Aa
Boy - I had to go to a seminar yesterday and didn't get on the computer and I am already relegated to page 2. That's like the death sentence for a thread. I hate this new set up.
Chellski called me a month or two ago and said her high school daughter was doing a paper on hep C and treatment and wanted to know what interferon did and what ribavirin did. Boy, did I draw a blank. I think the story we are given is that the interferon knocks out - kills - the virus and the ribivirin halts the replication but it isn't that simple at all. I did some research after that call, and it seems like the experts can't really tell us why ribavirin works - just that it does help one stay clear.
My doctor said the interferon worked because I reached UND. She attributed the UND to the interferon, not the Riba. She said the Ribivirin was necessary for sustained viral response, but it was inadequate. I gather that she has high hopes for protease inhibitors.
Willing, I can't decide if you are a scientist or a English professor! Very well said. One really has to weigh the odds and, even though I handled tx well, I too have aged permanently - 5 years you say? I think maybe 10. Sure don't want to age another 10.
I believe my immune system must be to notch. It functions effectively to keep the inflammation low and as long as my liver enzymes remain in the 20s I think I am okay.
Sometimes it is easier to ask yourself, what would you recommend for others, not yourself. I am in this position now. My brother (age 58) has a dx of 1a with a viral load of about 262,000. He has not had a biopsy yet and I am pushing him to do so. I am assuming his immune system is like mine but I need him to start asking for reports and sending them to me. Unlike me, he does not like the details. So my point is, what's good for the goose is good for the gander. If I do tell him not to treat, why should I.
Chellski called me a month or two ago and said her high school daughter was doing a paper on hep C and treatment and wanted to know what interferon did and what ribavirin did. Boy, did I draw a blank. I think the story we are given is that the interferon knocks out - kills - the virus and the ribivirin halts the replication but it isn't that simple at all. I did some research after that call, and it seems like the experts can't really tell us why ribavirin works - just that it does help one stay clear.
My doctor said the interferon worked because I reached UND. She attributed the UND to the interferon, not the Riba. She said the Ribivirin was necessary for sustained viral response, but it was inadequate. I gather that she has high hopes for protease inhibitors.
Willing, I can't decide if you are a scientist or a English professor! Very well said. One really has to weigh the odds and, even though I handled tx well, I too have aged permanently - 5 years you say? I think maybe 10. Sure don't want to age another 10.
I believe my immune system must be to notch. It functions effectively to keep the inflammation low and as long as my liver enzymes remain in the 20s I think I am okay.
Sometimes it is easier to ask yourself, what would you recommend for others, not yourself. I am in this position now. My brother (age 58) has a dx of 1a with a viral load of about 262,000. He has not had a biopsy yet and I am pushing him to do so. I am assuming his immune system is like mine but I need him to start asking for reports and sending them to me. Unlike me, he does not like the details. So my point is, what's good for the goose is good for the gander. If I do tell him not to treat, why should I.
Will: there just might be enough framents around that house to support a positivre pcr test.. does that count?
--------------------------
I'd suppose you'd need one of them there sensitive vl tests to figer that out, eh.
-- Jim
--------------------------
I'd suppose you'd need one of them there sensitive vl tests to figer that out, eh.
-- Jim
well, you know, if hbv integrates itself into our dna and they can manage to replicate neanderthal dna there just might be enough framents around that house to support a positivre pcr test.. does that count?
best wishes -stay well
best wishes -stay well
Well said. BTW we could use your assistance with Hep B transmisison about ten threads up. I'm thinking haunted house and occult transmission?
Hope this finds you well,
-- Jim
Hope this finds you well,
-- Jim
I can sure empathize with the difficulty of your decision..and am going to go along with the rest of the "not now" group. Why? It goes back to "first do no harm". Had you pressed your Dr. about why she thought the riba rather than the ifn had let you down I'm certain you would have come the conclusion it was an informed guess on her part. No one on the planet has exact knowledge regarding the anti-hcv mechanics of the SOC. Riba dates back to the pre-rational-design, "let's make this and then see what it does", school of pharma and its synergistic combination with ifn wasn't discovered until much later. Ifn is part of an ancient general anti-viral alarm system our species evolved. However, we were never evolutionarily prepared to handle having that alarm blaring at the level that corresponds to current soc dosage and duration. The point is that we not only don't know the specific anti-hcv effects of these drugs, and thus why they do or don't work, we also don't know the extent of the collateral damage. The fact that so many Drs are ready to drop dosage at the first sign of trouble and unwilling to extend tx underscores their insecurity in that regard. The collateral damage is real, though, as this forum makes clear, the extent varies a lot.
