Just diagnosed, seeking treatment

[NewandConfused]

I just stumbled across this board and have spent hours reading but it just seems to add to the confusion.  My husband was diagnosed with Hep C, Type 3. We are in the process of trying to get treatment but now so many questions have come up that I am beginning to be completely overwhelmed.  Originally we were prescribed Pegasys and 800mg ribavirin daily but our copay was like 600.00 per month.  After discussing this with the nurse today I was told that he could probalbly take Peg-Intron instead.  I kind of feel as if I am settling for less?  Is one better than the other?  Does one have less side effects? Can anyone shed any light on any of this in laymens terms for me?  I am wondering if perhaps we are not seeing the right dr. or one who has enough information because so much of what seems to have been discussed on theboards has never been revealed to us? We were just kind f told to start treatment come back in two weeks for tests and Dr. followup and we would go from there.  I am sorry I am sounding like such an idiot but I am just beyone confused and overwhelmed.  Also... should I be paying this $600.00 co-pay or should I continue to search for a better price or a program that might help?  If you have any questions or need any info to be able to help, please ask away....  somehow I just need to get to the bottom of this and start the road to healing and recovery!  Thank You so much for any input!

[NewandConfused]

Okay... you are the third person that commented on the weight based Ribavirin - I have come to the conclusion this is of the utmost importance.  Now that I have identified the problem what would you suggest?  Do I need to completely switch drs. talk to the nurse or the dr which is rather aloof and does not seem too good about fielding questions?  I singled you out because somehow I relate to you and your post really struck home, sorry if I am bothering you.

[FlGuy]

We are certainly helpful to those fence-sitters out there.

[Bill1954]

As counterpoint to FLGuy, I’ve had quite the opposite experience… I found PEG-Intron to be more tolerable than Pegasys.

Bill

[Bill1954]

What often happens with insurance companies is that they cover the meds under their major medical policy rather than the prescription drug plan. This leaves the patient with a 30% co pay… the meds typically cost $2,200 to 2,500 USD/month.

All manufactures of HCV meds have Patient Assistance Programs (PAP’s) in place to help us get through the some of the cost. There level of assistance will vary from manufacturer as well as your income. This is generally assessed by income rather than assets.

For more info, call the appropriate numbers and ask for assistance; these folks are extremely professional and go out of there way to help:

Pegassist (Roche Pegasys system): 1-877-734-2797

Commitment to Care (Schering- Plough PEG-Intron system): 1-800-521-7157

In terms of efficacy, one of the most recent comparisons was provided by the IDEAL study (sponsored in part by Schering-Plough :o)); the results are discussed by a prominent hepatologist here:

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2008/011808_a.html

If you haven’t already, also take a look at the following sites:

http://janis7hepc.com/

http://clinicaloptions.com/Hepatitis.aspx (free registration required)

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c.html

Good luck in your journey, continue to educate yourself, and stay in touch—

Bill

[FlGuy]

By milder, I mean fewer (milder) side effects from Pegasys.  Even when I double-dose Pegasys it was more tolerable than a single PegIntron.

[nygirl7]

I was a geno 1A and geno1B and took pegintron and have been SVR for over 17 months.  Your fears are not really merited.

Personally I hated the redi-pen because I always felt I ws getting ripped off some of the meds ( a drop comes out when you inject and I always wanted that drop!!!) of course it really didn't matter a bit.

This is like taking advil vs. ibuprofen - different companies different forumlaries same exact stuff.  There isn't a big enough difference in anything to get in an uproar over it.  Really.  Most doctors just use whatever their HOSPITAL uses and it's as simple as that.

PS Most of the doctors didn't tell ANY of us ANYTHING.  Pretty much we had to learn it on our own through research and opinions of others.  

With this disease it is a more you know the better situation for achieving SVR.  Make sure you get copies of all of this tests and get frequent PCRS...........don't sweat the small stuff like which peg but make SURE he gets enough RIBAVIRIN!  I know he's a geno3 but if you can talk the doctor into it...see that he goes WEIGHT Based. I dont' care what he says...........every little bit helps and it's dEFNITELY a more is better than less situation when you are talking of killing billions of virus that live in side you. You have to get them ALL not just 9,999,999!

Good luck.