Hep C treatment

[SuzieQ111]

I was diagnosed with Hep C in 2001, my viral load was around 600,000 (low), I just had it checked and it's now 8,000,000(high)
Should I start interferon treatment even though I have no other symptoms other then some mild depression and lethargy?  I'm scared, after reading about the side effects, thanks!

[BRL]

My VL is the same as yours. You must seek the help of a hepatolgist..let him do all the necessary testing and see where you stand. You cant ignore it .

Good Luck.

[bobbyullc]

viral load has no effect on progression or damage. it goes up and down weekly.

the ONLY thing to tell if you need tx now or not is a biopsy. if you are a stage 3 or higher (out of 0-4) you may consider tx now. if not it may be years before you may have to decide.

new drugs are close so it it not imperitive to tx if it has not progressed.

i had it for 37 years and had no symptoms and felt great. after tx i feel like poop.

[copyman]

VL means nothing unless you are treating. it does not indicate that your liver is getting worse. VL flucuates everyday. some days your immune system kills off more then other days. up to one trillion HCV virons a day are produced and some days more are killed off then others. this ongoing battle between your immune system and the HCV is why many people feel aches & pains, and tired. so dont let  "only" your  VL scare you into treatment. if you have no other things going on then wait. just make sure you are seeing a good hepatologist a few times a year monitoring your blood work, etc. best of luck.

[meki]

Talk to your doctor.

Then get a second opinion with a hepatologist.

I'm pro treatment - but I believe in being informed.

Find out what can happen on the treatment - talk to everyone about the side effects - ask what can happen - how long you'll have to be on it --- what can be done to treat the side effects... and if you can handle them.

Lethargy and Depression are serious problems...

I'm 4 months post tx (SVR now) but I still have sides... Was it worth it to get SVR? YES!!!

Will I say that in a year if the sides continue? I don't know.

But I do know that not everyone has the same reaction to the treatment - and different people have different beliefs.

It is up to you - and your doctor's informed decision to decide to take treatment.

Your Viral load is indicative of how much of the virus you have actively in your blood at this moment. It changes.

Having a high viral load "CAN" mean that your virus is replicating and causing damage. I would suggest finding out your genotype - and getting a biopsy. Just to see how much damage you have.

Because - not having symptoms does NOT mean nothing is being damaged.

The liver is a funny organ.

You could go a long time with no symptoms while it is gaining massive damage.

And you could have a LOT of symptoms with little damage.

Each person is different.

So talk with your doc... and then talk with another doc... then get your biopsy or ultrasound.

Then make an informed decision after knowing what possible side effects you may have --- how long you will have to be on it... Your chances of SVR --- and if TX is right for you.

Good luck - no matter which way you go. It's a sucky road - either way.

Meki

[MyDzire]

If you havent already, i'd suggest a liver biopsy, and/or a new test called fibroscan which can tell the doctor exactly what condition the liver is in.
Mydzire
Michigan