just wondering

[robert50]

my husband has had hep c for sometime possibly 15 years he had a biopsy recently and they have he is at stage 2. how does the medication for treatment affect people and have any of you that have had the treatment had really bad side effects and if so how do you handle it. he is genotype 1a i believe is what the dr said any help would be greatly appreciated

[unclelarry]

That was a great answer Pooh, good job,

[pooh55811]

Some people don't have too many side effects but others do. If your husband has a desk job it will be easier. If he is installing electricity and wiring in buildings it MAY be more difficult to work depending on which side effects he gets. If he is climbing poles and working with high voltage lines, I think I would be concerned, depending on which side effects he gets.

Here is the problem. As I stated in my other post, all three drugs have an array of side effects. He may not get some of them, but he might. They may be mild, but one has to be prepared that they may not be mild. So if continuing to work is Plan A, he should really be prepared with a Plan B and a Plan C in case he has trouble working. Does he have some sick time or vacation time accrued that he could use as needed. Can he work part time. Perhaps he can take a leave if necessary. Perhpas he could be placed tempoarily in a less strenuous job. Does he have a short term disability plan if he needs it or a long term disability plan if he needs it. Some companies have them.

Many people continue working while on treatment, but I think the people in highly physical jobs and/or strenuous jobs have a harder time if they develop certain side effects. Here are some side effects that might make it difficult to continue a highly physical job or a job that requires climbing or heavy lifting or good balance: anemia (which can make a person very weak and dizzy); severe fatigue; weaknes; balance problems; muscle fatigue; loss of concentration; memory lapses; inability to think clearly;

Here is one site with some information:
http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/Treatment_Side_effect_Guide.pdf

And another site:
http://www.hepatitis.va.gov/provider/reviews/treatment-side-effects.asp

Also, it is imperative that he take the Incivek or the Victrellis every eigth hours within 30 minutes of eating food (and 20 grams of fat if it is Incivek.)
He will need to have some sort of timer to remind him and he will have to be able to eat and take the pills when he is supposed to. He also needs to drink a lot of water. My doctor said a gallon a day.

It would be advisable to take his injection the evening of the last day of his work week so that he has a couple of days off to rest in case he gets side effects.

Hopefully he will not get bad side effects.

I wish you and him the very best.

[unclelarry]

Your husband has my sympathy, he should concentrate entirely on becoming viral free, no matter what. Take the treatments, lead a healthy lifestyle,follow Dr. orders,  he may have to cut back on work, take it easy for a while. Believe me, it is worth every inconvenience and discomfort to arrest the hep c at this stage. I started off at stage 2, was not able to clear the virus, and am now preparing for a liver transplant. My hopes and prayers are with you both. Hang in there, there are lots of caring people on this site. This can be a scary time and you will need lots of support and information.
Feel free to ask.

[robert50]

thank you all he is really concerned and the side effects issue he works in the electrical feild and is worried that the drugs will make it hard to do his work. i am grateful for your help

[crigger]

I think Pooh cover it well. The best thing to know when side effect come up post them and you will get all kinds of advise.    Someone had a list of things to have on hand when you start.  I can not retrieve it because I do this on a phone.  Maybe some one else can pull it up for you.. It is really hard to say what side effect you will get some get all of them and some get very few.  

[80mecheng]

I finish on the exact same day and am in countdown mode.  Struggling right now with low hemoglobin, fatigue and after 6 weeks of Procrit it's not really help much.  Just trying to get to the finish line alive.

[indy531]

Unfortunately I have experienced EVERY side effect possible  at a moderate level. Willbe completing triple on 4/6/12;

[pooh55811]

"I have been on treatment now for 24 weeks and I will do another 48 weeks. "
_______________________________________
Correction:
I have been on treatment now for 24 weeks and I will do another 24 weeks. (Total of 48 weeks)

[willbb]

Welcome to the group.....

Will

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/Newly%20Diagnosed.pdf

[pooh55811]

Hello and welcome to the forum. There are many very knowledgeable and helpful people on the forum so stick around.

your husband is Genotype 1 then he would (more than likely) be doing triple medication treatment (Interferon, Ribaviri, and either Incivek or Victrellis).

All three of the medication have a lot of side effects but most people do not get all side effects. Infact, some get very few side effects. The side effects vary from person to person both in type and intensity. Plus, they tend to come and go so even if you have a certain side effect one day, it may be gone the next or in a few days. I do not want to mislead you. The side effects can be a problem but, in most cases, they can be controlled, treated, and/or tolerated. Most of us will put up with some problems in order to get rid of this virus. Certain side effects may need intervention (rash, nausea, vomitng, low blood counts) but many of them people just put up with (fatigue, malaise, some aches and pains, etc.).

I was on Incivek, Interferon and Ribavirin. My worst side effects were anal/rectal pain (fairly severe) but after some trial and error, I figured out how to prevent it and I was fine after that. My other bad side effect was a rash that developed in week 10. I had to get some prescription ointment and a prescription antihistamine for the rash. I still have the rash but it is improved and less bothersome now. Another problem I had was nausea and a little vomiting. I am on a prescription anti-nausea med for that (Zofran). The other side effects I consider a bother but I will put up with them (fatigue, malaise, no motivation, sometimes heavy legs and feet, some aches and pains, flu like symptoms, etc. They are annoying but not any reason I would quit treatment. I would say for most, treatment is doable. I have been on treatment now for 24 weeks and I will do another 48 weeks.

Some have had low blood counts and there are ways to handle low blood counts. Mine have been fine.