Started tx today

[blindsided2011]

New here....just been checking out others stories, comments and questions. I really have no questions at this time, but no doubt I will as time goes by. I have HCV genotype 1, in stage 2. Last VL checked was @ 48+million! Yes you read that right. That was in Oct. 2011. Had blood draw 3/21/2012 for update on VL. My alt is 29 ast 37...ANC 5.1. WBC 7.6  Some of these numbers I understand, but feel free to let me know what you think if you have any comments. Thanks

Here for at least 12 wks, but hopefully 48.

[sherritaylor12]

The support here is wonderful, sometimes reading this forum was all that got me through treatment.  There is also wonderful advise here, so be sure to ask if you have questions.  Just keep coming back and going forward.  Every journey starts with a step.  Think SVR here I come.
Happy Trails,
Sherri

[blindsided2011]

TY for the welcome....I have been reading reading and reading about HCV, tx, side-effects and so on since I was diagnosed. So as for questions, I am in my first week and really no side effects YET...I know I will have questions as time goes on, but really just wanted to introduce myself and see how others are dealing and coping. Weekly CBC's? My GI said that when and if there is a problem with my blood count, he will give me a standing order. At this point, again I have just started tx so not needed yet. Congrats on UND after 3 weeks, I can only hope that will be the case for me. :)

[belle19]

welcome to the forum.  we're a fun bunch and we'll help you along the way.  there are a lot of people with lots of information.  remember to drink LOTS of water.  that will help with your sx.  remember no question is too dumb.  we're here to help each other.  i really care about my cyber family.  take care of yourself.  nap when you need.  belle

[blindsided2011]

Hi Sentinel...I had my bx in Feb. of this year. Some fibrosis and dx as stage 2 by my GI. And so I feel lucky if one can say that about this dragon. It could be worse. Thanks for the vl info.

[micheall]

Welcome to the forum.You should be asking a lot of questions to us and your dr.The best thing to do is preparation for the side effects to learn how to treat it before it happens.Do not take for granted any of the side effects.Knowing a lot about hep c will help you succeed in defeating your hep.I hopefully defeated my hep.I hope I was a type 1a and stage 2 on my liver.After triple tx I had UND after 3 weeks followup.Everyone reacts differently to tx and side effects.Knowing them and treating them will be beneficial to you as you do tx.It can save you a lot of discomfort.I wish you the very best of luck in your tx,stay positive,and aim for SVR.

[Sentinel13]

Hi Blind:

I really like analyzing the reference link Pooh provided. The data is self-reported, and is incomplete, but it provides very interesting information. For example, if you are interested in people with starting viral loads at >=20M, there are 5 of us on frijole's chart, as follows:

starshine1ca VIC 10/11/11    7.84 log
barmuckity INC 10/01/11    34,200,000
neptune235 VIC            24,000,000
sentinel13 INC 10/24/11    22,000,000
ajw78757         INC 08/05/11+-  20,000,000

You indicated Stage 2. When did you have your biopsy?

Cheers, GB

[BoceprevirGal]

Hmmm, well, I am also at Stage 2, and on the triple therapy with the Victrelis (Boceprivir) The first 4 weeks, werent bad, but from what I have felt personally,and form members in my support group, when the third med is added, there is more side-effects, like fatigue, and little infections, etc. So keep on top of your health. If you have a tooth ache, let yr Doc know, and they will prescribe antibiotics, same thing with a cut that wont heal, or an ingrown toe-nail, etc. Try to take meticulous care, with your health, andpamper yrself!
    Also, a word about nutrition/diet: they say the ribaviron works better with some high fat calories, so, I try to eat as much as I can, thru-out the day (small healthy snacks) so as nott o lose my appetite completely, and always take the pills with food. I like to use yogurt, peanut-butter sandwhich, in the morning, I go out and get scrambled egg breakfast : )
  Also, the Victrelis initially made my butt burn, so I would wash right away, after using the bathroom, which cleared that problem up, and once I stopped eating spicey food, I got rid of that highly irritating symptom, lol I keep my diet mild, like frozen peas and pesto pasta tonight!

[pooh55811]

Welcome to the forum.

You will get a lot of support here and there are many very knowledgeable people here to answer questions.

You may be interested in looking at frijole's stats. Frijole has been keeping stats on a couple of hundred of us that are on treatment. You can look through the spreadsheets (on her profile, in the photo section). You can see how we are doing, what we are taking, when we became Undetected, starting viral loads, fibrosis stages, if we are treatment naive or have treated before. Besided being interesting, it will give you hope of a cure.

http://www.medhelp.org/personal_pages/user/223152

Just click on that link (or copy and paste it) and go to the white spreadsheets.

[orphanedhawk]

Welcome.

Don't let your viral load scare you, the good news is your liver is at stage two.
My viral load was only 750,000 when I was diagnosed with decompensated cirrhosis.
Viral load is used to show how well you respond to treatment.

Wishing you an easy ride, with few sxs and better yet, an SVR !!

[flcyclist]

Welcome and good luck to you.  Keep poking in since there's lots of helpful and supportive folks to help guide you through tx.  Be sure to get a copy of all your labs.  You doctor should help you interpret the results, but I always watch the wbc/anc, Hgb, platelets.   Best of luck to you.

[willbb]

Don't worry to much about your viral load . The new DAA's seem to work well regardless.

Welcome and good luck........
Will

[crigger]

Welcome,  I hope your treatment goes well. If you have problems or side effect you need help with just put it out there, you will get lots of help here.  Good luck

[Bill1954]

Hi and welcome,

Try not to assume you’ll get overly sick; some of us skate by without too many issues. I treated a few years ago without the third DAA drug, but never had to deal with too much other than some fatigue towards the end. No anemia or other issues either.

Good luck and take good care-

--Bill

[working dog]

its important to talk with your doctor about tx...when he/she will bring in rescue drugs or maybe adjust doses...keep up on the blood work..every week do a cbc...at least for the first 2 months...your liver enzymes aren't too high...thats good...mine were in the 200 before tx...now normal...i would expect you'll have more symptoms after getting on the vic...good luck....billy

[brianmo]

Thats ok, your emotions will settle down, its hard at first not knowing what to expect. I feel my shot two days later with fatigue but thats been about it for me. No HA, fever, aches, etc. I remember getting myself all set up for the first shot with asprin, blankets, puke pan, phone, and you know what?? I fell asleep and slept like a baby and its been that way all of treatment. Just take it one symptom at a time or you will freak yourself out!!

Mo

[blindsided2011]

I know I am in for some rough times....but have no intention on stopping the fight to regain my health. And so the story goes, it will get alot worse before it gets better right? Trying to be positive and I am expecting the worst and hoping for the best through this tx.

[blindsided2011]

Hi brianmo and ty for the welcome. I am doing peg/interferon, ribavirin, and adding victrellis in wk 5. Never had tx before first time in this rodeo. I was diagnosed when I had an unrelated illness and was hospitalized in June of 2011 to my surprise. I started my tx last night with the interferon and started the ribavirin today. Long ways to go I know and scared to death, but trying to be positive. Frankly my emotions are all over the place, but physically a little sore as the day goes on. Will be posting progress as I go along. Thank you for replying and asking.

[brianmo]

Hi and welcome!  You will gets lots of support here. Can you tell us what treatment you are doing?, when did you start? Have you tx before?  If your treating, how are you feeling?  

[hondapatches]

Well hang in there and get ready for the ride of your life. I am on week 30 now have done the incivek and man that was tough, had a couple of blood transfusions and pneumonia. But if you hang in there it gets better.