Treatment for Hep C

[patricia1960]

I have recently had a liver biopsy and was told I have stage 3 fibrosis. I am planning to start treatment next January. Can anyone tell me what to expect please.

[wtgb]

Hi- i was in your same position this time last year.  It is hard to predict what to expect as everyone is different and has different situations at home. For me the treatment has been tolerable with a few bumps in the road.  I had more difficulty with the sides early in treatment (first 5 months) and am just now feeling like I am getting used to them.  I would say my biggest side was absolutely no appetite with nausea.  I lost alot of weight and am just starting to get my appetite back.  If you can, it is really helpful if you can drink 1/2 of your body weight in oz of water.  I try to drink about 60-70 oz of water/day.
The best advice I got was to just do it for today, don't look past the day or it gets too overwhelming.  You can do this!!!  This forum has been so helpful.  Don't hesitate to ask anything of my experience.  Good Luck

[Trinity4]

Welcome,

48 weeks of treatment for genotype 1 -  24 wks for genotype 2 & 3  
Flu like symptoms (usually during the first couple of months)
Fatigue
Hair loss
Mouth Sores  - Magic Mouth Wash works well
Hemolytic Anemia (low hgb caused by the ribavirin which may require Procrit injections)
Neutropenia (low whites caused by the interferon which may require Neupogen
Low Platelets -  No fix for that
Mood change or depression -  Antidepressants if needed
Insomnia -  Sleep aide if needed
Arthralgia  -  Tylenol works well
Possibility of weight loss -  eat what you can when you can

Despite how that sounds, most people continue to work through treatment and manage the side effects just fine.  Everyone is effected differently so you won't really know until you are treating.  

Genotype 1 has a less than 50% chance of cure.  Genotype 2 & 3 around 70%.  Newer drugs called Protease Inhibitors are expected to be released sometime in 2011 and will be used in conjunction with interferon and ribavirin.   The Protease Inhibitors up the odds of cure for genotype 1 to 75%.

Trinty

[Trinity4]

Forgot about the possibility of developing what they call the riba rash.  Intense itching with red bumps I think.  Ribavirin dries out the skin.  I never had it so it doesn't stick in my mind.  Usually benadryl, topical steroid creams and lotions such as Gold Bond Extra Strength Body Lotion helps a lot along with drinking adequate amounts of fluid.  There are a few more side effects I'm sure I've forgotten but don't get freaked out by all this.  Just bide your time and see what happens because we are all different.  If you achieve SVR it will all be a distant memory and well worth it.

Trinity