Aa
Treatment time real close
I'm new here, read different post here from time to time, now my time to chime in, I'm at stage 3 - 4, Doc says I need treatment (Interferon) for 24 weeks, So wish I would have done this when I was at a stage 1, they didn't know much back then, I know when I got this, I know the day it happen, 3 weeks later I got sicker than sick, all yellow and what not, made it to the ER and from there on, I knew I always had hep c but just didn't know much about it, until 20 years later I had testicular cancer and after that surgery, that’s when they told me how bad this disease is, ugh, but all they did for the next 5 years was a blood test every year to see where I am at, should I do treatment or not, we will keep an eye on it, then last year I saw a real hep DR and did a biopsy and found out where I stood, dam stage 3 almost 4.
So anyway time to get this treatment over, not looking for the side effects, but in reality can radiation therapy be any worse??
I never talk to anyone about this, cause it just sounds like an awful disease to some people and others have no idea what it means.
These questions go through my head though..
Am I scared?? don't know, yes and no
Am I going to stop living over this?? NO
Have I stopped partying because of this?? pretty much
Hep C is the only thing left in my ****** past! I guess this is what I get for doing what I did back then...
Treatment time, cross my fingers that does the trick!
So anyway time to get this treatment over, not looking for the side effects, but in reality can radiation therapy be any worse??
I never talk to anyone about this, cause it just sounds like an awful disease to some people and others have no idea what it means.
These questions go through my head though..
Am I scared?? don't know, yes and no
Am I going to stop living over this?? NO
Have I stopped partying because of this?? pretty much
Hep C is the only thing left in my ****** past! I guess this is what I get for doing what I did back then...
Treatment time, cross my fingers that does the trick!
I echo 'ActingBrandNew's advice - the test wasn't available for me, but another G3 on here had to treat twice - it took them a while to figure why some G3's were responding to well and others weren't - then the IL28B test came in.
However, a couple of G3's who were previous relapsers after tx did treat for longer and obtained SVR. It's important, too, to discuss with your Dr about whether he's treating agressively. Weight based Ribaviron is 'old school'. Because I was Stage 3/4 I was put on 1000mg Riba with weight of only 55kg. If you search Geno 3A, you'll find more info historically - we almost started a G3 club! Best to you for the preparation; I recommend Sandra Cabot's 'Healthy Liver & Bowel' book as a starter in being 'liver friendly' - digestable protein/juicing etc.
However, a couple of G3's who were previous relapsers after tx did treat for longer and obtained SVR. It's important, too, to discuss with your Dr about whether he's treating agressively. Weight based Ribaviron is 'old school'. Because I was Stage 3/4 I was put on 1000mg Riba with weight of only 55kg. If you search Geno 3A, you'll find more info historically - we almost started a G3 club! Best to you for the preparation; I recommend Sandra Cabot's 'Healthy Liver & Bowel' book as a starter in being 'liver friendly' - digestable protein/juicing etc.
Hi Pooh thanks for your in put, your right I'm only on for 24wks , 12wks incivek and the next 12 Judy peg and Ribo . It's good to hear about you svr
That's always a positive thought, i start fri morning. I understand with cc I have a good chance at svr.
Kenteck good to see I could put the morning smile on your face.
After all our party is over now let's enjoy life!!!!
That's always a positive thought, i start fri morning. I understand with cc I have a good chance at svr.
Kenteck good to see I could put the morning smile on your face.
After all our party is over now let's enjoy life!!!!
I am also a genotype 3 so I will tell you now rather than later since you aren't starting treatment until October that it might be wise ask your doctor for an Interleukin-28B genotype test. (IL-28B) It is important to know because if you do not have a rapid virological response (undetectable at 4 weeks treatment) and you have the IL-28B genotype TT....your chances of obtaining a sustained virological response drops significantly. Some studies suggest it drops to 29% . If you dont have and RVR and have the TT genotype and are having a rough treatment...you may consider waiting for new medication...or if you are tolerating treatment well...you may want to continue treatment anyway just to give your liver a break. All the same, it is a good piece of information to have.
