Hey Linds,

No, you don’t have to pay the same attention to the quantity you were drinking each day, but you do need to keep hydrated. It’s a very good thing for you overall and an adequately hydrated body does help flush the liver, kidneys and tissues. We are primarily walking bags of Saline and everything our bodies do is based on the quantity and a balance of the electrolytes in that fluid. If we alter that balance, either by diet, fluid intake, illness or medication, our body tries to make up for it in a variety of ways. Very often that is when we start to notice differences, some subtle, some harsh. If we don’t recognize it for what it is, we can go a long time feeling sluggish, ill and run down. Just staying hydrated is an easy way to promote better health!

Thank you Observer.  I think I'm beginning to get the hang of it!

Thanks Tig!  I actually have slacked off on drinking a lot of water so your reminder was well timed!  On that topic, I hope I don't need to drink as much as I did on treatment because I'd never be able to leave the house!  Is hydrating just recommended because it's healthy for the liver? 

Although I learned a slightly different ratio that breathing technique is great, that was how I learned to meditate...by concentrating on the counting in that technique.

Hey Linds,

Just saw this! We have to have fun, right? I used to say “whatever it takes” to do that, but I don’t think I could make another all nighter anymore! I’m happy just making it to 11... 

Aside from that, I hope you’re getting better and better. Steady as it goes, okay? You’re in a recovery phase now and things are healing. Keep taking the best care of yourself and be sure you’re continuing to hydrate. That’s real important. I know you will, but I’ll just remind you now and again! I can be that way once in awhile, lol! 

Tig-

You crack me up!

Hello C-  That is just so funny that you wrote about this type of breathing exercise because I came across it myself a while ago and use it to help me fall asleep.  I appreciate the detailed explanation because I don't think I was doing it exactly right, but it is effective for relaxing me.  I will try to do it more frequently and try to incorporate it my meditation.  You are very sweet to research that for me and as always, it is much appreciated.  You are so kind and generous with your time and knowledge.  Thank you.

We got an Amazon Echo for Christmas and I just discovered an app on it called Headspace, which will take you through a guided meditation.  I've only tried it twice, but think it will be very useful for me, at least initially.  

In answer to your earlier question about yoga, I am currently doing it at home but, like you, am not very disciplined and am looking into taking classes soon.  I have a couple of friends who are interested as well, which will probably help push me along.

I realize more and more as I age, that taking care of my mind is just as important as taking care of my body.  It just seems to be a lot more work!

Thank you again to all who have offered their input and advice.

LM,

I think I am like Tig? in that I too don't really know how to "meditate" either? If "meditation" happens for me it does so kinda by accident? But,  the many dif breathing and relaxation exercises (that they guide us with at my yoga class) occasionally surprize me, as far as finding myself in a dif. state than just being "on" or "me" all the time.

Not "meditation" per say but below is a breathing exercise ...  (not exactly like those we practice at my yoga class), one I read and tried at home (googled from one of those health guru websites), and i thought it a quite effective relaxing breath exercise.

The 4-7-8 (or Relaxing Breath) Exercise

The 4-7-8 breathing exercise is utterly simple, takes almost no time, requires no equipment and can be done anywhere. Although you can do the exercise in any position, sit with your back straight while learning the exercise. Place the tip of your tongue against the ridge of tissue just behind your upper front teeth, and keep it there through the entire exercise. You will be exhaling through your mouth around your tongue; try pursing your lips slightly if this seems awkward.

• Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound.
• Close your mouth and inhale quietly through your nose to a mental count of four.
• Hold your breath for a count of seven.
• Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound to a count of eight.
• This is one breath. Now inhale again and repeat the cycle three more times for a total of four breaths.

Note that with this breathing technique, you always inhale quietly through your nose and exhale audibly through your mouth. The tip of your tongue stays in position the whole time. Exhalation takes twice as long as inhalation. The absolute time you spend on each phase is not important; the ratio of 4:7:8 is important. If you have trouble holding your breath, speed the exercise up but keep to the ratio of 4:7:8 for the three phases. With practice you can slow it all down and get used to inhaling and exhaling more and more deeply.

