Treatment

[Tazzz]

I am going to start treatment soon, and I have to admit I am very nervous. I have heard horror stories of all kinds of side effects the treatment has. How bad is it really? I dont want to put it off because I am already at stage 3.

[terri927]

Hi, I just started treatment in June. I was at the begining of stage 2 when i started and it has it's good days and bad days. Unlike most i am on a infusion pump that slowly injects the interferon at a continuious pace. I have had the normal flu-like symptoms and weight loss, even hair loss, I feel that it is worth the pain and discomfort because i am going to feel worse if I don't do it.

I wish you luck and good health

[frijole]

Believe me, the pre tx anxiety is worse than the treatment.  I think all of us who have treated have all experienced what you are going through right now, and understand compeletely.  Please rest assured that you have made a good decision with stage 3.  

I know I could not have gotten by without this forum when I treated.  You will find kindred souls as you take this journey.

The very best to you
frijole

[Kristina538]

I was 'stage 3 & possibly beyond' pre-tx and was in a complete state about doing the tx.   Once I'd started, it was the course of little choices and the knowing that I was doing everything I could for myself got me through.    

Treat it like training for a marathon;  this site saved my sanity and assisted me on any sx that popped up;  I was clued to the PC every night.   My fear did intensify my fear; and while the medical profession told me to relax, a little fear is a healthy thing, and pushed me to study up on the bloodwork etc;  which helped me to feel a little more empowered.  

I hibernated a little and read heaps of books, drank lots of water, and tried to be as kind to my body as I could.   I'm sure you'll do fine and congratulations for heading towards tx;  this site will help you get through...

[newleaf09]

Reading all the SX before treating should make you crazy scared beforehand.  It's the law for the drug manufacturer to list all of the documented SX, but doesn't mean you'll get them.  I had no flu-like effect at all (many posters didn't), no nausea or many of the other creepy SX.  I can pretty much guarantee that everyone gets tired but couldn't guarantee another single solitary SX.

You just get into it, accept it, and help your doctor manage your SX.  Helps to study up on how to interpret the bloodwork and learn all you can about the TX.  Yes, the SX are a scarey read but it doesn't mean you'll get them. Get copies of all your bloodwork so you'll feel a little more in control.  Honestly, the terror of getting started (it's a big commitment), turns into relief once you start because now you are finally doing something about it

[jonney4141]

hi there, i was also petrified of taking that first shot and worried about the sides. the first shot was a breeze and I did not feel it, the side effects on the other hand have got to me, i too like jdwithhcv have gotten really bad from low blood counts, as well as some other issues, but i want this disease out of me, and it is working!!!!! so all of the bad side effects that i have endured was worth it all!!! this disease has allowed me to not take my feeling good for granted ever again. ask questions here, that is how i really learned and did not get alarmed when things did pop up. we have all been thru it and we really do understand like no one else will......

[Lynno711]

When I first read about all of the sx. I actually delayed treatment for five months.

I would have been all fininshed now, but like you, I was scared to death.  It hasn't been too bad for me.

The wonderful people on this forum have helped me so much.  There is so much information here I just keep coming back and reading, my questions have been answered before I even ask them, most of the time.

Congratulations on starting tx. hope all your sx. are small ones!

Good Luck - Lynne

[Bill1954]

I did HCV treatment two times for a total of 152 total weeks of Tx. I was stage 3/4 per biopsy, and have now achieved SVR (Sustained Viral Response). I managed relatively well with interferon/ribavirin; and I’d do it again if I needed to. As mentioned above, individual response varies greatly. Also remember that the people that are least affected by the meds probably aren’t well represented in here; they continue on with their lives without much need of support.

If you like, open this web page; it will help interpret the acronyms used in here:

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/Common-Hepatitis-C-Acronyms/show/3?cid=64

All the best to you,

Bill

[jdwithhcv]

Some people get no side effects from the tx drugs, others are really hit hard.  Most people fall somewhere in between.  For me the worst was severe hemolytic anemia, and I had very bad fatigue and lost a lot of hair.  I did not suffer from the depression that is such a problem for many on treatment.  

Stage 3 is pretty serious and you should not put off treatment.  It can be daunting to contemplate but its so worth it when you get to the end and you are finally free of the vrus.  Good luck.  Post your questions and concerns here and you will find great support.  Whatever is happening to you, someone on this forum has been through it before.  We are here to help and support you and listen when you just need to vent!

Good luck with treatment.  Keep reading the forum and post all your questions and concerns.  You have come to the right place!

jd

[charm27]

Treatment side effects vary from person to person. I would say some people have bad sides and some not to bad , doable.
However my opinion only is its something that you must consider doing being at a stage 3- perhaps you could avoid cirrhosis and eliminate the virus.
All in all I would say treatment has MANY sides and is not a pleasant thing to go thru.
However many people here have gone thru tx more than once, some twice and others more. I finished 6 months ago it was tough no doubt about it.
However I would rather have my liver! and try to help myself than not treating.
If I had to do over I would.

I wish you well and TRY not to be scared.
We all fear the unknown. Just hope for the best and prepare for a long road just in case.
Welcome to the forum

Charm27