Re: Week 5

[Guest guest]

I'm glad you're getting through it ok Tatezi.....you have to expect fatigue when

you're working....heck, I get it even not working. All in all, I think you're

doing great!!!!!

Huggggs

Carol

Week 5

Hi everyone....

Well, last Friday was shot 5 of Pegasys and I'm doing well. Not sick at all

although I am having some mild diarhhea. My labs at 4 weeks showed my RBC and

Platelettes still firmly in the normal range. I have noticed my fatigue level

increasing though.

I do my shots on Friday nights. Saturdays I get up and go to breakfast with my

friends but come home and usually spend the rest of Saturday sleeping. But I've

not had to miss any work and that's a good thing.

Course I don't know if this is good or bad...I handled rebetron quite well

also, but didn't respond.

Tatezi

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Carol....

Been quiet around here lately. Is anyone else on Pegasys? I'd like to know what

others are experiencing.

Tatezi

Week 5

Hi everyone....

Well, last Friday was shot 5 of Pegasys and I'm doing well. Not sick at all

although I am having some mild diarhhea. My labs at 4 weeks showed my RBC and

Platelettes still firmly in the normal range. I have noticed my fatigue level

increasing though.

I do my shots on Friday nights. Saturdays I get up and go to breakfast with

my friends but come home and usually spend the rest of Saturday sleeping. But

I've not had to miss any work and that's a good thing.

Course I don't know if this is good or bad...I handled rebetron quite well

also, but didn't respond.

Tatezi

[Guest guest]

Hey Tatezi

I am on week 8. Extremely fatigued and find myself getting breathless a lot. I

am anemic from the riba but not at a level yet to try and treat that. Feel

generally crappy but its really the lack of energy that I am struggling with

more than anything. I think I can get tested at 12 weeks to see if I am

responding and if so, then that will be a motivator to get me through the rest.

Glad to hear your job is going well. I take my shot on Thursdays and am very

tired on Fri, but mostly sleep and vegetate on the weekends. I hear if you try

and exercise it can help but I can't seem to get the energy for it up and I like

exercise, plus the breathlessness is a hamper to that. I overall feel good that

I am doing this though. Will they test you at 12 weeks for response ?

[Guest guest]

Hi Tat,I am glad to hear you are doing your treatment.I understand your

tiredness,I had terrible fatigue on treatment.I was counseled not to climb

stairs

or lifting.That really zaps your strength.Also to eat protein often even just

peanut butter on crackers will help.Eating often ,drinking mega fluids really

did help me. I know you are a strong person and will get through this.Hang in

and take good care of your needs.

Your fellow hepper friend Donna

[Guest guest]

I've been getting breathlessness too and don't like it one bit. My RBC is still

normal so I'm not anemic (try taking folic acid...it helps build red blood

cells). I have a friend who did PegIntron and had a horrible problem with

breathlessness and she never got anemic.

When I come home from work, I have to haul jugs of water out to the backporch to

water my garden and do all my cat chores. Used to take me a little over an hour

to do my gardening and inside chores...now it's taking me 2+ hours.

I don't think I could do my shot on Thursday and do the work thing on Friday. I

barely make it through breakfast with my friends on Saturdays before it's back

to bed. And if I have to do groceries or cat supplies, I have to do it right

after breakfast cause I'll never get out again if I come home.

Tested at 12 weeks, huh? I won;t get tested until 6 months....I'm a 1b but I

don't know if thats why or if it's cause it's and expensive test and I'm being

treated through County.

Exercise...I'll try that but like you, I don't know if I have the energy for it.

Blessings

Tatezi

Re: Week 5

Hey Tatezi

I am on week 8. Extremely fatigued and find myself getting breathless a lot. I

am anemic from the riba but not at a level yet to try and treat that. Feel

generally crappy but its really the lack of energy that I am struggling with

more than anything. I think I can get tested at 12 weeks to see if I am

responding and if so, then that will be a motivator to get me through the rest.

Glad to hear your job is going well. I take my shot on Thursdays and am very

tired on Fri, but mostly sleep and vegetate on the weekends. I hear if you try

and exercise it can help but I can't seem to get the energy for it up and I like

exercise, plus the breathlessness is a hamper to that. I overall feel good that

I am doing this though. Will they test you at 12 weeks for response ?

