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]

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?