Aa
What is the difference?
Good day.
As some of you know I have not started treatment yet. I am still in my
haha Hey there! I hope us oners don't have too many more sides...Just doing my time here and hoping for a speedy finish! Welcome to the board and see that you are off to a good start on tx. Has it been pretty easy for you this far?
I took 800mg a day of the Riba (4 pills) which is standard for genos 2 and 3, in the UK at least. I was on a clinical trial, so did Pegasys in March 2002 before it was officially approved.
unico,
My doc discussed both meds and felt that pegasys was the best option for "me". He didn't go into a huge amount of detail and all of this was too new to me to know what to ask.
I wish I had done as much due diligence as you are to research this and I'm trying to play catchup as much as possible. From what I've read pegasys seems to be a good choice but I haven't seen any eveidence other than anecdotal on the merits of either.
I do seem to hear alot of folks says the sides seem to be less on pegasys but Sam seems to have the best take on it. Take one or the other and do what it takes to beat this thing.
Peace
My doc discussed both meds and felt that pegasys was the best option for "me". He didn't go into a huge amount of detail and all of this was too new to me to know what to ask.
I wish I had done as much due diligence as you are to research this and I'm trying to play catchup as much as possible. From what I've read pegasys seems to be a good choice but I haven't seen any eveidence other than anecdotal on the merits of either.
I do seem to hear alot of folks says the sides seem to be less on pegasys but Sam seems to have the best take on it. Take one or the other and do what it takes to beat this thing.
Peace
Glad to see you asking questions. Education takes the fear away....as does just the whole idea of talking about it all.
There is no difference between the 2 Ribas medically. Same drug....different names. And the Copegus is cheaper.
The Pegs are where we see the difference. The higher SVR rates for Pegasys is only for type 1's. For the rest it's about the same. The biggest difference is in the side effects. The sites and manufacturers say they are about the same. I do not believe that at all. From what we have seen here and on other patient sites, the Pegasys usually has Wayyyyy fewer and less intense sides.
I did 50 weeks of the Peg/Intron. It was the only thing approved back then. It kicked my a$$ as well as most of us who did it back then. Britgirl was doing her tx back then too and she was always so worried that her tx wasn't working because she didn't have near the side effects the rest of us did. I think that difference is worth the preference to do the Pegasys.
If I had it to do over....I would do the pegasys.
Good Luck.........
There is no difference between the 2 Ribas medically. Same drug....different names. And the Copegus is cheaper.
The Pegs are where we see the difference. The higher SVR rates for Pegasys is only for type 1's. For the rest it's about the same. The biggest difference is in the side effects. The sites and manufacturers say they are about the same. I do not believe that at all. From what we have seen here and on other patient sites, the Pegasys usually has Wayyyyy fewer and less intense sides.
I did 50 weeks of the Peg/Intron. It was the only thing approved back then. It kicked my a$$ as well as most of us who did it back then. Britgirl was doing her tx back then too and she was always so worried that her tx wasn't working because she didn't have near the side effects the rest of us did. I think that difference is worth the preference to do the Pegasys.
If I had it to do over....I would do the pegasys.
Good Luck.........
I have a couple of questions because I'm a little confused.
How long has Pegasys been out there. I was given Pegintron and didn't know about the other. I started tx in Jan of 2003 and ended Dec 2003.
Also, why do I hear such high VL's I am a 1a and my liver is 4.5 of 6 as I was told. I don't know if that's a used scale or was just something to help people understand. My VL was 90,000 in Jan 03, was undetected at 24 weeks, but relapsed in March of 04 with a VL of 250,000.
Did I read correctly in some other thread that 1b is worse than 1a? I was led to believe that 1a was the worse, but it seems that people with 1b have higher VLs??????
Anne
How long has Pegasys been out there. I was given Pegintron and didn't know about the other. I started tx in Jan of 2003 and ended Dec 2003.
Also, why do I hear such high VL's I am a 1a and my liver is 4.5 of 6 as I was told. I don't know if that's a used scale or was just something to help people understand. My VL was 90,000 in Jan 03, was undetected at 24 weeks, but relapsed in March of 04 with a VL of 250,000.
Did I read correctly in some other thread that 1b is worse than 1a? I was led to believe that 1a was the worse, but it seems that people with 1b have higher VLs??????
