaches to the outside of the cells.

One thing I see if your note is: " Are the effects of the treatment worth the

risk. " Without having done treatment, how do you know how you will react it it.

And if it's terrible, then you can just stop treatment. Remember, everyone

responds differently to treatment.

Read the studies that are posted...they are now proving that HCV can cause brain

dementia. What else will they discover are results of the virus now that they

have accepted it is not a liver disease and are braodening the scope of

research?

But don't allow anyone to pressure you to do or not do treatment. Unless my high

TSH caused brain fog has me thinking of the wrong person, weren't you only

diagnosed several months ago? Don't push yourself to make a decision if you

aren't ready.

Remember that we only have fear itself to fear. Educate yourself and you will

find the answer you are seeking that will be right for you.

Blessings

Tatezi <who is getting ready to do her Week 32 shot as soon as it reaches room

temperature>

And now I am starting to get all kinds of advice from everywhere. I

am trying to NOT get confused on what to do next. One doc says " do

the treatments, do the treatments. " One doc says, " naaaa, it will

wait. Some people never have trouble. "

Do you do the treatments while you are NOT having trouble and hope

that you never will or do you wait UNTIL you have trouble and hope to

get rid of it? Are the effects of the treatment worth the risk?

AAARRRRGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!

Tammie-

March 19, 2004

As Gail said, it can be a very difficult decision. But do keep in mind that

damage to the liver is not the only thing HCV causes. It is not a liver disease

but a systemic virus. What makes it so hard to treat is that it attaches to the

nucleus of your cells unlike AIDs which attaches to the outside of the cells.

One thing I see if your note is: " Are the effects of the treatment worth the

risk. " Without having done treatment, how do you know how you will react it it.

And if it's terrible, then you can just stop treatment. Remember, everyone

responds differently to treatment.

Read the studies that are posted...they are now proving that HCV can cause brain

dementia. What else will they discover are results of the virus now that they

have accepted it is not a liver disease and are braodening the scope of

research?

But don't allow anyone to pressure you to do or not do treatment. Unless my high

TSH caused brain fog has me thinking of the wrong person, weren't you only

diagnosed several months ago? Don't push yourself to make a decision if you

aren't ready.

Remember that we only have fear itself to fear. Educate yourself and you will

find the answer you are seeking that will be right for you.

Blessings

Tatezi <who is getting ready to do her Week 32 shot as soon as it reaches room

temperature>

And now I am starting to get all kinds of advice from everywhere. I

am trying to NOT get confused on what to do next. One doc says " do

the treatments, do the treatments. " One doc says, " naaaa, it will

wait. Some people never have trouble. "

Do you do the treatments while you are NOT having trouble and hope

that you never will or do you wait UNTIL you have trouble and hope to

get rid of it? Are the effects of the treatment worth the risk?

AAARRRRGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!

Tammie-

March 19, 2004

As Gail said, it can be a very difficult decision. But do keep in mind that

damage to the liver is not the only thing HCV causes. It is not a liver disease

but a systemic virus. What makes it so hard to treat is that it attaches to the

nucleus of your cells unlike AIDs which attaches to the outside of the cells.

One thing I see if your note is: " Are the effects of the treatment worth the

risk. " Without having done treatment, how do you know how you will react it it.

And if it's terrible, then you can just stop treatment. Remember, everyone

responds differently to treatment.

Read the studies that are posted...they are now proving that HCV can cause brain

dementia. What else will they discover are results of the virus now that they

have accepted it is not a liver disease and are braodening the scope of

research?

But don't allow anyone to pressure you to do or not do treatment. Unless my high

TSH caused brain fog has me thinking of the wrong person, weren't you only

diagnosed several months ago? Don't push yourself to make a decision if you

aren't ready.

Remember that we only have fear itself to fear. Educate yourself and you will

find the answer you are seeking that will be right for you.

Blessings

Tatezi <who is getting ready to do her Week 32 shot as soon as it reaches room

temperature>

And now I am starting to get all kinds of advice from everywhere. I

am trying to NOT get confused on what to do next. One doc says " do

the treatments, do the treatments. " One doc says, " naaaa, it will

wait. Some people never have trouble. "

Do you do the treatments while you are NOT having trouble and hope

that you never will or do you wait UNTIL you have trouble and hope to

get rid of it? Are the effects of the treatment worth the risk?

AAARRRRGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!

Tammie-

March 19, 2004

Yes, the joint aches and pain were so bad before i did any type of

treatment... forgot how bad it was til of late , when the pains have come back

somewhat

but not near as bad.. remember when walking with dau at the Mall was so energy

taxing and all my body ached after only 20 to 30 mins.

Never had a massage but I think it would be fantastic.. keep hinting to my

grown up kids that that would be a perfect gift.. LOL

Keep smiling,

Dawn

March 19, 2004

Yes, the joint aches and pain were so bad before i did any type of

treatment... forgot how bad it was til of late , when the pains have come back

somewhat

but not near as bad.. remember when walking with dau at the Mall was so energy

taxing and all my body ached after only 20 to 30 mins.

Never had a massage but I think it would be fantastic.. keep hinting to my

grown up kids that that would be a perfect gift.. LOL

Keep smiling,

Dawn

March 19, 2004

Yes, the joint aches and pain were so bad before i did any type of

treatment... forgot how bad it was til of late , when the pains have come back

somewhat

but not near as bad.. remember when walking with dau at the Mall was so energy

taxing and all my body ached after only 20 to 30 mins.

Never had a massage but I think it would be fantastic.. keep hinting to my

grown up kids that that would be a perfect gift.. LOL

Keep smiling,

Dawn

March 19, 2004

Yes, the joint aches and pain were so bad before i did any type of

treatment... forgot how bad it was til of late , when the pains have come back

somewhat

but not near as bad.. remember when walking with dau at the Mall was so energy

taxing and all my body ached after only 20 to 30 mins.

Never had a massage but I think it would be fantastic.. keep hinting to my

grown up kids that that would be a perfect gift.. LOL

Keep smiling,

Dawn

March 21, 2004

In a message dated 3/18/2004 10:02:38 PM Eastern Standard Time,

t1d1r1d1@... writes:

> As many joint aches and pains as I am having now, I would love to get

> through with the treatment and have this go away too. That would be

> great. I have my mind set that there will be little/no effects and a

> total remission (is that the right word?)

>

That is the REALLY RIGHT WORD and attitude. You may not realize it, but you

probably do have symptoms already. I think your decision to wait until summer

is a good one, too. I had a real problem with winter treatment because my

internal thermostat went haywire. As summer came on, I could be seen in sweats

on 80 degree days. Weird, huh?

March 21, 2004

In a message dated 3/18/2004 10:02:38 PM Eastern Standard Time,

t1d1r1d1@... writes:

> As many joint aches and pains as I am having now, I would love to get

> through with the treatment and have this go away too. That would be

> great. I have my mind set that there will be little/no effects and a

> total remission (is that the right word?)

>

That is the REALLY RIGHT WORD and attitude. You may not realize it, but you

probably do have symptoms already. I think your decision to wait until summer

is a good one, too. I had a real problem with winter treatment because my

internal thermostat went haywire. As summer came on, I could be seen in sweats

on 80 degree days. Weird, huh?

March 21, 2004

In a message dated 3/18/2004 10:02:38 PM Eastern Standard Time,

t1d1r1d1@... writes:

> As many joint aches and pains as I am having now, I would love to get

> through with the treatment and have this go away too. That would be

> great. I have my mind set that there will be little/no effects and a

> total remission (is that the right word?)

>

That is the REALLY RIGHT WORD and attitude. You may not realize it, but you

probably do have symptoms already. I think your decision to wait until summer

is a good one, too. I had a real problem with winter treatment because my

internal thermostat went haywire. As summer came on, I could be seen in sweats

on 80 degree days. Weird, huh?

March 21, 2004

In a message dated 3/18/2004 10:02:38 PM Eastern Standard Time,

t1d1r1d1@... writes:

> As many joint aches and pains as I am having now, I would love to get

> through with the treatment and have this go away too. That would be

> great. I have my mind set that there will be little/no effects and a

> total remission (is that the right word?)