[Guest guest]

Hi Tatezi

Thanks for letting me know about the breathlessness....if I get past the awful

ultrasound I had on Monday....I'm hoping to start pegintron (Canada hasn't

funded pegasys yet). Being a geno1b like me, I think it's good you're not

getting tested until 6 months....I think they test here after 5 months and if

there is still some virus, we're pulled off it. I'm just hoping to give my

liver a break even if I don't clear, which being a 1b with cirrhosis, isn't

likely to happen. It also lowers my chances of liver cancer....unless that's

what the technician saw on the ultrasound. I'll find out on Sept. 9th at the

GIdoc appt. I hate the waiting.

You really have to expect the fatigue Tats, I know I've said this before, but

most people can't even work through treatment....when you get home just do what

you absolutely have to do....let the watering go for awhile...you are more

important. I hope you're sleeping ok now....I know the elavil helped you before

tx....hang in hon.

Hugggggs

Carol

Re: Week 5

Hey Tatezi

I am on week 8. Extremely fatigued and find myself getting breathless a lot.

I am anemic from the riba but not at a level yet to try and treat that. Feel

generally crappy but its really the lack of energy that I am struggling with

more than anything. I think I can get tested at 12 weeks to see if I am

responding and if so, then that will be a motivator to get me through the rest.

Glad to hear your job is going well. I take my shot on Thursdays and am very

tired on Fri, but mostly sleep and vegetate on the weekends. I hear if you try

and exercise it can help but I can't seem to get the energy for it up and I like

exercise, plus the breathlessness is a hamper to that. I overall feel good that

I am doing this though. Will they test you at 12 weeks for response ?

[Guest guest]

Re: Week 5

Hey Tatezi

I am on week 8. Extremely fatigued and find myself getting breathless a

lot. I am anemic from the riba but not at a level yet to try and treat that.

Feel generally crappy but its really the lack of energy that I am struggling

with more than anything. I think I can get tested at 12 weeks to see if I am

responding and if so, then that will be a motivator to get me through the rest.

Glad to hear your job is going well. I take my shot on Thursdays and am very

tired on Fri, but mostly sleep and vegetate on the weekends. I hear if you try

and exercise it can help but I can't seem to get the energy for it up and I like

exercise, plus the breathlessness is a hamper to that. I overall feel good that

I am doing this though. Will they test you at 12 weeks for response ?

[Guest guest]

Hi Donna....

I think other than exercise I'm doing what I can. Every day I eat soy nut butter

sandwiches and drink a minimum of 3 quarts water and iced decaf green tea.

Unfortunately I'm stuck with stairs. I live on the second floor and I commute to

work on the elevated train so plenty of stairs there.

I'll get through this...it just surprises me that it's the ribavarinn that

causes these sides and that's the same as the last time I did treatment and I

didn't experience this then.

Oh well, I just keep walking around visualizing little pac men running around in

my blood going chomp chomp chomp on the virus. <g>

Tatezi

Re: Week 5

Hi Tat,I am glad to hear you are doing your treatment.I understand your

tiredness,I had terrible fatigue on treatment.I was counseled not to climb

stairs

or lifting.That really zaps your strength.Also to eat protein often even just

peanut butter on crackers will help.Eating often ,drinking mega fluids really

did help me. I know you are a strong person and will get through this.Hang in

and take good care of your needs.

Your fellow hepper friend Donna

[Guest guest]

Tatezi, this is probably a stupid question as you know a lot more than me about

tx, but are you taking the pills with a rich food? I think that was my big

mistake and was helping bring on the speedy sides.

Carol

Re: Week 5

Hi Tat,I am glad to hear you are doing your treatment.I understand your

tiredness,I had terrible fatigue on treatment.I was counseled not to climb

stairs

or lifting.That really zaps your strength.Also to eat protein often even

just

peanut butter on crackers will help.Eating often ,drinking mega fluids

really

did help me. I know you are a strong person and will get through this.Hang

in

and take good care of your needs.

Your fellow hepper friend Donna

[Guest guest]

Rich food....don't know what you mean about rich foods? I primary eat soy nut

butter sandwiches on a multi grain bread and brown rice with steamed veges or

steamed white poutry meat. I hate cooking and using a steamer is about my limit

when it comes to cooking.

