How effective is treatment?

[kconn14]

I was diagnosed with Hep C 2 1/2 months ago and it's been determined that I must have contracted it 27 years ago.
I have geno 2b with vl of 3.5 million. I had the biopsy last Friday and got the call today that it is late stage 3. I still have yet to speak to a doctor but have anappointment with a GI on the 20th.
I've always been very healthy, eating right, very little drinking (which came to a screeching halt when I heard the diagnosis) and never did drugs (a little pot at one point but not for years).
This has me really scared! I'm working, on the side, with an energy healer. I'm 64 years old and I don't know what to do. I hate the thought of destroying my immune system with the treatment but if that's what it will take then I guess if I want to continue living.
Any positive input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Karen

[Joey_M]

Hi Karen,

Great you are leading a healthy lifestyle already. Everything helps when it comes to making it through treatment. As others have said, genotype 2b has the highest success rate on shorter treatment length. Some European studies are showing as little as 16 weeks if you clear the virus within the first 4 weeks of treatment. Do as much research as possible and discuss it with your MD (agree it is smart to see a hepatologist with experience).

As far as you being a healer, you will learn so much on this journey if you keep your mind open. I did 2 round of treatment - 5 years ago which was successful but was reinfected 1 year ago and finished 2 weeks ago. While the effects were rough at times, my entire perspective has changed positively. Alternative medicine doesn't cure Hep C, it can be very helpful in managing the side effects and recovering from the treatment afterwards.

Hugs,
Joey

[Jakied]

Type 2b is the easiest 'strain'  of Hcv to kill.  Also, women usually have a higher success

rate than men.  you will probably have a good outcome with treatment.  People

with 2b usually treat for 24 weeks.

Forget  the 'alternative' treatments.  They are as useless as Superman around kryponite.

Ribavirin and interferon is the only therapy that works.

[Marc1955]

You mentioned that you have an appointment with a GI. If possible, it is worth making the effort to find a hepatologist to help you with your condition. GI's generally are not well enough informed about the specific issues involved with HCV and treatment. Hepatologists are often associated with large teaching hospitals. It is even worthwhile to travel a significant distance to see one.

Good luck with what lies ahead. I noticed from your bio that you're a believer in alternative treatments. Sorry to say you are about to be fully enwrapped in the clutches of good-ole Western based scientific medicine. It is the only path that has any proven success at dealing with HCV. And thank god it gives some hope to people with this awful illness. The treatments are unpleasant, but as HCA said, you are extremely fortunate to be 2b. All the other stuff is powerless against the virus.

[HCA]

Well the good news is that you have genotype 2b.
You have an excellent chance of knocking it out with 24 weeks treatment.
The drugs are not very nice but they don't 'destroy your immune system' or anything like it.
Get that treatment moving and put the energy healer on hold!