>

That is the REALLY RIGHT WORD and attitude. You may not realize it, but you

probably do have symptoms already. I think your decision to wait until summer

is a good one, too. I had a real problem with winter treatment because my

internal thermostat went haywire. As summer came on, I could be seen in sweats

on 80 degree days. Weird, huh?

March 25, 2004

>Without having done treatment, how do you know how you will react it

>it.

Well said and a very good point.

>they are now proving that HCV can cause brain dementia.

So I am not just losing my mind!!!!! I seem to be in a fog sometimes

and it is driving me crazy. I can't handle multi-situations that in

times past would have been no problem. Will this go away?

>weren't you only diagnosed several months ago?

No I have known since the test first came out. It was about 4 years

ago (and insurance) that they decided that I needed to do the

treatments.

>Don't push yourself to make a decision if you aren't ready.

It is time. I know that. I just like to know what I am doing and the

docs don't give me the information that I can get here. You know,

laymans terms and all that.

I will be starting the treatments the first week of June. That way

the kids will be out of school and I won't HAVE to go anywhere if I

don't feel like it. I will also have someone here to help me.

Thanks for everything.

<><TammieD><>

March 25, 2004

>Without having done treatment, how do you know how you will react it

>it.

Well said and a very good point.

>they are now proving that HCV can cause brain dementia.

So I am not just losing my mind!!!!! I seem to be in a fog sometimes

and it is driving me crazy. I can't handle multi-situations that in

times past would have been no problem. Will this go away?

>weren't you only diagnosed several months ago?

No I have known since the test first came out. It was about 4 years

ago (and insurance) that they decided that I needed to do the

treatments.

>Don't push yourself to make a decision if you aren't ready.

It is time. I know that. I just like to know what I am doing and the

docs don't give me the information that I can get here. You know,

laymans terms and all that.

I will be starting the treatments the first week of June. That way

the kids will be out of school and I won't HAVE to go anywhere if I

don't feel like it. I will also have someone here to help me.

Thanks for everything.

<><TammieD><>

March 25, 2004

I had a real problem with winter treatment because my

> internal thermostat went haywire. As summer came on, I could be

seen in sweats

> on 80 degree days. Weird, huh?

Oh, thank you for that. I have been freezing this year!! I am NEVER

cold, but I just can't seem to get warm anymore. I will be glad for

this to be gone.

<><TammieD><>

March 25, 2004

I had a real problem with winter treatment because my

> internal thermostat went haywire. As summer came on, I could be

seen in sweats

> on 80 degree days. Weird, huh?

Oh, thank you for that. I have been freezing this year!! I am NEVER

cold, but I just can't seem to get warm anymore. I will be glad for

this to be gone.

<><TammieD><>

March 25, 2004

Hi Tammi...

Brain fog as we refer to it is a part of Hep C....and treatment...and

hypothyroidism. Make sure when you start treatment that you get a baseline TSH

test. If you start feeling tired all the time and like you are in a fog, don't

just blame it on treatment....get your TSH tested because hypothyroidism is a

common side of treatment. About 6 months into my first time in treatment, I was

more fatigued than I'd ever been...just blamed it on treatment. When I started

falling asleep while typing at work, I finally went to my doctor...my TSH was up

to 110 (normal is .5 to 5.5). It seems that very often when in treatment we miss

a symptom of something else because we tend to blame everything on treatment.

Sometimes it goes away, sometime it doesn't. An excellent supplement to take to

help clear that brain fog is MSM.

It's good that you can work treatment around having someone home to help

you...that's good planning.

And don't forget that we are always here for you when you need info or just

plain old support...

Tatezi

So I am not just losing my mind!!!!! I seem to be in a fog sometimes

and it is driving me crazy. I can't handle multi-situations that in

times past would have been no problem. Will this go away?

It is time. I know that. I just like to know what I am doing and the

docs don't give me the information that I can get here. .....I will be

starting the treatments the first week of June. That way the kids will be out of

school and I won't HAVE to go anywhere if I don't feel like it. I will also have

someone here to help me.

March 25, 2004