What do I need to know

[grateful4ever]

To be honest I do not know much, except it is through Tacoma Digestive Disease & Research Center center. I will call 2day, what questions do I need to ask? I feel a little overwhelmed at this point. My boyfriend does not even want to discuss this, and after reading some of the effects I told him it might not be pretty and if he could not hang for the duration now is the time to exit. my doctor said treatment will be 1 yr. I have insurance but only pays 60% of meds. What are my options other than that. How will treatment effect my work performance?  I need to keep my job Thankyou all for responding I have been avoiding reality and so glad to have you as I feel like a lost girl right now. When I was 26( Now 53) I had Non A non Bhep which as we know now is C no doctor until last jan ever said anything and since then  this is where I am.I suppose if more had been known then I would be better off, but then again woulda ,coulda shoulda back to reality.  Still feel real healthy other than aches and pains I  attributted to aging.

[nygirl7]

Treatment is different for everyone - some don't have very bad effects and others do.  You can't tell until you start how it will be for you.

I extended treatment to 72 weeks and only took off three days. It was NOT easy. Some days I just really wanted to stay in bed more than anything in the world. However, going to work every day is a blessing in disguise. You get up and showered and fix your hair and makeup and get going and at some points you can even forget that you are on treatment.  Getting out of bed and keeping your life as normal as possible helps maintain good mental health. It gets EASY to get depressed and keeping things as level as you can really does help.

The meds are TREMENDOUSLY expensive.  The drugs companies (there are two) have patient assitance programs that might be able to help you. You need to know which of the two interferons you will be on and then you can contact them and ask. They helped me out a lot.


I never had any signs or symptoms and I was already at stage 3 when I was diagnosed. I had to treat there was no more time (probably had it since the mid80s).  My doctor put me on a good antidepressent a month BEFORE i started treatment (it takes time to "kick in") I thinked it helped me more than I will ever know.

Don't worry about the things you can't do anything about right now (side effects etc) just worry about getting all the information you need to get started.

Get a copy of EVERY SINGLE TEST RESULT that the doctor has.  All of us would just call the nurse and ask for a fax the day they came in.  This will help you SO much as time goes by - you'll be able to read the results and this will help you take control in a way.

Don't feel helpless.  There are lots of us out here who've gone down this road and we understand completely and exactly what you are going through.

It's not the end of the world and if you have to have a disease this is a good one to have. It DOES have a cure and it is very slowly progressing. Plus - this is a damn fine forum and any question that you have at ALL will be answered by people who understand just what you are dealing with.  And they tell the truth which means everything.

Good luck.

[Isobella]

I say the same thing.  If I didn't know I was sick, I would think I was really healthy.  I am sorry you are going through this.  But glad you found us!!  

Medhelp has been a life saver for me.  I am sure you will find good information and support here as well.

I am posting a copy of a list of prescription assistance programs that you can contact for help with the cost of the drugs.  

Best of luck to you on this journey.  Please keep us updated on your progress.

Isobella



You can contact the following for questions regarding patient financial assistance:

Pegassist (Roche Pegasys system): 1-877-734-2797

Commitment to Care (Schering- Plough PEG-Intron system): 1-800-521-7157

Rousch Pegassist Resource Center  877-734-2797

Healthwell Foundation  800-675-8416

Chronic Disease fund 877-968-7233

Shared Solutions  800-887-8100

Mnord  800-634-7207

[Krusing]

Hi Neighbor!!!
I live in Buckley, we're about 20 miles apart!  I was geno 1a, I'm a 59 yr old female and my viral load was 29,000,000 (yes, million).  I took my first shot on 10/05/07 and I'm down to 3 weeks of tx remaining......long 45 weeks!!  I have been UND since week 4, my Doc says I'm amazing  LOL

I would be happy to exchange numbers if you would like, any questions you may have and any advice I could offer, I'd be happy to do so.  My biggest complaint (other than the sides) is not having a live group of "dragonslayers" to help me through.  BUT........after I found this forum, I felt the positive feedback and prayers from everyone here.  Life savers these awesome folks are.

Best of Luck to you....
Shannon

[alagirl]

I think the ad's really helped me too.  I might have gotten a little freaked about all the things I was going through without them.  

I didn't know you worked the whole time.  I couldn't have done that.  I mean, even if I hadn't been in the hospital practically the whole time.