Philzone.org Discussion Board: Archive 2004: Hep C Archive: Down with treatment, feeling fine.

I can't say how sorry I feel for all you suffering friends out here on the zone. I've been carrying this f..ing virus for more than 30 years and it has not brought me down yet. I promised Martin not to dive into any further discussions regarding taking the treatment or not. Therefore, let me just ask:
Is there anyone out here on the zone with untreated HepC wanna talk ?

Pelle, as long as you feel you are doing what is best for you.. that is the only thing that matters. I went many years before I finally decided to do the treatment. And I feel good about my decision to wait and my decision to treat, at this time. But that does not mean that is what is best for you. My neice moved to Norway with her new husband. It sounds like a very nice place. Very different, sounds like no such thing as going to the store and getting stuff like cake mix, corn bread mix and what I would call fast cook "boxed" mixes, like Hamburger Helper. And recycle is important. They seem to like it. Who knows maybe I will get to go visit them one of these days.

I was diagnosed last summer. Lots of research and this site. I went to a support group in area. Only two people at meetings are currently on Tx. Some of the others have failed on it. And others have opted not to do the treatment do to sides and not knowing long term side affects since this____ is still clinical research. My count is very high in viral load when I was tested in September. I was suppose to start in October. I am waiting until after many tests, and
January. I do not know what to suggest to anyone since I feel I must fight the viral load. I am not looking forward to having to be prepared for side affects for a year and after...but I believe that this site has made me feel that with "A Little Help from Your Friends" it is doable. There are new tx out there so I guess we will see what is on the Menu once January is here.
I have found the people on here amazing that they can post even when there world is not up to par. But their Faith in conquering the Dragon should be up for the Noble Peace Prize. Thanks to all

Lots of pholks never doing treatments and doing just fine with this disease. Probably die of ripe old age, not hep c related causes.
Plenty of healthy lifestyle choices without treatments to insure that long life.
Personally, I've chosen treatments given the extent of damage thirty years of disease and not so healthy choices has done to my liver and other organs.
To each his own.......

Hi Pelle, I've had this virus for 30 years. My first Dr. did a biopsy in 1986 and said I'd probably die of old age before Hep c got me, since my liver had miminal or no damage. I've opted not to have treatment because of the dreaded sides and long-term effects on other organs and the body as a whole. Most of my friends cleared the virus temporarily while on treatment, but it reappeared after treatment. About 2 out of 10 I know were clear after 1 year, some had to stop because they could not handle the sides. My last biopsy in 2000 still showed minimal damage. My viral load just recently shot up 1 mil to 5 mil, Dr said this is irrelevant, amount of fibrosis is the only relevant thing. If my liver is not worse I will not do treatment, if it is, I'll be miserable and I may be forced to do treatment. I pray I don't have to. Other, better treatments should be available in the next 2-7 years depending on clincial trials and the FDA.

The question should be is your hep c active or laying nonreactive? That's when I had to make a choice, I found out 4 yrs ago, and told you could not be tx, just live a healthy life style.

Hey Pelle......greetings!

Seriously my friend, please feel free to discuss any aspect of tx or non-tx that you feel like. I'm not really sure where you got the idea that I wouldn't want you to delve further into that because I'm all for hearing whatever option you might decide on taking. Maybe at some point you may have misinterpreted something I said, I might have said something to you personally if I felt you were trying to disuade someone else from
going into tx, but this place is all about freedoms to discuss anything, and people doing there own thing. That to me is the essence of what attracted me to the "deadhead" type of attitude..... if there is such a thing. Basically speaking, just that "ole" hippie sort of lifestyle ya know. Kinda like "Do your own thing" baby (LOL).
My only hope for you, is that you seriously consider all your options and that you continue to do your best at staying healthy. Only you know that, and I hope & pray that you care enough about yourself that your looking out for your health. Hey, as long as your feeling well, and not having any problems....than more power to you!! Why the heck should you do tx.....unless your liver is really getting worse and you don't
know it. That is really why a biopsy is a very important thing though. Always remember, alot of us never really felt any symptoms before being told that we were Hep-C positive. I can testify for myself, that I merely went in for a physical when I found out in Nov. 2000, and never once had a symptom. Now, I am entering into the final stage ( Chirosis), after going through Interferon tx's twice. So, obviosly for me.....it didn't work. After putting that poison into my system 2 seperate times, I would be hard-pressed to really advocate to someone to do it, but with all the wonderful success stories I've witnessed and shared in at this site.......I also wouldn't hesitate to tell someone to go after the dragon and to try and kick it's ass any way they can.