This breathing exercise is a natural tranquilizer for the nervous system. Unlike tranquilizing drugs, which are often effective when you first take them but then lose their power over time, this exercise is subtle when you first try it, but gains in power with repetition and practice. Do it at least twice a day. You cannot do it too frequently. Do not do more than four breaths at one time for the first month of practice. Later, if you wish, you can extend it to eight breaths. If you feel a little lightheaded when you first breathe this way, do not be concerned; it will pass.

Once you develop this technique by practicing it every day, it will be a very useful tool that you will always have with you. Use it whenever anything upsetting happens - before you react. Use it whenever you are aware of internal tension or stress. Use it to help you fall asleep. This exercise cannot be recommended too highly. Everyone can benefit from it.

I often repeat things in my mind to quiet it, like asking for (God, higher power, universe) will to be done in my life, or someone else's life that I pray for. Or specific prayers I know. At night I do this until I fall asleep but on my break maybe 15-20 mins. 

I don’t know how to meditate! All I end up doing is thinking about all the things I’m trying to forget... 

Thank you, Wendy.  I'll give that a try.  How long do you normally meditate for each time?

Cannot speak enough of meditation. Now that I work from home I often lie down on my lunch break and meditate. It definitely helps. I usually do it every night as well. A good one is concentrate on your breath and count....for how many counts in, breathe the same number out. 

That’s just plain weird, lol! The reason is sound, the method is questionable! I guess there are some gas whiffers out there that would enjoy smelling something special. It could bring a new meaning to biologic control. Kind of like these craft beer drinkers today, they’re all looking for the right one. Each has its own odor...   

Tig wrote:

---

Canuck wrote:

---

It's dead dragon gas!, way worse than just any ordinary gas. 

 

 

Nothing to worry about, the BadBooger Gas might have anti-aging properties...  https://www.upi.com/Science_News/2014/07/11/Scientists-say-sniffing-farts-could-prevent-cancer/3851405102633/

What’s with the blood pressure problems around here? I took mine over the weekend and it was 180/100, both arms for hours. Then it started down and has been staying around 140/80, pulse 55-60. I take Atenolol 100mg/d for BP and have for years. I’m beginning to think it’s normal for things to start going awry. Call it environmental interference or something equally scientific! Whatever it is, it has been picking up speed since I turned 60! At least we can check one Dragon off that list! Dragon farts and all... 

Ya, the distraction of yoga could be helpful, can't hurt anyway. Do you do self-yoga or go to a class, maybe a "class" would be good, I prefer classes as I have NO self-discipline.

My partner had a extreme white-coat episode of hypertension, we went to an important stress-provoking appointment, together, with his specialist, while in the room and during the routine exam his BP was 190 over 100, the doc just burst out in a huge loud guffa - after doing both right and left arms,  "jeez, look-at-that!", he said, we all decided to take his BP twice a day for a while after that, boringly normal for 2 weeks, so a none-event, but served to amuse the specialist no end in the moment - who knew he possessed THAT much whitecoat power! heehee 

ooommm. C.

C-you are absolutely right-that peace of mind is worth every penny and we are worth it!

I'm feeling pretty good, although never noticed many negative things before I discovered I had Hep C.  I did have a big spike in BP Sunday night-184/90-but my husband spoke to one of the Cardiologists he works with and monitored me closely.  I haven't had an issue before and today it was 127/77, so have attributed it to anxiety.  I took half of a Xanax that night and it slowly lowered back to a more normal reading.  I definitely need to find a better outlet for my stress and have started doing my yoga again.  I think meditation may be next!

Good for you LM, for going and getting the LFT's done - I was always glad to know (frequently) all of my labs, it just made me feel better to know.

