To Treat or Not To Treat

[mauilady]

I'm sure this has come up before, but I can't find it: I'd like to know what made all of you opt for the treatment (interferon/ribavarin)?  I went to the HCV class yesterday, which was put on by a hepatologist, who seemed to really know his stuff.  (too bad he can't be my primary care md... )  He basically said that there is really no way of knowing exactly where the virus stands; that only 5% of the people infected will at some point in their lives end up with a full-blown case of hep.  If alcohol is stopped (and he couldn't stress the importance of this enough), and one leads a healthy lifestyle by eating right and getting lots of good and aerobic exercise, and taking milk thistle, the chances of living a long and healthy life are significantly greater.

To be honest, I really don't feel like subjecting myself to a year of misery, which would also entail driving to town (a place I prefer to avoid; it's an hour away... and totally nuts) TWICE a week.  The cost factor didn't even come up.  So I would rather take that five percent chance and continue doing what I'm doing, as I feel totally fine now.

Comments, please!!  :-)

[l-horn]

" The thought of someone so young, who is innocent of doing anything to place her in that position, fighting to possible live a natural life by obtaining a liver while someone like myself, who is most likely responsible for youthful indiscretions which placed me in the position I find myself, might one day deprive someone like her from recieving life if I were to need and accept a transplant is something I no longer think I could ethically or morally do!!! "

I can definately understand that BUT....let the people who sort that stuff out, sort that stuff out. One has to assume they know what they're doing. I'm sure children move to the 'top of the list'. Besides, it's also a matter of compatibility. Typical alchy ( trust me, I know for I be one too...) always trying to do other peoples thinking for them. You do what YOU have to do and let them do what THEY do, which is decide who gets livers and who doesn't. ( If that time ever comes....)

Good luck !!

[lauraisstrongerthenHCV]

I finally began treatment b/c I ran out of all my excuses not to.  I used to blame it on school and taking care of my kids and not having time to be sick and sooo many more...then one day I realized that I wasnt going to have medical assistance much longer and that if I wanted to treat it had to be now.  (but I had started it 2 times before but quit on the second dose becasue I was not readys and my labs were crazy)  but this time I went in and said I would give it 100%...  Anyway my first shot was the worse I had a fever for a couple of hours and couldnt sleep but it was not too bad and the other shots (now up to 12) I didnt feel a thing!!!!! I just take it at night pop a tylenol and go to sleep...I wake up feeling fine!!! I am of course tired b/c my labs are low but I dont have any major sides that bother me too much.  I guess what I am trying to say that the sides are different for everyone and if you really want to treat I would give it a shot!!!  If it is too bad then you could always stop.  I think that if you go in thinking the worse then you usually come out a little suprised at the fact that it wasnt that bad at all...BTW although treatment is 24-48 weeks the doctor will test your viral load at week 4 and you can usually tell from that point if it is working or not...I guess I am just trying to say why not give it a try and at four weeks see where you stand!!!!  It is beatable....I am 1b and at 4 weeks I was Undetectable!!!!  I didnt have anymore virus in my blood!!  That is very empowering news and I hope that you give it a chance so that maybe you can get news like that.  Good luck

[NYgirl]

your biopsy is the clear indicator on whether or not you have significant liver disease and that makes the decision easier.

While liver damage with hep c CAN be minimal there is no way of ever knowing how fast it might progress one day if the virus were to become extremely active.

At first I thought I was stage 2 and I decided DEFINITELY to treat and then I found out I was a 3 and was very glad I had already started!

I didn't want to take a chance on liver damage progressing and also I was worried somehow someway my kids would end up getting it from me.  Although there is not much of a chance there IS a chance and it drove me CRAZY.

Plus I just didn't like the idea of having a disease and knew I'd do anything to get rid of it.

But I had significant damage so it turned out I really had to.

Have the biopsy then it will help you with your decisions.

[52TELE]

Your standing at that crossroads the everyone of us have stood at before. Too many people have died as a result of untreated HCV to not take it seriously . They say that only a small percentage of infected people end up in stage 4 and beyond Liver disease , but I have personally seen what it does to a person and their family to have to go through a Liver transplant. You dont want to deal with those problems at that age. I felt like the time to deal with it was now and I would probably do it again. Good luck.

[jmjm530]

I'm going to re-phrase my second sentence to "f my biopsy didn't show stage 3, I'd still be waiting".

I took out the "better drugs" part because in my case I waited for many years and didn't even know about "better" drugs like Vertex. Some people with Hep C may never need to treat with any drugs as it's a slow moving disease. Best to see one or two good hepatologists (liver specialists) for evaluation and to discuss your individual case.

[jordie47]

My Husband and two daughters.
Jordie47