Re: Hepatitus(hepatitis) C and interferon "cocktail"/new treatments

Posted By ROBIN PASSMORE on November 05, 1998 at 20:14:54:

In Reply to: Hepatitus (hepatitis) C and interferon "cocktail"/new treatments posted by Tim on October 24, 1998 at 18:41:42:






My mother contracted Hep. C during childbirth in a blood transfusion
in the early 80's.  She went on interferon treatments 2 years ago
with no results.  Her enzyme count at the height of treatment was
90 (with normal levels at 30).  At recent test put her enzyme coun
at 180.  The doctor has recommended that she try the new inferon
combinations that have proven more effective- but another
specialist has stated that the new treatment would not be effective
for her case (age=60, 20 year carrier, high count).
My questions are:
Would the new treament be more effective than the normal
interferon program?
Is the enzyme count a reliable and valid measure of liver condition?
What would be the expected level of a patient with cirrosis (cirrhosis)?
She is a wonderful woman with 11 children and a rabble of
grandchildren that adore her.  Would the decrease in quality of life
be worth another round of interferon?
Thank you so much for your help.