Philzone.org Discussion Board: Archive 2004: Hep C Archive: Rocky the red racoon

what is going on here? Who is driving this bus?? I think I want off..
Has anyone had eye issues? Not with my vision, but my eye lids and under my eyes are red... swollen. Started after 10/31. took my first Pegasys/copegas on 8/20 and my first Neupogen the beginning of Oct.?? It seems to come up a few days after the Pegasys or the next day after the neupogen. (now that I am aware of it and watching)Seems to get better then comes back. Primary gave me Zertec but I did not like it. GI gave me script for antibodic eye drops did that for a week and it got better, then right back. I am assuming it is a reaction to one of the shots. That, the constant itching and the over all feeling horrible. I am about sick of the shit. The Dr. took me off work till 02/01/05. At first I said No way, i will be back by the first of the year.. If this keeps up Feb 1st sounds about right. I have been eating, drinking water, no exercise other than the 100 trips to the potty and the trips to get more water, oh and then another trip to go get the water I forgot..
Mentally/Emotionally doing fine. I just am tired of this trip, tired of looking like shit, tired of feeling so terrible, tired of the needles, tired of the exhaustion.

ok, feel better now. Thanks for letting me vent.

Carol, I haven't started tx yet, but lordy you sound in a tissey with your eyes. That would drive me nuts, itching my eyes. Make sure you wash your hands good before touching your eyes! I don't know what would cause it, but hope you get the answers. won't be long and your trip will be through, and the dragon will have died, if not dead yet! your a Good dragon slayer!

Hey Now Carol...sorry to hear you are still having a rough ride but am glad to hear your still riding...and glad to hear your Doc gave you a break....I got the following from one of Frannies favorite sites http://www.hepcsurvivalguide.org/
Hope it helps...peace...mack
Red itchy eye lids- This is a documented side from the Ribavirin. The combo can also cause one or more of your eyes to leak a lot which irritates your skin. Tears can be rather caustic to tender skin, if it gets red and raw try putting Chapstick on your cheek under your tear duct and on the side of your nose, wherever it is red. This sounds gross, but it doesn't show and it really works. Try Badger Balm (No Badgers were harmed in the preparation of this product!!!-made with olive oil, bees wax, castor oil, aloe vera and sweet birch in a easy to carry tin, non-greasy also good for chapped hands or other chapped areas) seems to work nicely on my poor eye lids. Cold-pressed Castor Oil also is also soothing, but kind of yucky, I use it a night sometimes. Hyland's Calendula Spray is really great. It's ingredients are: 22 percent extract of Calendula flowers (Marigold) in glycerin and water. I spray it on my eyelids in the am and p.m.-also works on hard to reach itchy spots on my back. About $4.50 for a 1oz bottle. You can get all these products from your health store, Whole Foods or Fresh Fields. Do not use calendula lotion or gel in the eye area, they may contain petroleum products that may irritate your eyes and make them swell (I know this from experience).

Here is a good place that you can get the Calendula spray on the web: http://www.vitaminchannel.com/manf/HylandsStandardHomeopathics.htm, or here is the direct link: Hylands Calendula Spray. If you order $50 or more from the Vitamin Channel, shipping is free.

Here is a place on the web where you can order the Badger Balm: http://www.nutritionpantry.com/bodycare.htm.

Or, another soothing thing to do for your eyes is to slice up some cucumbers and dip them in yogurt and put them on your eyes. Can be eaten afterward if you are really hungry, please do not serve to guests from your face, Miss Manners would not approve.

The red itchy eye lids can also irritate your hair follicles, mucus membranes and ducts in the eye causing a Sty. A sty is a bacterial infection, you are more prone to those while on interferon therapy. If you feel a sty coming on, make yourself an herb tea (Eyebrite is good for the eyes-can get it at any health food store) and take the warm tea bag and apply it to your eye several times throughout the day until it subsides. Hopefully, this will keep it from "heading up" and looking really gross. Here is a very good article by doctors from Calgery Regional Health Authority: http://www.crha-health.ab.ca/hlthconn/items/stye.htm

And have some ice cream...

You know, for "tender areas" I have been using DRC brand diaper rash cream for a couple years. It may sound gross, but I used it on the wound from a shoulder surgery about a year and a half ago, and have to search to find the scar...Remember how the dad in the Big Fat Greek Wedding movie used windex to cure everything? I use DRC the same way. Rub it in a little and it doesn't show. I hope this helps....


Jim

Hey Jim - I've kept diaper rash cream or ointment around for years, too. The zinc oxide heals the skin. I think I'll try it on my arms. I forgot I had some in the med cabinet.

What no peg leg, wood peckers,terpentine, or eye patch jokes for Carol? No jumping off the bus or you'll lose the other leg jokes?


Wazzup? You Pin Cushion Brigade guys are slakin' here lately........lol.

