Question:
Until I figure out how to reply saving the poster’s quotes, I’ll try this: Aqua Girl: I’m glad you’ve been doing better, and I’m so sorry you have had to go through this alone. I’m sure the aloneness will be temporary because you’re a wonderful person. As for the depression, Larry is either a high functioning depressive, or he is just generally apathetic person because very little makes him happy or excited. It’s been hard to pin him with the depression label because he functions at work and exercises, whereas when I get depressed, I get that stuck to the chair syndrome along with a feeling of mild that dementia accompanies depression. It’s hard to know what someone’s baseline mood is. We aren’t married, although I wish we were. Another long story, but I’m not happy about it. I sometimes wonder if after he has SVR maybe he’ll leave. He swears this is not true, and doesn’t want to get remarried because of the bad divorice. At this stage, the last thing I would ever do was put pressure on him. I would still want him to be cured no matter what, even if it meant not being with me. I never thought I’d be this altruistic – if something happened and he left me, I probably would not feel this way. I’ll turn into a madwoman or something. Having read your comments, I also am less worried about having to run to the ER. The worry just has a life of its own now. To Gordo: Thanks so much for all the ideas about coping in the relationship. I’m glad you are trying to take care of yourself Gordo and hope you keep hanging in. It does make sense to have some signal that you’ve both agreed on ahead of time. I hope it works, as sometimes I ramble on and it gets on Larry’s nerves. I guess in most relationships, people aren’t always like 2 peas in a pod, but I’ve know some people who are like identical twins and never have to tell each other anything – maybe this comes with time spent together or something. As for the fat content info, okay, I see now what you mean. As for where to give the shot, with a lean body. Where’s the beef? Or, I should say the fat? Dr. Elmo, I didn’t realize you did tx 3 times. I’m so sorry you’ve had to go through this and I don’t know your current situation is. But I know you’ve had to be tough to live through this. You are so great to help so many people, and I have no idea where you get the energy. Well, off to dream land. Everyone try to stay sane. I know it’s not as easy as it sounds. Must conserve my energy for when the snow falls. If any of you guys out there don’t have to suffer through winters with snow, that’s a real bonus. It’s not as easy as it sounds. Well, stay sane everyone. That’s not as easy as it sounds either, I know. Will keep you posted. -Wendela
Response:
"Gordo Mondragon" <ga_mondra…@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:ga_mondragon-702B5A.15104412122004@news-server.nj.rr.com… > Think of his being strong and healthy as a really good base from which > to start the treatment. > I don’t know if it would be appropriate for anyone else but I was using > a testosterone gel and I believe that may have helped me avoid muscle > loss. I’m finding now after 24 weeks of treatment that I’m a lot > stronger than I thought I’d be.
My ears pricked up at this one. What is testosterone gel and how did you use it? Currently still paranoid about starting treatment and muscle loss. Jonathan
Response:
In article <1102906752.154762.250…@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com>, "Wendela" <shoegi…@verizon.net> wrote: > Until I figure out how to reply saving the poster’s quotes, I’ll > try this: > Aqua Girl: > I’m glad you’ve been doing better, and I’m so sorry you have had to go > through this alone. I’m sure the aloneness will be temporary because > you’re a wonderful person. As for the depression, Larry is either a > high functioning depressive, or he is just generally apathetic person > because very little makes him happy or excited.
I’d seriously consider asking the doctor about anti-depressants. I am normally an annoyingly happy person by nature and this stuff had me crying at the slightest thing. [....] > I’ll turn into a madwoman or something.
Until you’ve seen a real riba rage you haven’t seen mad. [....] > As for > where to give the shot, with a lean body. Where’s the beef? Or, I > should say the fat?
I’m fairly lean and I don’t have a lot of fat on the top of my thighs, but the needle is small enough that I could just pinch a big chunk of skin up and shoot into that. Same on my stomach. I think you’d have to have a really low bodyfat to have a problem injecting this stuff. > Must conserve my energy for when the snow > falls. If any of you guys out there don’t have to suffer through > winters with snow, that’s a real bonus. It’s not as easy as it > sounds.