On the other hand we know exactly how vx-950 and nm-283 work and can expect that since those molecules are specifically designed to target hcv they are less likely to have unintented effects (however the failure of biln-2061 is a warning in that regard). I can certainly understand wanting to get rid of this freeloader virus. The extra "tax" imposed by its presence seems to be weighing heavier as the years pass (in particular the fatigue). On the other hand, if I had to put a number on the cost of my last, failed, soc tx, I'd say it aged me by about 5 years. As a 53-year old stage 2 I'm gambling that even if my last bx was off a stage, it's a safe bet that my liver can manage at least another 15 years without intervention. This is more than enough time for the current crop of drugs to mature.. (at least consider waiting to make your decision until the results of the first combined nm-283/vx-950 trials start to come in). Take good care..
On the other hand we know exactly how vx-950 and nm-283 work and can expect that since those molecules are specifically designed to target hcv they are less likely to have unintented effects (however the failure of biln-2061 is a warning in that regard). I can certainly understand wanting to get rid of this freeloader virus. The extra "tax" imposed by its presence seems to be weighing heavier as the years pass (in particular the fatigue). On the other hand, if I had to put a number on the cost of my last, failed, soc tx, I'd say it aged me by about 5 years. As a 53-year old stage 2 I'm gambling that even if my last bx was off a stage, it's a safe bet that my liver can manage at least another 15 years without intervention. This is more than enough time for the current crop of drugs to mature.. (at least consider waiting to make your decision until the results of the first combined nm-283/vx-950 trials start to come in). Take good care..
LoL...
I got an e-mail last week entitled "Where In The World Is Carmen San Diago"...LoL .... I Like Matt Lauer ... seems more appropriate for a time, however with the grandson, my travels have been somewhat restricted!
I miss you too, I hope TX is being kind,.... you seem in such "good spirits"... but then again you always do... you're like a breath of fresh air!!! Ahhh!!!
Grandson is doing Great & Keeps me Entertained... he's quite the little ham, & my pride & joy..... He weighs darn near 30 lbs now, & finally in the 50 percentile for all babies... when I got him... he wasn't even on the charts... so he's especially THRIVING considering he came into this world 7 weeks early & come quite a long ways from the 4lb 11oz peanut he used to be!
We're still in WA. & No Intended Offense to Native "Washingtonians" (SP) but This Place SUX... I HATE This State... I mean it's Pretty & Green, & Lots to see & take in... but Geez... It rains from the end of October & doesn't start slacking off the first of May... YUCK! Only had two days so far that I could get into the yard with a Tank Top & Shorts on, still in the upper 30's at night..
I Like Cold... but Not This ****... I'd Rather be back up in Alaska... (I left my heart there), & there is a constant yearning to return!
Just think, IF I were in Alaska, then next month I would be enjoying the summer solstice & the 24 hour sun.... feeling energized & enjoying Midnight Mowing, Giant Vegetables, & Fishing, & Hiking, & taking pictures of wildlife, & enjoying all the moose spottings... Ahhhhh, but I like the Winter Solstice too ... I just find something about standing on a glacier watching an awesome Aurora Borealis... Rather Romantic...LoL.....{{{Sigh}}}
Okay, back to earth....
The project in the village (Delta Junction) was a small one which needed to be Done immediately... so they sent another representative there yesterday...Darn It (my better half is committed to this project thru May 2008) so we weren't available...However a bigger job (Which is better & will require a longer stay) should be opening up in Fairbanks... we are just hoping it don't get approved till next year... I would happily live in Fairbanks! My better half has A fishing trip scheduled for the end of July, first of August (but I don't get to go)... however I do get to buy a deep freezer for our garage & enjoy the Halibut, & Salmon he ships home (for the rest of the year)... Hopefully some shrimp too... so that'll be like a little taste of Home...
Okay... Wait... I'm on a Roll....back to Never Never Land for a moment... I like it out there...Tee Hee..
To me Home is where the heart is... & my heart is only truly happy in two places (both opposite ends of the spectrum)... I either want to Live in Alaska, or the Florida Keys.. I could just as easily be happy watching the sunset & watching for the "GREEN Flash" & trying to capture it on film...going out in my boat everyday catching fish... growing a year round garden, walk down my private beach..LoL....(preferably I'd have a home in BOTH, & go back & Fourth)....but I realize that is really REACHING!!!!
But Hey A Gal Can Dream Right!!!!
Actually, although there is an extreme difference in temperature... there is a common denominator .....It's the cultures, the atmosphere, & the people... they are BOTH just kind of" Laid Back" .. & God Knows, I prefer to be a simple laid back kind of gal...
I hate traffic, I am not a suburbanite, I detest keeping up with the Jones's....
I am a home body & enjoy my privacy, & solitude...
I just want to garden, have a deep freezer... put up my own vegetables, go to the store OCCASIONALLY as an OUTING & have my own space & personalize it to my liking... I don't need a fancy smancy car, or the latest fashions...Its Society that forces all this other **** on me.. Ugg!
