Triple therapy

[Kel903]

Hi found out today I have genotype 1a and will go to discuss treatment on the 10th. Dr said the triple tx is best for this genotype - not sure what my viral load is- waiting on blood work - I guess I am a little scared and need to be with folks experiencing the same thing - will I be able to work? Im worried about the financial part - even with insurance its bad

[Advocate1955]

My husband is on his third round of therapy since his diagnosis with Genotype 1a in 2007, and he has been able to work every day during all 3 therapies other than when he had liver biopsies.  He could work even when he was anemic and his white blood count was so low that he required medications to help those side effects.  I think, from what I've read on this forum, the severity of the side effects vary greatly from person to person.  As people have said above, treatment is tough, from what I've seen in my husband's case, but the current medications (triple therapies) are having good results.  I think it is probably better to treat early than to wait until the damage to your liver has progressed.
Advocate 1955

[pooh55811]

We were al scared so don't feel alone on that aspect. I was scared to death of the side effects. For me, they are not bad and they are manageable.

I am Genotype 1 also. I have been on triple med treatment for 6 weeks now. I do my 7th injection Monday night. I am on Incivek, so I am half finished with the Incivek now.

I am retired so I don't work. I think if I was younger and had to work, I probably could if it was not too stressful or physically demanding and the hours were not too long. When I was working, I was working as a registered nurse, 12 hour shifts (which were usually 14 hours). I don't think I could do that on treatment. But everyone is different. Some people have few side effects. I have some side effects but they are manageable. Another tip is to do the injection on Friday nights (if you have the weekends off). I do mine on Mondays because I like to be able to do things on the weekends. That way I have a couple of days to rest after the injections before having to do anything.  

There is help for the costs of the meds. I don't know the links, but someone on this forum does. (My insurance covered the meds so I did not need help with their cost.) I believe Vertex will cover the entire cost of Incivek if your insurance won't cover it. And I read that their is other help for the other meds too. I am sure someone will post the links.

This is a great forum and people are very helpful. Welcome!

[hondapatches]

I am on triple tx and I am a 5th grade school teacher..lol I am 10 weeks in tx. It is hard but I have to keep going can't do the tx without ins. and no work no ins. So it's tough. I won't lie to you..But it is doable.

[journey91]

Welcome to the forum. I am pretty new here too. Diagnosed with GT 1 as well. And learning a lot myself. You will definately find very helpful info here. Its coming from people who have lived it and fought it which couldn't be any better. Scroll through all the topics and you'll be sure to find most info and if not ask away. I continue to post questions. So many people willing to answer. There is financial help out there. I've seen posts on it. I don't know first hand but I know there is help for the cost insurance doesn't pay. Every person is different and tolerates treatment in their own way but you'll find lists of symptoms and "rescue" items for those symptoms. Its all very scary and overwhelming at first. You're not alone and you've come to a great place. I wish you the best of luck in ur tests and decisions.

[pcds]

Welcome to the forum there's lot of great information here.  Every person has a different situation.  Did you have a liver biopsy?  That's important in your decision on whether to treat now or wait depending on your liver, your living situation, other health concerns, insurance, your support system.  If you are the sole cg of young children will be harder then someone without. Every situation is different.  This is great place to gather information.  This triple therapy is tough.  I'm glad I didn't know, there wasn't much information when I started except  trials.  Now if I was reading my own posts I would be scared to death to treat.  But I'm making it through.  I'm glad I wasn't raising children while in treatment.  I feel badly about not having the energy to play with the dog, the only other living thing I need to care for besides myself.
Judy