Starting TX

[mnl1]

I first came across this site back in August and was at that point asking about alternative treatment and whether to treat or not. Since then much has transpired and I will be starting the Teleprevir trail here in La Jolla, Calif. receiving my first meds this Friday morning the 26th. I received the results of the biopsy they did on Monday, the results were mild activity grade 2 of 4 and periportal fibrosis stage 2 of 4. I think it is a good time to treat and I feel ready to get on with it.

A good friend of mine, a missionary in the Sudan returned home about a month ago for some r and r, to visit friends and family and to get some much needed medical treatment. He spent the day with us about a month ago, it was great to see him but he looked pale and bloated. He said he would be back by before he returned to the Sudan. Last week I received a call that my friend was in critical condition in the hospital. I went to visit him but he wasn't coherent and his body was bloating and they couldn't get his body to release any of its natural functions. He died Thursday morning. He had chronic HCV. 'He fought the good fight, he finished the race'.

My point in all this is if you need to treat and have an opportunity too don't put it off.

I have been reading this site as often as time will allow me and have learned much from many of you. I am sure I will have other questions that will come up over the course of the next year. I will keep you posted of my progress while on tx.

[Tippyclubb]

Yep were in the same trial, couldn't pass this no placebo one up.  Wouldn't that be nice to do tx for 24 weeks,  You have to be undetected at week 4 to be put in the 24 week group.  All we can do is pray.  I'll keep you posted, and keeping an eye on your posts.  

[charm27]

My heart goes out to you. You have all my prayers.

Wishing you strength and well being.

Charm27

[Marcia2202]

I would like to express my condolences and send my prayers!

I also want to wish you all the best with treatment. May you have minor sides and reach SVR !

Good to see you back,

Marcia

[mnl1]

Congratulations on getting started come January, you will have to keep me up to date on how you are doing. I am in the trail with no placebeo. Maybe we will be in that 24 week group. I'm with you... just want to get started praying for mild sx. There is always that unknown of how treatment is going to effect you sx and all, but we will be ok.

Let me know how you are doing... If I can help in any way, I'm here.

[mnl1]

NYgirl - Congratulations on being SVR. Thanks for the encouragement.

Isobella - thanks for the thoughts and prayers... thanks for being there.

GreatBird - I will be praying for your success

[GreatBird]

I just started the boceprevir trial. Shot 1 was last Tuesday. I survived. :)

So sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. I have had three friends die of Hep C. It does put all this in perspective.

[Tippyclubb]

Hi, i will be in the same trial soon.  Getting my biopsy Tuesday, and hopefully doing first shot beginning of January, so we will be going through this together.  Actually I am looking forward to getting rid of this virus and hope my body is strong enough to with stand the duration of treatment.  I am prepared for a rough ride but hopefully we will be fortunate to have mild symptons.  Whatever comes we will handle it.  This is what I tell myself everyday for the last few weeks.  Are you in the trial with no placebo?

I am sorry to hear about the loss of your friend, and hopefully we will rid the virus so this doesn't happen to us.  I hear its an awful way to go.

Tippy

[Isobella]

I'm so sorry to hear about your friend.  My heart goes out to you and thoughts and prayers too.

I want to say congratulations on getting started in the trial.  And welcome to the team, LOL!!

I am also in a Vertex trial.  I'm a geno 1a tx naive. I just did shot #21 this past Thursday.  My trial experience has been very good.  My tx experience has been very smooth and doable, too.  I hope yours is the same-on both counts.

I was a stage 1, grade 0.  Oddly enough, being on a mission trip lead to my diagnosis.  

Just wanted to say if I can help in any way, I'm here.  

Isobella

[NYgirl]

ps I did 72 weeks and have been SVR for two years.

You can do this (just wanted you to see, it's hard but possible - I never WANTED to do 72 weeks...with tremendous sides...but I did because after watching your friends die of it.....it's worth it).

I do understand. a lot of us do.

[NYgirl]

MNL

I'm very sorry. I have had two friends die of this disease and actually posted the details about one of them and someone on here recognized and knew who it was! Of course, we are best friends now.

I just want to encourage you and to say this disease is a dreadful thing. Most of us find out we have it by accident. I didn't find out until I was already at stage 3. But I did beat it and no longer have it.

Most of us do believe that testing should be an everyday thing. But unfortunately so many people do have it that the insurance comps would never want to pay for it. That *****.

Do what you hve to do to be healthy. Everything you do proactively is a great thing.

This disease CAN be killed. It's hard work and not easy but worth it.

BEST of luck.

[mnl1]

I appreciate the wisdom, it will be helpfull. I don't know what to expect and I will take it a day at a time.

Here's praying for success.

Thanks

[Marc1955]

mnl1  – My thoughts are with you. I'm a similar age with similar level of liver damage. I'm in my 50th week of treatment going to 72. Hopefully you'll have an easy treatment and a successful outcome.

I know you didn't ask for words of wisdom but mine would be this – there's no way you can mentally predict what the treatment is going to be like for you. You need to roll with it as it evolves. You may need to change a lot of habits. And it's unpredictable. Things that worked in your life don't necessarily work when you're on treatment. But in my experience, once you learn to roll with the treatment and develop the routines you need to feel reasonably well, it is manageable. I have become ridiculously physically self-absorbed but I feel pretty good much of the time. Luckily my wife is understanding and patient.

Good luck again. Here's praying for success.