Starting treatment soon and frightened!

[Beaker426]

I was newly diagnosed with Hepatitis C.  I have had no symptoms at all; I was getting tests for autoimmune diseases for rheumatoid arthritis and just happened to get a hepatitis c test and came back positive, so it was caught very early.  I am a 23 year old female with fairly decent health.  I've had all the necessary blood work and my doctor doesn't see the need for a liver biopsy since my enzymes aren't elevated too much, but my insurance company may require one in order to pay for treatment.  If they don't require one, I should be getting a call from my doctor later this week that the medicine is in (had to be ordered from a special pharmacy) and I will be starting Interferon and Ribavirin treatment for 24 weeks.  I have genotype 3a.  I have no idea what to expect.  My doctor told me he can't predict the symptoms I will have since it is different with every person but I am completely frightened because I have not even the slightest idea on what's gonna happen during those 24 weeks.  I am married and have a 15 month old and a 7 month old and need to know if I need help caring for them.  Anybody have any advice or anything they can share to help ease my fear of not knowing?  I only have 84,000 per ml of the HCV in my blood if that helps and I am 5'4" and 110lbs.  Thank you so much, I appreciate anybody who can put my mind somewhat at ease!

[can-do-man]

While I sure agree waiting is an option at your age and having a couple young ones to deal with. We shouldn't just jump the gun here and think that Insurance is just going to open their wallets and pay for these. A lot will depend on their cost and since there is already a high SVR for geno 2 and 3"s that will also play into it. And remember even now those geno types that have an RVR with weight base dosing can stop treatment at 12 and 16 weeks if side effects are an issue. These are things I would talk over with your doctor....
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Analysis by Paul Y. Kwo, MD:
Truncation of therapy to 12-16 weeks should be considered only in patients who achieve rapid virologic response but experience tolerability issues. The AASLD guidelines note the standard of treatment for genotype 2 or 3 HCV infection is 24 weeks of peginterferon plus 800 mg/day of ribavirin.[19] Several studies have examined shortening of therapy in these patients. Most studies that have examined truncation of therapy to 12-16 weeks have used weight-based ribavirin ranging from 800-1200 mg, regardless of peginterferon choice. The largest randomized trial that compared 16 with 24 weeks of therapy used flat-dose ribavirin, and this study showed that 24 weeks was superior to 16 weeks.[19] Thus, the standard of care is 24 weeks of peginterferon with 800 mg/day of ribavirin. However, if the patient tolerates therapy poorly, therapy could be truncated at 12-16 weeks, provided the patient achieves a rapid virologic response at Week 4. Without a rapid virologic response, the patient should receive 24 weeks of therapy as there is a higher risk of relapse among those who truncate therapy, particularly among late responders.[

[JDB1964]

I am a 3a cured with 7977 NO SIDE EFFECTS! Though I am 48 years old, I had little damage.  Please consider waiting for this benign treatment to be approved.  I cannot imagine the harsh treatment with young children. I did a clinical trial . Remember, that those recommending this harsh treatment to you will be profitting from it .

[racky2012]

Hi Beaker

let me start by saying don't be scared u did come to the right place when i was told i had hep c i was like how can this be i think they r crazy they don't know what they r talking about don't be scared these great people on here know what  they r talking about they helped me by encouraging and giving me very good advice i am gyno type 2 and on week 5 of treatment and so far its has not been so bad for me everyone is different u r in pretty good shape i don't know much about the new treatment that is coming out but a lot of people on here do like they were telling u talk to your doctor and see what your options r before u jump in

i just wanted to help put your mind at ease u have options and u can clear this thing

Good luck to you Racky

[Doofus_jones]

I tend to agree with orphanedhawk on this one.

See if a hepatologist will advise you to wait for treatment.

My hepatologist is just back from a conference in Boston. I'm hoping he brought me a pocket full of 7977!

I'm on week 7 of 24 (1/3 through) with interferon and riba - it is doable but no fun at all.I wouldn't want to be looking after youngsters with it that's for sure.  

If my liver damage had been less I think I would have waited.

If you need any help email

doofus

[Idyllic]

I agree with OrphanedHawk.  I was surprised to read to the end of this thread and see that your doctor apparently did not discuss treatment options with you.  There are many HCV drugs in trials showing a high degree of efficacy (lots of people attaining SVR) and a WAY less harsh side effect profile. Your children could very well be in Pre-K or early elementary school by then.

This is an exciting period of development if Hepatitis C research and cure after what seems like decades of stagnation. I hear so many time ranges stated at when these meds would be available but even if that is three years or so from now you are young and theoretically not looking at a rapid progression of  fibrosis.

If it were me I would want at least some type of evaluation of the state of my fibrosis. I would just want to know. After that I would make a decision to treat.

Another advantage of being young and healthy is that time is on your side.
Meanwhile you could have vaccinations for both Hepatitis A & B, hold up on drinking alcohol and stay healthy and active.

Best of Luck and
keep us informed!

[orphanedhawk]

I would advise anyone with low to minimal liver damage to wait until the new all oral interferon free meds which are currently doing great in clinical trials, are available.
And in your case, having two children under the age of two, I'd double that advice.

Hep c moves slowly and does not cause the same amount of damage to everyone.

The new meds are said to have few side effects.

Please do not consent to do treatment until you have educated yourself completely about this treatment.
There is no rush !

You could look at this web site for more information:
www.hepcadvocte.org