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Valerian root extract & Hepatis C????

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Posted 5/22/2008 11:23 AM (GMT 0)

confused  

Hello everyone,

I just went to my first Dr appointment with a new Internest. I am waiting for test results on how my viral load is and if the hep C is even detected. I am hoping that this has not re-accured. I was asking him what I should try to do for sleep in the mean time. He advisedme to take valerian Root. However, I have read some where that this can be harmful for the liver, especially if you have Hepa*** C. Has anyone heard of this? The nurse told me to try melitonin for sleep. But I decided to do what the doc says, since he is the doc. However, I have learned to do my own research sometimes Doctors can be wrong.

The Doctor today said that my liver and splean is swollen. I do not know what that means. He is also running test to find out why I am in pain all the time, mainly when I sleep. He is not happy with the gastro that treated me with the hep C. Because that dr did not do a liver bio so now we do not know much about the liver. He said that since I have done treatment and the hep c is no longer there, knock on wood, it would be a waste of time. Is this correct?

Well I guess I better go before I bore anyone. I am just stressed out and not to mention scared. Those treatments suck and I really do not want to do it again.

Thanks

Teresa  

 

Posted 5/22/2008 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Teresa,

I have tried many herbals remedies for Hep C and basically found they did nothing but deplete my pocketbook. A good diet and lifestyle is how I manage it now.
To learn if the virus is still there get a simple PCR blood test. Just because you did treatment does not mean the is cleared for good, it can come right back as it did in my case.

Best, Cary
Posted 5/23/2008 3:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Teresa,

I'm sorry that you are having to deal with all of this Hep stuff. It is scary at first and is never easy. Please try not to be stressed by it. And never worry about boring the people on this forum. They all are dealing with it either as a patient or caregiver, and all want you not to suffer with this. If we just had magic wands.

Just a quick note on an enlarged spleen. If you haven't had your platelet count checked, I suggest that you do.

I was told that in my case, the back-pressure from my failing liver (many years) caused my spleen to enlarge. Blood platelets sometimes accumulate in an enlarged spleen, potentially denying them when blood clotting is needed in other parts of the body. By now I can estimate my platelet count by how many small red spots are on my ankles. The spots are blood that is able to move nearer the skin without the platelets -- and leg extremities are most susceptible.

You need to know if your platelet count is low so that if you are in an accident or need surgery, they will check for unusual internal bleeding or give you a platelet transfusion. It is very manageable. I have had 2 total hip replacement surgeries without complication.

I apologize for giving you another thing to think about. Please don't stress about it, it's a just-in-case thing.

Hoping for the best for you!
Be well, John
Posted 5/24/2008 4:46 AM (GMT 0)

Hey, John!  How are your prosthetic hips doing?  I have bilateral replacements, also, but the left one had to be redone twice.  It's fine now.  Reason for my replacements was AVN/ON.  Were yours the same, or "just" arthritis?

Connie

Posted 5/24/2008 5:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Connie,

The hips are great. I was fortunate to find Hospital for Special Surgery, that does only joint work. My left hip in 1996 and right in 2000, and both are super. The changes in the operation during those four years was amazing. Left hip was a 4 hour surgery and I had to use a cane leaving the hospital after 7 days; the right hip took under an hour, including machining time, and I walked out unaided after 5 days. No rehab for either -- "just keep walking" was the doctor's order.

My cause was simply arthritis necrosis -- I was a serious runner, so I don't know how that played into it. As long as I walk and keep the muscles tight, no pain, no limp, no problem.

If I don't post to you before your surgery, I hope that all goes well. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Be well, John
Posted 5/25/2008 10:43 PM (GMT 0)

John, thanks for the reply!  I'm thinking that your last hip replacement may have been done by minimally invasive surgery.  They are doing that at Mayo, but not for revisions.  My right prosthesis is not in the correct position, so down the road I will need to have that one redone if the pain gets too bad.  I know that Hospital for Special Surgery has an excellent reputation.

Hugs,

Connie

ETA:  Hey, John!  I was just reading the Books section of the Sun. paper and came across a piece on 3 new Dylan books.  One I'm very interested in:  A Freewheelin' Time: A Memoir of Greenwich Village in the Sixties by Suze Rotolo.  She was Dylan's g.f. for several years in the early 60s.  I'll wait awhile until I can get it inexpensively at half.com or e-bay.  There's also a book of watercolors and gouaches done by Dylan: Bob Dylan: The Drawn Blank Series, and a book of his roots, Positively Main Street: Boy Dylan's Minnesota. 

Post Edited (hep93) : 5/25/2008 7:57:48 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/26/2008 4:28 AM (GMT 0)

John

Do you know what your platelet count is?  Jerry's was 217 at last blood tests.  Do you ever have any problems vomiting?  Just curious.  Not sure if it would make me feel better or not.  I need to go take care of my best friend.  He's really sick tonight.  Thanks for your posts they always at least put a smile on my face.

JoAnn

Posted 5/27/2008 4:52 AM (GMT 0)
Hi JoAnn,

I'm disappointed to hear that Jerry is doing poorly. My thoughts and prayers are with you two. I hope that this passes soon and that he feels better.

My platelet count ranges between 9 and 30 (thousand, I think). But Jerry's 217 number makes me feel that I must be confused. At a count of 25, the doctors needed to give me a platelet transfusion for my hip replacement surgery. At 9, the doctors were talking about critical danger of spontaneous bleeding; and my ankles and lower legs were uniformly covered with thousands of red pinpoint dots of blood just under the surface of the skin.

I have had only had one vomiting incident and that was caused by eating too large of a meal (more than a small plate, lightly loaded). Evidently, my system couldn't digest it fast enough so when I went to bed, the food and bile were too high in my esophagus. There was bleeding and the doctors went berserk hearing that I had bled and not gone to the hospital. A month of Prilosec and going to even smaller meals (5 - 6 / day) cleared it up. Also, before the Prilosec, I was nauseous most of the time and had pain in my solar plexus after eating.

Knowing the seriousness of Jerry's condition, I am sure that my story is not helpful to him. And I trust that the doctors are watching carefully for Varices bleeding that might be caused by the low platelet count and the stomach acids washing over the esophagus area.

It is my hope that Jerry and you catch a good break in his condition so that you both can get rested up.

I'm off to bed so I'll be rested for my Cardio testing tomorrow.
Be well, John
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