Anne
Hey Lucky Guy,,,PEGASUS,,,That is your med! The reason I say that or at least my thoughts is,,,I think both do the job the same...However,,,In the beginning of my decision to treat,,,Just sit back and watch because if you notice people have less sides on pegasus. I know there is a few here on pegintron and seem to do ok but for most part,,,lot have really bad sides. So,,,question here,,,,6 months of less pain or more LOL
Just a heads up.
You and I are on the same week, did #7 last night, Pegasys. we are the same geno-Typ 2B also the same viral count 7,000,000 pre-treatment.
I just got my liver panel done, my Alt is down from 700 to 31 and my AST is down from 510 to 35 all within normal. I belive you will have a nice surprise when you see your results.
Good Luck,
TonyZ
It is more folklore than anything that Ribavirin is the source of most of the sides. Interferon brings a boat-load of sides with it, the worst being suicidal ideation, depression, attempts.
Hope,,,Yes,,,You are correct that 1B is a tad bit tougher to get but hey,,,,there is alot of 1B's here that have accomplished just that! As far as viral load,,,,seems to be that high or low viral load doesn't really mean awhole heck of a lot but I have read that higher viral load can be a strike against you. Are you going to try tx again or are you waiting? Good Luck!
i just finished tx 3 months ago and did that tougher older treatment as well , interferon/ribavirin....nothing pre-mixed, you must mix your own shots,.....it is impossible for me to compare the two since i only have done the one...there is definately many who swear that pegasys is slightly easier on the sides....if you can choose, i'd choose the pegasys...i couldn't...but made it through the interferon/ribavirin okay...with some butt kickin from all here to not give up!!!
good luck with tx
good luck with tx
Hi Unico/everyone,
For what it's worth I'm on shot 6/24 pegasys/copegus and the sides haven't been bad. I will be going on August 12th to meet with my GI over my 4 week tests, CBC & Hep panels.
I'm a 2b like you, VL 7,000,000 with moderately elevated ALT/AST. Anyway, for what its worth I'll let you know how my first response on this tx turned out. Hopefully I'll show a good response. But we seem to be close in dx & VL so it'll be interesting to see how tx helps us.
Wishing everyone all the best.
Peace
For what it's worth I'm on shot 6/24 pegasys/copegus and the sides haven't been bad. I will be going on August 12th to meet with my GI over my 4 week tests, CBC & Hep panels.
I'm a 2b like you, VL 7,000,000 with moderately elevated ALT/AST. Anyway, for what its worth I'll let you know how my first response on this tx turned out. Hopefully I'll show a good response. But we seem to be close in dx & VL so it'll be interesting to see how tx helps us.
Wishing everyone all the best.
Peace
Thanks, Yes, please keep me posted
I am curious. Did your doctor offer you options for treatment?
I am curious. Did your doctor offer you options for treatment?
Maybe Schering do but the only evidence of a differnce between these 2 forms of therapy is statisticaly insignificant and that is very difficult for most souls to get their heads around. So someone here says "i felt ok on pegasays" that is virtually meaningless. You do one or the other ..you respond one way or the other. It's just a case of hang in when it gets tough...drink water like a fish...except slowing life down and take the highest dose you can rationaly tolerate. If you could realy understand the stats you wouldn't ask in the first place.
Get treated and i hope with all my heart you clear.
Sam
Get treated and i hope with all my heart you clear.
Sam
Thanks rev. Great sites. This clears up one thing for me. I was under the impression that Ribivirin could not be taken with Pegasys due to the pissing match between to two companies. Apparently that is no longer the case. From what I have read on the threads around the
FYI Pegasys was officially approved in th USA Dec 14th (or 17th) 2002. The waiting list at that point for a script was about 3 months but was shorteneed very quickly. It was approved un the UK before that but I am not sure exactly when. I waited for the official approval just to take it. LL
I also "was" a 2b. I liked the pegasys not just because of easier sides, but it comes pre-mixed and in a syringe. They have those that auto shoot you now too, but I didn't have those. My sides were pretty tolerable until the 2nd 12, however I have what my doc calls "barely compensated cirrhosis" and had liver failure 2 years ago, so I think the sx. were affected by my health. Joni
I did a search on the janis site & noticed that the only medicine I can take to iradicate both my Hep B & C is the Interon-A. Is that true? I REALLY don't want to take it if I can get pegasys. What is the danger of me taking pegasys to eradicate my Hep c 7 then 'living' with my Hep B? Am I that much more seriously ill than those of you with 'just' Hep C?
what is the chance that my liver is ok if I don't have any symptoms? Could I be really sick without symptoms? I could have gotten both heps any time within the last 11yrs, but most likely 11-5yrs ago. I know - I need a biopsy, but I'm so scared that I'm tearing up as I write this.