Carol,
Seriously, I feel for you phriend. Although my facial rash is lupus related tx affects and exagerates my outbreaks moreso. Lots of good advice here. It's a hit or miss cure I've discovered. Larely I've been using Neutrogena Moiserizing Cream twice daily and works really well for me for itching, dryness swelling and redness. Once in awhile a little black ointment if my skin feels like rattlesnake scales takes care of it, pronto.

Pretty friggin' sick of treatments here myself also......week 40 passed this week ... uneventful I'm happy to report. More than halfway done myself now. 32 weeks to goooooooo..... just a reminder some weeks are better than others. Just resharpen your dragon slayer sword, put your back against that brick wall you've encountered and skewer that ugly critter. You've already got her on the run...deal the fatal blow.

God, I love this place!
Without all of my sisters and brothers here, I might not have made it this far.
Carol.. Susan.. Jim.. you are all doin the right thing, absolutely! First comes whuppin' the Dragon and saving our lives, then comes the job obligations.
Thanks for the FMLA- an employer CAN'T ask for more than you honestly have to give.
I did shot # 29 this week- that puts me in the "teens" now! The last coupla weeks have been a pain, but I can always put up with 1 more shot nite. Thanks to those of you who have kept an eye on me off of the Zone, too!
I have a hunch Santa will take care of Carol for eye patches and peg legs...

I remember at one point during this whirlwind, my eyes becoming very dry and waking up in the mornings with crap in the corners of my eyes. My wife gave me some tear drops and the situation seemed to pass.

Hey Major, if I could pry a bit, I was wondering why your drug regiment is longer than most. I believe I remember you mentioning you were a non-responder, and I'm thinking this may be the reason. All signs point to my clearing the virus, but I would be interested in the courses of action taken if this not be the case. I commend you Sir for your endurance. I will take shot# 34 of 48 tonight, and can't imagine how I would feel if I had 40 more to go instead of 14. Lastly, I see the fine work you do with the New England Organ Bank and was wondering if you will be at the DSO show in Troy, NY tonight. I do not seem to have as much energy as you, but I would certainly like to get involved in some way after treatment.

Best regards to All,
NYJIMMY

Hey David, Good to hear from you. My Mom gave me some Neutrogena Bath stuff a few weeks ago. I still soak in a tub, it just feels so good. I know it is bad. I will try showering. My mom also gave me a shower seat which is cool. Made me feel old, but what the hell? Sure beats standing up. Hey, I am scared as hell to ask.. What is "a little Black Ointment"

NYJimmy, I too take my hat off to all the Phine Pholks here that due to non-responding or relasp are on a more agressive approach. I could not imagine going for more than the 48 weeks. Nor could i imagine going thru this shit again. They give me encouragement.

This weekend will be shot number 16 of Pegasys. Shot 3 of Procrit and shot 9 of Neupogen. Next blood work on the 7th and see Dr. on the 15th. I really think the co-pegasys is bothering me more than the shots. I am getting serious about giving up the tobacco. It seems pretty counter productive to damn-near kill myself with chemicals to kill the dragon, to prolong my life.... All the while smoking tobacco.. Which I think we all know by now is not good for us. Would I spend 8k every three months to save someone that was still doing bodily harm to themselves???? Waste of money. But eaiser said than done.
Guess I am feeling better. I am up and at the computer. I thanked the city of FTW for late trashmen this morning. I have got to get up and take care of some plants that I got in b4 it got cold. That is all I did was get them in. Need to water and situate them. I have not been outside in my back for weeks now. I might try to get out some today. The trips to the mailbox and getting trash out has been my sourse of fresh air this week.
The post about the Wal-mart brand lotion made me laugh. It was a chore b4 Thanksgiving... No way will I go near a Walmart unless it is the middle of the night but it has been too cold for that. Christmas is such a pain in the ass. And how do you work those damn little carts? I think the one I tried was out of juice?
Yep... Carol is about tired of this shit. Signs of hair in the tub and brush...And what is up with these places on my body that are sore, but for no apparent reason, My lymph nodes seem to be sore or have knots...I have a new appreciation for the corner edges of the wall. AND WHY there is one spot on my back that I can not reach to put lotion on no matter what???? I tell myself it has to be due to being out of shape or over weight. We could not have been made like that.
I think this is two bitch sessions in as many days... Carol must be feeling a little better. Got to go eat and take drugs. Peace, good health and little sides to all..