Linda you're right, I am moving forward for not just me, my kids also, thanks for the extra push :)
Thanks Kristina I like your way of thinking..
thanks and you're right!
lol... thanks for the tuesday morning smile
Hector, thanks :) Genotype 3 is what i have and the partying is just drinking a few beers every so often, i mean going out once in a blue moon, we go out like once in 4 months type of thing...
I am going to start in Oct, my kids softball will be over then, so i can spend the next 24 weeks doing this, I will be taking Interferon and Ribavirin and I am a ginotype 3.
Thanks
Kenny
Thanks
Kenny
Hi there Kenteck........
Don't focus on the sides as they are different to a degree in everyone. I know the feeling of not wanting to talk to anyone about this because I went through that too and still am a bit like that now even though I have SVR. It's perfectly normal to question yourself, treatment and everything when faced with something you are not sure about and how it will pan out for you. Try not to worry you will have good support here from others who know what you are going through.......
Get rid of those thoughts that it's pay back for your past.......move on from all of that and those thoughts. It will not do you any good. Everyone has a past and everyone bears some sort of scar from it. We can't change our past so look towards the future..... The future will be good for you.
Take care and all the best....
Linda
Don't focus on the sides as they are different to a degree in everyone. I know the feeling of not wanting to talk to anyone about this because I went through that too and still am a bit like that now even though I have SVR. It's perfectly normal to question yourself, treatment and everything when faced with something you are not sure about and how it will pan out for you. Try not to worry you will have good support here from others who know what you are going through.......
Get rid of those thoughts that it's pay back for your past.......move on from all of that and those thoughts. It will not do you any good. Everyone has a past and everyone bears some sort of scar from it. We can't change our past so look towards the future..... The future will be good for you.
Take care and all the best....
Linda
Welcome aboard - you're not alone with your thinking patterns! (and sharing is caring :)).
I was a Genotype 3A, Stage 3/4, treated successfully in 2008. Strategised my job, who I'd tell among my friends, organised my life for worst case scenarios (side effects), did my research, joined this site (BEST thing I ever did), and got through it. You will too. And yes, it can feel like 'baggage' from the past, but a lot of people on this site, and worldwide, have HVC from unknown causes, and with the drug Companies racing to get a sx-free cure, now is a better time to treat than it was, say, 20 years ago. I was similar - blood tests for years - semi-state of denial, the biopsy and it was all go! Now is obviously the right time....
You've come here for a reason; Grab the challenge with both hands and give it your very best shot. Use the search engine here, and the advice of all; there are the researchers, the carers, the coaches and the motivators - I would not have managed without. Get copies of your blood tests, co-manage your treatment and holla if you need a hand!
I was a Genotype 3A, Stage 3/4, treated successfully in 2008. Strategised my job, who I'd tell among my friends, organised my life for worst case scenarios (side effects), did my research, joined this site (BEST thing I ever did), and got through it. You will too. And yes, it can feel like 'baggage' from the past, but a lot of people on this site, and worldwide, have HVC from unknown causes, and with the drug Companies racing to get a sx-free cure, now is a better time to treat than it was, say, 20 years ago. I was similar - blood tests for years - semi-state of denial, the biopsy and it was all go! Now is obviously the right time....
You've come here for a reason; Grab the challenge with both hands and give it your very best shot. Use the search engine here, and the advice of all; there are the researchers, the carers, the coaches and the motivators - I would not have managed without. Get copies of your blood tests, co-manage your treatment and holla if you need a hand!
Greetings to you and welcome,
I am in the same boat. Stage 3/4 waiting for treatment. I went through the same guilt but through this forum I was able to move forward and deal with what I had to deal with to get ready for treatment mentally and well physically, i don't think there is any "getting ready" everyone is different as I have learned on this forum. This forum has helped me learn and has pushed me to doing all the research I can to be able to prepare. All we can do now is FIGHT! Just remember with God on our side "THE FIGHT IS FIXED" It might knock us down to our knees a few times but that is the best position to be in when we need strength. I will keep you in prayer and just know that you are already a WINNER!
DECLARE YOUR VICTORY TODAY!
God bless you.
I am in the same boat. Stage 3/4 waiting for treatment. I went through the same guilt but through this forum I was able to move forward and deal with what I had to deal with to get ready for treatment mentally and well physically, i don't think there is any "getting ready" everyone is different as I have learned on this forum. This forum has helped me learn and has pushed me to doing all the research I can to be able to prepare. All we can do now is FIGHT! Just remember with God on our side "THE FIGHT IS FIXED" It might knock us down to our knees a few times but that is the best position to be in when we need strength. I will keep you in prayer and just know that you are already a WINNER!
