treatment after pegainterferon

[amanat]

i was diagnosed that i have hepC in 2000 , i take interferon and rebavirn in 2006 for six months but when i stopped it relayps again , then after one year in 2007 i was treated by pega interferon for just three months but after pcr dr. stopped treatment . now doctor says that there is no treatment for my disease bcoz i am non responder. may i let my self to die now bcouse i feel pain and some burden on upper left of my bally or their any treatment for me. any dr. who help me i will be thankful for him

[Bill1954]

Hi, amanat-

The amount of fibrosis (scarring) that occurs in the liver as a result of HCV is best determined by needle biopsy. A needle is inserted through the skin and a small sample of tissue is then examined under a microscope.

Using the Metavir scale, a pathologist will determine the amount of cellular inflammation as well as fibrosis. The pathologist will report fibrosis on a scale of F0 through F4 with F4 indicating cirrhosis.

I don’t know what diagnostic resources are available to you in Pakistan. The liver biopsy is an invasive surgical procedure, and is considered the ‘gold standard’ for this purpose.

Other options are blood tests:

Fibrosure

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15723588

Fibrospect

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16970596

However, while these are both non-invasive, they are not as accurate as liver biopsy. Another option in some countries is Echosens Fibroscan:

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2007/121107_d.html

Fibroscan measures liver stiffness via sound waves, and approximates the degree of fibrosis. Be sure to discuss these options with your doctor, and see what fits your needs.

Good luck,

--Bill

[amanat]

Thanks for ur reply. will u please tell me how i can get information about the stage of my disease. my liver condition and chances of recovery.
Once again thank u very much for this kindness

[Bill1954]

Yes, we understand; cost is often a consideration in HCV management. Many people here in the U.S. purchase health insurance; but those that can not afford insurance can not afford treatment either. A standard course of HCV therapy (peginterferon/ribavirin, lab costs, doctor visits) here in the U.S. costs in excess of USD $ 60,000 (PKR 5,121,000.00).

Depending on your previous response profile, Infergen might be an option; for true null responders there are few viable options at this time.

Good luck and take care-

Bill

[amanat]

Thanks A lot all of u who take my problem seriously . my virus type is 3a and viral load is 122662IU/ml(306655 copies/ml). I am in pakistan where new research and medicine are not available to common people . one  year before a doctor says that he will import a mediciene name Infergen 15mg from america for me it costs 433 us dollar which was out of my range. will u please help me what shoud i do now

[Mary4now]

Bad info by doctors should be a crime, its a good thing you are coming here to ask questions.
Yes find a gastroenterologist who has experience with hep c, there are some great drugs coming down the pike and people who want to help.  Keep looking for the right information and the right people to lead you there.

[HectorSF]

"now doctor says that there is no treatment for my disease". At least half the people who try treatment who are genotype 1 are non responders.

GOOD NEWS!!!
Luckily your doctor is absolutely wrong!!!
Many people on this forum have treated multiple times before clearing the virus.

Get a referral to see an experienced gastroenterologist who has successfully treated many hep c patients and is current with the latest developments with treating hep c patients. They will help you.
I feel sorry for the docs other patients as he is giving out false information.

Hectorsf

[Trinity4]

If you are a genotype 3, unfortunately the new drugs (protease inhibitors) expected to be released sometime soon are ineffective on genotype 3.  On the other hand, the polymerase inhibitors currently being used in trials have shown to be effective with all genotypes so don't give up hope.  They are working on drugs that will cure you.

Trinity

[nygirl7]

Read about the new drugs that should be out by the summertime hopefully.  Hoping they will give you a much better chance.

Telapravir & Bocepravir are their names.