Does Everyone Here Believe In Treating ASAP

[betteblue49]

I was diagnosed in 1995, when after my biopsy I was told I could wait since I only had mild inflamation of the liver. I was also told by my dr at the time, that I could wait until I was sicker, hmmm. I choose not to wait until I was sicker, Mono-interferon was the only drug available back then, and the protcol was 6mths. I did not respond and was labled a non_responder

I found another dr. and he put me back on for 1 year and I did respond, however, 7 months post tx I relapsed. To say that it was discouraging would be putting it mildy. However, I licked my wounds and went for my 3rd round, which was 18 months. Many times, I wonder what if I would have accepted being labled a non-responder, what condition would my liver be in now...

Happy to say, my tx journey ended in 1998 and May 16, 2007 I reached 9 years of being cured, yes I dare to use to "C" word.  

Getting back to my question, do must of you feel that tx is necessary and that you should not wait....

[betteblue49]

Bubbles rings a bell, so so does earthman the alien

[Xquizit]

Does the name bubbles ring a bell?

[betteblue49]

You might think it's useless, not everyone does. I don't appreciate earthman who I know to personally attack me. If you knew him, like I do, I'm sure you would respoond to him too. There is no need for you to be rude to me. You don't have to agree with my views on treatment, but the last time I looked, I lived in the USA and I have the right to voice my opinion without be attacked by that fraud earthman.

[ladywhy]

For Goodness sakes, let this useless thread get buried already. GOODBYE Betteblue.

[betteblue49]

Thank you alagirl. Doing mono-interferon 3 injections a week for 3 straight years was no piece of cake. I do know that Riba is no fun either. Earthman is actually an illegal alien, which is kinda funny that he calls himself earthman on here. He uses many many names, I believe he is also Mr. Liver. He has been banned by many forums for bashing people who are struggling with tx. If I were you, I would keep an eye on him,  He has many serious problems. By, the way, nice meeting you alagirl.

Bette

[betteblue49]

I did treatment  for 3 straight years, and been cured for over 9 years.  Why are you so hostile Andy, when your girlfriends forum has been dead for years. You both have been exposed on delphi as the frauds you are. Before long, the people will see you as the snake you are. You have never ever been supportive of the HCV Community and should be banned by all. The only clown that came to my forum was you and I banned you for starting trouble with people on tx.  Yes, my forum was attacked by you and the rest of your village idiots. ,However, I always make a point of throwing out the trash. EH?

P.S. Medhelp does not tolerate troublemakers like you
and I'm sure your days here are numbered.

[alagirl]

Actually its my understanding that the old IFN was WORSE than today's pegylated IFN's?  Hard to imagine anything being worse at the moment since I'm treating right now, but still... that's what I'd thought, that you had to take the IFN more often before it was pegylated and that it was a harsher med to the system?

[EarthMan]

you make it sound like you treated for 3 straight years when in fact you did not. You also make yourself sound as if you were the poster child for hepatitis c. In fact its all about you, you, you! You actually believe that in your mental midget mind. And PSP-N-YOU has her nose so far up your butt that i don't even know how she breaths. Forum for 7 years? It must be that clown forum that you speak of cuz it sure isn't a support forum. Are you under attack again??????? Ya numbers are dropping so its about that time eh? rotfl

[EarthMan]

You feel great because the old ifn is like baby aspirin compared to real aspirin. You sure brag a lot dude!!!! In the real world of today, you wouldn't even be able to handle the current soc. treatment meds.

[betteblue49]

Yep  May 16, 2007 made 9 years..I did tx from 1995 till 1998... Thank you for your kinds words, I feel great, never had any after effects from tx. I I'm on Lipator and need to have my liver functions checked every 3 to 4 mths, so I tell my doc, throw in the PCR, lmao.
How did you and your husbad do?

[honey11]

Hi Betteblue,,,,I knew you had been SVR a long time but didn't realize it was 9 years now!  That is wonderful and I'm like you,,,,like the word Cured better.  I know when I found out I had it,,,,I wanted to treat,,,my husband also,,,we prayed that we could both reach SVR and feel better about having no virus at all.  It's such a gamble on never knowing when the damage is going to hit from one year to next and of course lots never have much liver damage at all and die one day from something else but you just never know.  Well,,,how do you feel now after all these years?  Any problems and do you still see a dr yearly?  I always wondered how often people continue going after reaching SVR?  Good to see you here!