I still have leaves that I have to rake, so probably I’m going to have that nasty mess of snow and rotting leaves that’s so pretty to look at all winter 
Response:
In article <cpjii2$9c…@cpca14.uea.ac.uk>, "Rasputin" <ras.pu…@btinternet.com> wrote: > "Gordo Mondragon" <ga_mondra…@yahoo.com> wrote in message > news:ga_mondragon-702B5A.15104412122004@news-server.nj.rr.com… > > Think of his being strong and healthy as a really good base from which > > to start the treatment. > > I don’t know if it would be appropriate for anyone else but I was using > > a testosterone gel and I believe that may have helped me avoid muscle > > loss. I’m finding now after 24 weeks of treatment that I’m a lot > > stronger than I thought I’d be. > My ears pricked up at this one. What is testosterone gel and how did you use > it? Currently still paranoid about starting treatment and muscle loss.
www.androgel.com, it’s also available as Testim. It’s a topical version of testosterone. You smear it on non-hairy parts of your body and it soaks in slowly. It’s not a large amount so it can be prescribed, much less than what people who use steroids for bodybuilding use. Apparently different men’s testosterone levels can be very different, so all a test can tell you is if you’re in a pretty wide range of "normal", not if your levels have gone down over time. So the theory is that raising them to your particular "normal" will help you as you get older. It’s really a big science experiment, like prescribing estrogen to post-menopausal women, no one knows what the long-term effects are. It had a definite effect on my body composition, changing my muscle/fat ratio back to how it was years ago and making muscle mass easier to sustain with less work. I think it helped me do that during treatment. As you can imagine, it’s very popular in the states if you have insurance that will pay for it. It might be harder to get on the NHS. I also don’t think that it has an impact on the liver but if you’ve got reduced functioning I’d check it out.
Response:
Sorry can’t give you any advice but I know what you mean about first shot jitters – I am due for my first shot on 31st December. My hospital would not let me start over Christmas as I need to be observed weekly and they are all on holiday. Good luck. Jonathan
Response:
In article <1103024129.653650.186…@c13g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>, "Wendela" <shoegi…@verizon.net> wrote: > Gordo Mondragon wrote: > > In article <1102906752.154762.250…@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com>, > > "Wendela" <shoegi…@verizon.net> wrote: > > I’d seriously consider asking the doctor about anti-depressants. I > am > > normally an annoyingly happy person by nature and this stuff had me > > crying at the slightest thing. > This may not be a bad idea about the ADs. He’s in a bit of denial but I > am frantic. It takes my breath away just mentioning all of this. If I > didn’t have the chronic fatigue myself, and this is with mostly fevers > and fatigue I would not be so worried. I suffer from the depression.
For most people it’s manageable. I wasn’t hell to live with, it was just no fun most of the time to be around me. Are you worried more about dealing with him or him not being able to emotionally support you? [...] > > > I’ll turn into a madwoman or something. > > Until you’ve seen a real riba rage you haven’t seen mad. > Oh my gosh….he is very strong, yet he’s a 6 foot tall skinny thing > with a 28 inch waist. (and he’s muscular, 6 feet tall, medium build) > I’m afraid if someone pulls into his parking spot or a similar minor > offense, he’ll get out of the car and try and fight with them. It’s > rare when he flips out, but when he does he’s fearless.
Everyone has different stories with the rage – mine came out of nowhere, I am normally very hard to anger so it surprised me. It would come up after I’d been up for a few hours. The HATE would just pour off of me. The only thing that worked during the worst of it for me was to get stoned, and then it just disappeared like magic. Also I learned to keep my mouth shut when I was feeling it and the times it broke through my partner knew to keep HIS mouth shut. I didn’t have it the whole time, it came in about 1/3 of the way though and was only bad for a couple of weeks. Then I got used to it, I guess, or just stayed stoned more. [...] > I should not talk much now, as I am encouraging him to read this board. > If he ever starts, I’ll just bow out and say goodbye and tell you his > user name. I want HIM to get involved and post.
