Hep C Treatment

I need to begin treatment for Hep c but I am currently unemployed and have no insurance or resources.  Does anyone know of any assistance available?

[Bill1954]

The manufacturers provide patient assistance for the meds, but the patient will still be responsible for labs, procedures, office visits, etc:

Pegassist (Roche Pegasys system): 1-877-734-2797

Commitment to Care (Schering- Plough PEG-Intron system): 1-800-521-7157

Welcome to the discussion group, by the way—

Bill

[GreatBird]

You can also try to get in on a clinical trial. http://clinicaltrial.gov/

If you go for this option, do be sure that you are at least going to get the SOC (standard of care) which is interferon and ribavirin in addition to the trial drug (or placebo). At least that would be my recommendation.

[WriteItDown]

I agree with GreatBird.  I would try to find a good clinical trial.

What genotype are you?  If you're Geno 1, there are some good clinical trials happening now that not only would be free, but would also let you treat with some of the newer drugs which will give you an even better shot at clearing the virus.

Good luck to you!

[hcvJames]

I'm getting treatment through the local Teaching Hospital, University Med Center,  free care program. Actually I went there for another reason, they asked me questions about income, etc., eventually I found out I was being treated for free. I didn't exactly apply for it, from my point of view it just happened.

When treated for the original problem, a leg infection, they found I had Hep C.

Treatment, is well .. free .. There are problems .. guess everyone has them, paid or not .. Anyway it's better than no treatment. The hospital signed me up with Roche for the meds as Bill1954 said.

All the best
keep us posted
James