Interferon-Ribavirin support groups

[CleanLiver]

I am a single parent of a beautiful talented daughter, and I was recently diagnosed with HCV positive(chronic). I have the kind of HCV positive(chronic) that does not respond so wellto interferon treatments.

I have choosen to try this Interferon-Ribavirin therapy regardless with hopes of getting better. I start this therapy soon after the new year.I live in Bend,Oregon and feel I need to attend a support group either for Interferon-Ribavirin therapy users or HCV positive(chronic) patients.
Do you  know if there are support groups in my area???? I have very limited resources and no PC of my own, I am using a friends today to contact you. Any advice of help you could offer would be sincerely appreciated!!!

Thank you for your time and consideration,
T./cleanliver

[Forseegood]

Clever boy, clever boy....

[beamishboy]

thanks for the laughs

[2irish]

cognitive cylinders working just fine!

[sheesh]

Hi, I have HepC of the worse (hardest to cure) type 1.

I have been on two trials over the past 3 years - one for 52 weeks and the other for 48 weeks.  Unfortunately, both times after 3 months, the virus was no longer detected.  After 18 months the first time it came back and after around 6 months the second time, it came back.

I am now at a standstill, as there is no other treatment/trials running currently and doctors will not justify putting me back on a trial unless I get scerosis of the liver.

It is very disheartening, as I caught this virus through being severely beaten and raped by a junkie.

Is there any other treatment/trial for this disease, as I really don't want to have it.  I get sick alot, so the side effects from the interferon and rybavin didn't really worry me too much.  I guess I also believed it was going to work which helped.

If someone knows of any other treatment available, I would be very grateful for your ideas/info.

Thank you

[GoofyDad]

Hey, great name!

Sorry your treatments didn't stick. That's a lot of hard work! It's likely that you helped you liver during the time you were on treatment, so not all is lost by any means.


There is a promising new class of drugs called Protease Inhibitors currently in early trials. There are high hopes they will prove to be a more potent and body friendly alternative to today's standard of care. PIs may be generally available in 4 years or so, give or take.

Meanwhile, there are a number of people here who have treated more than twice with today's drugs. Infergen is a type of interferon that can work better than what most use. Also, sometimes people use higher dosages. This treatment may not be available in trials, but the drug company's may provide free meds if there's financial need.  

Try introducing yourself up top in a more recent thread - many will be interested in helping you if they see your post, which they may not way down here.

Best wishes for good health.  

    

[Hepa-Friend]

Hi Sheesh I To have Geno-type 1 and have been on a Clinical Trial Since June 2005.  I use an Interferon Called Albuferon. I inject once every two weeks plus I take 600 mg of Ribaviron 2  twice a day. This has been fairley good for me. I have been able To tolerate the side affects pretty well. After my 3rd week on treatment my test results have been HCV Non -detectable my last test was Dec 6 2005 and I was still non- detectable. I am on a 48 week Trial and all I can do Is Hope for the best. I work In Construction and I am able to work every day. I just found this site and it seems like everyone has the same side effects. But there is some interesting topics talked about here so I will be back   Thanks and good luck to all