Aa
Does a Interferon & Ribiviron leave side effects after treatment is over and it's past a yr since last treatment?
I was diagnosed with HEPC and extremely high liver counts (Stage 1 liver cancer). I was in a 48 week program with shots & pills of Interferon & Ribiviron (spelling?). My last dosage was April 14th, 2008. I have been experiencing pain from my hip down to my toes and sevre stomach issues. Can't keep anything in my stomach, including jello. Do you think my (liquid) chemo treatments caused any delayed side effects? I was very lucky that my GP caught this in time. I am 98% cured of HEPC. I am extremely grateful, BUT I would like to know if I have delayed or left over side effects from this treatment. At least if that's a possiblility, then my gastrologists would know what to look fo or a place to begin research. I was real sick, lost all my hair, vomiting, couldn't breathe, lost all my energy, etc, just like regular chemo patients. I would go through it again, if needed. It was worth it, just wondering if ay delayed side effects. Thank you.
This discussion is related to Hep C w/cirrhosis .
This discussion is related to Hep C w/cirrhosis .
I am now under the care of my GP and he will run tests (I suppose) on a regular basis. I may already be at 100%.
------------------
As Trinity suggests, you cannot be 98% cured. You either are cured or you aren't.
Whether you are cured or not is a lot more important than you appear to think. What you need is a copy of your latest viral load test, sometimes called a PCR test. Feel free to post the results here.
If indeed you are cured, then that's one thing. But if not, you should probably be under the care of a hepatologist (liver specialist) and not a GP or even a gastroenterologist. There have been advances in the field since you last treated and a hepatologist would be the most on top of those advances. Hepatologists can be found at your larger teaching hospitals.
-- Jim
------------------
As Trinity suggests, you cannot be 98% cured. You either are cured or you aren't.
Whether you are cured or not is a lot more important than you appear to think. What you need is a copy of your latest viral load test, sometimes called a PCR test. Feel free to post the results here.
If indeed you are cured, then that's one thing. But if not, you should probably be under the care of a hepatologist (liver specialist) and not a GP or even a gastroenterologist. There have been advances in the field since you last treated and a hepatologist would be the most on top of those advances. Hepatologists can be found at your larger teaching hospitals.
-- Jim
Thanks for your comment and explaining more in detail. At the time of my last visit and blood work, I am only repeating what I was told.
I am now under the care of my GP and he will run tests (I suppose) on a regular basis. I may already be at 100%. It just hasn't be confirmed to me and I'm sure you are right. It sounds like you know a lot more than I do. I didn't keep up with or record the HCV RNA PCR levels and probably should have. In the beginning, I guess my GP didn't want to alarm me, he just wanted me back 3 months in a row to check the levels and each month they went higher. The 3rd month (before he got me enrolled in the program at MCV) he called me at home. I could hear the concern in his voice and he said the counts were way too high and nor normal. But now that I am in his care again, I'm sure when he feels it's time to run blood work again, he'll have better news. Then I can say I am 100% cured.
You have given me something to hope for. I still don't drink any alcohol and I've never done any drugs, except OTC's. My resistence is extreme and I get loopy within 20 minutes of ANY OTC's. My daughter inherited that from me. Thank goodness I had all my children BEFORE my blood transfusion. My kids were born 1970, 1972 & 1974. Blood transfusion was in 1977. I hate to think what I would have passed on to them. Thanks again. Paula
I am now under the care of my GP and he will run tests (I suppose) on a regular basis. I may already be at 100%. It just hasn't be confirmed to me and I'm sure you are right. It sounds like you know a lot more than I do. I didn't keep up with or record the HCV RNA PCR levels and probably should have. In the beginning, I guess my GP didn't want to alarm me, he just wanted me back 3 months in a row to check the levels and each month they went higher. The 3rd month (before he got me enrolled in the program at MCV) he called me at home. I could hear the concern in his voice and he said the counts were way too high and nor normal. But now that I am in his care again, I'm sure when he feels it's time to run blood work again, he'll have better news. Then I can say I am 100% cured.
You have given me something to hope for. I still don't drink any alcohol and I've never done any drugs, except OTC's. My resistence is extreme and I get loopy within 20 minutes of ANY OTC's. My daughter inherited that from me. Thank goodness I had all my children BEFORE my blood transfusion. My kids were born 1970, 1972 & 1974. Blood transfusion was in 1977. I hate to think what I would have passed on to them. Thanks again. Paula
I know you are going through a very hard time and I hope your medical issues are resolved soon.
Please note that hepc does not go into remission and you are never 98% cured. You either fail treatment and remain chronically infected with hepc or you are 100% cured.
HCV RNA PCR will determine your status and you may want to suggest this test to your attending physician. After 1 year if the PCR shows no detectable virus, you are indeed cured and not just 98%.
Trinity
Please note that hepc does not go into remission and you are never 98% cured. You either fail treatment and remain chronically infected with hepc or you are 100% cured.
HCV RNA PCR will determine your status and you may want to suggest this test to your attending physician. After 1 year if the PCR shows no detectable virus, you are indeed cured and not just 98%.
