Starting tx Within the Next Week

[drew1985]

I went to University of Michigan Hospital yesterday and the doctor told me that in his opinion he thinks I should treat now based on my low VL, young age, and good liver status. I'm going to speak to an educator sometime within the next 3-4 days and then shortly after that - I'll give tx a go.

I told him that my major concern was that is this medicine don't work - will it effect my chances or morph the virus into a more resistant virus to future medication. He went on to tell me that there is a small chance but he don't think it will... then went on to say that it may be a very long time until "non interferon" drugs come out anyways.

I'm at 170 lbs right now (5 foot 9) - I'm wondering if I should drop a few lbs before tx. Also can any of you recommend a good diet that would promote the absorption rate of the medicine? Please don't tell me 'mares milk' (heh, I enjoyed that thread.. I'm not drinking right off of the teet.. lol) I already know that I need to drink half my body weight in ounces of water ... but does Gatorade count?

Here's my stats if you don't already know:
Geno - 1
VL - 371,000 (got new VL test yesterday... results pending)
Grade: 0 (mild inflammation)

I'm really nervous - I don't want to do this all for nothing...

[drew1985]

Thanks for the advice! That's great that you we're able to kill off both genotypes nygirl. :-)

We'll their starting me off with the full dose. The nurse said if I drop to around 160 that they may lower the riba dose. I'm at 170 right now - I want as much riba as possible so I'm going to try my best to maintain my weight. :-/

I pick up the meds tomorrow afternoon and begin tx on Friday (after I speak to the educator at the hospital). I'm pumped yet nervous at the same time. Can anyone recommend some refrigeration tips? Where inside your refrigerator do you usually store your interferon? I haven't gotten the Pegasys yet but I'm assuming that there is storage tips right on the package.

[bbb72]

I'm also carrying a few extra pounds and started treatment 4 weeks ago (around 220 at 6foot3), but I wouldn't recommend trying to drop weight beforehand - that seems to be one of the side effects for me - I am essentially eating very well (no nausea,etc), and seems to be losing a couple of pounds per week.

I was also facing the same situation as you (Geno 2, with only grade 0), but started treatment anyway - really, in my opinion, you want to get this thing beat back now, rather than when you're older and the HCV gets nasty.

Good luck

[nygirl7]

As a geno one you have about a 50% chance of it working as I'm sure the doctor told you.  Still - there are alot of new studies that can help us up the odds a bit. Knowledge is a very important thing when fighting this disease.

If you take the ribavirin with fat it will help with the absorption rate.  I always took it with breakfast at 7am and dinner at 7pm so it was 12 hours apart and with a nice meal with fat. Even when I didn't feel well I always made sure to have SOMETHING with it even if it was ice cream (which unfortunately is one of the best foods for treatment).

You really are in pretty good shape with the low grade - I assume you are stage 0 too of course.  You really don't have to treat yet but I guess you are like me and the minute I knew I had it I wanted it GONE. And I'm a big baby.

I treated for 72 weeks and beat 1A and 1B both. So it's possible to fight this hard and keep up a life. I came to work every day and rested on the weekends.  It wasn't always easy but it is doable.

Make sure you get the PCR test done at least every other week - especially until you go Undetectible.  That will help give you clues as to how well you are doing. If you are UND (undetectible) by week 4 your chances are really good that you will beat this. I did not get to UND until somewhere between 12 and 24 which is why I had to do the 72 weeks. I wanted to win and I did.

Stay around and learn what you can - every bit of information comes in handy and helps you win the fight!

Good luck.