Andiamo on TV on HCV

[nygirl7]

GREAT interview with Andiamo on television this morning.  They talked about how many times he treated unsuccessfully and he talked about how poor his outcome looked until he did the tela trial and was UND. They had lots of pictures of him before and after and he looks so happy sailing and with his wife and they talked about how his liver damage has reversed.

It made me proud it was really well done.  Dr. D and Andiamo both came off so credible. Dr. D talked about how many times the amount (four?) new deaths there will be in the next ten years.

And the lady doctor at the end listed the ways you can get HCV and how many people have no idea they even have it and for once she did NOT add sex to the list NOR make everyone with HCV seem like a drug addict.  They said everyone born between 1947 and 1966 should be tested, automatically.



It was very professional and one of the best I've ever read or seen.

Congrats to you my friend it was GREAT and I have it on DVR and will watch it again tonight :)

Deb

[elpasolady]

I think you are right.  I have been having computer issues lately.  I noticed this myself when I tried to play a more current video on that page and the same thing happened.
Thanks...I will check it out on another computer.  In the meantime.  Geek Squad...here I come!

[Andiamo1]

There should be a large square black box in the center of the page with the standard "play" Icon in it.   If you don't see it then make sure you have updated your browser with the latest Java console and flash player.  It must be a problem with your browser or perhaps your antivirus software

[elpasolady]

The link takes me to the page, but I don't see where I can play the video. There is nothing to click on.

[Andiamo1]

This link still works:  http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7374819n

[elpasolady]

It seems that I can no longer access this video from the link, unless I am just STUPID..  Does anyone know how I can still view this?  I really would like to see itThanks!
Debbie

[libzo1]

I have to ring the bell too.  Andiamo, you are my inspiration and your wife is beautiful.  I salute you.  Bravo  Libzo

[Gerbils]

Hi,
You don't know me but I saw the interview and wanted to thank you. It was a classy, informative piece. I have hep c from receiving blood back in '75 and had slightly elevated alt/ast for years but we didn't think anything of it. I found out last year; currently in tx with incivek and soc. I work full time and have a lot to lose so no one at work knows, but no one should have to feel bad about getting treated for this regardless of how they got it or think they got because the simple fact is we don't know really. I have also had numerous serious surgeries over the years, tetanus shots, pierced ears (just one each but still) and my wonderful dentist from right before the time when HIV became known was gay. I don't know if he had anything but he must have lost his practice because he disappearred after the AIDS thing came out. And I really think Frijole shouldn't have to sweat or regret anything- nobody knew. There may be something we have yet to discover in the current blood supply. Anyway- thank you so much for representing us and doing a great job!
G

[Isobella]

I've always wondered about RhoGam. Thanks for sharing Dr D's thoughts, Eric.

[merryBe]

coolio Eric...how great is that!!!!!!!!!!

sail away dude....I start the PI naxt month!

HEy I'm glad the woman said before 92....but then they said 40's to 60's..that's wrong

anyone who got blood products or plasma prior to 92 needs testing.

Also what happened to me is common...
it was 1985
.I woke up from shoulder surgery with what looked like a bag of saline in an IV...but I asked and they said it was plasma...

I pitched a fit because I told them 3 times before surgery NO BLOOD PRODUCTS...

the docs marched in and laughed at me..."oh plasma, that's not the same as whole blood that won't hurt you"....that what they said....and they all laughed at me...
guess they aren't laughing now..I know I'm not.

all blood products can carry HCV and HIV...all of them. If you had surgery or transfusion before 92 you should be tested period.
Most folks don't ask what is in an IV bag....and often plasma was given even when not needed, (no serious blood loss) simply because they had it, and if not used it will just get throw out...but when used they made $$$$$$$$

I know this because I worked in the same hospital which did this surgery on me.

So if you talk to CBS again, I would emphasize that FAR more people need testing than what our CDC is recommending.

mb

[EyesofBlue55]

Great Segment!!!I also think my source of infection was a contaminated gamma-globulin shot back in the 80's.Gosh if we had only known then ;(..... cindy

[Andiamo1]

Just the usual: tattoos, nail salon, needle stick...  Two things stuck out in my mind, he said that Gamma Globulin and RhoGam, were more likely than blood to be infected, since the plasma from many people were included in one shot.  He didn't mention any other blood products, but said these two were examples.  I am unaware of any others, but there might be some.

[lapis]

So I've read on this forum about RhoGam being implicated as one of the possible ways in which women were infected.  Did Dr. D speak to any other potential sources of infection in folks who otherwise had no risk factors, from within the hospital environment?  My blood type is positive so I never got RhoGam.  But I've always wondered about the early Hep B vaccines which were required for healthcare workers, wondered if they might have been contaminated with HCV.

[fretboard]

That's great one of the forums best success cases.  WTG!!  I'll watch it when I get home from work.  Good for you and good for us, all of us heppers!!  :>)  

[Andiamo1]

Rhogam.  I had the letters right, but not in the right order - LOL.  Rhogam was a major source of infection according to Dr D.  I had a conversation with him before the interview.

[meakea]

Thanks Andiamo for your thoughts on that.  Gama globulin and blood transfusions were definitely culprits back then.  In fact, I needed the blood transfusion that I believe game me HCV because RhoGam was not available to my mother when I was born.  The RH factor difference between my parents caused me to become severely ill at 2 days of age...thus, the blood transfusion.  

[Anne1717]

Hi Eric - Very nice segment and thank you for doing it.

Since you mentioned gamma glob, I suspect I was infected with Acute HCV from a tetanus shot last May.  I thought perhaps it was contamination from the actual needle but then had read about the pooled blood thing.  Do you know if gamma glob it is still a risk?  I thought they had solved that issue.

Thanks!!

[Andiamo1]

I am not sure, but I think many people were infected by blood transfusions and blood products like gamma globulin.  In fact, gamma globulin is more likely to spread HCV than a transfusion since it is a combination of plasma from many people, not just a few from a transfusion: one unit comes from one person.

Gama globulin was used widely during the 60s.  Perhaps a product the pregnant women took as well -- something line Roghan, but not sure.

[meakea]

I just saw this post and watched the segment.  AWESOME!  Eric...thank you for being part of the segment and it's always great to put a face with a screen name!  

I'm not sure I completely understand why they suggest that people born between 1947 and 1966 should be tested, automatically.   Why not everyone?  Of course, the blood supply became safer after 1992 but I'm not sure what I'm missing about those exclusive years (which include me).

[Andiamo1]

I want to thank everyone for the kind words.  I was worried about telling so many people that I had hepatitis C, but the message is educational and felt it was worth it.

Susan: would you believe that a neighbor of mine in 1961, saw the interview on television and recognized me from the picture of me on the motorcycle; she had the tv on with no sound.  She called me up and we chatted about people we used to know.

[Susan_1a_CC]

Just caught up to this thread and have to add my appreciation for your service.  Nicely done and so very glad that you achieved SVR.  Love the early shot of you on your bike...

[babs824]

thank you for helping so many of us. so glad u are on the road to repair. gratefully, babs824

[comeagain]

Hi Eric and everybody else that i know from before !
Nice work E participating, very good and informative brief and clear vidio imo.
I also noticed it was both pictures of tela and boce.

Iso your daughter is treating!! I will keep her in my prayers.

ca.

[Andiamo1]

I did participate in the ambassador training and the Vertex launch meeting.  Snow company manages the ambassador program; they had nothing to do with this interview.  This was just CBS interested in doing it. Dr D and I volunteered for it.

[lapis]

Nice work, Eric!  Good to see you, such an important message.

Lapis