age

[needtono50]

i am 61 yrs old just ben told hcv pos. what r my odds at winning this batt.at my age my v is 1128000 is that good or bad

[hcvJames]

You are either type 1, 2, or 3. Types 2 and 3 have around a 75% chance of succeeding. Type 1 is 40 or 50% with standard treatment of Interferon and Ribaviron, but in combination with a new drug it's around 70-80% also. It's important to know what type you are. It's also very important to get a liver biopsy. It is the only accurate way to judge the condition of your liver. Don't worry about getting a biopsy, it's painless. My biopsy showed Stage 4 (of 4) meaning fibrosis with cirrhosis. I started tx at 58, treated for a year and a half with the standard drugs, had very mild to few side effects and now about a month afterwards am waiting to take a Viral Load (PCR) test in a few months to confirm the treatment took. I had Type 1, Stage 4, Cirrhosis, age 58/59, very mild sides and am looking forward to the final tests to confirm this virus is dead, gone, vanished. If it doesn't work I have to turn around and hit it with the new drug combinations. Has it been easy? No. Starting out I knew what you know about this disease, nothing. When pronounced Stage 4 of 4 with the term End Stage Liver Disease thrown in, my previous ambivalence changed to 'can anything be done?' 'when do we start tx'? Nothing like confronting your own mortality to focus the attention. Very emotional. Concentrate on learning, and getting the treatment you need. Otherwise stay busy to keep your mind off it during the waiting times (waiting for this or that lab result, waiting on the next appointment, etc.) Stay with this forum, knowledge and support are here. All the best. Oh your VL count doesn't mean much before treating, it goes up / down but doesn't really tell how the disease is progressing. After tx starts it matters. It's drop is used to measure response to the med's.

[SusieS2010]

Age is only one factor. It is not a reason to not try treatment. Many people your age have tried and succeeded. Good luck.

[Mary4now]

Hi, I'll be 62 this September I've had hep C for a really long time ( I think ) and I started a drug study at the end of January, I was undetected at week 1 and I have 7 more weeks to go on the meds. still undetected
I am a geno type 1, with a starting VL of 8 Million.
hope that helps.
M

[spectda]

i responded on your other thread. it might be easier to follow if you keep it on one thread unless the subject is completely different.
-Dave