For GSD..husband's hep c diagnosis

[strator]

I noticed a question at the bottom of the post...Just Diagnosed with Hep C - cheryleagle8: 08/28/2006, 49 posts down. It is dated today 8/30 from GSD. Was afraid it might be missed. Continued
Don

[OnAPrettyPoison]

Talk to a pharmacist - they know more about drugs than doctors.

[GSD]

Thank you for the welcome Strator.  I'm just figuring out how to and where to put things on this forum so excuse me if I happen to "stick" something in the wrong place. :O)  I visited the Vertex site yesterday regarding the VX-950 study that a member here had posted.  It looks very promising.  I've noticed that whenever something looks promising enough for other pharmaceutical giants to jump in, this is always a good sign.  Aside from the benefit to all those struggling with Hep. C, these companies are also in it for the profit as well. That is what business is about and no shame in that.  So, if they are joining together to work on this VX-950 they must smell profit in the air.  Profit for them, and long overdue help for Hep. C sufferers.

Thanks again and hope someone has some thoughts on Epilepsy drugs and Interferon/Ribavarin combos.  Hopefully won't have to go that route, but I like to be informed.  Any suggestions from you all on diet do's and don'ts????
GSD(Carol)

[strator]

GSD Welcome and you have come to the right place for support. Sorry I'm not much on medical knowledge but I'll keep a good thought for you and your husband.
Following is GSD's message, maybe someone with more knowledge can help.

Good Day. My hubby was just diagnosed with HCV. A little history here. Hubby is an epileptic (petit seizures) and is/was on a drug called Tegretol. His liver levels were always on the hide side especially the ALT. Family Doctor and Neurologist more or less brushed it off and said it was because Tegretol can affect the liver values. Not until he applied for life insurance was another cause of high liver values found. Yuppers, Hep C. Neurologist tried to wean him off the Tegretol because it is processed through the liver but that didn't work. I love to research and found another drug Trileptal that is not processed through the liver and with lesser side effects. So, that starts being introduced this Thursday. Hubby has had more EEGs and CT scans and MRIs and donated one hang of a lot of blood for tests. He has Hep C, genotype 1, Chronic. Sorry but he didn't ask the viral load, although the test was done. I'll find out. He is suppose to have a liver biopsy at some point, but they want to make sure the switch of Epilepsy drugs is OK first I guess. Pegylated Interferon/Ribavirin has been suggested by the Gastroenterologist. The Gastro. Doc. says he finds no contraindications for being on Trileptal and taking Peg. Interferon/Ribavirin but I know I found a medical site on the internet that said you couldn't do both at the same time.
Anyone know?? Also, (sorry for the length here), his Pancreas is slightly enlarged on the lower end so waiting for CT results on Sept.12 about this from the Gastro Doc. Is this common with Hep. C folks. I'm very angry and upset that years of high liver levels have been sluffed off to just a Tegretol reaction and that dispite a safer drug (Trileptal) that does not process through the liver, regardless of Hep. C, was never suggested to him. He is 51 yrs. old by the way.

I'd appreciate any information and am reading this forum's files.
GSD(Carol)