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I'm confused about hep c, starting treatment and side effects. My hepatologist wants me to start treatment with interferon, ribavarin and telapavir this month. From what he's saying, first my type (1B) is the hardest to treat; next with the treatment, the side effects can be really bad, especially the interferon, since it can make depression worse and I already have a history with severe major depression. I have stage 2 out of 4 fibrosis. I was also given this paper with METAVIR hepatitis activity index. I have no idea of what to think, what to do, etc. I'm all alone trying to digest all of this and I'm having a really hard time. Any information that anyone can give will be greatly appreciated.
"the side effects can be really bad, especially the interferon, since it can make depression worse and I already have a history with severe major depression."
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In the past this would be a deal breaker. It may be less so now that the treatments are shorter and more effective. Many of us have no sense of what real major depression is like, or in your case if it can be handled while on TX. Interferon may still be off the table for options.
The more effective treatments are possibly 5ish years off yet that won't use interferon, but trials for such treatments are happening now and have been for the past year. These will be much shorter treatments with (it appears) very few sides.
Since the new drugs are already approved you can start next week or next month. It may be possible to just keep an eye on your staging and wait. Your only choice right now is Telaprevir or Boceprevir, but other PI's will soon be approved; TMC 435 may get approval in the next year-18 months and it may be fewer sides and slightly higher SVR rate. I believe it will be partnered with other DDA's as well.
best,
Willy
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In the past this would be a deal breaker. It may be less so now that the treatments are shorter and more effective. Many of us have no sense of what real major depression is like, or in your case if it can be handled while on TX. Interferon may still be off the table for options.
The more effective treatments are possibly 5ish years off yet that won't use interferon, but trials for such treatments are happening now and have been for the past year. These will be much shorter treatments with (it appears) very few sides.
Since the new drugs are already approved you can start next week or next month. It may be possible to just keep an eye on your staging and wait. Your only choice right now is Telaprevir or Boceprevir, but other PI's will soon be approved; TMC 435 may get approval in the next year-18 months and it may be fewer sides and slightly higher SVR rate. I believe it will be partnered with other DDA's as well.
best,
Willy
Welcome to the forum, you have come to the right place, a lot of people here are very knowledgable and have great advice to help you thru.
Try and relax. I know it is very confusing. But you are doing the right thing trying to educate yourself about this disease. There are many informative people on this forum that can help. What your doctor told you is correct. Everyone is different and may not feel the effects of the treatment drugs. If you are not on an anti-depressant start one several weeks before treatment.
The good thing is with the new drug added you may only have to do 24 weeks of treatment.
best of luck moving forward
The good thing is with the new drug added you may only have to do 24 weeks of treatment.
best of luck moving forward
Welcome! We all start such a learning curve upon diagnosis! Be sure n surf archive. The stories not only give great advice, they're all filled w hope. I'm stage 4 and in week 5 of tx. Already undetected! Hang in there! This virus can be eradicated! Xo Karen
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