Alternative treatments for Hep C

I have had Hep C for 20 years or so. Seven years ago I started the Pegasys/Ribavirin treatment; My body couldn't handle it - I truly felt like I was dying. I decided to listen to my body and stopped the treatment. At the time of my treatment my biopsy showed that my liver was in stage 2. Other than feeling tired and a little foggy I have been ok. I have several friends that have tried the treatment - some have done well and some have not.
I am very interested in any alternative treatment Hep C - Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks and God bless,
Frank

[HectorSF]

Assuming you are genotype 1, ( and since you were stage 2 seven years ago and have time on your side) you may want to wait for the new antiviral meds to come to market. Yes, you will still have to take peg and ribavirin but the length of treatment may be shorter which is a good thing for those of us who have a difficult time during treatment. With the additional antiviral med added to the currents meds, the odds of clearing the virus will be greater. The odds of SVR depend upon how you responded to your initial treatment. Did you clear the virus at week 4, week 12 or later, did you never clear the virus or did you relapse?

As far as alternate treatments for HCV, there are none. Period.

As time goes by your liver disease will continue to advance unless you are able to rid yourself of HCV. As your liver scarring continues to get worst over time it will be more difficult to clear the virus. You definitely don't want to wait until your liver is stage 4 (cirrhosis) as your chances of SVR are reduced even more and you start to experience other complications due to advanced liver disease, many of them that are particularly nasty.

Yes, treatment can be very difficult but compared to the alternative of ESLD (End Stage Liver Disease) and trying to get a liver transplant, I think most people would agree that there is really no comparison.

Best of luck.

HectorSF