Study: less sx with interferon beta 1-a

Hi All,

I'm a daily follower of MedHelp as I grapple with the fundamental question:  would the cure be worse than the disease in MY body or should I wait for better tx?   I am infinitely grateful to all of you who, during and post tx, have honestly conveyed your experiences, the good, the bad and the ugly.  

For those of you contemplating tx the link contains a Chinese study showing less sx and same efficacy with interferon beta 1-a (with Riba) compared to current SOC peginterferon alpha (with Riba).

http://www.hepatitis-central.com/mt/archives/2007/08/new_treatment_f_1.html?eml=hepcen37

Interferon beta is already FDA approved for MS.  

My stats: female, 53, geno 1a, VL 10 million, low liver damage but frequently symptomatic, the reason I'm considering tx.  Infected by transfusion 1982.

Wishing all of you the best,

Kittyface

[tulips27]

what level of liver damage do you have?
I wish you the best.

Thanks for the link.

[kittyface]

According to FibroSpect blood test fibrosis is midway between F0 and F1.  

I have a theory -- I have low liver damage b/c my immune system is somewhat successfully fighting the virus which is the good news.  The bad news is I feel like cr*p all the time.  That's why I'm considering tx.

[tulips27]

I wish you good luck and hope this will turn into a memory for you one day. Im starting treatment at end of year too. Im 2/2 VL 8 mil. probably infected 20 some odd years. I
I hate this disease and hopefully the tx will work for me. Im somewhat apprehensive about it.
Even though I read everyones sides sometimes its hard to put in perspective..what tx will be like.
The best to you! ( Im just hoping for the best)
:}

[kittyface]

Ah, tulips, I feel for you and hope you can trudge through tx with no permanent damage.  I actually did one week of tx in a trial and visited the ER the first night with uncontrollable vomiting (trials on that particular drug have been suspended due to "gastric issues").  Despite that, the physical sides weren't that bad but I felt like a zombie and zombies don't do well as Realtors so I quit.  In hindsight, I should have stayed the course because I was going to clear in 2 weeks but my resolve just wasn't there.  

Are you geno 1?  Do you have a supportive family?

[tulips27]

Im 1A and am alone. YUK!

Just keep thinking maybe one day I will be SVR..........

You did one week of tx..well at least you had a pre-test sorta speak.

[tulips27]

How did you know you would clear so soon if you were only on tx one week??

[kittyface]

The weekly blood test showed a huge drop in VL and they predicated the clearance on that.

I'm sorry you have to go through tx alone.  I often wondered if it would be helpful for people who are treating to live together, sort of a tx commune.  A house of many mood swings. . .  :)

Please stay in touch with this forum.  We can be your family and we know what you're going through.

The best to you,

Kittyface

[tulips27]

thats hilarious regarding the "commune". SInce day one I've always thought the same we should have a house of healing. A house of many mood swings is right to say the least.

Good Luck and chat with ya again soon!!

P.S.: Your VL situation is very encouraging it will give you strength to move ahead this time!
         :}