Aa
Afraid of treatment
I know this sounds funny, but I'm afraid of the treatment. You see I'm just about to start treatment through a study (vertex).
It's not that I am not grateful, just right now I'm seemingly really healthy. From what I've read and seen, this stuff (Interferon) is bad a##. This study you get the regular treatment and their new drug (VX-950), well 1/2 the people get it.
I guess my question is do some people not react so bad from treatment? I need a few good stories, I'm a very postive person and I know I'll make it though, and I do believe I will be cured, I would just like not to be so afraid.
Thanks, Smitty27
It's not that I am not grateful, just right now I'm seemingly really healthy. From what I've read and seen, this stuff (Interferon) is bad a##. This study you get the regular treatment and their new drug (VX-950), well 1/2 the people get it.
I guess my question is do some people not react so bad from treatment? I need a few good stories, I'm a very postive person and I know I'll make it though, and I do believe I will be cured, I would just like not to be so afraid.
Thanks, Smitty27
First off, welcome to the forum. I think you'll find alot of support and information here which may help belie some of your of your fears. Some fear and scepticism always seems to be good and healthy.
One thing to consider is that this tx affects everyone differently. Unfortunately, you do not know how it will impact you or what sx's you'll experience until you are into it.
If it helps, except for the anemia and leukopenia sx's of the meds, (mostly the anemia from the ribavirin) I have not experienced most of the sx's associated with the tx. Sure there have been bouts of depression and rage, all overcome so far, knock on wood, without supplemental meds (i.e. AD's, etc.). But as I told my docs, with me fighting the HCV dragon, a wife, son, and daughter battling depression and anxiety issues, I would have to be abnormal to not experience some bouts with depression.
One word of caution I would express, knowing someone currently 12 wks into VX950 trial 2 and needing to drop out, if your CBC's start to tank (i.e. anemia from low Hgb, leukopenia from low ANC, platelets, etc.), you may want to see whether supplemental meds (i.e. Procrit, Neupogen) are allowed, if meds are reduced, or whether you need to drop out of the program (in which case you may want a backup plan to continue tx).
One thing to consider is that this tx affects everyone differently. Unfortunately, you do not know how it will impact you or what sx's you'll experience until you are into it.
If it helps, except for the anemia and leukopenia sx's of the meds, (mostly the anemia from the ribavirin) I have not experienced most of the sx's associated with the tx. Sure there have been bouts of depression and rage, all overcome so far, knock on wood, without supplemental meds (i.e. AD's, etc.). But as I told my docs, with me fighting the HCV dragon, a wife, son, and daughter battling depression and anxiety issues, I would have to be abnormal to not experience some bouts with depression.
One word of caution I would express, knowing someone currently 12 wks into VX950 trial 2 and needing to drop out, if your CBC's start to tank (i.e. anemia from low Hgb, leukopenia from low ANC, platelets, etc.), you may want to see whether supplemental meds (i.e. Procrit, Neupogen) are allowed, if meds are reduced, or whether you need to drop out of the program (in which case you may want a backup plan to continue tx).
I LOVE my antidepressants. Wish I went on them a long time ago!
Smitty - we laugh in the face of thiis stinking disease! HA!
That's what you tell it! :) Treatment is doable...I am sure you will be fine.
Remember we have ALL been just as scared as you. And most of us are big whiny baby girlie pants - yet here we are. Killing the disease...that is WAY more important than a little fever once in a while (boy how easy I can make it sound LOL).
Have faith. You'll be fine if you keep your spirits UP.
Smitty - we laugh in the face of thiis stinking disease! HA!
That's what you tell it! :) Treatment is doable...I am sure you will be fine.
Remember we have ALL been just as scared as you. And most of us are big whiny baby girlie pants - yet here we are. Killing the disease...that is WAY more important than a little fever once in a while (boy how easy I can make it sound LOL).
Have faith. You'll be fine if you keep your spirits UP.
says; what are the chances ot TWO smittys on the same day in the forum?
Do you think he answered himself? That is very stange that the forum would allow two of the same screennames.
Do you think he answered himself? That is very stange that the forum would allow two of the same screennames.
I treated for 24 weeks (type 2) and didn't think it was terrible at all. Frankly, my anxiety pre-treatment was far worse than the actual experience itself. I think that being young & having no obvious liver damage probably helped, as did being fairly lucky (no anemia, thyroid issues, etc). My doctor, prior to treatment, told me that he could tell I'd have a relatively easy time & I did:) It's hard to read the things that can happen & not assume that they'll happen to you, but I can tell you from experience that sometimes it's just not that awful!
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