That would be good, but he doesn’t you should stick around. G
Response:
Jonathan, I’m the GFriend (GF) of the person doing the tx. I’m too old to be a GF, but we live together and we’re not married, so I don’t know how to refer to myself. The Schmuck! (TS) Just kidding , little Jewish humor. You don’t want to know what that means. I have other heath issues: depression and CFS but we live together and he won’t post yet. I wish you luck. The main thing is to try and find a support group there if you can. Is it the VA hospital? Will they give you the shots? Keep checking the board. Review the old posts. I can’t recall if you’ve been here for a while. I like your name!! Wendy
Response:
Gordo Mondragon wrote: > In article <1102906752.154762.250…@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com>, > "Wendela" <shoegi…@verizon.net> wrote: > I’d seriously consider asking the doctor about anti-depressants. I am > normally an annoyingly happy person by nature and this stuff had me > crying at the slightest thing.
This may not be a bad idea about the ADs. He’s in a bit of denial but I am frantic. It takes my breath away just mentioning all of this. If I didn’t have the chronic fatigue myself, and this is with mostly fevers and fatigue I would not be so worried. I suffer from the depression. I hope he gets SVR out of this because it seems it is going to trash his life. I know, I have a couple days to get positive, but I’m a big baby sometimes. > [....] > > I’ll turn into a madwoman or something. > Until you’ve seen a real riba rage you haven’t seen mad.
Oh my gosh….he is very strong, yet he’s a 6 foot tall skinny thing with a 28 inch waist. (and he’s muscular, 6 feet tall, medium build) I’m afraid if someone pulls into his parking spot or a similar minor offense, he’ll get out of the car and try and fight with them. It’s rare when he flips out, but when he does he’s fearless. It does not matter how big the person is. I need a drink just recalling one incident when I had a frying pan in one hand, as I was calling the police with the other hand. And this was because someone hit his car (an adult) with a big softball, and the guy who did it was a raging bully lunatic type that no one in their right mind would go near let alone yell at. The blood just drained from my head, yet nothing actually happened. I had post traumatic stress for 3 months after that little incident. The big guy just apoligized instead when I thought he would break every bone in Larrys little body. He can be fearless! I should not talk much now, as I am encouraging him to read this board. If he ever starts, I’ll just bow out and say goodbye and tell you his user name. I want HIM to get involved and post. > [....] > > As for > > where to give the shot, with a lean body. Where’s the beef? Or, I > > should say the fat? > I’m fairly lean and I don’t have a lot of fat on the top of my thighs, > but the needle is small enough that I could just pinch a big chunk of > skin up and shoot into that. Same on my stomach. I think you’d have to > have a really low bodyfat to have a problem injecting this stuff.
If I can get my nerve up, down the road maybe I can pinch a bit from his back and give him the shot. I am crying now and it’s not until Friday. We don’t even know if he takes the Riba first or does the shot first. > > Must conserve my energy for when the snow > > falls. If any of you guys out there don’t have to suffer through > > winters with snow, that’s a real bonus. It’s not as easy as it > > sounds. > I still have leaves that I have to rake, so probably I’m going to have > that nasty mess of snow and rotting leaves that’s so pretty to look at > all winter
We had the snow melting and some freezing rain yesterday. Our city has no money and the jerk from the office said "they just aren’t driving carefully" when I told her people were having accidents and they needed to get the salt trucks out. Bull* that there were a few isolated patches. Hope you got some of the leaves out of the way. The mud gets to you on the warmer days. At least when you’re miserable people aren’t out in halter tops. The weather resonates with your mood, I guess. Well, off the subject, but just ignore me when I ramble. Wind chill 15 F now. 