Trinity
Hi Denise and thank you for your concern. So glad to hear that you are doing better. Yes, I am scheduled for an Endoscopy & Colonoscopy both on April 30th, so I should know more later.
When I'm not sitting on the toilet vomiting or pooping, I sit at my computer & write poems & short stories for my grandkids. I also sew things like blankets, baby doll clothes, simple curtains, etc. I am not a seamstress, just a mender. But I try to find things to keep my mind busy, that's important to me. That's the way I handle issues I have no control over. Thanks again for yur concern. Paula
When I'm not sitting on the toilet vomiting or pooping, I sit at my computer & write poems & short stories for my grandkids. I also sew things like blankets, baby doll clothes, simple curtains, etc. I am not a seamstress, just a mender. But I try to find things to keep my mind busy, that's important to me. That's the way I handle issues I have no control over. Thanks again for yur concern. Paula
If you could read my length (not intended) answer to Bill1954, hopefully it will clear some issues. Thank you for the website. After I finish answering, I will check it out. That was very sweet of you. I do want to add that when I wwent thru the (liquid) chemo treatments, I felt like I was at least 90 yrs old. I got my energy back and worked 2 part time jobs until Dec 27th and felt like I was about 30-35. Since this mess I am dealing with, sometimes I feel around 70ish, but I'm only 57. In my mind, I feel like I can dance, skate, run a marathon, sith with my legs crossed and plant lots of flowers, etc. But physically, sometimes I can barely get out of bed for the pain from my hip down to my toes, legs cramps, feel of bugs crawling up & down my legs, PLUS the stomach issues I've encountered just this past month. But it will pass, I'm sure. I am usually a healthy person and I can't allow my mental health or attitude to bring me down. If this is something I have to live with, I will work it out eventually. I do appreciate your concern and providing me a website to research. Write to me any time.
On another note --how is your health? Are you doing ok? Inquiring minds want to know! LOL!
On another note --how is your health? Are you doing ok? Inquiring minds want to know! LOL!
Hi Bill,
To answer your question or try to make it as clear as possible (what was told to me & my sister) -- I had 1st stage liver cancer from the HEPC, nothing else. They ran all kinds of blood work and I answered al kinds of questionaries and went thru a couple of interviews before being accepted into this Interferon & Riba program. The way it was explained to us, "we call it liquid chemo because the side effects are the same as if you were hooked up to the machine."
Regarding the 98% -- the nurse on my last visit April 14th 2008, Nurse Denise told me I was 98% cured. I said the same thing almost, like you suggested about being pregnant), & laughed about the results. I didn't understand it either, just repeating what she told me & my sister. My sister accompanied me on almost every visit. She missed only 1 trip with me. It was great to have someone else drive during some of the times I felt so miserable. Other than than, I can't explain. I can only repeat wheat I was told. Nurse Denise knew I didn't drink hardly at all, BUT she also told me this is not a license to go out and party all the time & drink much more than I'm used to. It can always return. So I guess I am remission? Beats me, but I don't drink anyways. Sometimes I do want to have a glass of wine or two or three, BUT I refuse to go backwards. AND I wouldn't want to go through that again, unless it's absolutely necessary.
I was only wondering if anyone out there had (leftover) side effects. Don't know what's causing my other sysmptoms. I am going to a GI. He said my blood, urine & stool came out normal--no bacteria. He won't know until he completes my Endoscopy & Colonscopy April 30th. He has already received a copy of evrything I eat & said it looked like my food intake was VERY HEALTHY. So what's causing this? Don't know. I lose about 1 lb every two days because everything I eat goes through me. My GP is also sceduling an MRI after we get the stomach issues settled because he saw 2 spots on my back from an Xray. It may be more arthritis or something else. I can't worry about the something else right now. And I try not to worry. We all grow up and our bodies begin to change, some worse than others. But, I always look on the bright side because there is always someone in a worse condition than I. I am very lucky and my Lord and Guardian Angels have watched over me. Being a little sick doesn't stop me, it just slows me down a little. It's inconvenient, but I am very creative and use my head to make the changes I need to make in order to accomplish my chores, visits, grocery shopping, etc. Thank goodness I'm not working right now, they would probably fire me from missing work from going to different doctors almost every other day.
Thank you for your concern and comments. Sorry if it sounded confusing, but it's the truth. The only thing that concerns me sometimes is the amount of cancer in my family, especially on my biological mom's side---breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, ovarian cancer. And my father died of inoperable colon cancer & never smoked a day in his life. He ate veggies out of his parents garden & when he bought a big lot, ate veggies out of his own garden. Back in 1999, I had 2 lumps removed (one from from each breast), they were the size of golf balls per the dr. They were benign. See I have been lucky and blessed. Since both my parents left me (within 4 mos of each other) while I was on chemo, that was the hardest thing to deal with. He & I would call each other daily to ask which one had the worse symptoms & we'd joke about it. Maybe I talked him into the chemo. He asked me lots of questions about what I was experiencing. He even said I looked pretty without my long, thick wavy dark hair. We talked about he would take his finger and a lock of my hair and curl it around (like Shirley Temple curls) when I was growing up. Oh well, I have to quit now, tears are welling up again. Thanks again.
