I need your 2 cents worth

[couchpotato]

Some of you might remember that I had a follow up appointment with my doc on Monday, and these are the results. Bx shows grade 4 out of 4, and stage 1 out of 4. Also my blood work is back and all my enzyme levels have come down. AST is now 5o, was 150, ALT is 88 and was 304. Everything else is in range. He says he doesn't think I should panic or even be in a hurry to treat and that it is totally up to me if I even do at this time. Is this sound medical advice??? I had already decided to wait until hubby is finished and I still think I should do it. I am genotype 2 and pushing 50. Anybody have 2 cents?? Thanks.

[cindyazure]

Thanx.  I'll add this to my glossary of all the abbreviations I'm learning here.

[oldhippiechick67]

at this time  = att

[cindyazure]

I know what the svr means but what's att?

[oldhippiechick67]

Hey, sure you can!  I will work on it in the next few days.  I havent taken the Neupogen or Procrit for 2 weeks, I feel okay and am spose to take them every other week, but I wanted to get my blood drawn and find out how my counts are before taking it, and I kinda procrastinated (AS USUAL!) and now its too late for it this week....blah blah, but my liver area is soooo sore at times, usually after eating and later in the day...my hep doc didnt think its my liver.   Thanks for asking about me, I am doing okay.  And congrats on your "undetected/svratt" status! OHC

[oldhippiechick67]

You said your bx showed grade 4 out of 4? stage 1 out of 4.  If you are really a grade 1 and stage 1 and not having any symptoms that are bothersome, you could certainly wait to do tx.
But if you are a grade 4 stage 1 do tx.

[OkieJim]

Sorry to but in just have to ask.!!
OHC last I heard you where feeling bad :(
I sure hope you are better. The Neupogen really takes its toll. I'm on it again one more week to go.  Can I have SVR ATT on you site??

[couchpotato]

Thanks everybody, for your imput. I go back in Feb, hubby is off in Feb. and I will do it!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GI.PA]

Most would agree that with genotype 2 and any stage of fibrosis, treatment should be considered because of the ~85% likelyhood of viral clearance.  Now what the biopsy does tell you is that you have TIME to make this decision.  Definately wait until your husband is done!..Then find a good six months in your life where things are right and go for it.  

GI.PA

[TESSTUBE]

If I read your post correctly and you're a genotype 2, I think you should try treatment soon - but make sure you choose a good time to start and that you are prepared and ready.  If the sides are awful and you're not seeing any good results you can alway stop. (I'm a genotype 2b age 49 and bombed out on Monotherapy back in 1993 but did very well with Pegasys/Copegasys this year -just me but if I was a genotype 1 or 4 I would not do 48 weeks of tx - I would want to see a higher rate of success than the current percentages - but again that is just my opinion).

Good luck whatever you decide.

[GwithHepC]

Hi:

I am in the same boat as you.  I am 37, 1a, Stage and Grade 1-2.  I asked the same question last week on another board.  My doctor also told me I could wait.  Last week I was leaning towards treating; now I am very much considering waiting 5 years.  I had psyched myself up and prepared so much to treat that it is hard to downshift.  I think if I had your genotype, I would treat.  Being genotype 2 you have a very good chance of responding, and 24 weeks is much more doable than 48.  Good luck.

G

[ringading]

hey there...well i'll give you 2 bucks worth...(inflation you know)....yes yes yes treat treat treat....as soon as you are ready have everything in place to start.....it isn't going to ever get much easier than now, the older we get the harder this is going to be on us....i do not know how anyone much older than i....44....is able to handle this....i have admiration....okay, now....medical science has come SO FAR that they can have an 80 year old man in depends WITH a hard on.....ha ha ha sorry, had to share that one, just heard it....tee hee....ah well, sounded better when i heard it....