[betteblue49]

Hey another smart New Ywaker, lmao.. Congrats to you... I live in Brooklyn.. Well actually 9 years and 5 months, but who's counting, lmao

by da way, ya opinion was fab:)

[PSP-n-Me]

bette is from NY too and I think she had the Doc you went to see when you decided to do 72 weeks
veg

[nygirl7]

I mean if we were told we had cancer, I don't think we would say, oh, I'll wait until a better tx is available



LOL excellent point.  I had decided that I was going to treat regardless WHAT my biopsy said.  I just didn't want this in me getting WORSE.  I treated for 72 weeks as aggressively as possible and am SVR only 9 months now so THANK YOU for your post.  9 years........now THAT to me shows how worthwhile treatment is.

But it's only my opinion.

Great topic.

[PSP-n-Me]

I agree - there is life after HCV but you will never know what it is unless you get rid of it first

[betteblue49]

Thank You. I just believe, especially those of us who have treated and cleared have a responsibility to encourage others to treat, who are able too. Many Cannot treat due to other medical conditions. My mission is to give Hope. There is life after HCV.

[PSP-n-Me]

you're truly and inspiration to all

[betteblue49]

I had no damage and it took me 3 longgggggggggggg years to clear. I rest my case..

[betteblue49]

That was why I treated when I only had mild inflamation. I was in great shape, if I was not   diagnosed  during a rountine medical check up,  I would have never known. I was in the best shape I ever was in. I was going to the gym 3 times a week. Why wait until you feel sick. Many people go from stage 2 to 4 in warp speed,  some down.. I just dont much like playing russian roulette..

Have a great night sweetie, send my love to your wife..

[PSP-n-Me]

another thing to think about too - just becasue you have low liver damage does not automatically say you can wait to treat - I have 30% fatty liver and Insulen Resistance - the fatty liver speeds up the progression of fibrosis and the IR can in instances cause SVR to have less odds - but even with that in mind my Hep Doc said I should not wait to treat cause of the Fatty liver...There are too many variables to consider to make a blanket statement of *low liver damage wait for new drugs*

[TexMikel]

I think it is up to each of us.  Me  I could not treat when I was DXed at stage 4/4 it is very dangerous at any time.  This liver I started at 2/2 failed at 3 months post TP.   I am able to tolerate the TX more easily. But it took a very short time this time 9 months to go from perfect to 2/3.  We can not count on time always being our our side.  I would hate to steer some one wrong.  This is life and death.  From that alone I say the healthier your liver is the better chance you have to treat and clear.  I have cleared and am continuing to stay that way. That is just my experiance.  My two cents.  

[betteblue49]

Congrats on your SVR. You were very lucky that you cleared first time out. It took me 3 years to clear, so if I had waited, I might have been plum out of luck.. The bottom line is people should get the best dr that can and listen to him or her.

[jmjm530]

I'm on a public computer -- out of town -- that is  closing down in a few minutes, so this will be brief.
Yes, I treated agressively for 54 weeks. I'm SVR for over a year. But I waited until I was stage 3 -- actuallly told a bit past. This is consistent with what I believe, in general. Watch n' wait with little or no liver damage. Treat agressively (within reason and personal tolerance) if you have significant liver damage. Again, not very original, just one point of view. Computer shutting down in a few minutes, so as the bunny says....that's that's all folks ...for tonight at least.

-- Jim

[betteblue49]

Thank you for your response. I know the more people see that people have cleared from doing tx, it might give them some hope. Thank God for forums, when I was treating in 1995, I didnt have access to the internet. Although, my family, friends and co-workers were supportive they did not understand my feelings.  When I relapsed after being VF for 7 mths post tx, it was worst than first being diagnosed.   It's just a close friend from the internet recently died, although she cleared, she asked me to continue bringing up the subject of early treating. By the way, have you treated?