tx different each time?

[dlr2007]

Hi Everyone- I haven't posted for a while cuz I'm waiting for my bx in August and then I'll know if I need to tx, but I've been reading every day. I'm getting anxious as my bx day nears, wondering if tx will even work for me or if I can do it.
  My main concerns are- 1) Last time I tx'ed with the "old" 3xweekly Interferon, my doctor pulled me off tx after about 6 months cuz "it wasn't working". I knew nothing about my viral load, but I was tolerating tx fine as far as sx went so pulling me from tx had nothing to do with that. Unless my blood work was coming back abnormal... all I knew was that my ALT/AST's were 5-fold, my iron level was climbing and my doctor didn't like that. So I'm wondering, if I'm a non-responder, would the pegulated interferon even work for me? Would I need something diffferent or something extra? Or is it not even worth it to try...? I suppose a lot will depend on my bx results too.
  Concern #2) On my 1st tx, I had no sx I can remember. I was very young (26) but I had a lot going on to do and I recall just bouncing around like nothing was wrong. Now I'm 12 years older, I have 2 kids and a job as a delivery driver- I work 7 days a week and sick days are NOT allowed. Fortunately the route is only 2 hours a day, but I'm scared that if I have the extreme fatigue that I've heard about on tx, I won't be able to work. And I can't afford not to! Is it likely, if one tolerated tx very well the 1st time, that they will not have severe sides on following tx's?
  I know I should just wait for my bx results and then ask questions, but I just can't stop thinking about this. And I always get good advice here... so here I am!
-Dee

[willows]

It seems like if you tolerated IFN the first time, you should have minimal probs the second time.  But it sounds like you did not have ribavarin in the mix the first time and it has it's own set of issues, so that may be a bit tougher.  Folks have done it and worked the whole time, if you only have to do 2 hours a day, you might be okay.  But then, when you are back at home, you have to rest, rest, rest.  One of the things that struck me in your post was that you have two kids, it can be a big task, educating them about the tx and enlisting them to either help or at least, not be a drain.  Maybe setting up a safety net for help with the stuff at home, so you can go go go with all your energy at work.

Listen to me, I kept my house clean and fixed a few sprinklers and that was about all I could do.  Seems like part of my issue was that I could not eat, so I got weak and lost weight.  Maybe you won't have that problem, doing healthy things like you would do in everyday life seems to make a big difference for a lot of folks that post here.  Myself, I let me get toooo depressed and then I quit eating.  Looking back, if I would have treated my depression, I think it would have been easier.

I guess the thing to remember is that you are adding ribavarin to the mix you did 12 years ago, maybe read up on the side effects of riba and pay attention to those.  Good luck to you and my respect for what you are about to try.

[dlr2007]

Thank you for your reply. Wow, you kept your house clean during tx?? My house is a mess even without tx being a factor- I'm impressed! Seriously, what worries me is my kids- they're used to me being pretty much unstoppable. I'll occasionally nap on the couch (I do get really tired these days) but in all their lives, I've never once spend a day in bed sick. And I haven't told them I have Hep C- I don't wanna worry them Their dad died 6 years ago(OD'd) and I don't want them to get scared about me getting sick or dying. They know I've done lotsa drinking and drugs, so I just told them my liver bx is to "check and make sure Mom's old liver's still doing it's job". I have told them if Mom's poor old liver is not doing it's job, I'll have to take medicine to make it better. Don't get me wrong, my kids are very smart and wise beyond their years and I'm very outspoken and honest with them about sex, drugs, etc, but when it comes to this whole Hep C thing, I tread lightly.
  I'm glad you mentioned depression, though I'm sorry you had a problem with it. I just experienced a slight depression a couple years ago- Prozac worked wonders for me. I'm off of it now, but will probably get back on before tx. The thought of being out of control emotionally terrifies me.
  I sure hope my gastro will presribe me Riba with this tx! I thought I heard they just do pegulated Interferon, but I don't think there would be much point in that for me. But, as you said, that could bring sx's I never had before. That's a good idea for me to do some research on Riba- I know nothing about it and it's about time I learn.
  Thanks again for your advice- I hope all is going well for you.
  Best wishes & prayers,
  Dee