just started tx

Hi Guys!
I have HepC type 1b. Female. Viral load was 735000 5 years ago. Still don't have the results from Monday. 110lbs. Very low iron levels. Ferritin is 15 UG/L and low hemoglobin 119 g/L.
I've just started tx and got my first shot on Monday, Dec 1st. What troubles me is that I got only chills in the evening and no symptoms whatsoever in the next few days up to now, except tiredness. Is that OK?
Another thing is that I have PBC and I am taking Ursodiol along with the tx.
I've tried to find some information about PBC and HepC treatment, but couldn't. Only saw in one source they've mentioned that people with autoimmune disorders shouldn't get the Pegasys and Copegus tx.
Do you know anything about my concerns?
Thanks

[Fl_Gator]

best wishes to you...here is a website that has a lot of great info.

www.janis7hepc.com

[nygirl7]

hey good luck with your treatment!

I have to tell you I had no real side effects from the shots (the "flu" things....fever, chills etc) until about week 30 or so.  Still I did 72 weeks and had two type (geno 1a and 1b) and I have been SVR for two years now.  So don't feel bad for not feeling bad - that most likely will change.

As the course of treatment goes by different sides come and go.  You'll have good patches and bad patches most likely.  So be glad when you do a shot and feel well!

I did develop autoimmune problems later in treatment from the interferon.  My thyroid pooped out and I had skin issues to deal with.  Make sure your doc is testing you on a regular basis to keep track of your TSH level.

I don't know that you 'cant' do treatment if you have pre-existing problems but you should well be monitored throughout at least. I'm sure your doc must have a handle on this?

[all_is_well]

Thanks,
I'll check it out.
Best blessings!

[all_is_well]

I knew I could get emotional support here - and there you go!
Thank you very much for your response. I'll be here from now on.
Happy to here there is hope out there and I am glad for you that you got rid of the bug.
Hope your thyroid problem is under control now.
And I really hope my doctor is aware of the combination, just wanted to make sure.
Best blessings to you.

[pjhep80]

im curious, you have been clear for 2 years right?  and i know you were stage 3  ... so, what stage are you now?  has liver damage reversed itself?

just wondering...

[nygirl7]

PJ
Honestly I don't know what stage I am (but I'm hoping it reversed to like a '1' after 72 weeks of treatment of course!)  

I always said when I first started that when I was done I would go get another biopsy but then when I had actually finished and I thought about the whole procedure.........I sort of chickened out.  We all know it's not really that bad but.......if you had any idea what a great big cry baby I am you'd be shocked that I made it through all 72 weeks - let alone let them jab me with that needle again!

ALL IS WELL
Treatment really ***** plain and simply but you will find for the most part that it is doable. The best part about it is once you've found this forum you are not alone in your fight.  You will find that the people in here will do anything that they can to help you and will understand EXACTLY what you are going through. Friends and family try but...even though it is chemo that we take they just don't seem to 'get it'.  When you are having a hard day and nobody wants to let you cry and whine and moan and complain - if you come in here you'll find a ton of other people who know EXACTLY how you feel.

Plus they know a lot of tricks on how to handle any sides that might come up and how to read your test results and things - all things VERY important. Get a copy of every single test that you have taken and put them in a folder. Later on it will become apparent just how important that really is.  Learn as much as you can - there are a LOT of supposed specialists out there who don't know NEARLY as much as the people in here. You would be surprised at how some doctors just know the information from a few years ago which has greatly changed now. There are studies being done all of the time that are improving our chances for success vastly.

Without them, people like me - well I know i would not have succeeded without a doubt.

Good luck.

[pjhep80]

why not get the fibrosure blood test then instead ???

im wondering if anyone on here that has SVR'd knows if their liver has healed itself and how much....