start treatment?

okay i'm new here but have read alot of what you are saying soooo....tell me, i have had hep c for 30 years genotype 2b,
viral load 4.3mil with my alt higher above 100 and my ast just slightly above the average and this has fluctuated through the years...biopsy of years ago showed some slight liver damage,
i have always been waiting for that triumphant new drug but years are accumulating so should i consider the big guns?
thanks guys for any ideas.

[FlGuy]

I leave the 'big guns' topic to Goofydad, an expert.  But, I think you posted that you were trying Alina. Do you have an Alinia end date in mind? And have you seen any results from it yet?

[anneinMD]

My GI told me if my genotype came back a 2 we would automatically treat, no biopsy, just go forward with tx.  Odds are much better for clearing it than a type 1 (which unfortunately I am).  I need a biopsy now.  If it was my choice to make, I would do it.  The time is much shorter (24 weeks as opposed to 48 weeks or even longer for type 1s), as well as having a much better chance of getting rid of the danged thing.  Good luck with your decision.

[NYgirl]

There is no guarantee that any of the NEW drugs will pan out yet.  The current treatment is Interferon and ribavirin. Being a 2 you have very good chances of beating this thing.

Of course you need to make the decision based on personal factors as well as just your genotype (ie: insurance, support, employment etc).

I am pro-treatment personally, I hate this disease and want it OUT.

[chavella]

hi thanks guys,
yes i started alinia and am on my second month, but my doctor did say they have found it works better for genotype 1 & 4 and so i am doubling up...now i wonder heck lets do what i have avoided for years in hope of new drugs.
i see him again in a couple weeks and we may add interferon with alinia.

[jmjm530]

Although I haven't heard any success stories yet, I know a numberr of folks are trying Alinia, and some with their doctor's blessing.


However, adding interferon to the mix to me is a bit troubling unless there are some studies out there to support this.

Interferon is a very potent drug with potential side effects, some of which may be permanent. Unless there's some evidence that taking inteferon with Alinia will give you a decent chance of SVR, not sure why you would want to take the chance.

If you really want to treat now, as opposed to waiting for newer drugs, you are better off with the proven combination of peg interferon and ribavirin which are delivering on the average of 80% cure rates for geno 2's. At least speak to another doctor about this before adding interferon to something unproven.

[chavella]

i think i will get a second opinion, and yes romark i believe is encouraging adding interferon with alinia for better results, but i am concerned about being the guineepig.
i must say interferon freaks me out, what is the known damages of the drug overall?