Carol
My heart goes out to you.. I've experienced many of the same sides. In my case some sides seem to be easing up a bit.
I get the lymph node thing, but thankfully it passes after a day or 2. I had my biggest hair loss at about the same stage of Tx. People encouraged me to cut it, but no. I figure:
Like an old regimental battle flag, shot full of holes, this is NOT a source of shame to me. I'll fly what I got, 'til I get more. In the past few weeks, the hair loss has tapered off a lot.
I agree- I DON'T have the energy or patience to deal with dumb folks and long lines at Wal-Mart.
Damned if I can stand in anybody's line for 40 minutes to save fifty cents. Fortunately, the insomnia makes late nite shopping a viable option!
Keep slugging- we are on toward the finish line, and you are nearing your 2nd viral load. you are soon gonna hear that sweet word again... UNDETECTABLE!
I'll be hoping to meet you at The Beacon, and we'll both be short-timers by then.
Walt

Jim,
You guessed it.......
First tx-nonresponder-
second tx; a relapser.
Hense, the gerrilla warfare attack route on my hep c dragon. Double dosage/18 mo. tx-360 pg. Pegasys/1200 riba.
No Troy, NY DSO tonight(it's out of the NEOB area). Hot Tuna in Keene and Lebanon, NH to take up the slack.

>Hey, I am scared as hell to ask.. What is "a little Black Ointment"<

No Carol....not something concocted by me of toe jam, wood chips,terpentine,woodpecker poop or belly button lint balls or anything like that. A Natural olive oil and beeswax herbal ointment by Sunshine Products Inc.(www.naturessunshine.com) Spanish Forks, Utah 1-800-223-8225 I picked up at a health fair or somewhere(Walmarts?)that seems to work really well in those tough dry itchy spots. All natural ingrediant ointment...I swear by the stuff.

Hey all you fellow dragon slayers.....Carol...besides my wild emotionalism, already a bit of an old problem before tx started.....the eye itch and irritation thing is my most constant side effect. I havent had hardly a gastrointestinal side effect, but my eyes, sinuses always have dryness, sensation, and always make me feel exhausted.....I use eyedrops a bit forr quick soothe, but best is one of those eyemasks with ice in them just resting on my closed eyes.....thats the most soothing relief for me

I dont know about the lymph node thing.....thank goodness...hair hasnt fallen out, the elbow psoriasis which had plagued me for years is totally gone, cured by ULTRAVATE and maintained with constant moisturizing as the strong steroids end up hurting the same problem they fixed if used too long...just maintain with creams and lotions.... I do know seem to have tiny little zones of regulation psoriasis like most folks do, and dry skin from warm water showering that I treat with creams, etc..but I am generally dry, and the eye thing is severe at times....Good luck with your treatment....and a hello to all....

My gastro sent me to eye doctor as one of my prelim, as well as to shrink, heart, liver man.
I would suggest aloe vera gel for redness you can even drink it.. It is natural. I use vegetal products from Yves Rocher.com. I would read labels and make sure there is no alcohol or drying agents. I always keep vitamin E oil on hand. I use it on animals as well. for dryness and cracking skin, as gardener, crafter, and barmaid...I have come to depend on Arnica. It heals up within days.
My doctor said once I am on Tx to keep up my moisturizing as everyone has different reactions to Tx. I suggest some good lazy bubble baths with oils to soothe our minds and bodies.
Rose hips, and other flower oils work also. There are web sites for making your own creams.
I would look up Rodale(organic magazine) and other Organic names...use herb, flower for links. It is cheaper and you know what you are using.

Carol our phine sister..hang in there..I know it's
tough, but you're a warrierett, and you will get
by..I know what you're going through with the eyes, matter of fact, I got one black eye right
now from rubbing and a nasty stye, and I've been
off the Pegasus/copegus for 24 days now. I stoped
the procrit and neupogen a week ago and 3-4 days
ago, the ichey-scratchy eyes came back. Yesterday,
my family doc, prescribed some eye dropsAlcon
Labs,FWT> neomycn and polymyxn B sulfates and
hydrocortisone ophthalmic suspension,usp) and tonite, I can diffinately see and feel (my eye)
better, I also have been making the eyebright tea
bag thang 3-4 times a day also. Between the two of
them, it works. Had the same thing last May and
did the same (the drops & eyebright tea potace),
remember I posted about it to you. And the ciggie
thang: I've been using the patches...as long as I
get past the first cup of java in the morning, I've been good till about now (11pm ast), had a
couple already as the niteowl sets in. Even made it through the X-mas madness at Wally World (yes,
we have Walmart here in matanuska valley)tonite,
without lighting up, though the still lingering
Riba juice in me, had me rageing and spinning
donuts on the icy roads, all around them MOFO's
that were flooding into Wally World to get the
X-mas discounts...oh well, phriends I'm mello and
kickin' back at the pad now. And seriously Carol,
ask your doc for them drops, they work and they
make them right in Fort Worth. Well pholks back ta
polishing my buffalow shit-kicking boots...down ta
the farm in Oregon, ina couple of days..
Be Cool, Be well, and SEA YA ALL LATER, Budley

All of you hang in there. As anyone that has completed the tx knows..."This too shall pass".

I realize that is small consolation right now but it will get better.

Ok Carol, I see what you mean now. Almost looks like allergies (sp?) and how they make your eyes puff up. Hope that part goes away soon for you. There are plenty other things to bug you on tx besides having your eyes bother you all the time.