Tatezi

Re: Week 5

Hi Tat,I am glad to hear you are doing your treatment.I understand your

tiredness,I had terrible fatigue on treatment.I was counseled not to

climb stairs

or lifting.That really zaps your strength.Also to eat protein often even

just

peanut butter on crackers will help.Eating often ,drinking mega fluids

really

did help me. I know you are a strong person and will get through this.Hang

in

and take good care of your needs.

Your fellow hepper friend Donna

[Guest guest]

Tatezi, try some cheese while taking the pills....that was the suggestion I saw

on another forum.....and I hate cooking too :-(

Carol

Re: Week 5

Hi Tat,I am glad to hear you are doing your treatment.I understand your

tiredness,I had terrible fatigue on treatment.I was counseled not to

climb stairs

or lifting.That really zaps your strength.Also to eat protein often even

just

peanut butter on crackers will help.Eating often ,drinking mega fluids

really

did help me. I know you are a strong person and will get through

this.Hang in

and take good care of your needs.

Your fellow hepper friend Donna

[Guest guest]

wow good job..I couldnt get off the couch for 12 weeks..and gained about 15lbs..which I am finally starting to loose, since I can again move the way I want too...the 12 week thing is usually an indecator weather or not to continue tx..if your viral load has dropped at least by 1/2 I think then it is working..if not then sometimes the doc will stop tx. At 12 weeks was when I knew I was changing..I was feeling better, not as tired, not as sick, and sore, and I think it was then that something changed inside me..I am actually waiting for my 12 week test since it wasnt done until 20 weeks..I quit early because of some scarey sides for me..I got really bad edema and swelling in my belly. My legs and hands, and arms were terrible..I could feel the pressure in my head and my eyes felt like pressure and my vision was very blurry. Since stopping about a month ago..I did my last shot 3 weeks ago..I have felt better that way..he also took me off of the cymbalta which is hard on the liver..also put me on wellbutrin which is helping really well with the smoking..I am down to 2-3 a day..glad you are able to keep working that means you were in good shape before hand..you should do well..geri

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/23/2006 11:05:27 AM Central Daylight Time, doc_jade@... writes:

I too craved carbs while I was on treatment. But carbs have always been a comfort food for me when I was sick

humm that is true for me too..I would eat a box of alfrado noodles..easy to make too..geri

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/23/2006 11:05:27 AM Central Daylight Time, doc_jade@... writes:

But just a hint watch your carbs, because they can drive up the B/S

and weight when you dont want it to..geri

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/23/2006 11:50:19 AM Central Daylight Time, leecuate@... writes:

90 degree angle

that would make no sense since it is a sub cutanius drug..under the skin..not muscle..I would pinch up the skin...put it in and I could see it go in under my skin would make a little puddle...geri

[Guest guest]

Woo hoo Lee, I just got back from visiting my friends in Mississippi who have a plant nursery, I helped them out while I was there. It is hard work, and a 7 day a week job!! So I feel for you Lee. I planted baby plants while I was there, loaded flats of plants, power washed a couple of greenhouses, clean the store while I was there, watered plants, the mums, the trees and etc. Was hard work. But believe it or not had a blast doing it. (Not so much the power washing as that is kind of dirty work. LOL The black and blue spot is probably a bruise resulting from you pushing the medicine into fast that time. It will go away, just remember to push the meds slowly and place your needle at a 45 degree angle and it just works better that way, less bruising. And it doesn't hurt as much. I too craved carbs while I was on treatment. But carbs have always been a comfort food

for me when I was sick. Could be that is because when I was sick, my Dad would make this to die for potato soup for me. I will try to remember the recipe. But just a hint watch your carbs, because they can drive up the B/S. Now that is a problem with me. If you have been keeping up with the post you will see I have developed diabetes. I don't know if it was from the treatment, or because I am overweight. It could be a combo of the two. Love Janet P/S- I am 15 lbs skinnier than I was Yea!! Lee <leecuate@...> wrote: I did my fifth dose of Pegasys yesterday and so far everything is going well. Whats weird is that I still have a black and blue mark from my first injection site, since the first one there has only been a little redness the next day or two. Maybe the first injection shocks your body more?This is the first day I have taken off since I started treatment. I own a plant nursery and have to work at least a few hours seven days a week. I have had very few side affects, headaches a little sore after loading 200 plus flats of bedding plants on the delivery truck, and sometimes just feeling wierd. I too, have gotten a strange aversion to red meat. Last week I ate some beef and couldn't get the

