Interfergen

[virtualsuzyq]

Hello to all.  I am 1b and will start Pegasus/Copeg very soon.  I have seen Interfergen mentioned in my readings.  Some people take it every day.  Is this a more successful treatment than the interferon?  Is it available in Canada?  Thanks.

[jmjm530]

sjl said prev: "I really don't understand why they wait and treat non-responders and relapsers only with these meds."
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We recently discussed this.

Hint: who funds more studies, hires more speakers, serves more free lunches -- Roache (Pegasys) plus Shearing (Peg Intron) or Amgen (Infergen) :)

Congratulations on SVR! BTW what was your daily dose of Infergen and Ribavirin.

-- jIM

[SJL]

Should have read 48 weeks of Peg-Intron/Ribavarin.
Sorry!

[SJL]

I did 4 weeks of Peg-Intron/Ribavarin, cleared and then relapsed. Side affects terrible, 3 shots per week. I have just finished 56 weeks of Infergen/Ribavarin, daily injections. The sides were almost exactly the same, BUT, I had 7 months of undetectable virus. I will go for my 3 mth. check on 10/10.
I was a 1b, stage 3, and would be glad to go into more detail, if needed. I really don't understand why they wait and treat non-responders and relapsers only with these meds. I will ask my Doctor on 10/10. A word of advice-FIND A GOOD DOCTOR-I went to a Gastroenterologist only the first time, who didn't have a clue. I researched and found a Gastro, who also specializes in Hep C. He is the greatest!
Wishing you the best,
SJL

[jmjm530]

Not nearly as bad as yours, but I've had some sun sensitivity from the riba, but mostly on my face. I found a #30 sunblock "for sensitive skin" at the drug store that seems to work OK, not that I leave my couch much these days.:)

Ironically, I'm currently being treated 3X-week with narrow-band UVB (burning rays) for my skin problems -- too much of my body is affected for topical steriods. One doctor wanted to start me on an injectible biologic called Enbrel (etanercept). But we're reserving that as a last resort. I'm not crazy about the adding another potent drug to my hep c tx although some preliminary work has been done with Enbrel and Hep C.

In any event, based on a recent skin biopsy, some of the "psoriasis" now turns out possibly to be cutaneous t-cell lymphoma, a form of non-hodgkins lymphoma. It could also be mixed up with something called Lichen Planus. Boy this treatment has fun sides. :)

I'm glad your're heading into the shadier months for your skin condition. I think I'll order that hat you mention for my UVB narrow band sessions that take place in a full-body sun chamber.

Currently, I wrap a shirt around my head as my face doesn't need the UVB treatment. However, that makes things very hot in the  chamber and yesterday I thought I 'd pass out.  The Solumbra material looks like it might be cooler.

For anyone with skin issues, a very good site for reseach and dx (lots of pictures) is sponsored by the New Zealand Dermatological Society.  http://www.dermnetnz.org/

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

Thanks guys. I've been off yogurt for a few weeks so I'll give it a try. Right now there're thinking psoriasis, some a non-hodgkins skin lymphoma, or other autoimmune skin problems, but they spend so little time diagnosing (in and out in five minutes)that it's easy to get that unsettling feeling they really don't know. UGH! I'm sure things will get better when I'm off these drugs.

[susan400]

I think that some of the skin problems related to treatment is probably of a yeast nature.  Way back when I first started treating many years ago, I was getting constant yeast problems, both in my throat and at the other end.  I started eating plain yogurt every morning and this has helped a bunch.  It has to be the type of yogurt that has the live cultures/acidolphilus.  A lot of the fruity yogurts don't use the live culture and therefore would not be effective.  Anyhow, yeast infections are a common side effect of treatment.  BTW, this can also occur in a man, too.   I have a friend (w/o Hep C) that had such a serious problem with yeast that it became systemic.

Susan