....Anyway, best wishes for all of us, wether on tx, after tx, or never having taken tx......I pray we all live a long life with mucho fun and thanksgiving.....

Thanks for your answers, everyone. Sorry for not being able to follow up earlier.
Martin,
I sure hope that your chirrosis is negotiable, in the sense that it may be kept at a
reasonable distance for the years to come. My friend in Oslo, who I've been talking about in earlier postings, has lived with it for quite a while, and shows no visible signs of physical deterioration. He too has had two rounds of treatment.
Jeff,
I share your hopes for better treatments.
Rose,
I do believe my viruses are all asleep. The doctor told me he'd rather put money on my dying from alcohol consumption than from Hep. I don't know what the odds are, but you really never can tell in this game of sliding down the bannister of life. ( I'm 56 and ready for what may come.
Skullpipes,
Couldn't have stated it better myself.
Michele,
best of luck to you,
and Carol,
I don't see too much cake mixes over here, but I'm sure we can fix everything if you decide to cross the drink and pay a visit to Norway. Let me know if run into trouble while you're here, which is highly unlikely to happen. Use my mail adress found in my profile.

All the best for the future to everyone. I'll probably will be online again before christmas so I'll postpone my wishes for the holidays.

pelle always come back if your not on tx, that's your choice. like i say too , to each thier own. stay close hope all goes well with you, i had a dragon sleeping before too and he woke up and tried to take my life, now it's his turn to DIE

pelle always come back if your not on tx, that's your choice. like i say too , to each thier own. stay close hope all goes well with you, i had a dragon sleeping before too and he woke up and tried to take my life, now it's his turn to DIE

opps posted twice?

Pelle, I can understand your' decision not to do tx, but cannot understand continued alcohol consumption. Do you have a death wish? I'm sorry if this is not a positive post, but I am concerned.
PEACE, Mark

Mananging a progressive disease is possible. Most don't have the discipline to do so. Many of us with Hep C would likely die of other causes regardless of Tx. It's a crap shoot. Do your research and "pick your doctor's brains".

Good Evening Everyone, that Old Hippy/Deadhead is
back again ! Oh No !!!
Anyway, this is the perfect subject for me right
now, since I have had this disease since 1973,and
after a long delay of not starting the treatment,
I have decided that it is time or me to start on
the tx !! I know that my hep-c is active,and has
began to really effect my life! I guess the only
thing that has saved me so far, is the Medical
Marijuana I toke on !!! I have already sent in the
forms to the Veterans Administration, to see if
they will supply my interferon for me ! I will
probably start on treatment in January, but I am
kinda concerned about the side effects of the tx,
since I have manic depression w/ suicidal thoughts
and tendencies/paranoid schizohenia; it is going
to make the side effects worse !!!
But I know that if I don't start the treatment, I
will die by this disease; and if I hold off any
longer, the old dragon will get too strong to
fight, so I am going to take my chances with the
tx and their side-effects !
I promised my Lady(Robin) that I would do all I
could to fulfill her dreams of a long life together with me, and right now my best chances
are with the treatment!!
Now that the Montana Medical Marijuana Act is a
Law, I have been working on getting on that program, which will help me also !!!
I felt also that with a genotype of 2a, that this
was signs for me to start taking action on this
disease and quite trying to find excuses to delay
something that needs to be done !!

Peace & Love ya all !!!

That Old Hippy/ Deadhead -

Bruce

Mark,

just a comment on alcohol consumption:
10 years ago booze almost had me down for good.
The doctor told me that I had to cut down on it (and I didn't tell him about my other chemical preferences) or face my grave. Judging from statistical material, the doctor said he'd rather put money on my dying from booze rather than from anything else.
It took me a long, long time to get control of my drinking. I was haunted by nervous abstinence
demons for years. As time passed, my nerves healed slowly, and now I'm able to function almost as in my younger days. A healthy life with lots of outdoor activities plus better food
habits have helped me on my way to "normality",
along with an understanding wife and some insisting husky hounds.
Cutting down on the other chemicals was much easier than alcohol. So now I'm having a gallon of beer from time to time, or maybe some red wine occationally. I know I should probably stay away completely, but my smalltime drinking is adding quality to life that I have chosen to give priority to. Life may be longer without booze, but instead of getting bored to death I'll settle for less time and a little more fun and depth :-).
There are weeks and sometimes months between the beercans, and I never stay on it for more than a day nowadays.
Having HepC I acknowledge the fact that my practices are perhaps more than questionable,
but I hope that you understand a bit more of
my relation to booze after reading this.
All the best from
Pelle