taste out of my mouth for a day. I am still drinking over two gallons of water a day including pedialyte and gatorade. Sometimes I feel congested and get a productive cough (I still smoke 15 cigarettes a day) but nothing that lasts. Luckily it is cooling off into the 90s here in Tucson, October is one of our busiest months of the year and once I make it through the month I can take it easy the rest of the year.I forced myself to gain weight before treatment because I knew that I would lose some during treatment. I am 6' and got my weight up to 190#, I don't own a scale, but this last week I had to tighten my belt one notch.I had always had trouble going to sleep and used to have a drink to get to sleep. after I quite drinking the insomnia got real bad. I have to get up at 4:30 every morning and was only getting a few hours of sleep a night. My primary care doctor started me on AmbienCR a month before I started

treatment and I still take one every night at 8 PM. The stuff is great. I fall to sleep quckly and even though I get up a couple of times a night to pee I fall right back to sleep. I'll worry about quitting the Ambien when I am done with treatment in February.My viral load was at 27 million before treatment and my doctor doesn't have me scheduled for a viral load test until my twelth week. I don't know why she isn't having it tested sooner but from what I have read viral load is not an indicator of disease progression or treatment prognosis. Anyway just thought I would let everyone know that at least so far for me I have been tolorating treatment well.I so rarely get a day off that I am not sure what I will do all day, except that I have been craving pasta and am going to make some speghetti.LEE in TUCSONTake the ordinary things

of life, and make them your own. Do the impossible with a smile

[Guest guest]

I think I did push the plunger a little fast the first time, but

this is the first that I have heard about a 45 degree angle, both

the nurse at my doctors office and Pegassist told me to put the

needle all of the way in at a 90 degree angle. This has been a

little scary because I dont have much of a layer before I would hit

muscle (or something else). I haven't even tried my thigh because I

am afraid that I would go into the muscle. Thanks for the info.

LEE

> I did my fifth dose of Pegasys yesterday and so far

everything is

> going well. Whats weird is that I still have a black and blue mark

> from my first injection site, since the first one there has only

> been a little redness the next day or two. Maybe the first

injection

> shocks your body more?

> This is the first day I have taken off since I started treatment.

I

> own a plant nursery and have to work at least a few hours seven

days

> a week. I have had very few side affects, headaches a little sore

> after loading 200 plus flats of bedding plants on the delivery

> truck, and sometimes just feeling wierd. I too, have gotten a

> strange aversion to red meat. Last week I ate some beef and

couldn't

> get the taste out of my mouth for a day. I am still drinking over

> two gallons of water a day including pedialyte and gatorade.

> Sometimes I feel congested and get a productive cough (I still

smoke

> 15 cigarettes a day) but nothing that lasts. Luckily it is cooling

> off into the 90s here in Tucson, October is one of our busiest

> months of the year and once I make it through the month I can take

> it easy the rest of the year.

> I forced myself to gain weight before treatment because I knew

that

> I would lose some during treatment. I am 6' and got my weight up

to

> 190#, I don't own a scale, but this last week I had to tighten my

> belt one notch.

> I had always had trouble going to sleep and used to have a drink

to

> get to sleep. after I quite drinking the insomnia got real bad. I

> have to get up at 4:30 every morning and was only getting a few

> hours of sleep a night. My primary care doctor started me on

> AmbienCR a month before I started treatment and I still take one

> every night at 8 PM. The stuff is great. I fall to sleep quckly

and

> even though I get up a couple of times a night to pee I fall right

> back to sleep. I'll worry about quitting the Ambien when I am done

> with treatment in February.

> My viral load was at 27 million before treatment and my doctor

> doesn't have me scheduled for a viral load test until my twelth

> week. I don't know why she isn't having it tested sooner but from

> what I have read viral load is not an indicator of disease

> progression or treatment prognosis.

> Anyway just thought I would let everyone know that at least so far

> for me I have been tolorating treatment well.

> I so rarely get a day off that I am not sure what I will do all

> day, except that I have been craving pasta and am going to make

some

> speghetti.

>

> LEE in TUCSON

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Take the ordinary things of life, and make them your own. Do the

impossible with a smile

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/23/2006 1:24:34 PM Central Daylight Time, 4thMoon@... writes:

I was also told to put it in at 90* and that is how I started but found I had much more success going in at 45* since I avoided going into muscle. By the way, I exclusively do it in my thighs and have no problem because I use the inner or outer part of the thigh rather then the top.