Wendy
Response:
AG said some very good things, Wendela. Her advice sounded pretty right on, to me. Elmo http://community.webtv.net/elmoemerson/DocElmosHepFile http://community.webtv.net/elmoemerson/TheFamilyAlbum
Response:
Pre First Shot Jitters for me Group: alt.support.hepatitis-c Date: Sun, Dec 12, 2004, 9:33am (CST-2) From: shoegi…@verizon.net (Wendela) Hi, Larry is actually the dragon slayer, and I’m either horse or his princess, whichever I decide to be throughout this treatment which is starting this week. I guess because I eat like one, I feel more like a horse than a princess. He is going to do first shot on the 17th. I’m more upset than Larry about this, as he is a runner, avid exerciser and is stong and "healthy" minus a bum liver. I, on the other hand, had the fatigue syndrome (CFS) and I’ve had permanent side effects from 2 medicines I’ve taken in my life, plus a host of other crazy disorders. I’m afraid for us in every way, becuase life isn’t exactly peachy now, and he’s the support person for me, so it’s going to force me to get my negative butt in gear and be cheerful. It may kill me to muster up cheerfulness when I wake up daily after having vivid dreams, and I feel like I crawled out from under a rock. When he does become more ill, I don’t know how we’ll differentiate "normal" brain fog from depression. And when do you start taking the AD’s? He is resisting the idea because I’ve had memory problems from taking Luvox, an SSRI. I’ll never be the same. Maybe I wrote this earlier? It’s more my mid-term memory. My first question regards the shot. Any way to minimize bruising? And, if the shot isn’t inserted more than, say half way in, is it a big deal? When do you know if you should go to ER? Obviously if you can’t breathe or swell up and almost die, that would get your attention, but what about blurred vision? Any hints about the riba taken with fat? We haven’t even figured out what his dosage is, but meds will come this week in pre-filled syringes with pegasys. We have to pay almost $1000 a month to suffer. This seems like a bad idea, since one day they will absolutely control this beast with herbs and such – I just have a bad feeling that we are screwing up. However, I am trying to be upbeat and I’ll have to kick his butt the whole way. This is tough when I can barely function myself. Well, I have not been able to post with the new beta google, so I think I just wrote to myself. Signing off for now. Wendela ///////////// Bruising from the shot is minimal and shouldn’t become a concern. Keep changing the injection site. I don’t mean to minmize your concerns about what should get your hubby to the ER, but rarely is that necessary. Before you do something like that, call your doc about side effects. Most all of them have an after hours on call guy that will know more about the sides than ER doctors do and I’d encourage you to go that route. Obviously, if he’s having chest pain, the ER is the way to go. If he suffers blurred vision or other eye problems, call the GI doc right away. It may or may not be significant. Taking his meds with a small of fat in food is mandatory. Without fat, the body will not absorb as much ribavirin, up to 40% will be wasted. Your statement that herbs will one day be able to keep hepc at bay are wrong. The drugs prescribed by your doc are the only things that have proven to eradicate the virus. There are no other alternatives to the combo if he wants to obtain SVR. Other effective forms of treatment are at least 5 years down the road and will probably include the drugs his specialist are prescribing now. It’s easy for me to say "don’t be scared" about starting tx, because I’ve done it 3 times. Sorry I can’t put you totally at ease, but if your hubby is as tough an hombre as you say, he’ll do fine. It’s nice he has a loving, supportive partner as yourself. Elmo http://community.webtv.net/elmoemerson/DocElmosHepFile http://community.webtv.net/elmoemerson/TheFamilyAlbum
Response:
Hi, Larry is actually the dragon slayer, and I’m either horse or his princess, whichever I decide to be throughout this treatment which is starting this week. I guess because I eat like one, I feel more like a horse than a princess. He is going to do first shot on the 17th. I’m more upset than Larry about this, as he is a runner, avid exerciser and is stong and "healthy" minus a bum liver. I, on the other hand, had the fatigue syndrome (CFS) and I’ve had permanent side effects from 2 medicines I’ve taken in my life, plus a host of other crazy disorders. I’m afraid for us in every way, becuase life isn’t exactly peachy now, and he’s the support person for me, so it’s going to force me to get my negative butt in gear and be cheerful. It may kill me to muster up cheerfulness when I wake up daily after having vivid dreams, and I feel like I crawled out from under a rock. When he does become more ill, I don’t know how we’ll differentiate "normal" brain fog from depression. And when do you start taking the AD’s? He is resisting the idea because I’ve had memory problems from taking Luvox, an SSRI. I’ll never be the same. Maybe I wrote this earlier? It’s more my mid-term memory. My first question regards the shot. Any way to minimize bruising? And, if the shot isn’t inserted more than, say half way in, is it a big deal? When do you know if you should go to ER? Obviously if you can’t breathe or swell up and almost die, that would get your attention, but what about blurred vision? Any hints about the riba taken with fat? We haven’t even figured out what his dosage is, but meds will come this week in pre-filled syringes with pegasys. We have to pay almost $1000 a month to suffer. This seems like a bad idea, since one day they will absolutely control this beast with herbs and such – I just have a bad feeling that we are screwing up. However, I am trying to be upbeat and I’ll have to kick his butt the whole way. This is tough when I can barely function myself. Well, I have not been able to post with the new beta google, so I think I just wrote to myself. Signing off for now. Wendela
Response:
"Wendela" <shoegi…@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:1102872817.525729.79930@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi, > Larry is actually the dragon slayer, and I’m either horse or his > princess, whichever I decide to be throughout this treatment which is > starting this week. I guess because I eat like one, I feel more like a > horse than a princess. He is going to do first shot on the 17th. I’m > more upset than Larry about this, as he is a runner, avid exerciser and > is stong and "healthy" minus a bum liver. I, on the other hand, had the > fatigue syndrome (CFS) and I’ve had permanent side effects from 2 > medicines I’ve taken in my life, plus a host of other crazy disorders. > I’m afraid for us in every way, becuase life isn’t exactly peachy now, > and he’s the support person for me, so it’s going to force me to get my > negative butt in gear and be cheerful. It may kill me to muster up > cheerfulness when I wake up daily after having vivid dreams, and I feel > like I crawled out from under a rock. When he does become more ill, I > don’t know how we’ll differentiate "normal" brain fog from depression. > And when do you start taking the AD’s? He is resisting the idea because > I’ve had memory problems from taking Luvox, an SSRI. I’ll never be the > same. Maybe I wrote this earlier? It’s more my mid-term memory.
With anti-d’s most say you don’t get the full effect for 6 weeks but I understand there are some that can give some help right away. I started on Wellbutrin 6 weeks before starting tx but then I had a good idea I would need them. If he is prone to mood swings or feels things deeply than I would suggest starting on something now. This is something he needs to talk about with his doctor. > My first question regards the shot. Any way to minimize bruising? And, > if the shot isn’t inserted more than, say half way in, is it a big > deal? When do you know if you should go to ER? Obviously if you can’t > breathe or swell up and almost die, that would get your attention, but > what about blurred vision?
To minimize bruising (and to convince me to stick myself), I numbed the area with ice before the shot. Just make sure you (he) dries it and cleans it off with the swab before taking the shot. I did them in my tummy because sadly that’s were I have the thickest layer of fat <G>. It helps if you avoid hitting a muscle. I don’t know about the ER, I was told only a very very small percentage of people suffer an immediate reaction to the drugs. If it were a real concern they would have everyone take at least the first one in a doctors office. Usually problems come on gradually and are identified in the blood work. That’s why they do labs so often in the first couple of months. > Any hints about the riba taken with fat? We haven’t even figured out > what his dosage is, but meds will come this week in pre-filled syringes > with pegasys. We have to pay almost $1000 a month to suffer. This seems > like a bad idea, since one day they will absolutely control this beast > with herbs and such – I just have a bad feeling that we are screwing > up. However, I am trying to be upbeat and I’ll have to kick his butt > the whole way. This is tough when I can barely function myself.