DECLARE YOUR VICTORY TODAY!
God bless you.
Kentech and Growzer,
Welcome to the forum. You will find the forum to be a great source of information and support. There are many knowledgeable people on the forum and they are always willing to help out with questions and support. Just post any questions you have and people will respond.
Best of luck to both of you.
Growzer, I treated with triple med treatment (Interferon, Ribavirin, Incivek) for 48 weeks. I started treatment September 26, 2011, finished Aug. 25, 2012, and officially attained SVR (cure) in February 2012. It was well worth it. I feel great now, better than I have felt in 20 years. Being a CC, you will probably become Undetectable rapidly and will probably have to treat for only 24 weeks.
Welcome to the forum. You will find the forum to be a great source of information and support. There are many knowledgeable people on the forum and they are always willing to help out with questions and support. Just post any questions you have and people will respond.
Best of luck to both of you.
Growzer, I treated with triple med treatment (Interferon, Ribavirin, Incivek) for 48 weeks. I started treatment September 26, 2011, finished Aug. 25, 2012, and officially attained SVR (cure) in February 2012. It was well worth it. I feel great now, better than I have felt in 20 years. Being a CC, you will probably become Undetectable rapidly and will probably have to treat for only 24 weeks.
Hey kenteck I'm new here too, sounds like you had a rough go already. I'm going to start tx this Fri A.M , this will be my second time tried it 6yrs ago for 48 wks came back 2 mths later bummer. This time I'm going to do the triple therapy Peg,Ribo,and incivek . I am Genotype 1a CC, Dr says I have a good chance this time.
The questions that go through your head use to go through mine!
I'm I scared ......Not anymore
Am I going to stop living over this?.....Not a chance
Did I stop partying because of this?.....you bet I did
Hep C is the only thing left for my ***** past!,......I got what I got for doing what I did back then......I thought I was smart....But man was I DUMB!!
Hang tuff Bud It's time for treatment....You not alone....you got friends here
Your going to be alright
The questions that go through your head use to go through mine!
I'm I scared ......Not anymore
Am I going to stop living over this?.....Not a chance
Did I stop partying because of this?.....you bet I did
Hep C is the only thing left for my ***** past!,......I got what I got for doing what I did back then......I thought I was smart....But man was I DUMB!!
Hang tuff Bud It's time for treatment....You not alone....you got friends here
Your going to be alright
What genotype are you?
You are treating your hepatitis C at the right time. No need to regret the past. We all treat it when we can. Try not to waste valuable energy trying to change the past. It can't be done. All we have is the present and you are taking action. That is all anyone can do.
As you learn more about hepatitis C and liver disease you will realize that you have been through way worse with testicular cancer. Even though testicular cancer is one of the most curable forms of cancer. All 3 treatments are not something anyone wants to go through. (Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy). Having made it through testicular cancer shows you are a fighter and will do what you have to do. It is more the fear of the unknown that is worrying you about hepatitis C and its treatment. The fact is that hepatitis C is a curable virus and treatments have never been more effective.
Of course you could wait for the new treatment that should be available in early 2014 that has none of these side effects if you rare genotype 2/3. Gilead's Sofosbuvir + Ribavirin. But it is always best to treat before getting cirrhosis as cirrhosis lowers the chances of SVR (cure). No one can predict when you will develop cirrhosis. Every person is different.
In FISSION, treatment-naïve HCV genotype 2 and 3 patients were randomized (1:1) to receive either 12 weeks of sofosbuvir 400 mg once daily plus RBV (1,000 or 1,200 mg/day) (n=256) or 24 weeks of peg-IFN (180 μg/week) plus RBV (800 mg/day) (n=243). Overall, 20 percent of patients had compensated cirrhosis (advanced liver disease) and 72 percent had genotype 3 infection.
The SVR12 rates in patients receiving sofosbuvir plus RBV were
97 percent for genotype 2 patients and
56 percent for genotype 3 patients.