Ally

well my legs are really ahhh fat..so I had to do it up by my knees, it hurt some, but I could get a better place..geri

[Guest guest]

I was also told to put it in at 90* and that is how I started but found I had much more success going in at 45* since I avoided going into muscle. By the way, I exclusively do it in my thighs and have no problem because I use the inner or outer part of the thigh rather then the top.

Ally

On 9/23/06, us4heavenbound@... <us4heavenbound@...> wrote:

In a message dated 9/23/2006 11:50:19 AM Central Daylight Time, leecuate@... writes:

90 degree angle

that would make no sense since it is a sub cutanius drug..under the skin..not muscle..I would pinch up the skin...put it in and I could see it go in under my skin would make a little puddle...geri

[Guest guest]

Well being that there are a couple of paramedics, and a couple of nurses in this group. We know that a 45 degree angle is alot better than straight on or 90 degree. LOL Imagine our patients faces when we just jab it in there. Ochie!! Love JanetAlly <4thMoon@...> wrote: I was also told to put it in at 90* and that is how I started but found I had much more success going in at 45* since I avoided going into muscle. By the

way, I exclusively do it in my thighs and have no problem because I use the inner or outer part of the thigh rather then the top. Ally On 9/23/06, us4heavenboundaol <us4heavenboundaol> wrote: In a message dated 9/23/2006 11:50:19 AM Central Daylight Time, leecuatemsn writes: 90 degree angle that would make no sense since it is a sub

cutanius drug..under the skin..not muscle..I would pinch up the skin...put it in and I could see it go in under my skin would make a little puddle...geri Take the ordinary things of life, and make them your own. Do the impossible with a smile

[Guest guest]

Hmmm I don't know Janet , I was doing the 90 degree angle also . It left me with less brusing , I just made sure not to stick the needle to deep trying to stay in the subq area instead of going down to bone or muscle ,lol

Re: Re: WEEK 5

Well being that there are a couple of paramedics, and a couple of nurses in this group. We know that a 45 degree angle is alot better than straight on or 90 degree. LOL Imagine our patients faces when we just jab it in there. Ochie!!

Love

JanetAlly <4thMoongmail> wrote:

I was also told to put it in at 90* and that is how I started but found I had much more success going in at 45* since I avoided going into muscle. By the way, I exclusively do it in my thighs and have no problem because I use the inner or outer part of the thigh rather then the top.

Ally

On 9/23/06, us4heavenboundaol <us4heavenboundaol> wrote:

In a message dated 9/23/2006 11:50:19 AM Central Daylight Time, leecuatemsn writes:

90 degree angle

that would make no sense since it is a sub cutanius drug..under the skin..not muscle..I would pinch up the skin...put it in and I could see it go in under my skin would make a little puddle...geri

Take the ordinary things of life, and make them your own. Do the impossible with a smile

[Guest guest]

Well I just grabbed a bunch of fat and shoved the needle straight in,, it didnt hurt that way and as long as I pushed the fluids in slowly, it didnt sting either and never made a lump...elizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1@...> wrote: Hmmm I don't know Janet , I was doing the 90 degree angle also . It left me with less brusing , I just made sure not to stick the needle to deep trying to stay in the subq area instead of going down to bone or muscle ,lol Re: Re: WEEK 5 Well being that there are a couple of paramedics, and a couple of nurses in this group. We know that a 45 degree angle is alot better than straight on or 90 degree. LOL Imagine our patients faces when we just jab it in there. Ochie!! Love JanetAlly <4thMoongmail> wrote: I was also told to put it in at 90* and that is how I started but found I had much more success going in at 45* since I avoided going into muscle. By the way, I exclusively do it in my thighs and have no problem because I use the inner or outer part of the thigh rather then the top. Ally On 9/23/06, us4heavenboundaol <us4heavenboundaol> wrote: In a message dated 9/23/2006 11:50:19 AM Central Daylight Time, leecuatemsn writes: 90 degree angle that would make no sense since it is a sub cutanius drug..under the skin..not muscle..I would pinch up the skin...put it in and I could see it go in under my skin would make a little puddle...geri Take the ordinary things of life, and make them your own. Do

the impossible with a smile Jackie

[Guest guest]

like I said, I just grabbed some fat and pinched it hard while I gave my shots,, and most of em went into my abdomen and it didnt hurt at all,, except ME PINCHING myself,, lol,,us4heavenbound@... wrote: In a message dated 9/23/2006 1:24:34 PM Central Daylight Time, 4thMoongmail writes: I was also told to put

it in at 90* and that is how I started but found I had much more success going in at 45* since I avoided going into muscle. By the way, I exclusively do it in my thighs and have no problem because I use the inner or outer part of the thigh rather then the top. Ally well my legs are really ahhh fat..so I had to do it up by my knees, it hurt some, but I could get a better place..geri Jackie

