You have several threads going so the advice you have received on this is scattered.
"If it isn't okay, should I go against my doctor's orders and start "Sim+Sof", as she calls it, knowing it's not going to work?"
As I posted previously on another thread, I would start the Sim + Sof treatment now if there is no problem with resistance. I would not go on this treatment if there is a problem with resistance.
Nan
You have one of the best Doctors in the field of Hepatitis C in Dr. Nezam H. Afdhal. He knows is stuff and I would follow his advice.
" We decided to wait until October mainly because we have more data for previous nonresponder with this regimen."
Since he is involved in research from top to bottom. He knows more then we do.
Would like to add because you are a 1a instead of a 1b nonresponder is even more reason to take this certain doctors advice. 1a's have been harder to cure then 1b's, although slightly.
thank you. sorry for the confusion.
Thank you. Thank you for the reassurance about my doctor, and I'm also starting on the Rifaximin tomorrow after reading about it.
I think Hector's post on another of your threads pretty much lays out why starting treatment asap is preferable. This of course is if you do not have the resistance issue. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I do not think your doctor is advising against starting treatment now so long as there is no resistance issue. As Hector noted, approval by the FDA is expected in October but availability probably will take at least a month or two longer.
Your doctor's note said "The other option is to wait for Sofosbuvir and ledipasvir treatment that SHOULD be available in October. BOTH options have high expected SVR rates around 90%. We decided to wait until October mainly because we have more data for previous nonresponder with this regime" (my emphasis on "Should" and "Both")
You already have symptoms of decompensation (HE and I believe you have portal hypertension?). It is for this reason that I believe that IF you can safely treat now (with no resistance issue), you should.
As I said, from what you wrote of the dr's notes, I do not believe your doctor is opposed to your starting now, assuming you do not have the Q80K mutation.
Off label treatment http://hepatitiscnewdrugs.blogspot.com/2014/05/gileads-sovaldi-dominates-janssens.html
Why are you on Lactulose? Do you have cirrhosis? Forgetful? Wow- how bad is it? How old are you and what does it do to you? I am forgetful too, enough for people to joke me all the time, but I would not take Lactulose for it.
"...but I would not take Lactulose for it."
Just curious - why not?
Hi Type O
Lactulose is used to treat hepatic encepathalopathy. Do you have any signs or symptoms of HE?
http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/hepatic-encephalopathy
That memory thing you mentioned could be an early symptom.
Good Luck
Lynn