Pelle,
I hear you my friend, and do admire your honesty and forthrightness.
My guess is that quite a few of the Hep-Kats and Kittens here do have the occassional beer here and there, but are afraid of admitting it, just for fear of being scolded. I don't think anybodies going to bite anyone's head off here, and I'm sure it would just be out of concern and love......but all the same, if anyone else is like me, ( and I'm sure there are a few), then we all hate to be reprimanded! ( especially when we know were wrong).
O.K., so I'll admit.....I to have that occassional Zima even though I know it's not good. It's not an everyday thing, more like once evry couple weeks, and it's not like I'm slammin 'em down either. When sitting back relaxing in my easy chair watching a good movie I may simply have 1 or 2 Zima's ( for some reason when I completely quit alcohol for 2 years, I lost my taste for beer). Don't ask me why after 2 years of abstinence I occasssionally will have one, but honestly that's just me. I'm really sorry if that upsets anyone, but as Pelle said......it's a personal choice, and one which each of us have to decide.
I'm definately against anyone drinking to any real degree at all, but I equate an occasional drink to having a big bowl of iron-enriched cereal or something. There are always going to be things that will not be real good for our liver, and I know that I'm now rationalizing, but that is the way I feel.
I know my past, and I know I've come along, long way from where I was......so I have to feel good about that, and not beat myself up. I'd love to be perfect, and tow the line right to the utmost degree.......but I doubt that will ever be me, so right now.....I'm doing the best I can and staying the straightest that I can. If you'all knew where I was even a little over a year ago......you'd be amazed at where I'm at now.
Sometimes we have to take small steps to achieve our goals, and that's where I'm at right now, and that's where I suspect alot of others out there are to. More power to you Pelle, for being able to be honest......and hopefully, you to will be able to progressively even drink less & less as time goes on......

Hey Pelle:
I was diagnosed last year and my MD said to wait for treatment. I'd like to wait forever.

Martin,
that's what I call real support.
As I bend my head down in digital thanks for your swift endorsement of character failure on my behalf, I suddenly understand that I'm not alone in this cruel world of physical gambling.
I will always love that kind of attitude.
By the way, could you give me a piece of advice on uploading pics on the zone ? I've tried it a couple of times adhering to the rules of the site administration, but no go. What should I do ? ( Pics of hounds, your's truly, my wife,
my ship,motorcycle immanent)
Love and friendship,
Pelle

Hey JR,
don't underestimate your doctor's need for making a profit. If you're feeling fine, nothing could be better. We're all gonna go, sooner or later. Make it later, and have no fear.

How old are you anyway ?

Martino and Pelle, Sorry I sounded "scolding". It's just that I am concerned.
A little background on me. I was diagnosed 20 yrs ago. tried straight old interferon for a yr many yrs ago with total non-responce. My doc at that time said not to worry, just come in once a yr for liver panel(AST and ALT). This went on for yrs. I drank occasionally also. Never to excess, but an occasional martini with my Dad when I visited or a single malt scotch or two when I went out.I also went through several stages of freebase abuse. Back in April, I heard about new success with pegylated interferon and ribaviron.
Went to my doc and for the first time, sent me to gastrointerologist. A biobsy and low and behold, stage 4 fibrosis, compensated cirrosis. Now, I just smoke my med maryjane. I may have overreacted to Pelle's post, but only through concern. You two are not currently on tx so you must decide for yourselves what is best. During treatment, it makes no sense to go through this shit for a whole yr and do something that could very well impead success. And I hope it doesn't take a stage 4 liver to wake other people up.
PEACE, Mark

Mark,
objections to putting Martin and me in the same basket.
Never heard any comments on your behalf regarding my survey on alcohol. A propos "scolding":
No trouble with that in Hedmark, Norway, or in Richmond, VA. If you are a person liable to good time Virginia lyrics, let me just quote one verse written by Alfred Reed (1928 after christ):

If a fellow's got the blues, feels dicouraged
and there's nothing left but trouble on his mind
have a smile for him whenever you should meet him
SCOLDED by some other's aggravating wife
When he thinks that all is lost takes to drinking
do not pass him by, don't meet him with a frown
Have a smile for him whenever you should meet him
always lift him up and never knock him dowN.

tHAT OK FOR YOU mARK ?

