Interferon

[audiohal]

I was just diagnosed with hep c this summer.  I guess my viral load is over a million.  The biopsy showed some cirroshis.  My doc wants to start on interferon weekly injections and 2 pills of something else a day.  I guess I have no choice.  This was found during a routine physical, i'm 54. I don't have any symptoms and was quite shocked when I found out.  Does this mean I won't live to a ripe old age?   I heard these meds can be pretty rough but I'll do what a have to.

Hal

[Andiamo1]

"Most people can not work, eat well, or really live normal lives during their treatment"

Where did you get this data?  I participated  in a phase III study for pegasys with many hundreds of people.  Next to no one had to stop working.

Most people have a difficult time, but are able to continue with their lives. Most have to modify their lives, but what is normal?

[jphits]

Hal,

The meds can be very rough, infact many people will compare the hep c treatment to mild chemotherapy.  Most people can not work, eat well, or really live normal lives during their treatment.   However other people go through the treatment very well.  In my opinion the treatment is worth it if you can stay the course and the virus clears.  I just finished a 24 week round and so far things look good.  A good support system is key for success, many of the people on here are going through very simular situations and can really help you through your treatment.  

Many people live with hep c and have no ill effects.  I probably would have never found out unless I donated blood for the first time last Fall.  I never had any liver problems and I have to say that I drank like a fish.  It is a tough call but I think treatment should help your situation.  

[torocreek]

read your posting and would like to know how low you wbc was when you recieved you booster shot. Mine WBC is 2.0 with a range from 4.5 to 8.0 and was turned not low enough, I've had all the side effects possible and refuse to give in and that should go for you as well, it seems so tough but I think about people in cancer centers and are fighting to stay we have to also.  Good Luck by the way I'm up to date on all this stuff if you need encouragement  e-mail  Jimmy W. from Louisiana  

[audiohal]

Thanks all.  I'm starting next week and the pre-treatment anxiety is kicking in.  I had a biopsy and my gas dr. ordered one more blood test.  She seems really good and is big on baselining everything and monitoring once a week.  She said advanced liver disease but did'nt say what stage of cir.  I'll ask her next time.  She did mention a referral to U of M hep which kind of worried me,  they do a lot of transplant stuff there. I'll ask about why the referral, she wants me to go there.  This board is awesome and has really helped me get my head around this thing.  Thanks to all of you for the honesty AND encouragement and I'll be visiting here almost every day.  

[torocreek]

I'm 64 was infected in 1965 while in the service, the VA is supplying the meds, pegintron/rib but no gas/hepatalogist, week 8 was the worst I'm going into week 12 it's tough but you have to exer/diet my load went from 382,000 to 0 after 8 weeks, I've had all the side effects that come with this tx my wbc went to 2.0 and I ask for a neupogen shot and they refused me said my white count wasn't low enough,  

[Andiamo1]

You can live a long time with HCV even if you don't treat - as long as you live well: no alcohol and as few drugs as possible that are metabolized by the liver.  I need to say that this is not true for everyone, but it is for most people.  I have the disease since 1961 and I am still going strong.  

I treated with the SOC and failed; now I am in the prove 3 trial of Telepravir, the protease inhibitor made by Vertex.

The most important thing you can do is to find a good hepatologist and get a liver biopsy.  Then you will know exactly where you are with the disease and what your options are.  Most gastroenterologists do not know enough about HCV to give you the best advice.  Most cities will have a medical center with a hepatologist on staff.

[sfwandwow]

iam on my 3rd injection and week now, iam doing great just get fatigued somewhat.. Iam doing 48 weeks.. My white blood cells drop and now i take neupogen shots for that.. but iam doing great so far.. just fatigued the most and get short of breast like i ran a race at times, it comes and goes.. but other then that iam doing excellent..

[audiohal]

Thanks for the reply.  I too have been reading since i posted.  I have to find out all this info from my doc but I have the worse type I that is more difficult to treat.  48 weeks of treatment. I'm just happy to have a chance to treat it.  Could be worse.  I pray you do well with your tx as they say in here.  

[tiedyd]

I too was diagnosed this summer..   I am 49, and sounds like you are feeling similar to the way I am... From what I have learned ( mostly right here on this site) you can live to a ripe old age..... What is your genotype---- from what I have learned- that is what kinda determines how "curable" you are.  Treatment can be very difficult ( i won't  be starting mine for a few more weeks - but I too am gonna have weelky injections and 2 pills a day).  I am geontype 3a and will have 24 weeks of treatment with a probability of success at about 80%.  

This place is the best---- lots of knowledge, experience, support, and most of all HOPE. I am learning more & more every day from the other folks here who not only have been where I am, but are often at the same place as me.


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