Having a disease (like this infection) and getting treated for it, can be unnerving to say the least, waiting for these UND's, watching for every small improvement can be grueling (AND joyous!) I have always said the biggest side to watch out for with these DAA's ... is hope and joy. The joy part can be the longest lasting side!

You got a great bunch of UND's and BEAUTY ALTS under your belt already, right from 4 weeks on, to EOT. It matters not the minute fluctuations you see in ALTs/AST's as long as they do not spike way up over normal limits. 

You are UND, and that will be re-inforced again by your next EOT+12 week UND, coming up ... in Feb?

Neat (and handy) you got a pal who can fill out a lab req. for you!

Be patient, wait and see what bodily improvements may start to occur for you, over a bit more time (as a result of now being HCV-less)! Being hep-free is a very good state to be in.

And I agree BTW, spendng $ on ourselves for every good reason ... the "L'oreal" thing .. we ARE worth it. You didn't buy LFT's, it is peace of mind you purchased.  C.

Lamont-That is a club I am not happy to have a membership to!!  Ouch!  That xray looks like a painful break!  

That's for your "gas" feedback.  That Dragon gas is a b****!

F.Y.I- I finished with my Epclusa on 11/22/17.  Just had the LFT drawn as a confirmation that all was still copacetic!  Congrats on your "cure" diagnosis from your Doctor.  Looking forward to getting one of those next month!

hm. I posted this twice somehow? Deleted this one, I hope.  C.

Lindsmatt52 wrote:

---

C-I did have a steroid shot in my left hand before I started treatment.  I had broken my wrist several years ago and had surgery with metal screws implanted.  At the time of the surgery, a tendon was cut and I've never really had full use of my thumb.  That was part of the problem and the doctor also said I had something similar to "trigger finger" in my thumb.  So he tried the steroid shot, which did work for a few months, although the pain seems to be returning.  But I never had an issue with my right hand until this week, which is why I assumed it might be the Epclusa.  It could just be an age thing!  The pain is on the joint at the base of my thumb-same in both hands.  My left hand had extended pain covering the lower part of my palm.  Probably gave you way too much information, but just trying to answer your questions as thoroughly as I can!  Thanks!

---

 Jeez, we could be twins!

A deer ran in to me back in 2006, destroying my right wrist, and it got killed in the process, also have had 4 trigger procedures, too much guitar playing, I guess, and of course "Booger C" and I was backed up badly, and well...I also have an eye thing happening (over it, I hope) that popped up during Epclusa, it damaged my cornea.   So that proves that 2 out of 2 people that have HepC (had HepC :) also have a broken wrist, a bad eye and constipation. That's an epidemic!

Canuck wrote:

---

It's dead dragon gas!, way worse than just any ordinary gas. 

First of all, Dragons are the Good Guys, viruses are Boogers, not Dragons. (Those born in 1940 1952 1964 1976 1988 are all Dragons, and therefore are wonderful.

"So this is not the dragon you are looking for."

 

It's dead booger gas, which waits till you go to bed at night, then gets trapped in your plumbing. This has been my experience with Epclusa, Acyclovir and even Tamiflu. It can be painful, too, like getting blown up with a air chuck at the "Gas Station".

Ive used Beano and Gas-X, both are 100%......useless. And stay away from cabbage!

The one thing that was killing me was chronic constipation, and it just left at 4 weeks on Epclusa, but it did leave the gas as it's calling card. But all things considered, I'd much rather fart than die.

 

I decided to get an LFT for my own peace of mind.  I'm fortunate that my hubby could just write me a prescription and I went to the lab and just paid for it out of pocket.  Just got the results back and everything is normal.  ALT is 13 and AST is 18.  They've both gone up a smidgen since I stopped the Epclusa but I imagine that's to be expected.  Any hoo, I am thrilled with the results and it was worth every penny!

Ha! It's messy alright, but that's just exactly how i laugh too!  C.

It's not just us either!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MI1mVHMNdQ

Thanks, Canuck!  And I love you too!  And your humor is ALWAYS welcome!  Still chuckling over "Dragon Gas"!!