The SVR12 rates in patients receiving peg-IFN plus RBV in this study were
78 percent for genotype 2 patients and
63 percent for genotype 3 patients.
Among patients with CIRRHOSIS at baseline who received sofosbuvir/RBV,
47 percent achieved SVR12;
38 percent of cirrhotics who received peg-IFN plus RBV achieved SVR12.
"Have I stopped partying because of this?"
If you mean drinking or taking drugs you should as alcohol and many drugs including over-the counter drugs are toxic to the liver and you don't want to speed up your liver disease and develop cirrhosis.
"Hep C is the only thing left in my ****** past! I guess this is what I get for doing what I did back then... "
Forgive yourself and move on. Self hatred and anger will not help you beat hep C or any other future life challenges, being positive and fighting each and every day just like you did when you had cancer is the way to beat this. Why create more problems than you already have? Move on and take responsibility for your health and cure your hep C. Getting depressed during treatment is not a good way to beat hep C. We all have our ups and downs during treatment. We need support and caring, not judgment and self loathing.
Good luck with your treatment!
Hector
You are treating your hepatitis C at the right time. No need to regret the past. We all treat it when we can. Try not to waste valuable energy trying to change the past. It can't be done. All we have is the present and you are taking action. That is all anyone can do.
As you learn more about hepatitis C and liver disease you will realize that you have been through way worse with testicular cancer. Even though testicular cancer is one of the most curable forms of cancer. All 3 treatments are not something anyone wants to go through. (Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy). Having made it through testicular cancer shows you are a fighter and will do what you have to do. It is more the fear of the unknown that is worrying you about hepatitis C and its treatment. The fact is that hepatitis C is a curable virus and treatments have never been more effective.
Of course you could wait for the new treatment that should be available in early 2014 that has none of these side effects if you rare genotype 2/3. Gilead's Sofosbuvir + Ribavirin. But it is always best to treat before getting cirrhosis as cirrhosis lowers the chances of SVR (cure). No one can predict when you will develop cirrhosis. Every person is different.
In FISSION, treatment-naïve HCV genotype 2 and 3 patients were randomized (1:1) to receive either 12 weeks of sofosbuvir 400 mg once daily plus RBV (1,000 or 1,200 mg/day) (n=256) or 24 weeks of peg-IFN (180 μg/week) plus RBV (800 mg/day) (n=243). Overall, 20 percent of patients had compensated cirrhosis (advanced liver disease) and 72 percent had genotype 3 infection.
The SVR12 rates in patients receiving sofosbuvir plus RBV were
97 percent for genotype 2 patients and
56 percent for genotype 3 patients.
The SVR12 rates in patients receiving peg-IFN plus RBV in this study were
78 percent for genotype 2 patients and
63 percent for genotype 3 patients.
Among patients with CIRRHOSIS at baseline who received sofosbuvir/RBV,
47 percent achieved SVR12;
38 percent of cirrhotics who received peg-IFN plus RBV achieved SVR12.
"Have I stopped partying because of this?"
If you mean drinking or taking drugs you should as alcohol and many drugs including over-the counter drugs are toxic to the liver and you don't want to speed up your liver disease and develop cirrhosis.
"Hep C is the only thing left in my ****** past! I guess this is what I get for doing what I did back then... "
Forgive yourself and move on. Self hatred and anger will not help you beat hep C or any other future life challenges, being positive and fighting each and every day just like you did when you had cancer is the way to beat this. Why create more problems than you already have? Move on and take responsibility for your health and cure your hep C. Getting depressed during treatment is not a good way to beat hep C. We all have our ups and downs during treatment. We need support and caring, not judgment and self loathing.
Good luck with your treatment!
Hector
welcome! yeah its time to treat. if we knew a little more about you, it would be very helpful. what genotype are you? start reading everything you can and keep reading posts here and asking ?s. this site is great for support and knowledge.
good luck barry
good luck barry
Hey...welcome to the forum. Sounds like you have been through a lot already with the cancer. Now your stage 3-4 and about to embark on the dragon slaying journey. I just finished 28 weeks of treatment myself. Do you have a start date yet and what drugs besides interferon will you be on? What genotype do you have?
This place is great...lots of wonderful folks here with tons of information.
ABN
This place is great...lots of wonderful folks here with tons of information.
ABN
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