To answer your question or try to make it as clear as possible (what was told to me & my sister) -- I had 1st stage liver cancer from the HEPC, nothing else. They ran all kinds of blood work and I answered al kinds of questionaries and went thru a couple of interviews before being accepted into this Interferon & Riba program. The way it was explained to us, "we call it liquid chemo because the side effects are the same as if you were hooked up to the machine."
Regarding the 98% -- the nurse on my last visit April 14th 2008, Nurse Denise told me I was 98% cured. I said the same thing almost, like you suggested about being pregnant), & laughed about the results. I didn't understand it either, just repeating what she told me & my sister. My sister accompanied me on almost every visit. She missed only 1 trip with me. It was great to have someone else drive during some of the times I felt so miserable. Other than than, I can't explain. I can only repeat wheat I was told. Nurse Denise knew I didn't drink hardly at all, BUT she also told me this is not a license to go out and party all the time & drink much more than I'm used to. It can always return. So I guess I am remission? Beats me, but I don't drink anyways. Sometimes I do want to have a glass of wine or two or three, BUT I refuse to go backwards. AND I wouldn't want to go through that again, unless it's absolutely necessary.
I was only wondering if anyone out there had (leftover) side effects. Don't know what's causing my other sysmptoms. I am going to a GI. He said my blood, urine & stool came out normal--no bacteria. He won't know until he completes my Endoscopy & Colonscopy April 30th. He has already received a copy of evrything I eat & said it looked like my food intake was VERY HEALTHY. So what's causing this? Don't know. I lose about 1 lb every two days because everything I eat goes through me. My GP is also sceduling an MRI after we get the stomach issues settled because he saw 2 spots on my back from an Xray. It may be more arthritis or something else. I can't worry about the something else right now. And I try not to worry. We all grow up and our bodies begin to change, some worse than others. But, I always look on the bright side because there is always someone in a worse condition than I. I am very lucky and my Lord and Guardian Angels have watched over me. Being a little sick doesn't stop me, it just slows me down a little. It's inconvenient, but I am very creative and use my head to make the changes I need to make in order to accomplish my chores, visits, grocery shopping, etc. Thank goodness I'm not working right now, they would probably fire me from missing work from going to different doctors almost every other day.
Thank you for your concern and comments. Sorry if it sounded confusing, but it's the truth. The only thing that concerns me sometimes is the amount of cancer in my family, especially on my biological mom's side---breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, ovarian cancer. And my father died of inoperable colon cancer & never smoked a day in his life. He ate veggies out of his parents garden & when he bought a big lot, ate veggies out of his own garden. Back in 1999, I had 2 lumps removed (one from from each breast), they were the size of golf balls per the dr. They were benign. See I have been lucky and blessed. Since both my parents left me (within 4 mos of each other) while I was on chemo, that was the hardest thing to deal with. He & I would call each other daily to ask which one had the worse symptoms & we'd joke about it. Maybe I talked him into the chemo. He asked me lots of questions about what I was experiencing. He even said I looked pretty without my long, thick wavy dark hair. We talked about he would take his finger and a lock of my hair and curl it around (like Shirley Temple curls) when I was growing up. Oh well, I have to quit now, tears are welling up again. Thanks again.
I also had a problem with throwing up. My doc ordered an endoscope and it turned out to be gastritis which seems to have cleared up. I would think a gastro would order that for you. Good Luck
Denise
Denise
Respectfully disagree with Bill regarding the severity of post treatment symptons some of us experience. See Health Pages here:
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/Members-Comment-on-Side-Effects-of-the-Treatment-Drugs-During--After-Treatment-/show/530?cid=64
-----------------
That said, it can be unclear in many cases what causes what and your case in particular presents a number of questions including the one Bill asked regarding liver cancer. Also, what do you mean you are "98% cured" of HCV. It's like being pregnant, either you have it or you don't.
-- Jim
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/Members-Comment-on-Side-Effects-of-the-Treatment-Drugs-During--After-Treatment-/show/530?cid=64
-----------------
That said, it can be unclear in many cases what causes what and your case in particular presents a number of questions including the one Bill asked regarding liver cancer. Also, what do you mean you are "98% cured" of HCV. It's like being pregnant, either you have it or you don't.
-- Jim
I’m sorry to hear you feel so poorly, but I’m not sure I fully understand; you mention stage 1 liver cancer and liquid chemo. Could you mean stage 1 fibrosis and interferon/liquid chemo?
If that’s the case, I’d probably be looking for something other than interferon and ribavirin as a cause. We do have folks in here that complain of problems post treatment, but not with the severity you report. What does your GI doc have to say about these problems?
Bill
If that’s the case, I’d probably be looking for something other than interferon and ribavirin as a cause. We do have folks in here that complain of problems post treatment, but not with the severity you report. What does your GI doc have to say about these problems?
Bill
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community
Learn about this treatable virus.
Getting tested for this viral infection.
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
4 steps to getting on therapy.
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
How the drugs might affect you.
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