Seriously, thank you Tig and C for constantly being the voice of reason in my head while still making me laugh (or in my case, snort, as I am afflicted with what my friends call a "snaugh"!)

Canuck wrote:

---

It's dead dragon gas!, way worse than just any ordinary gas. 

I am still hoping (over time) that you may turn out to be happily surprized, perhaps see some improvements in your longer standing GI situs, perhaps less IBS, constipation, reflux, now that your systems do not also have to be fending themselves from that stupid HCV.

What a nasty infection that HCV was! Good riddance to it I say.  C.

 

---

 I'm certain that will be the case! I have spoken with many people that realize over time (without actually realizing it  ), their symptoms or varying degrees of them, are either gone or so improved they are easily managed. Following our dear Canuck's sense of humor, a good fart will often convince you that another bowl of Chili is a good idea!! Won't that be a joy for all around you? Ha, ha!  Life is good....

It's dead dragon gas!, way worse than just any ordinary gas. 

Jes teasing!

(I know, I know) no time to be trying to make a joke, but I can't hep mysef.

You had almost pretty well answered your own questions LM!, and Tig answered exactly right. He has seen this about a zillion times.

Always look for the most likely, most common, boringly normal, ordinary explantion for a mystery first - in your case your HCV has been killed and will not return, so the most likely explantion would not be laying there.

I have found that sometimes the worst symptom of having HCV (having lasting effect) is the fear and the fear of the unknown. It is ever present for some, right from the get-go when first diagnosed, and even after we have murdered the virus. HCV has a way of easily undermining our confidence big time. For some, going thru the journey right to cure and beyond it is like going through any trauma, the bad bits take a while to dissipate. Like gas it will pass.

You can go ahead and ask for LFT's if you think that will help reassure you, why not, but you sound better about it already.

I am still hoping (over time) that you may turn out to be happily surprized, perhaps see some improvements in your longer standing GI situs, perhaps less IBS, constipation, reflux, now that your systems do not also have to be fending themselves from that stupid HCV.

What a nasty infection that HCV was! Good riddance to it I say.  C.

Ahhh, love is a many splendored thing!   I'm always here if you ever have any concerns...

Hi Tig-  Is it improper for me to say I love you?? Because at this very moment, I do!  Thank you for the reassurance, which is exactly what I needed to hear.  I am stomping on that Dragon right now!

Hi Linds,

Sorry you're having these abdominal issues, they're never comfortable. I know the feeling you've mentioned and I encourage you not to obsess over it. First, the liver has no pain receptors, so it's not your liver that is uncomfortable. If you were still HCV positive, with active inflammation going on, then it's possible that discomfort is coming from the supporting structure around the liver. An inflamed liver can cause those supporting structures, which do have pain receptors, to hurt or become noticeable. Once your HCV has been resolved, the inflammation subsides and your liver lives on happy and healthier. With that said, your last ALT of 7 indicates no inflammatory process, so I doubt there is anything connected there. Considering your diagnosis of IBS and constipation, in my opinion, you are most likely feeling discomfort from the colon. The large intestine is passes under the liver in the RUQ. People often complain of pain in that area and we find that the discomfort is directly related to intestinal issues. Constipation, gas and sluggish bowel tend to be the underlying cause. 

If you would feel better obtaining a LFT before your next appointment, by all means do it. But the chance it has anything to do with recurrence of HCV isn't something I would worry about or even consider. That's me and I know how you worry! Stop that!! Talk with your doctor about your concerns when you go in, and if they feel further testing is needed, they'll do it. Just remember, the chances of relapse after SVR12 is just about nil. Deep breath and if you need to, go out to the curb and kick that Dragon one more time. Trust me, it's dead.....