[Guest guest]

Yeah, the interferon shot doesn't hurt at all but the neupogen shot and the aranesp shot hurt like all get out, especially the aranesp shot. I let it warm up and push it in ever so slow but it still hurts. Well, they do my body good though so I can live with it.

On 9/23/06, Jackie on <redjaxjm@...> wrote:

like I said, I just grabbed some fat and pinched it hard while I gave my shots,, and most of em went into my abdomen and it didnt hurt at all,, except ME PINCHING myself,, lol,,us4heavenbound@

aol.com wrote:

In a message dated 9/23/2006 1:24:34 PM Central Daylight Time, 4thMoon@... writes:

I was also told to put it in at 90* and that is how I started but found I had much more success going in at 45* since I avoided going into muscle. By the way, I exclusively do it in my thighs and have no problem because I use the inner or outer part of the thigh rather then the top.

Ally

well my legs are really ahhh fat..so I had to do it up by my knees, it hurt some, but I could get a better place..geri

Jackie

[Guest guest]

Lee, it does not have to be subq,, it can go in as far as the length of the needle, it wont hurt it if it gets into the muscle,, or at least that is what I WAS TOLD... I ALWAYS put my needle STRAIGHT IN....Lee <leecuate@...> wrote: I think I did push the plunger a little fast the first time, but this is the first that I have heard about a 45 degree angle, both the nurse at my doctors office and Pegassist told me to put the needle all of the way in at a 90 degree angle. This has been a little scary because I

dont have much of a layer before I would hit muscle (or something else). I haven't even tried my thigh because I am afraid that I would go into the muscle. Thanks for the info. LEE > I did my fifth dose of

Pegasys yesterday and so far everything is > going well. Whats weird is that I still have a black and blue mark > from my first injection site, since the first one there has only > been a little redness the next day or two. Maybe the first injection > shocks your body more?> This is the first day I have taken off since I started treatment. I > own a plant nursery and have to work at least a few hours seven days > a week. I have had very few side affects, headaches a little sore > after loading 200 plus flats of bedding plants on the delivery > truck, and sometimes just feeling wierd. I too, have gotten a > strange aversion to red meat. Last week I ate some beef and couldn't > get the taste out of my mouth for a day. I am still drinking over > two gallons of water a day including pedialyte and gatorade. > Sometimes I feel congested and get a productive cough (I

still smoke > 15 cigarettes a day) but nothing that lasts. Luckily it is cooling > off into the 90s here in Tucson, October is one of our busiest > months of the year and once I make it through the month I can take > it easy the rest of the year.> I forced myself to gain weight before treatment because I knew that > I would lose some during treatment. I am 6' and got my weight up to > 190#, I don't own a scale, but this last week I had to tighten my > belt one notch.> I had always had trouble going to sleep and used to have a drink to > get to sleep. after I quite drinking the insomnia got real bad. I > have to get up at 4:30 every morning and was only getting a few > hours of sleep a night. My primary care doctor started me on > AmbienCR a month before I started treatment and I still take one > every night at 8 PM. The stuff is great. I fall to sleep quckly

and > even though I get up a couple of times a night to pee I fall right > back to sleep. I'll worry about quitting the Ambien when I am done > with treatment in February.> My viral load was at 27 million before treatment and my doctor > doesn't have me scheduled for a viral load test until my twelth > week. I don't know why she isn't having it tested sooner but from > what I have read viral load is not an indicator of disease > progression or treatment prognosis. > Anyway just thought I would let everyone know that at least so far > for me I have been tolorating treatment well.> I so rarely get a day off that I am not sure what I will do all > day, except that I have been craving pasta and am going to make some > speghetti.> > LEE in TUCSON> > > > > > > > Take the ordinary things of life, and make them

your own. Do the impossible with a smile>Jackie