What should I do?????

[fanny]

I have recently been diagonsed with Hepatitis C.   The doctors say that I contracted it 31 years ago while getting a blood transfusion in the birth of my daughter which almost killed me.  One doctor says it is so low he thought I might just have fat in my liver as I have gained alot of weight.   The tests came back saying I have Hepatitis C.   The gastro doctor says that I should probably go for a liver biopsy even though my sonogram of my liver came back normal.   He also told me about interfuron and ribofuron (I think those where the names of the medicines) that I would have to take and that there is only a 14% chance they would help cure it especially since I am hemo-something number 1 instead of 2 or 3 whatever that means.  I also have been seeing someone for anti-depressants because of things that are going on in my life and that doctor says to absolutely not take any of those two medicines as it will cause me severe depression and other things.   So here I am caught between who knows what and I am going crazy.   I Thank God have no symptoms (jauntice, dark urine, pain, etc.).   Please help

[Pugie]

I'm not sure how much you know about Hepatitis C but it is very manageable. It is not curable,(at least that is what I have read) but is very treatable although it is usually treated only if you are symptomatic. There are 3 types of Hepatitis. Hep A, Hep B, and Hep C. Hepatitis B is the worst.  Hep A is pretty rare. As you know they all affect the function of the liver.
As for Interferon. There are 4 types of interferon that can be given. There is Interferon Alfa-N3 (Alferon), Interferon Gamma-1B (Actimmune), and Interferom Alfa-2B(Introm A or Wellferon)  and Interferon Alfa-2A (Roferon). The names in paratheses are the brand names. Now I'm assuming that you have to get the Interferon Gamma 1B. The Interferon regulates the activity of your immune cells (those are the cells that help fight the infection). So the Interferon will boost your immune system to work better.  Interferon has a lot of side effects to take note of: diarrhea, vomiting, abd pain, fever, headaches, depression, rash, childds, weight loss, back pain, muscle pain. I think that your doctor who was concerned about you taking the interferon with your antidepressant medications was concerned because that is one of the side effects. What you need to find out if there are actual drug interactions between the medications. That will determine if you can take them together. Usually they will not stop the antidepressant medications while your are taking the Interferon injections and they just monitor for symptoms that your depression is worsening.
Interferon is given as an injection into the muscles of your arms or the side of your thigh; or as a subcutaneous injection (into the fatty parts) of your stomach or arms.
Interferon is usually given 3 times a week.
The drug should be refrigerated and never shaken or disturbed in any way. If the drug is left out at room temp for more than 12 hrs generally it is unusable and is thrown away.
If you develop a fever or H/A you can ask your MD about taking Tylenol with the medication.
If you are given the Roferon it is different than the interferon Gamma 1B.
I hope this helps.