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

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.

Tig-

You crack me up!

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

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. 

Tig wrote:

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Canuck wrote:

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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/

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.

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.

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

Canuck wrote:

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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

Canuck wrote:

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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.

 

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 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....

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

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 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!

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

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.

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

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

C-please. please elaborate!!

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!

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.