Hep C treatment worries

[mnkdrt]

Hey all I am new here, This may be lengthy so hang in there please. Let see, 8 yrs ago I was diagnosed with HEP C and at the time my DR did not want to start interferon because he said it wasnt worth taking at the time. I was also only a year sober from an 8 year heroin addiction ( I am now going on 8 years off of drugs etc...). Now my DR wants to start the treatment, I just had all my yearly blood work and ultrasound and he wants me to get a liver biospy. For some reason they keep you awake for this which is insane in my book, and I am terrified of getting this done. I dont do good around DR'S and their tools (odd that I had no problem sticking myself for 8 yrs). So 1st question, is the byopsy terrible, my DR said it was easy but sore afterwards, so I asked him when he got his byopsy and he told me he never had one himself..How the **** do you know then I ask?

My second concern is treatment itself, I was explained briefly about what to expect. But I started reading up on the treatment and see all the class actions suits against some of these drug companies that make the interferon. So is there an type of interferon I should stay away from (like generic, which company etc...)? I am nervous about this because I read all these horror stories of people losing site, and memory and other brain damage cases. I think I can take anything they throw at me as far as getting through the treatment...but I once again worry about what is going to stay with me from these drugs after treatment like long term permanent side effects.

So any help on these worries and questions would be g

[mnkdrt]

Wow, you guys are great. It is good to know I found a place to come to. I posted on a few other boards over the couple of days and no where near the hospitality and info as this one.
I post the test results etc when I get them.
Thanks again.

[can-do-man]

Just hope you have a sense of humor, cause there is a few here that like to clown around. Not going to mention any names, but they know who they are.

[strator]

Congrats on the 8 years of a better life. I don't kow the risks of bx but mine also went smooth, and i was just getting clean and sober then. Basically felt like a stomach punch or good hit at football. Layed up the next day.
As far as treatment you probably want more info before you decide or jump in. I waited til I had 2 yrs sober, saw a therapist, and went to a local hep support group for 6mos BEFORE starting. But I was new to sober so was afraid of jeapordising sobriety if the sides hit me, especially mentally/emotionally.
This week will be shot 23/48. and what sx are I have are livable. For me I keep close here and in recovery meetings. Still working construction when I have work. Sides on tx are a Cr**shoot that not everybody even gets. Ya prepare for it best ya can and get through it the same way ya got here and got sober. I figure the after effects are probably the same. some have it a rough time and others  say it's a new life.
This place has helped me a ton. Don't stress, read up and talk it out.
Be Well,
Don

[Tallblonde]

Sorry to get your dander up.  Two other members were also critical of your "there's no harm in trying it" comment.  In my opinion, it's immature to dismiss constructive feedback when it's well-intended.

Susan

[wMich]

Welcome aboard. I too was an addict for many years and shared some of your concerns and apprehensions going into this Hep C treatment thing. Thankfully I too have been clean for many years. My biopsy was really a piece of cake, no pain except a minor dull ache afterward for a couple days. The worst part was just plain thinking about it ahead of time. One small concern I did have was with one of the meds used for pain/anesthesia, Fentyl, which is a close cousin of heroin. I had no ill effects from it. Ask the doc too if he can use Versed during the procedure. They used this on me and though I'm told I was awake and talking during the procedure, I have no recall of it. I came to foggy and yacking away in the recovery room and was out the door in an hour or two. They will not let you drive home from this procedure.

Sounds like you have a head start on educating yourself which is one of the best things you can do at this point.

[beamishboy]

my biopsy was not bad..i think i got demerol& once they were in,i told take all they needed....little ache for couple days..and bob's yur uncle! seriously GOODLUCK