Well there have been quite a few of us who managed it alone so what he is mostly going to need from you is patience and understanding. The emotional toll is surprising and while many can sympathize, very few who haven’t experienced can understand. It sounds like you know what it’s like to be tired all the time. Add in 6 months of PMS, headaches, fever and feeling like you have been hit by a truck once a week than you have it <g>. It’s also possible he will have very mild side effects and function just fine. Some do. I know it’s in our nature to worry but it doesn’t help and it may turn out that there is no reason to. BTW…one thing I did because I could only rely on me was to put a little rolling wire cart next to my bed. I could fit a small trash can on the bottom shelf, I put a book and something to snack on (which I never did) on the second shelf and I put a big bottle of water and OTC meds to combat any sides on the top shelf. I was preparing for not being able to get out of bed. If your concerned with being able to help him IN CASE he gets sick the next day then this might be an option. I didn’t need it of course. The flu like symptoms weren’t totally debilitaing in my case so while the cart was good for my peace of mind…it wasn’t necessary. > Well, I have not been able to post with the new beta google, so I think > I just wrote to myself. Signing off for now. Wendela
You did good..made it to the group just fine. Stick around, there are some good people here who can offer support and share their experiences. Good luck. AG
Response:
Good luck to the both of you. Family is so important while going thru tx.! hc "Wendela" <shoegi…@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:1102872817.525729.79930@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi, > Larry is actually the dragon slayer, and I’m either horse or his > princess, whichever I decide to be throughout this treatment which is > starting this week. I guess because I eat like one, I feel more like a > horse than a princess. He is going to do first shot on the 17th. I’m > more upset than Larry about this, as he is a runner, avid exerciser and > is stong and "healthy" minus a bum liver. I, on the other hand, had the > fatigue syndrome (CFS) and I’ve had permanent side effects from 2 > medicines I’ve taken in my life, plus a host of other crazy disorders. > I’m afraid for us in every way, becuase life isn’t exactly peachy now, > and he’s the support person for me, so it’s going to force me to get my > negative butt in gear and be cheerful. It may kill me to muster up > cheerfulness when I wake up daily after having vivid dreams, and I feel > like I crawled out from under a rock. When he does become more ill, I > don’t know how we’ll differentiate "normal" brain fog from depression. > And when do you start taking the AD’s? He is resisting the idea because > I’ve had memory problems from taking Luvox, an SSRI. I’ll never be the > same. Maybe I wrote this earlier? It’s more my mid-term memory. > My first question regards the shot. Any way to minimize bruising? And, > if the shot isn’t inserted more than, say half way in, is it a big > deal? When do you know if you should go to ER? Obviously if you can’t > breathe or swell up and almost die, that would get your attention, but > what about blurred vision? > Any hints about the riba taken with fat? We haven’t even figured out > what his dosage is, but meds will come this week in pre-filled syringes > with pegasys. We have to pay almost $1000 a month to suffer. This seems > like a bad idea, since one day they will absolutely control this beast > with herbs and such – I just have a bad feeling that we are screwing > up. However, I am trying to be upbeat and I’ll have to kick his butt > the whole way. This is tough when I can barely function myself. > Well, I have not been able to post with the new beta google, so I think > I just wrote to myself. Signing off for now. Wendela
Response:
In article <1102872817.525729.79…@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>, "Wendela" <shoegi…@verizon.net> wrote: > Hi, > Larry is actually the dragon slayer, and I’m either horse or his > princess, whichever I decide to be throughout this treatment which is > starting this week. I guess because I eat like one, I feel more like a > horse than a princess. He is going to do first shot on the 17th. I’m > more upset than Larry about this, as he is a runner, avid exerciser and > is stong and "healthy" minus a bum liver. I, on the other hand, had the > fatigue syndrome (CFS) and I’ve had permanent side effects from 2 > medicines I’ve taken in my life, plus a host of other crazy disorders.
