After 32 weeks of shots, I decided to call an end to it! I took 6 kits of pegintron to my doctor to give to someone who might be struggling with insurance companies.

I don't feel any different, yet.

WES
WHOA- I -I I dont know what to say- what brings this on, after enduring 32 Wes, thats only 16 more for 48, or at least 4 more for 36, is there somthing we/I can say or do to help, I know its your decision, and it sounds like you are very serious, but Wes, it sounded like you had this treatment under control.

Did you consider switching treatments, others elsewhere had such bad sides from Pegintron that they were told to quit, as a last effort, switched to Pegasys and most are doing much better,and can now tolerate,people are switching vise visa also, but the Pegasys seems to have the lest sides.


Man, you were so close,please let us know what is happening, please,

Try to be Positive, and Be Well-
Neil



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--Get Outdoors-Enjoy Life----Neil

Well, I think the car accident is what really kicked it in the azz. after damaging 3 disks in my neck and doctors here all afraid to treat pain (maybe they're keeping it for themselves http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif) (one doctor told me it was all in my head and that there was no reason for me to be experiencing any pain) we decided it was a good time to stop. I'm sure I would have made the entire 48 weeks, or longer (as planned) if the car accident hadn't happened or if i could have located a good pain manager.

I'll still be around to see how all of you are getting along.

I hope your 12 week PRC is CLEAR, Neil!!!

Ya'll take care!

Wes! What car accident? How badly were you hurt? Are you ok? I had no idea you were in an accident. Please let us know.

As for turning in the Peg. Since your a 3A why not. You cleared the virus at 12 weeks so you will be fine as far as the HCV. I know you discussed going 48 just to make sure but most research suggests thats not necessary for 2 and 3s.

Take care of yourself and I really am concerned about this wreck. I just wish you could find a doctor that would cover all your needs. I know from experience that sometimes you have to exaggerate your pain to get their attention.

TTL
Jeannie

Thanks ITR-
Right,[ Ribo memory ] Wes, you are clear anyway and have beat the Dragon bug, yup.

Still, I did not realise you are still in that much pain, I feel for you bud, had two discs remove, know that road too well, I hope you can find a Doc to help you with that, keep trying, if it takes 10 Docs, to find the right one, thats what it takes,

Funny huh, when you do not need drugs, it seems some are stuffing your face full, then when you do---

I wish you the best in news and health, quickly wes
gonna miss your great contribution to this board if you do not come back.

Be Positive, BE WELL WES+


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--Get Outdoors-Enjoy Life----Neil

Wow Wes, I don't know what to say...

Sorry that you can't find a good doctor to take care of you. I know how hard that can be. I sure hope you resolve the pain issue fast.

I'll be thinking about you and hope you'll always stay cleared!!!!!
DirtDiva

I'm grateful for everyone's concern and well wishes!

Jeanie, I was at a pharmacy drive-through and an 85 year old man plowed into me...he didn't even know he was moving. After he totalled my car, he kept giving it gas and went across the parking lot and knocked down a 12" diameter tree and dragged the rootball a couple of hundred feet befor coming to rest on top of it. Herniated and bulging disks in my neck was the result. (i want to go slap a certain doc around with the mri films for saying it was all in my head and told me to seek counseling)

my neurologist just told me that she is willing to treat my chronic pain. DOH! I already gave all my meds away and cancelled the rx! How does anybody make it to old age in a world like this?? (i think i'll go rock in the corner now http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Congratulations wes,

You have declared victory and withdrawn from the field. You are a great inspiration to me (also a type 2), and I'm grateful for all the info and encouragement you always give here.

You deserve the best, so I send you my best, best wishes.


sean

hi wes!!i hear you loud and clear regarding the doc that said it was all in your head.some of these darn docs have no commpassion nor encouragement towards hep, and other cases.i also was in an accident in /73. i live with the pain from deterioration in the spine,and alot of other's.but it seems to me the r/a now that i have it basically just about everywhere.wishing you the best.and applauding you for sharring your info along your journey.you have been an inspiration to many, many people on the board, i hope that you are still going to be around the board.
keep the faith, bless you...........mj

Hi Wes,

I do wish you all the best and have faith that you have kicked this in the behind forever!! Please keep us all informed on what's going on in your life as I feel we have all made a bond with each other for life. Get out and enjoy life and do hope that you can get this pain management under control. My prayers and thoughts are with you.

