Panicing over side effects

[lynne655]

Thank you so much everyone for all your responses last night and now i am really getting into thinking about starting tx again. I am really scared because of the severe sx i experienced last time and at 4 wks quit tx. This time  I am putting alot of things in place before tx, such as i have already started on a new anti depressant - 30mg Mitazapine. I intent to ask for valium and sleeping pills this time round and possibly even a wheel chair.

I have been told things start to get better after 4 wks or 12 wks as your body adjusts to the tx. Is this true?
Just dont know how you guys got through it and some of you for so many months. I just don't think i would be strong enough to do that even if it were to save my life.

Would welcome any feedback
Lynne

[Trinity4]

No, treatment with all HCV genotypes is an equal opportunity misery maker.  Geno 2 & 3 have a higher rate of SVR than geno 1 with less treatment time.  Geno 2 and 3 usually treat 24 wks as opposed to 48 wks for geno 1.  Unfortunately, the treatment side effects for all geno's are the same accross the board.

Trinity

[lynne655]

Thanks Trinty, All sounds a bit complicated to me, but I am learning a little at a time!
I am genotype 1a, does that make a difference?

[lynne655]

The depression was very bad last time and this time i will go on a/dep before tx starts. But it was also the lack of breath and anemia, unable to do anything and  I was very scared. It might be different this time as it was a shock before.
I have heard of the new tx thank you, I am having a fibroscan next week and app. in nov to discuss. My feeling at the moment is that it might be suggested that i go on tx asap.
Will let you know.
Best wishes and thanks so much for your post.
Lynne

[eureka254]

Laying good groundwork before starting treatment will go a long way.  Well-armed is always better than ill-prepared.  

And don't short change yourself, you never know what you're capable of -- my husband was all against treatment when the doc first recommended it -- like you, he was horrified by the sx he heard about. He waited a year, his cirrhosis began to progress, so he finally started tx.  A month into tx he started to wonder if he could do 48 weeks, until he got his 4 week VL results -- he felt much better because he had a 3 log drop :).  The tx has its ups and downs, but getting good responses measured at 4 and 12 weeks made him feel better mentally, and it's gone a long way in keeping him on tx.  his case, it could possibly save his life, so he's done 98 weeks and still counting.

Just take it one step at a time.  Wishing you all the best. ~eureka

[Trinity4]

Protease Inhibitors are ineffective on genotype 3.  Vicoprofen is hydrocodone and ibuprofen and unless a narcotic is absolutely needed because the pain is unbearable I would not advise daily usage.  Most hepatolgists do not prescribe narcotics for those who are undergoing antiviral therapy.  Tylenol taken in prescribed dosages or a dosage prescribed by your doctor usually works well in controlling the arthralgia associated with the treatment drugs.

Trinity

[Diane12855]

What was so hard last time that it made you quit? My nausea was a lot worse the first month or two than it is now... I'm going on shot 23 this Friday. I think I got used to the extreme fatigue from the anemia because it doesn't bother me as much even though my hgb is still low. My body doesn't seem to have as many aches now either... come to think of it. Still having a hard time with brain fog and feeling really anti-social... would rather be alone all the time... this is just in the past month or so.

Make sure you have a doctor that has treated lots of HCV patients... that way they will have a better understanding of the helper drugs that we need to get through this.

Did you know that they are coming out with new drugs next year that are supposed to make tx take much less time and give a better chance for genotype 1s to clear the virus? If your live damage isn't bad, you may want to consider waiting... depending on your genotype that is. I don't think it works for type 2. Not sure about that actually so.....

Brain fog strikes again!
Diane

[lynne655]

Thank you so much for that I will ask my doc about Vico-Profine.
Best wishes
Lynne

[GeezLouize75]

I went through treatment in 2000 and 2001. I took the six pills all at one time after lunch and then got a shot every Friday for almost a year.  My doc prescribed Vico-Profin once a day and I totally tollerated the medication and I am now HEP C free and have been for 10 years now.  The main thing with me was keeping a positive attitude.  I missed a few days of work now and then during treatment but not many at all.  You can do it...hang in there.  Good Luck and God Bless.