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pregnancy

I was diagnosed 2 years ago. I would like to begin treatment soon. I have an appointment later this month to see a doctor about that. I have a 3 year old boy. My hisband and I would love to have another child in the near furture. I would really like to undergo treatment first, then plan another pregnancy. But I have heard rumors that the treatment can cause fertility problems. Does anyone have any insight on this? I really want another child but I would like to undergo treatment first. Anyone with knowledge on this subject???
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Avatar universal
Hi amberbank,
I am in almost exactly the same boat as you.  I have a 2 year old, and decided that I needed to treat before we have anymore children.  After researching, I came to the conclusion that their have been no known long term effects on fertility because of the treatment.  That being said, you absolutely CANNOT get pregnant within 6 months of stopping treatment.  You have to wait a minimum of 6 months for the ribavirin to get completely out of your system.  In addition, many women experience changes to their cycle while on tx.  I basically don't have one at the moment.  But, all signs point to normal resumption of cycles post treatment.  My take on it was that I felt as though the mandatory 6 month wait would give my body time to get back to "normal" (whatever that may mean post tx) and then we can get down to the baby making business. :) Hope that helps a little bit!  Good luck making the right decision for your family about tx.  It is managable.  Especially if you stick around here for support :)
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96938 tn?1189799858
At least tx doesn't keep you from practicing.  Hey, you're down to the wire.
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Avatar universal
Tx sure does keep me from practicing.  My poor hubby!  Oh well, I'm sure I will make it up to him over the next few months.  Wouldn't want him to think I ONLY need him around to make babies.  :)

How are you doing my friend?  I see you around here a lot, but you don't always clue us in on how you are doing.  So how are you doing? :) I hope you have a fantastic day today!
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96938 tn?1189799858
Between tx's right now but still active on the next steps.  Have been talking with a nearby Univ about the prospects of being in a study. Have antoher call with them today. Otherwise, enjoying a ifn/riba - free few months and feeling well.  You have no idea how much better you, hubby and child are going to be feeling in just a few short weeks,
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Avatar universal
Sounds like things are on the right track!  Keep us posted about the study.  Do you know any details of it?  Do you know which meds it is for?  You are in my thoughts and prayers that's for sure!  Thanks for always having encouraging and humorous words, it is such a mood lifter!  
I am glad you are enjoying your tx free time.  Hope your body is recovering well so you can move on to next stop SVR!
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96938 tn?1189799858
The place does both ifn/riba and PI studies.  The question is if I (relapsed 3a) fit in with the criteria that's required for any given given study - and when it starts. I'm not going to wait around too much longer.
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Avatar universal
Sounds like you and i are experiencing the same sides ill be doing shot 22/48 and you are on your 20th, your last one yippie,you were clear at 4 weeks ,so the doc said 20 is fine,did he say you could stop earlier then that, or he left it to your choice as when to stop.

  Amberrank- welcome and what are your stats ? I can understand wanting more chidren as i have 5 myself, in my opinnion like amommy i would treat first wait the 6 months and go for it.
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Avatar universal
As far as I know there would be no complications...the problem would be if you were pregnant and even TOUCHED the medication --- it is that easy for it to cause birth defects.

I haven't heard of anyone having problems later on.  It's not really related to the hep or treatment at all as far as I can tell.
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Avatar universal
Hey there!  You are getting close to the half way mark!  How are you holding up?  I don't mind not getting a period at this point, it has been kind of nice.  I know I'm not pregnant, so I'm not worried! Just anxious to get back to "normal" once I'm done! What's new in your neck of the woods?

The way I arrived at doing 20 weeks of tx is convoluted.  I am a geno 2, clear at week 4.  Doc and I talked about short course tx before I started.  Once I was clear at week 4, I did some more digging.  
As it turns out, the doctor is a jackass.  Before starting tx, I asked to be on weight based dosing of both riba and peg.  He insisted that it was not necessary with the riba for geno 2.  Well, all of the short course studies have used weight based dosing, so all of a sudden, we are comparing apples and oranges, me to the studies.
I upped my riba, which made a huge difference in feeling like crud, and eventually came to the conclusion on my own, that I would try to stick it out for 20 weeks.  My doc (did i mention he is a jackass) feels as though being clear at week 4 trumps all other issues, and that the weight based dosing in my case didn't matter, but I didn't feel comfortable with that so I kept on trucking.  
Somewhat arbitrary, but in my heart I truly believe that I am "rewarding" my rapid viral response and that the 4 weeks is not going to make a difference.  If this virus is going to come back after 20 weeks, it would have come back after 24.  I cannot support that with evidence, it is just a gut feeling for me.  So, ultimately it was up to me when to stop.  Doc thought it would be fine if I stopped at 12-14 weeks.

Thanks for asking!  This week is going by so slow because I really just want it to be OVER!!!  
My last night of work for the summer is tonight, so I'm hoping life is just about to get real good around here! :)
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Avatar universal
Good for you im glad you did the twenty just to get this over with for good so you can go on with your life...yeah im almost half way still in no need of rescue drugs abs.nuets have ran low,some days just feel like a train hit me still working still runnin all them kids around just drained .

congrats on your last shot , and your right things are gonna start lookin up you sweet lucky duck!!!!!!
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