hepc 2b ???

[cindyfs48]

i have hep c.if i remember the doc says geno type 2 b or 2a.anyway he says 24 week treatment,was wondering if that sounds right.i hear alot of ppl here go 48.which im happy with 24.i go back may the first and will know more.i know its going to be a rough road.i already have the fatique and some weekends i stay in bed.my gosh it cant get any worst can it?but i will tough it out.

[H20Lover]

Yea, that seems puzzling, because to me you have to have been treated before for it to be pre-exisiting, not newly discovered.  

Can't help you much in this area.  Perhaps others will be able to give input.  I have United Health care and I discovered mine the same way...routine blood test but theyd gave me no grief whatsoever over the treatment.  I pay $90 a month for the drugs.

For SB.....yes my doc felt the same way because we do have the greater percentage of sustained response.  It all may depend of level of damage (if any) as to whether you can wait.  I personally did not want to wait and went for it.  So far so good!

Good luck to us all!

Pam

[sb38]

I'm also a recently diagnosed 2b.  My doc says it will be 24 weeks, and he was very confident that we will wipe this thing out!  He told me that since I was a 2b, it would be silly NOT to do treatment, as the success rate is so high.

Either way, good luck with everything.

[cindyfs48]

thank you.i will keep you posted.what i dont   understand is that i found out about this like 2 weeks after getting the insurance.through a normal blood draw.then they did more test.so not sure how they can say preixisting

[H20Lover]

Yes, of course you need to check out the insurance, but keep in mind there are other ways to get treatment if necessary.  Others here can help you with that.  Don't stress over it yet.  Just get the facts so you know what you are up against and keep that determination alive!  As they say, knowledge is power!

Good luck and keep us updated!

Pam

[cindyfs48]

thank for your thoughts.i go may ist and find out more.got letter from insurance company they are questioning everything and asking for my med records,im guessing they are going to dsay its preixisting.but i have never had a liver emzine show high in the past just recently.so we shall see.i sure hope not for my bills are high and if they dont cover it im in truoble.anyone here ever had this happen with insurance.i just got this right before i found out.

[H20Lover]

Hey there and welcome.  I too am a geno 2, with only 2 shots left of 24.  It has not been so bad for me and I have been UND since week 4.  I am encouraged by that.

I have not had a difficult time, but I only had the hep c for abut 2 years and my liver is fine.  Luckily I caught it early.  Elevated enzymes at my annual physical.  

I want you to know that not everyone has a rough time of it.  I have not missed any work and never needed any helper drugs (for low blood counts).  Mine have been in the alert range, but doc kept dose the same.  He was not wimpy at all and I was very lucky.  THE DOCTOR YOU PICK IS CRUCIAL.  SHOP AROUND IF YOU CAN.

You are lucky to be a geno 2 (even though still not 100% cure rate) but if you are already suffering from fatigue, you definatley want to have your liver checked out and see if you have damage.  You will need a viral load, liver panel and your doc will probably recommend a liver biopsy and/or Ultrasound.  Then a decision to treat will need to be considered.  I personally wanted to try to rid myself of this hijacker as soon as I could.  Others say to wait, but being a 2, if the doc thinks you are a good candidate to treat....consider treating.  Perhaps you can get on with your life!

Just my opinion of course, but again, use a good doc if you can, it is so important.  Your doc may even refer you to a hepatologist which is a great idea.

If you decide to treat, also ask for weight based Ribavirin, it is more effective than what use to be the standard dose.  Also make sure you have a viral load done after your 4th shot (right before 5th shot) to see where you stand.  That can be a positive or negative marker, but will give you treatment direction.

Good luck and welcome to the forum (sure you would rather be somewhere else!)

Pam

  

[meki]

Yes - 2a and b --- and 3a are 24 week SOC TX.

Keep an eye on your UND level - if it goes UND in the first couple of weeks - you'll have a much better chance of achieving SVR ------ at least, that is what I am seeing in results from people here.

For me - I wasn't UND right away (3a) but did the whole 24 and it was tough... Man I tell you. I can't even imagine folks who do 72 weeks.

Anyhow - it is nice to meet you. And yeah - it can get worse - but remember your life is in your hands and for a year of sides - you can have less damage and a chance to live longer.

BUT ---- there is also the chance that you won't have ANY side effects - and you might be alright.

I'm sending hopes that Treatment is a cakewalk for you - but we're all here if you have questions and just need to have people who understand what you are going through.

My biggest suggestion to you is to keep a daily diary of what you are going through.

Each person responds differently - and it's a very good tool to use to check for your mental state and to watch how your body is reacting.

Hugs,

Meki