Hi Lloyd,
Don't know if you remember me - I had Hep C for about 25 years and
had tried to use naturopathic remedies including some items from
your store - I also bought your book
and appreciate your insight instilled within it.
The reason I am now writing is to let you know that after increasing
viral load counts (also went through a program at Bastyr's Naturopathic
University) I had given up hope that there was a chance of beating
this with the means that were available to me (had good insurance,
but they would not cover anything naturopathic) with a salary of
$70,000. Although my salary was O.K. - I was raising four children
and buying a home in North Bend, WA. and could not afford some of
the higher priced items that are available for cash.
Choices seemed few and after guarantees that
everything would be O.K. and I wouldn't be financially ruined if
I became unable to work because of side effects - I decided to give
this (guinnea pig) treatment offered through a study group a go
since the chances of success were higher at 50% than the previous
15%. I had been prodded into this study by being told things like
"we have bent over backwards for you in trying to get you into
this study".
I had long Term Disability insurance and had asked at my doctors
office if I would be able to get Social Security if all else failed
and they assured me that this would be available to me in case I
was incapacitated, they said they would see to it that I had Soc.
Sec. if I needed it, but assured me that this would not happen -
well I ended up experiencing the worst side effects or, so I was
told by Nurse in charge of running the study (she also spoke of
others having the same symptoms though).
I ended up in the hospital a couple of times from the side effects
of Interferon and Ribavirin.
I experienced nearly all of the side-effects - save suicide, (but
don't think it didn't cross my mind) I had sever migraines, musculo-skeletal
disorders, rigors, nausea so bad that I separated my ribs whilst
heaving my guts out, lost nearly 40 lbs, and I was a total wreck
(bed-ridden) from a few hours after the shot until 3 or 4 days had
passed. I had gone through 10 months of this misery and more (while
being assured and hoping for better weeks) when I experienced a
magraine that lasted for about seven days - went to the hospital
again, and there they found my white blood count to be about nine
times the normal count (unexplained to me by anyone yet, as this
count is supposed to be dangerously low during treatment).
After the last hospital episode I was removed from treatment (about
two and a half months early) and had CAT scans of my brain to see
what was causing migraines and whether or not I colud take immitrex
for them as opposed to the narcotics I had been given earlier. Ended
up having an enlarged virchow robbins space in my brain that is
the apex from where my migraines begin - but according to the medical
report is medically insignificant.
Had I known the misery and all that I would
lose, I would have never done it. I don't think it will have extended
my life or increased the quality of my life. I still have
migraines (only, now in the 4-6 range with an occaisional 8) and
am suffering muscle and joint fatigue accompanied with constant
pain (fibro myalgia) and low energy levels. Also have sensitivity
to certain chemicals/odors that trigger the migraines and have been
suffering from depression to this day. I have tried about three
or four anti-depressants that do not make me feel any better - maybe
worse.
We have lost our home
in North Bend to forclosure and had our car re-posessed, filed bankruptcy
and experienced the financial ruin that I had been assured would
not happen. My Long Term Disability Insurance company weasled out
on a pre existing clause. And...Social Security denied me any benefits,
even though all Doctors (theirs and mine) agreed that I could not
work while undergoing this treatment.
After fighting them for five years I finally received an award
for the time I was disabled until the time I was deemed able to
return to work (about 14 months).
I started treatment somewhere around February of 2001 and although
the virus is still undetectable I don't know that I'd call the treatment
a success - it was more of an exchange!
As you well know the anger I might feel towards those who have
done this - I also feel it's not right that attorneys should receive
more than the victims.....help me out with this one and I'd love
to join the lawsuit against Scherring-Plough if the opportunity
exsists.
Thanks again Lloyd - I refer everyone that I meet with Hep C or
questions to your website/book.
Look forward to your reply...
Ron
Hi Ron:
That is quite a story! I read and listen to the same one everyday
but yours is written very well. I do not know how this can go on
and not get any media attention.
I speak about it on
the radio all the time and it gets me no where.
This drug is a big problem and I am at a complete loss as to why
nothing is being done.
Your physical damage sounds very minimal compared to most who contact
me about this.
Many are dead, many are near death and many are completely unable
to function.
In good health
Lloyd
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