Think of his being strong and healthy as a really good base from which to start the treatment. I don’t know if it would be appropriate for anyone else but I was using a testosterone gel and I believe that may have helped me avoid muscle loss. I’m finding now after 24 weeks of treatment that I’m a lot stronger than I thought I’d be. > I’m afraid for us in every way, becuase life isn’t exactly peachy now, > and he’s the support person for me, so it’s going to force me to get my > negative butt in gear and be cheerful. It may kill me to muster up > cheerfulness when I wake up daily after having vivid dreams, and I feel > like I crawled out from under a rock. When he does become more ill, I > don’t know how we’ll differentiate "normal" brain fog from depression.
I didn’t need my partner to be cheerful when I was in tx. I just needed him to not need much from me, and not to ascribe whatever I was doing or how I was acting to a problem between us that needed work or discussion. I think something that might be helpful is to establish a "time out" phrase that either of you can use. For him being able to say "I can’t deal right now" or you to say "I need to not be around your deep well of sick feeling right now" so that you don’t have to discuss it when you need it could be good. Step back, step away, have some space. We did this a lot and it helped. Also remember that not everyone gets bad sides from this. You hear a lot about them here because people need to talk about them when they occur, but sometimes people speak up to say that it’s not really that bad for them. > And when do you start taking the AD’s? He is resisting the idea because > I’ve had memory problems from taking Luvox, an SSRI.
I wish I had started day one. What I realized is that the tx didn’t make me depressed but it gave me the chemical symptoms of depression – so it took me a while to figure out that an antidepressant could help. I took Symbyax, a combo of prozac and another drug that helps sleep. It worked fast and made a big difference for me. [...] > My first question regards the shot. Any way to minimize bruising? And, > if the shot isn’t inserted more than, say half way in, is it a big > deal? When do you know if you should go to ER? Obviously if you can’t > breathe or swell up and almost die, that would get your attention, but > what about blurred vision?
First, calm down a bit. I don’t think that allergic reactions to the shot are very common at all. My doctor had me do my first shot in his office so he could show me how to do it and he didn’t make me wait to see if there were any reactions. He’s a very good doctor and it would surprise me if there were much risk at all. The prefilled needles are tiny. I HATE NEEDLES and I got used to them right away. You’ll see, but inserting it all the way in was no big deal for me. I did them in the top of my thighs, grabbing a roll of skin and shooting into it. I’d get a raised area where the fluid was for a while and never any redness or bruising. I did one in my stomach and that stayed red for a few days so I didn’t do it again. > Any hints about the riba taken with fat? We haven’t even figured out > what his dosage is, but meds will come this week in pre-filled syringes > with pegasys.
I already take meds twice a day that need to be taken with fat and for those, a glass of whole milk is sufficient. My doctor told me that it was the same for the riba. I kept ice cream in the freezer and would have a few spoonfuls of that sometimes. > We have to pay almost $1000 a month to suffer. This seems > like a bad idea, since one day they will absolutely control this beast > with herbs and such – I just have a bad feeling that we are screwing > up.
I think there will be better, more precise treatments but it’s very unlikely that it’s going to be something you can rid of with herbs. After 20 years with HIV, my bets are on complicated western chemicals in the future. > However, I am trying to be upbeat and I’ll have to kick his butt > the whole way. This is tough when I can barely function myself.
You might be doing more putting up with him feeling bad than having to kick his butt. It won’t be fun but it’s doable and for most people manageable. I think you’re buying a little trouble before the fact, don’t worry so much. You’ll figure out what to do when the time comes.
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