If he stays out late at night because he's worried
And because his home is not what it should be
Have a smile for him whenever you should meet him
It would help him just the right way, don't you see
If he gambles when he's in the town or city
Tell him what he ought to do to gain the crown
Lend a hand and do not fail to show him pity
Always lift him up and never knock him down

He cannot pay his depts, he feels digusted
If he's blue and hasn'nt got a word to say
Let him know you are his phriend who can be trusted
it would cheer this lonely fellow on his way
If he finds it hard for him to keep his family
let a kind word greet his ear when he's around
Don't say anything at all to make against him
always lift him up and never knock him down

ALWAYS LIFT HIM UP AND NEVER KNOCK HIM DOWN

Mark.....

Not to worry buddy! I know all that you said was out of love & concern, and it was certainly recieved that way.
I just felt that by being a bit honest, that Pelle wouldn't feel maybe alone.....on an isolated island, like he is the only one out there tipping a beer now and again.
Only ourselves truly know to what degree we stand, so I didn't really feel a need to go into all that I did, explaining the very small degree to which I may occassionally have a drink, but at the same time......I think a few here might be shocked if they really discovered the number of folks who have Hep-C ( even on tx) that still drink. Of course it's foolish.....and most know it, but it's their choice. I guess I am always very compassionate towards addictions ( having been one more than half my life)!
Still, I also feel it's important for good people such as yourself, to inform people, and even compassionately reprimand our loved ones if we see them in error, or doing something we feel is harming them. Would we really be loving them...if we sat by idly and said nothing?
I do appreciate your words Mark, and would never take offense to what you said. After all you are 100% correct (LOL)! I was just simply making a bit of a confession so that a brother may feel like he's not on an island all by himself. I think alot here at this site would be shocked if they knew what went on behind closed doors even among our brothers & sisters, but I am not one of them.
After all that I've seen & done in this crazy-ass world......there is little if anything that surprises me anymore!! ...hahahaha
Peace Phamily,
Martino

Nice thread! As for me I'm not here to judge no one.I keep my own inventory. Just for me a business that does not take inventory soon goes broke and that goes for me too.Everyone has there own path to follow.Of course if I listen I learn.Our common purpose here is to support each other to make it through Tx,clear the virus(or buy some time for our livers)then help the newbies.The newbies are important to make us get strong! And then piss on the dragons grave.So good luck and stay close.

Right you are, Robbie, and please shut up while I'm talking to my best phriend here on the tzone, boy, and if you don't know our names, then meet me at corner at once, babe. wanna talk to me . later, junior .
Barre vær en svklinfg, rotta, og fy få fa og Martin roper på mwg

?

Thanx, Martino, you understand.

On a positive note, How does Eric Clapton, BB King, Buddy Guy, Jimmy Vaughn All on stage together playin the Blues sound?
Wow, now it's Eric and Carlos. Freakin Guitar heavan man. PBS is showing Claptons Crossroads Guitar fest. Nother absolute must have DVD. Cap'n Budley your "Ridin With The King" Cassette is on it's way back to you.
Hope all are tolerating tonight.
PEACE, Mark
Got a new cell phone today, reception is better than last but still not great. Anyone up can email me their phone # and I can call for free now.

Robert Cray

ZZ TOP

There was even some country from Vince Gill.
Wow ZZ still ROCKS!

Concert for George tommorrow night.
Music is great medicine.

Brother Pelle, Independent thought is, believe it or not, still valued here cross the sea..

Eyes Of The World

Right outside this lazy summer home
you ain't got time to call your soul a critic no.
Right outside the lazy gate of winter's summer home,
wond'rin' where the nut-thatch winters,
wings a mile long just carried the bird away.

Wake up to find out that you are the eyes of the world,
the heart has it's beaches, it's homeland and thoughts of it's own.
Wake now, discover that you are the song that the mornin' brings,
But the heart has it's seasons, it's evenin's and songs of it's own.

There comes a redeemer, and he slowly too fades away,
And there follows his wagon behind him that's loaded with clay.
And the seeds that were silent all burst into bloom, and decay,
and night comes so quiet, it's close on the heels of the day.

Wake up to find out that you are the eyes of the world,
the heart has it's beaches, it's homeland and thoughts of it's own.
Wake now, discover that you are the song that the mornin' brings,
But the heart has it's seasons, it's evenin's and songs of it's own.

Sometimes we live no particular way but our own,
And sometimes we visit your country and live in your home,
sometimes we ride on your horses, sometimes we walk alone,
sometimes the songs that we hear are just songs of our own.

Wake up to find out that you are the eyes of the world,
the heart has it's beaches, it's homeland and thoughts of it's own.
Wake now, discover that you are the song that the mornin' brings,
But the heart has it's seasons, it's evenin's and songs of it's own.

Clapton is starting over right now.

