Aa
treatment for hep c
diagnosed 6yrs ago. Havent started treatment. my levels continue to rise. when is a good time to think about treatment
What does your doctor say ? What did your biopsy show ? How do you feel ? How old are you ? Are you married/in a relationship ? Do you intend on having children ? What is your gender ? What is your work/home situation ?
See ?
See ?
For me, I had to wait for some major life events to be taken care of (move, marriage etc.) and then I got my support in place (talked with friends, work, hubby) to make sure everyone was going to "have my back" while I went through it.
Then, the thing that also helped me decide to go forward was that I was nearing the 2 year mark on the biopsy, and gastro told me that if I waited and started later, I would need to have another one. Since I was close to deciding anyway, that helped set the timetable.
I could have waited another year or two to see if new tx on the horizon would be realized, but ultimately I decided that I couldn't stand thinking and worrying about it anymore! I was kind of borderline with progression of damage, so I read and considered all the anti-tx positions out there (in favor of controlling through supplements, diet, etc.). In the end, I really wanted my shot at totally clearing the nasties instead of just controlling it.
My main advice to you is if you and your docs decide that tx is right for you, try to establish as much support as you can up front. Whether that is friends/family, a support group, or multiple sources, the more the merrier.
Also, if you haven't located the right docs, keep looking until you find one that REALLY knows how to treat this thing. I walked away from a couple of practices (before starting tx) because while they claimed to treat lots of HCV patients, I felt that they were very cold and impersonal, and they weren't treating me as an individual. One went so far as to say that once I started tx, he probably wouldn't see me unless there was a problem. The practice that I went with has lots of caring people and I see both the NP and my doc on a regular basis.
Good luck!
Robin
Then, the thing that also helped me decide to go forward was that I was nearing the 2 year mark on the biopsy, and gastro told me that if I waited and started later, I would need to have another one. Since I was close to deciding anyway, that helped set the timetable.
I could have waited another year or two to see if new tx on the horizon would be realized, but ultimately I decided that I couldn't stand thinking and worrying about it anymore! I was kind of borderline with progression of damage, so I read and considered all the anti-tx positions out there (in favor of controlling through supplements, diet, etc.). In the end, I really wanted my shot at totally clearing the nasties instead of just controlling it.
My main advice to you is if you and your docs decide that tx is right for you, try to establish as much support as you can up front. Whether that is friends/family, a support group, or multiple sources, the more the merrier.
Also, if you haven't located the right docs, keep looking until you find one that REALLY knows how to treat this thing. I walked away from a couple of practices (before starting tx) because while they claimed to treat lots of HCV patients, I felt that they were very cold and impersonal, and they weren't treating me as an individual. One went so far as to say that once I started tx, he probably wouldn't see me unless there was a problem. The practice that I went with has lots of caring people and I see both the NP and my doc on a regular basis.
Good luck!
Robin
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