Hi All-I have been VERY reluctant to bring this issue up because 1) I'm such a worrier and I don't need more to worry about, and,  2) I'm just so tired of obsessing about this stupid disease.  But..I have been experiencing an occasional slight ache in my upper right quadrant off and on.  I've really had it all along,  including during treatment and after.  It is not acute and I probably wouldn't even be aware of it if not for the HCV.  I have a lot of issues with IBS and constipation and also have the same type of ache on my left side, so don't know if it's related to my intestines or my liver.  I did a search on the boards and saw some other posts regarding post-treatment pain, which alleviated my fears somewhat, but decided to share with the Gurus here and get your take on it.  I'm scheduled for bloodwork on 2/7 and then meeting with the NP a week after.  I've thought about trying to get an LFT before my scheduled appointment but that just seems rather silly.  Thoughts, please?

Hi ps and C-  ps-thanks for the fire-feeling the warmth from here!  C-I love your zen Michelin man!  I'm still impressed with your bravery in confronting the elements, no matter how bundled up you are!  You are an inspiration to me!

Ah, nice to know we can warm our toes over here in this thread!  Enough cold hallways, foreheads annointed with telling blue icy things, enough with winter already! We had a brief hopeful thaw up in my neck of the woods, but back to the cold, hard reality of the deep freeze again! Yes Polo, beleive me I wear billion-below thermal boots and billion-below everything else too, dress like a Michelin man lookalike, it's hell to unwrap/dissemble the carefully coiffed thermal defense wear in a hurry for a sudden pee stop. Can't figure out a way to cover my eyes good tho and still be able to see where I'm going! During our short warming trend I gleefully sought out evidence of pussy willows - nope. I had said in reference to my search for pussy-willow-nirvana ... "hope springs eternal", or, that perhaps it was "spring hopes eternal", I am revising that again, maybe it should really be "eternal spring hopes"! heehee I thought of you LM, and tried walking in the cold wind with one eye closed at a time, didn't work, not easy.  Brr, ommmm. C.

Hey C & L --

I threw an extra log on the fire for you both today...wishing you warmth. I'm faring well, except for this bitter bone-chilling cold and those icy sprites that we are chasing away from the doors, windows, floors and feet. I'm impressed that C is out walking...tell me you are walking in boots and not tennis shoes. Yesterday in the sub temp weather I dashed to the supermarket and I only saw one other person wearing boots...the rest were in sneakers! 

Warm by the fire,

ps

C-  Of course I have seen The Shining, as well as read all of Stephen King's books!  I'm just a little slow on the update and didn't make the connection.  I get it now!

I'd loved to see more of your poems, PS and C.  Please share your talents with us!

lm

LM,

If you have not seen Jack Nicholson's crazed icy look (in "The Shining") before, then you will not relate to how I look when I am out on my daily walks. hee hee. I just assume everybody has seen that horror flick.

Hey PS, Be still my beating heart! Love your poem. (Jack and I should warm our brows at your fire).

Round here we did not get used to our cold spell that averaged -16 for a while. But we are at an "about" balmy 0 right now, so today while i am out, I will be lookin for evidence of how far away pussy willows might be. Hope springs eternal or is that spring hopes eternal?

How goes it for you PS? Got anything daubed on your forehead?? On cold days we should putting warm things into the poetry section.  C.

Wow!  That's beautiful, ps!  Do we have another poet in our midst?  Between you and Canuck, I'm becoming a bit intimidated by my lack of creativity!  I may have to hire a ghostwriter!  All I can say is, it's friggin' cold!!

A winter poem for C & L, enjoy!

Winter sprites
Whistle through
Cracks, slipping and
Sliding in
flap-eared hats
And glowing scarves,
Shaking my shoulders
icing my ankles
Pinching my toes!

I shoo and scatter
The wispy imps
to dormant rooms
behind closed doors.
I hop and skip
Gleefully returning
To the crackling flame
That warms my brow
As I sit
Listening to the
Roaring howl--

ps

Congrats Lindz that all went smooth with your eye procedure! Yippee!!

