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Triple Therapy w/peginterferon alfa-2b, ribavirin & VICTRELIS info & side effects

Hi there. My name is Ashley and I am 28 yrs old. I was diagnosed with Hep C (geno:1b), AND cirrhosis of the liver when I was 19. My mom passed it to me at birth not knowing she even had it. I have been waiting to start trtmnt for a long time! Problem was, nobody would treat me unless I was on a transplant list b/c of the Cirrhosis. According to several dr's that I've seen in my area, since I already have cirrhosis, I run a higher risk of the trtmnt worsening my condition causing me 2 need a transplant stat. Anyhow! So after a week of procedures, bloodwork, tests etc..I was approved to be put on the transplant list at the Mayo hospital. About 2 yrs ago the gov. of Az decided liver transplants would not be covered thru state ins. anymore, leaving not only myself but many many others to be taken off of the liver transplant list. Fast Forward to- Now they have the trip. therapy and my dr is putting me on Peginterferon alfa-2b/Ribavirin/Victrelis and I will start in the next 2-4 weeks. I'm scared and excited! I really wanted to ask what kind of side effects everyone(not sure how many people are on Victrelis instead of Incivek) is having so I can prepare myself. Also if there is anything anyone would reccommend I do b4, during or after treatment, I would greatly appreciate any tips or advice:) Thank you!!
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Avatar universal
Yes, I have tried most of the natural routes. I took zinc, selenium, NAC, Alpha-Lipoiec Acid, vitamin E, vitamin C, SAM-e, and tons of green tea, milk thistle, etc
   But for some reason, my platelets started dropping, so I decided to treat, before they were too low for me to have the choice, to treat. Hep C is harder to treat, once you are older, also, as over 50 years, and I'm 49 yrs.
    When was the last time you had a biopsy? Also, are your plateletes low, and do you have other signs of cirrhosis, such as ascites, or verices...what are your cirrhotic symptoms?
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Avatar universal
Thank you so much for the welcoming support!  All of the tips and advice are much appreciated and very helpful!
  I truly believe that everything happens for a reason, although I have not enjoyed being sick in the slightest, the journey that has brought me to this point has taught me SO much!  I know God has a plan for me and everyone else who is willing and open to it:)  I wish all of you the best of luck too. It has definitely been more helpful to talk to other people who are or have gone through this treatment! I have to pick what day I want to begin the meds now and I'm struggling between going thru with it or taking the natural/healthy route.. Has anyone here ever previously tried the all natural remedies and if so how did it effect you? Thanks to all and have a good evening-_-
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Avatar universal
Oh Hector, here you are.  Don't mean to hijack this thread but it definitely speaks to me since I have steatosis and doubt I can treat with Incivek.  I am trying to find info. on Dr. Robert Gish - does he still practice part-time in vegas - and do you have his phone number?  Thanks.
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1840891 tn?1431547793
I'm also really sorry to hear of your degree of liver disease and at such a young age, but I do think you will probably have an easier time handling tx due to your relative youth. I'm 58 now, have had HCV since a transfusion in 1984, and am on my third tx now (first time with triple, but I'm on Incivek rather than Victrelis). I first treated around 1994, then was dx with cirrhosis in 2005 and promptly started my second tx at that time. I can say that from my experiences treating at ages 40, 51 and 58, that it was definitely easier to handle when I was younger. I think that is probably the only part of my own experience that is relevant for you. I just wanted to add, since you are new here and don't yet know the people, that you couldn't possibly do better than to rely on the advice you get from HectorSF and can-do-man. They are both extremely knowledgeable and careful - neither is prone to the dread disease of forums - that problem some people have where they pontificate in an authoritative voice while spreading incorrect information. You can put your full faith in anything coming from those two! Best of luck, and keep us posted.
-Saelon
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Avatar universal
Hi, no i first treated in 2005 when i was Dx. Back then it was just Peg and Riba, after 86 weeks i relapsed 1 month post treatment. So for me it took the added boost of Victrelis.

Starting treatment with platelets at 60,000 is low, I was at 80 and dropped to the upper 20's. Find out from your doctor what his thoughts are as for now this is your best chance at beating this.
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2004810 tn?1365153611
Hi and welcome to this club! As you can see from the answers you've got here, people are very well educated about hep c and treatment so you are in good hands here ;) we are all in the same boat and support each other and it has helped a lot for me.
I'm in week 17 with triple treatment with Victrelis. Since reading posts here, I must say that my impression is that people have different side effects from treatment. I see that a lot of people on Victrelis seem to manage the side's ok. In my case I think the anemia has been the hardest sx till now. I think you got good advices here from Hector and can-do-man when it comes to asking your doctor how he/she will handle this. Make sure that you and your doctor have a plan for this so you don't have to use energy on this later. I myself have been struggling with this because in Norway (where I live) we don't seem to give as much rescue drugs (Epo/Procrit). I have therefore had some blood transfusions that have helped me from having a low hgb. Other side effects that you might prepare for are the depressions that comes with this. Some might not have it, but if you do, talk to your nurse/doctor about it.

I really feel sorry for you having this desease from your mother. I myself am a mother of two healthy kids and can only imagine how hard this must have been both for you and your mother. You are young and have the future in front of you and I really hope that you will get well and reach SVR. When I hear about young people struggling with this I really feel pain in my heart. But being young and on treatment must be a good thing. You are stronger than "us old folks" in here, and therefore maybe treatment won't be as hard for you.

Wish you all the best. Keep posting here and you will get all the answers and support that you might need on your journey to SVR!
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