About to start triple therapy with victrelis. any advice?

[libnic84]

I'm 28 was diagnosed at 18.  Tried SOC for I think 9 months and my mothers insurance dropped me because I turned 19.  My doctors cant find any viral load labs after i started ..  So any who..    My viral load is 1.5 mil and log pcr is 6.18.  I'm starting as soon as I get my meds and can get into an education class.  I'm excited and scared at the same time.  When I did the tx before I was only 18.  The only things i really remember are being tired my hair thinned and i was super depressed.  Maybe a few times I was nauseous and vomitted.  I was in high school yet then and also worked at a store.    Now I have a 5 year old live on my own and work 36 hours a week but I do twelve hour shifts.  I worry about how it will effect my ability to function at work but I'm just going to try to stay motivated and push through.  I need my health insurance! haha.  But I'm also thinking about going into hiding for however long it takes.  I dont want to tell anyone else about it and I think they'll know i'm sick if they see me on tx.  The people i want to know pretty much all know and are supportive.   I'm ready to get this show on the damn road!    Any advice?    And also does anyone know if my levels are high?  I tried looking it up but the terms doctors use are a little harder for me to understand.   THANKS and i'm super greatful for finding this site I feel like it really motivated me to get tx stop being in denial and accept myself with this virus.  



Oh yea last biopsy I had was about 4 years ago and it showed mild damage and mild inflammation.  I got a bunch of labs drawn bmp cbc lfp ptinr all those things and everything was normal.  My doctor seems to feel its best to not wait for newer tx and start now.

[rivll]

Willy made good points. With rambkeon, because of his experience and the experiences  some others , I agree that interferion can, repeat, can be dangerous. However, overall I agree that if she is ready to go, then she should do it. It is a matter of choice.  I am happy that the  amazing  depth and breadth of knowledge that you pooh and will have keeps us in check. I mean that. :). I do like the dialogue, it helps us consider differrnt views or options.

[Jimeeboy]

What Will said.   Good luck

[can-do-man]

Rivll  rambleon on made good points??? He has no clue what he talking about...... Read poohs response to him...

[can-do-man]

"I would check and see if the drug regimen you are contemplating is even approved by the FDA."

You mean you so far out of the loop you don't even know that? Yet advise people?... I find it odd you just happen to show up here.

[willbb]

About to start triple therapy with victrelis. any advice?
--------------------------------------------

Yes...it is an excellent time to treat with the advent of the Protease inhibitors being added to the modality

success rates are now approx..70  -80%

Good luck and congrats on getting started...

Will

[rambleon40]

I don't want to get into a back and forth, but at least as to this one:

"take comfort in the fact that the vast majority of people with Hep C will die with it, not of it."

I must respond.

"What are the chances of someone developing chronic HCV infection, chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, or liver cancer or dying as a result of Hepatitis C?
Of every 100 persons infected with HCV, approximately
75–85 will go on to develop chronic infection
60–70 will go on to develop chronic liver disease
5–20 will go on to develop cirrhosis over a period of 20–30 years
1–5 will die from the consequences of chronic infection (liver cancer or cirrhosis)"


http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HCV/HCVfaq.htm

Those with chronic infection and chronic disease are overwhelmingly asymptomatic.  Even cirrhotics are asymptomatic - I know because I am one, following IFN-ribavirin treatment.  


While a Hep C diagnosis is serious and one should pay attention and consider treatment, there is a tremendous amount of unmerited fear generated around this disease.  It is the American way of doing business.  Somebody has a product, so somebody has to make a need.