Originally posted by Wes1212:
I'm grateful for everyone's concern and well wishes!

Jeanie, I was at a pharmacy drive-through and an 85 year old man plowed into me...he didn't even know he was moving. After he totalled my car, he kept giving it gas and went across the parking lot and knocked down a 12" diameter tree and dragged the rootball a couple of hundred feet befor coming to rest on top of it. Herniated and bulging disks in my neck was the result. (i want to go slap a certain doc around with the mri films for saying it was all in my head and told me to seek counseling)

my neurologist just told me that she is willing to treat my chronic pain. DOH! I already gave all my meds away and cancelled the rx! How does anybody make it to old age in a world like this?? (i think i'll go rock in the corner now http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Hi,

I had similar problems with a my GP when I recently damaged my neck. I too had 3 herniated disks (C4-C6). Extremely painful and my doctor prescribed medication not much better than tylenol for pain (and yes, this was after he saw the MRI). He referred me to a Neurosurgeon but it would take a little over a month to get in to see him and I was in real pain!

I couldn't sleep lying down because I couldn't sleep on a pillow or even flat without shear pain. I finally propped myself up at a 45-degree angle to sleep and found some relief if I didn't move. I purchased a chiropractic pillow (still couldn't use this at first) and a soft collar. The soft collar worked well immediately and allowed my neck muscles to relax while it held my head in place.

Finally, I was able to get an appointment with a doctor from the Cleveland Clinic within a few days. I jumped at it (not literally of course).

He saw my MRI, requested a full set of x-rays to look for bone spurs, gave me a Tx for physical therapy, an Rx for Vicodin, an Rx for Flexeril, and an Rx for cortizone pills.

The Vicodin was a godsend!!!!!!!

The Flexeril kept my back muscles loose so that my back would not lock up but would stay in line and not further irritate my damaged disks. Most of all, to avoid from my lower back giving me trouble while I was trying to heal my neck (it's all connected).

I kept my back iced down 2 times daily.

I found that the physical therapy was what helped heal me. I highly recommend it.

Also, the two main muscles that are located in the middle of your back and on either side of the spine can indicate when you may have trouble in other parts of your back during this time.

I recommend a good Chiropractor to work on your middle and lower back (only) during this time.

hi aboutime. thanks for the post! i tried the PT about 2 weeks after the accident and something popped and i had another x-ray and there was noticable changes again in the position of the vertebrae. maybe will try it again later.

Everyone - I'm feeling more clear headed and have more energy the more time that goes by since stopping tx!

[This message has been edited by Wes1212 (edited 04-26-2003).]

Popping isn't necessarily a bad thing. Maybe you were out of alignment at the time an you popped it back in during therapy. I had the same experience but felt better afterward. My Therapist started out real light and worked up from there. It gets tougher after the first few weeks because the therapy aggravates the muscles which are wanting to lock up as a natural protection against hurting the disks. Unfortunately, the muscles locking up can help keep you out of natural alignment and in further pain. Its' a nasty cycle that only therapy can break.

Wes, so sorry to hear of all your problems. I agree with Razberry as we are all bonded, here, and family. My gosh -- I am soooo sorry to hear of your pain.

Again our paths cross in so many ways, as you can tell by the threads here. The only major surgery I ever had was for a herniated disc in my neck of which was fused 15 years ago (C-3, C-4). Was in serious, non-stop pain for about 7 months till surgery. The only thing that caused me to get surgery was the disc was digging into the nerve, causing the nerve to go dead in my arm. Thus, surgery to free up the nerve. They drilled bone outta my hip (still have that notch - always tell people I can hang a clothes hanger off of it, which is pretty convenient when doing laundry. tee hee.)... of which they used the bone to put inbetween C-3, C-4 after removing the disc. Although mine was brought on by a work-out routine, my neurosurgeon told me a lot of times there is a previous history of head injury somewhere in a patient's history (which I had at age 7.)

Sounds like you could come off treatments successfully. I admire your stamina! We are all here for you, West!

My prayers will be with you.

Diane