Wouldn't life be simpler If we could all just be free, & have enough SPACE that we could Run around Naked (or Clothed) "If" we wanted & Not have to worry about anyone seeing us... much less having to have the perfect the perfect body to impress anyone with... Ha!
Humm, Now HOW Do I find all that... guess I better start playing the lottery or something! I don't think it exist for us commoners... it's a commodity that only the rich & famous can enjoy... BUMMER... Cause I'm sure I'd appreciate it a whole heck of a lot More...LoL
Anyway... How's that for an Update... Ha!
Hang In There Bill... I Know You Will... I Hope Time will just FLY By & you will experiance Minimal sxs!
Vicki
;)
;)
I got an e-mail last week entitled "Where In The World Is Carmen San Diago"...LoL .... I Like Matt Lauer ... seems more appropriate for a time, however with the grandson, my travels have been somewhat restricted!
I miss you too, I hope TX is being kind,.... you seem in such "good spirits"... but then again you always do... you're like a breath of fresh air!!! Ahhh!!!
Grandson is doing Great & Keeps me Entertained... he's quite the little ham, & my pride & joy..... He weighs darn near 30 lbs now, & finally in the 50 percentile for all babies... when I got him... he wasn't even on the charts... so he's especially THRIVING considering he came into this world 7 weeks early & come quite a long ways from the 4lb 11oz peanut he used to be!
We're still in WA. & No Intended Offense to Native "Washingtonians" (SP) but This Place SUX... I HATE This State... I mean it's Pretty & Green, & Lots to see & take in... but Geez... It rains from the end of October & doesn't start slacking off the first of May... YUCK! Only had two days so far that I could get into the yard with a Tank Top & Shorts on, still in the upper 30's at night..
I Like Cold... but Not This ****... I'd Rather be back up in Alaska... (I left my heart there), & there is a constant yearning to return!
Just think, IF I were in Alaska, then next month I would be enjoying the summer solstice & the 24 hour sun.... feeling energized & enjoying Midnight Mowing, Giant Vegetables, & Fishing, & Hiking, & taking pictures of wildlife, & enjoying all the moose spottings... Ahhhhh, but I like the Winter Solstice too ... I just find something about standing on a glacier watching an awesome Aurora Borealis... Rather Romantic...LoL.....{{{Sigh}}}
Okay, back to earth....
The project in the village (Delta Junction) was a small one which needed to be Done immediately... so they sent another representative there yesterday...Darn It (my better half is committed to this project thru May 2008) so we weren't available...However a bigger job (Which is better & will require a longer stay) should be opening up in Fairbanks... we are just hoping it don't get approved till next year... I would happily live in Fairbanks! My better half has A fishing trip scheduled for the end of July, first of August (but I don't get to go)... however I do get to buy a deep freezer for our garage & enjoy the Halibut, & Salmon he ships home (for the rest of the year)... Hopefully some shrimp too... so that'll be like a little taste of Home...
Okay... Wait... I'm on a Roll....back to Never Never Land for a moment... I like it out there...Tee Hee..
To me Home is where the heart is... & my heart is only truly happy in two places (both opposite ends of the spectrum)... I either want to Live in Alaska, or the Florida Keys.. I could just as easily be happy watching the sunset & watching for the "GREEN Flash" & trying to capture it on film...going out in my boat everyday catching fish... growing a year round garden, walk down my private beach..LoL....(preferably I'd have a home in BOTH, & go back & Fourth)....but I realize that is really REACHING!!!!
But Hey A Gal Can Dream Right!!!!
Actually, although there is an extreme difference in temperature... there is a common denominator .....It's the cultures, the atmosphere, & the people... they are BOTH just kind of" Laid Back" .. & God Knows, I prefer to be a simple laid back kind of gal...
I hate traffic, I am not a suburbanite, I detest keeping up with the Jones's....
I am a home body & enjoy my privacy, & solitude...
I just want to garden, have a deep freezer... put up my own vegetables, go to the store OCCASIONALLY as an OUTING & have my own space & personalize it to my liking... I don't need a fancy smancy car, or the latest fashions...Its Society that forces all this other **** on me.. Ugg!
Wouldn't life be simpler If we could all just be free, & have enough SPACE that we could Run around Naked (or Clothed) "If" we wanted & Not have to worry about anyone seeing us... much less having to have the perfect the perfect body to impress anyone with... Ha!
Humm, Now HOW Do I find all that... guess I better start playing the lottery or something! I don't think it exist for us commoners... it's a commodity that only the rich & famous can enjoy... BUMMER... Cause I'm sure I'd appreciate it a whole heck of a lot More...LoL
Anyway... How's that for an Update... Ha!
Hang In There Bill... I Know You Will... I Hope Time will just FLY By & you will experiance Minimal sxs!
Vicki
;)
;)
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