Need to understand hep c

[worriedwife69]

my husband just found out that he has hep c and we had all the blood test done. so high and so normal. we also had the viral load done it was 3 million. now we had the liver bioposy done and it showed that it was in stage 1 with very little liver damage. we also found out that the genotype that he has is 1b. I know that having hepc is not good news but does the other stuff sound pretty good. and does any think it will go on to serve liver damage? and do you think he will respond to his meds we will probably start them in a week.

[Indiana]

Worriedwife.....Sorry that it appears that you got lost in this thread. You will not know how he will respond until he has his first PCR after he starts the meds. We all responddifferently.
   Having type 1 is not as good as the other types. It takes a "minimum" of 48 weeks to kill it. That number should depend on how he responds. His load is not all that high....so that is good. His damage levels are not bad either....so that is good. Fight for the earliest PCR test you can get.....4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks. That will tell you how he is responding to the meds.
Best of luck to you.........

Sherr.....You never said what the "strength" of his Peg is. You need that to see if he is getting enough. Even if it is the lower dose....so what? Most trials start at a certain dose and after they get their info all patients are allowed full dose to completion. Check the trial rules. You elected to do this trial instead of going it on your own. That is a hazard we face in doing trials. To do more than what is prescribed could get him kicked out of the trial all together....and then where would you be? Or if he does too much it could lower his blood counts to a point where a reduction is necessary. Trials don't normally give blood boosters. If you want to do this trial then I think you should stick with their protocol. Thats just my personal opinion.
The other thing is....NO WAY would I let him go driving off on a long trip right after he does Peg/Intron for the first time. I did that stuff and it kicked my a$$.....and many others too. The beginning was the worst part. It would be very dangerous for him to be off driving if those sides kick in.
Keep us informed as to how he's doing....
Good Luck...........

[ringeding]

hey sher...yah....you know, that was what i was on and the first shot was the worst..talk about ass-kickin'..chills turned to rigors, teeth chattering so badly i thought i'd chip them, freezing, vomiting, migrain like headache, eyes hurt, body killed!! it hurt so bad and on and on...it did get better or 'easier' but maybe this one is right....maybe he should do a 'wait and see', before making plans to travel with your wee one....maybe he won't re act that badly, but why risk it....he will no doubt be able to do this trip a few days later.....just a thought...at the very least for his first injecion anyway.....might surprise us all and have little to no sides...it could happen

[kennedge]

i was on peg...it's weight based...i belive the dose was 120/5..it should be on the box

[sher_]

He is on a trial....3 groups Pegacy or PEG....IF you were chosen for PEG there are 2 doses.Today he was randomized and He got the peg. He is to fill the syringe up to the number 4 ...which leaves alot left in the vial to throw away. So I think he must have got the small dose TOO! WE really need some help here!

[jonihs]

All I can tell you is that when I first came here a little over year ago, it was pretty close to half and half peg and pegasys. The only difference anyone talked about was sides were a little worse w/ peg.People who had taken both said that, but doctors said no difference. I'll take patients word for it. All I can reccommend is that you talk to your doc, and insist on Pegasys next month. I wonder why you didn't find out his preference before med order, but I don't think it's too late. I've never heard of anyone changing during tx. but I would insist they give me a da-- good reason why I couldn't change, before I would continue w/ peg. Just my 2 cents worth.  Joni

[worriedwife69]

thank you for the hope. maybe can keep each other informed and maybe we can work through this together.






                                             thanks again