Box of Rain

Look out of any window, any morning, any evening, any day.
Maybe the sun is shining, birds are singing,
No rain is falling from a heavy sky.
What do you want me to do, to do for you to see you through?
For this is all a dream we dreamed one afternoon, long ago.

Walk out of any doorway, feel your way, feel your way like the day before.
Maybe you'll find direction,
Around some corner where it's been waiting to meet you.
What do you want me to do, to watch for you while you are sleeping?
The please don't be surprised when you find me dreaming too.

Look into any eyes you find by you, you can see clear to another day,
Maybe been seen before, through other eyes on other days while going home.
What do you want me to do, to do for you to see you through?
It's all a dream we dreamed one afternoon, long ago.

Walk into splintered sunlight,
Inch your way through dead dreams to another land.
Maybe you're tired and broken,
Your tongue is twisted with words half spoken and thoughts unclear

What do you want me to do, to do for you to see you through?
A box of rain will ease the pain, and love will see you through.

Just a box of rain, wind and water,
Sun and shower, wind and rain,
In and out the window like a moth before a flame.

And it's just a box of rain, I don't know who put it there,
Believe it if you need it, or leave it if you dare.

And it's just a box of rain, or a ribbon for tour hair;
Such a long long time to be gone, and a short time to be there.

Hell in a Bucket

Well I was drinkin' last night with a biker
And I showed him a picture of you
I said, "Pal get to know her, you'll like her
Seemed like the least I could do.
Cause when he's chargin' his chopper
Up and down your carpeted halls
You will think I am dressed up quite proper
Never mind how I stumble and fall.

You imagine me sipping champagne from your boot
For taste of your elegant pride
I may be going to hell in a bucket, babe
But at least I'm enjoying the ride, at least I'll enjoy the ride.

Cause you're a sweet little softcore pretender
Somehow, babe, it got as hot as it gets
With her black leather and gold spike suspenders
And your chain, your black whip and pets.

Well we know you're the reincarnation
Of the infamous Catherine the Great
And we know how you love the ovation
And the scene that it seems to create.

You imagine me sipping champagne from your boot
For taste of your elegant pride
I may be going to hell in a bucket, babe
But at least I'm enjoying the ride, at least I'll enjoy the ride.

You analyze me, tend to despise me
You laugh when I stumble and fall
There may come a say when I'll dance on your grave
Unable to dance I'll still crawl across it
Unable to dance I'll still crawl
Unable to dance I'll still crawl
Unable to dance I'll crawl.

You must really consider the circus
It just might be your kind of zoo
I can't think of a place that's more perfect
For a person as perfect as you.

And it's not like I'm leaving you lonely
Cause I wouldn't know where to begin
Well I know you wake up here only
When the snakes come marching in.

You imagine me sipping champagne from your boot
For taste of your elegant pride
I may be going to hell in a bucket, babe
But at least I'm enjoying the ride, at least I'll enjoy the ride.
Ride, ride, ride
Ride, ride, ride
Ride, ride, ride
At least I'll enjoy the ride.
At least I'll enjoy the ride.
AT LEAST I'LL ENJOY THE RIDE.

Artist: Bob Dylan
Album: Before The Flood
Title: Stage Fright


Now deep in the heart of a lonely kid
Who suffered so much for what he did,
They gave this ploughboy his fortune and fame,
Since that day he ain't been the same.

See the man with the stage fright
Just standin' up there to give it all his might.
And he got caught in the spotlight,
But when we get to the end
He wants to start all over again.

I've got fire water right on my breath
And the doctor warned me i might catch a death.
Said, "you can make it in your disguise,
Just never show the fear that's in your eyes."

See the man with the stage fright,
Just standin' up there to give it all his might.
He got caught in the spotlight,
But when we get to the end
He wants to start all over again.

Now if he says that he's afraid,
Take him at his word.
And for the price that the poor boy has paid,
He gets to sing just like a bird, oh, ooh ooh ooh.

Your brow is sweatin' and your mouth gets dry,
Fancy people go driftin' by.
The moment of truth is right at hand,
Just one more nightmare you can stand.

See the man with the stage fright
Just standin' up there to give it all his might.
And he got caught in the spotlight,
But when we get to the end
He wants to start all over again, hmm hmm,

You wanna try it once again, hmm hmm,
Please don't make him stop, hmm hmm,
Let him take it from the top, hmm hmm,
Let him start all over again.

Mark,
I truly do regret my last posting. Those norwegian words are a result from sleep talking
and please disregard that one.

Walk under the stars and may happiness lighten up your days forever.

I also wanna thank you brothers for posting those phine pieces of poetry.

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