News Stories and Other Posts

[TnHepGuy_]

<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15163431">Efficacy of non-invasive elastometry on staging of hepatic fibrosis"</a>

<a href="http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/2004icr/ddw2004/docs/0526/052804_c.html">Use of Dronabinol for Treatment of Common Side Effects of Chronic Hepatitis C Therapy</a>

<a href="http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2004/052804_a.html">Peginterferon Alfa-2a (Pegasys) and Ribavirin for Black American Patients with Chronic HCV Genotype 1</a>

<a href="http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2004/052804_b.html">Peginterferon Alfa-2b (PEG-Intron) and Ribavirin (Rebetol) for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C in Blacks and Non-Hispanic Whites</a>

<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15094232">HVR-1 quasispecies modifications occur early and are correlated to initial but not sustained response in HCV-infected patients treated with pegylated- or standard-interferon and ribavirin</a>


TnHepGuy


(URL's for above posts):

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15163431

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/2004icr/ddw2004/docs/0526/052804_c.html

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2004/052804_a.html

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2004/052804_b.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15094232

[cuteus]

some time ago a wise person posted that when choosing to begin tx, we must committ to following through.  That is, if the sides are not life threatening and severely limiting your quality of life.  If we were not completely sure about the tx, stopping it might be the first thing to come to our minds when a side surfaces.
You must realize that different symptoms will manifest themselves with various grades of severity at different times during our tx.  they will come and go, sometimes lasting a couple of weeks, others a couple of months.  our pcp will intervene in treating sides that are not too dangerous, when the GI won't.
If your life/health is not in severe danger by the meds, stopping tx should not be the first choice.  We must give our bodies time to adjust and reach some level of stability. There were some suggestions posted earlier in the week about remedies you could try for your tummy woes, I hope you give them a shot.

[donAlfonso]

Thanks for the reassurance, though sorry in a way to learn that others, especially self-employed, have similar problems and frustrations.

When I think about it rationally, the "clerical errors" explanation is not all that unlikely, when I think of the many encounters I've had with incompetent and inconsiderate "clerks" I've dealt with over the years. (Isn't it always such a surprise and pleasure to come across a clerk, salesperson, secretary etc. who is competent, courteous and voluntarily helpful?)  I've decided to enjoy the weekend, and let this go until next week.  My sx today were surprisingly minimal, why waste this good feeling?  Hope others are feeling good too.

dA

[lookin-up]

Thanks for the info - the Relpax sample helps it to almost go away but not competely.  I've never had a migraine before this - yikes!   But even with my insurance, it's $45 for 6 pills.  We pay $1700 a month insurance for just hubby & me (we own our own business) and you would think they'd do better than that.  Oh well...
Happy Saturday to ya!
Penny

[honey1616]

Yes,,,I have never had problems in my life with headaches and starting week 20 and lately past few weeks,,,I have been having some bad headaches.  Someone suggested in the forum,,,Imitrex.  This is for migraines and it does seem to knock it out for me. However,,,its very expensive,,,I think like 180.00 for 9 pills.  Whew,,,can you believe it...Should get rid of a headache!  Good Luck and you are on the last leg of race!! Yeah!!!

[donAlfonso]

Sorry to jump in, but this relates to the insurance thread, figured no one would see this if I put it there.

I am self-employed and pay a fortune for family coverage.  But coverage has not been a problem (PHS Healthnet).  But 2 recent events have scared me and left me paranoid that I'm going to be dropped.  In April when I went to refill some prescriptions, the pharmacy said my coverage was cancelled.  I called the company, they said it was a clerical error, and I was "reinstated".  This month I had a question about my bill, which I always keep paid a month in advance, so I happened to call the billing company.  A rep said she would look into it and call me back.  The next day, she hadn't called, so I did.  She said she didn't think it mattered, since I had submitted a written request to cancel my coverage.  I almost fell out of my chair!  No way I had written this letter.  After 2 more days of phone calls, I was told that this, too, was a "clerical error", and that the company was very sorry.  I requested a written confirmation of coverage, but it has yet to arrive.

Since beginning tx, my natural paranoia has increased, but doesn't this sound fishy?  I am on this very costly treatment, and was approved for a liver transplant (hope I never need it, but I'm on the list, with very low MELD score).  I'm an actuary's nightmare.  Am I crazy to think I am being targeted, harassed in hopes I'll change coverage.  If I hadn't happened to call the billing company, I wouldn't have known anything until it was too late.  I got an official notice of cancellation in the mail late yesterday, the Friday before a holiday weekend.  Cancellation was to be effective June 1.

I'm tempted to erase this, I know I'm nuts, but I'm going to post it just because if this kind of thing has ever happened to anyone here I'd really like to know.  Thanks, all, and I hope everyone is able to rest and enjoy this long weekend.

dA

[lookin-up]

Has anyone here started having migraines as a direct effect of peg/reb tx?  I've never had one before - I am at 44/48  but every now & then just lately, I get a huge migraine & the Dr has given me Relpax....pure gold!  they also told me I have hyper-thyroidism & will wait to see if it's a direct result from interferon.  But the migraines.... whew!
Any info / suggestions are appreciated!

[honey1616]

Yes,,,Don't feel bad as I have also experienced parenoia while on tx and not sure at times if it is me over reacting or someone is really trying to take advantage of me LOL  First of all,,,if  you are not behind on your premiums,,,They cannot cancel you and where the letter of cancellation came into play,,,I'm not sure because that is a cause for concern.  Someone has messed up somewhere in the company and you definitely need to get it straightened out.  With the holiday, that gives you time to calm down and rationalize the situation before calling tues morning. You definitely don't need the aggravation and this needs to be straightened out even if you need to get the manager on the phone.  I would definitely tell them,,,you need a letter showing that you are an active customer.  Good Luck!

[Xenigma]

We have the same problem from time to time with our insurance. I don't have the same insurance as you but because we are a family co. with the name of the co. being our last name they give us grief. It's not just us it's many people that I've talk with that are self employed and have private coverage.  Don't be paranoid, it's not just you. As a matter of fact the others that are insured and work for us don't have the problem we have, it's only us because of the name.
Enigma

[Plutonium-kid]

Hello,
I'm sorry to read that you're experiencing so many Sx by the Combo Tx. If I'm not mistaking, Riba is basically responsible for anemias, so PEG should be the main suspect in causing anorexia. However, drugs taken in conjunction may cause Sx unexperienced by either drug alone (potentiating effect). Unfortunately, we need to take the COMBO in order to increase our chances for EVR, SVR or Viral Response in general....this fact is even TRUER for Genotype 1.
I would inquire with your Hepatologist whether a dose reduction in PEG is pertinent in your case?
I hope I was helpful....
Good Luck & I'm holding my fingers crossed for you....& others as well.

[snook_man]

Does anyone know if anorexia is direct effect of rebetol or peg?? If my stomach or body can not tolerate tx, what can I do??

Tnhepguy: thanks for link on dronabinol, as I will pass it on to Dr. and see what he says..

[tuna]

thanks for the info-- very interesting reading. does anyone know where ohc67 is,I have'nt seen her post in a long time. I have some info for her web site she does on hep-c. or how I can acess the site.