As for bone-chilling cold--- its warmed up here...last Saturday was -14 low and today only -11 when I woke up. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

ps

I’m gonna put this right here... explains everything!

whaaal, what, don't ya git me humour?? Oh, well, lotsa folk don't - and it still wont' be funny if I have to splain my jokes! Never mind, I always laugh at my own jokes, but that's a given, as I never hide my crazy!  C.

C-please. please elaborate!!

Think you got it bad, gettin labeled with some big ole blue dot or gold star daubbed right in the middle of your forehead for every one to see? Try a third eye with ice.

I wear proudly my icy daubed forehead as my mark of craziness. 

Haha!  Tig and Canuck, I can always count on you two to make me chuckle!  Thank you!

In answer to your questions, C, yes, I went back to the office after the laser surgery to check the pressure and then in two weeks, go back in to have my eyes dilated.  Hopefully, that'll be the end of it. As Tig said, I am grateful that this was discovered now before the pressure built up to what I understand would be a very painful outcome!

C-you are a masterful wordsmith and I so enjoy reading your thoughts!  Thanks for taking the time to share them!  If you are walking in these frigid temperatures, you must be a little bit crazy, but that may be why I like you!  As for me, you will not find me taking a stroll until the temps are well above freezing!  

Thanks for all the support and stay warm!

My retina specialist gives his patients a gold star over their eye! So there! He charges through the nose for that damn little star, too! Here's a picture! 

After finishing your literary masterpiece, I almost needed Dramamine. All of that too and fro stuff made me dizzy, lol! I liked it though, the poetry, not the motion sickness...

Wink-Wink  

I hope you get to feeling better soon, Linds!

It's not so much my butt, but my face, fingers and toes that I am freezing off! In desperation I bought one of those knitted bank-robber head socks, eyes still peep out and get frozen - I really have to stop all this crying when I am out on these daily walks, it only freezes. So cruel to blow your nose with a pocket full of once just sodden but now instantly pre-frozen kleenex! 

When does Winter end again?

Glad you are finished with the eye stuff now. Another week of piddle-y drops? and you've got another good investment in your health under your belt,

Did you have to do the exact same routine, go over immediaely to the other office and have pressure(s) checked. Another follow-up and then maybe you will be all finished with eye exams for a while. Have to giggle at the thought of this hallway congregation, the blue dot club meeting. Members easily identifiable.

The getting cured of this Hep C is certainly a weird journey. Like all else in life, we are floating in a "tide of change". The movement/directions change, tugging us to and fro. Reality waves slapping us, gentle warm peaceful currents, and direction not always predictable, but ultimately, there is this overall equilibrium, a balancing of ourselves in the homeostatic turning tides of this sea. 

OMG, I've gone all analogy/poet rogue. Help me! What I meeeean is, I can relate to what you were saying about being "up and down", and that it has a way of working out. Colds and cold winters do not assist us when we are treading water waiting for a tide to turn.

My advice for the day, is to walk outside (a little bit), but take a box of tissue with you and use a new one each time. C.

Hello C-You are so sweet to remember!  Yes, I had my left eye done yesterday and it went fine.  Still blurry and a little achy today, but nothing unexpected.  Yes, they gave me another blue dot and sat me in the same cold, bright hallway!  I actually saw some patients who were there the first time, so we caught up!

Everything else is going great.  Fighting a cold today, but all in all, doing well.  Most days are good but I  struggle occasionally with depression.  I think this insidious disease left really blindsided me and I'm still trying to wrap my head around it.  I am incredibly thankful that I was able to have access to these new DAA's and don't mean to sound ungrateful.  I just sometimes wonder why, although I know that is not productive or helpful.

Hope everyone is doing well.  It has been bitterly cold here and now we have this snowstorm moving in.  But it is winter, so to be expected!

Thanks again for checking in.  Hope you're not freezing your a** off!

LM!

You musta had eye #2 done! How did it go this time round? How is eye number one now?

Did they conspiculously daub your forehead with that rude bingo-felt-marker again, that makes passerbys stare funny at you?

How is every other little thing going as well BTW?  C.