Also, I don't know if I mentioned this yesterday, but someone said that you must eat animal protien for your liver to regenerate. Is this true (I'm a vegetarian). I've also heard that we should be eating a low protein diet. I know that animal protein is harder to digest than veggie protein. Doe4s this mean that I can't take vegateble protein supplements to build muscle? Thanks!
what is the chance that my liver is ok if I don't have any symptoms? Could I be really sick without symptoms? I could have gotten both heps any time within the last 11yrs, but most likely 11-5yrs ago. I know - I need a biopsy, but I'm so scared that I'm tearing up as I write this.
Also, I don't know if I mentioned this yesterday, but someone said that you must eat animal protien for your liver to regenerate. Is this true (I'm a vegetarian). I've also heard that we should be eating a low protein diet. I know that animal protein is harder to digest than veggie protein. Doe4s this mean that I can't take vegateble protein supplements to build muscle? Thanks!
Hi to all,
I was out for a while and just got back. tonyz, thanks for your kind words, I have my fingers crossed for good results.
jonihs, I like the pre-mixed syringes also. I gotta admit I still cringe giving myself my shot. I guess guvna' Arrnold would call me a girlyman, lol. It doesn't hurt at all, I was always needlephobic. Oh well....gotta be positive.
You folks here are great, thanks for being here.
Peace - Gulfcoast
I was out for a while and just got back. tonyz, thanks for your kind words, I have my fingers crossed for good results.
jonihs, I like the pre-mixed syringes also. I gotta admit I still cringe giving myself my shot. I guess guvna' Arrnold would call me a girlyman, lol. It doesn't hurt at all, I was always needlephobic. Oh well....gotta be positive.
You folks here are great, thanks for being here.
Peace - Gulfcoast
Hey,,,know what you mean about the shot! I'm week 29 of 52 and still not crazy about giving myself the shot! You would think by now,,,I would be use to it LOL Oh well,,,guess it won't be forever! Take Care!
The last thread got all full. You asked about Hot Heps. Here is the addy.........http://groups.msn.com/HotHeps/messageboard
It's a different kind of place started by heppers. We can get more personal there. And....you can post pictures and stuff too.
Ht Ringer...aren't ya proud of me?? I didn't eben tell her that bikini photos are required to be posted first!! LOL
Thanks to all for the well wishes for wifey. I showed them to her......she growled.....I think she's mad because I took her smokes away and won't give em back. LOL Poor Baby..... I'm currently feeding her ice cream with whipped cream on top. Maybe she will get happier now. I ain't holdin my breath though. It's probably gonna take a few days.........
It's a different kind of place started by heppers. We can get more personal there. And....you can post pictures and stuff too.
Ht Ringer...aren't ya proud of me?? I didn't eben tell her that bikini photos are required to be posted first!! LOL
Thanks to all for the well wishes for wifey. I showed them to her......she growled.....I think she's mad because I took her smokes away and won't give em back. LOL Poor Baby..... I'm currently feeding her ice cream with whipped cream on top. Maybe she will get happier now. I ain't holdin my breath though. It's probably gonna take a few days.........
TY for the correct site listing...as I am going to put it in my favorites...so I won't forget it anymore!!!!! OMG! NO smokes??? I will pray doublelly????LOL Hard for her...but remember treat her TENDERLY....she put up w/ all your "****" in the past! LOL love@prayers, Cindee PS TY you again for helping me put MY LIFE into prospective!!!!!! God Bless You
I am a 1a, and I received an 'undetected' on my 24 week test. I am going to do tx of infergen w/ribo in October. I told my doctor I wanted to have the summer off because I had none last year. Tough to swim when you're anemic, can't breath, and freezing cold all the time. Not only that but my attitude was really bad when I saw him at the beginning of July and he said it wasn't a good thing for tx. I'm alot better now than I was. I just wish there was more info on sx etc. with infergen.
Anne
Anne
Hope,,,Sorry to hear that this will be your 2nd round. Were you undected at 12 weeks? There is a few here on the infergen so hopefully they will post on their sides here. If I remember correctly,,,I don't think it was awhole lot different then peg/riba Good Idea to take the summer break and then you will be ready to go in October! There is quite a few that will be starting in sept/oct so that will help you out!! Good Luck!
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