Aa
Ladybug...16 week short course
hey bug!
I saw in the hep forum that ya mentioned to Jim about the 16 week course. I am struggling with the thoughts of what to do also.
You're doc wants you to consider? I think thats what I read. too lazy to go back and look to see exactly what you said. I'm on my way out to do some errands, but just wondering what you feel about it.
anybody else that has opinions or has done the short course, I'd apprecaite your input.
thanks
I saw in the hep forum that ya mentioned to Jim about the 16 week course. I am struggling with the thoughts of what to do also.
You're doc wants you to consider? I think thats what I read. too lazy to go back and look to see exactly what you said. I'm on my way out to do some errands, but just wondering what you feel about it.
anybody else that has opinions or has done the short course, I'd apprecaite your input.
thanks
i posted a new thread, it has a better link to RxHope this is more user friendly don't have to sign to the website to look.
Thanks, I finally got it all taken care! I should have gone on my husbands ins Feb 1 but had all kinds of paperwork problems. Got it all straightened out but my sister has no ins and I'm gonna pass this info on to her!
Thanks!
Bug
Thanks!
Bug
its called RxAssist.org
RxAssist offers a comprehensive database of these patient assistance programs, as well as practical tools, news, and articles so that health care ...
RxAssist offers a comprehensive database of these patient assistance programs, as well as practical tools, news, and articles so that health care ...
hi,
i read that you can not get your a.d. covered by insurance. i know you said you paid, but for future refill have you tried (or heard of) patient assistance programs? most drug manufacturers have programs. just need signature from your physician (and probably financial qualify). physician faxes form to manufacturer and i think they are mailed to you (or the physician).
do a search. patient (prescription) assistance program see what you find. there is one i have seen before where you put the medication and they tell you what programs are available.
rose
i read that you can not get your a.d. covered by insurance. i know you said you paid, but for future refill have you tried (or heard of) patient assistance programs? most drug manufacturers have programs. just need signature from your physician (and probably financial qualify). physician faxes form to manufacturer and i think they are mailed to you (or the physician).
do a search. patient (prescription) assistance program see what you find. there is one i have seen before where you put the medication and they tell you what programs are available.
rose
I think you are right about dying with this instead of because of it. I have a friend who is a geno 1 and quit tx after 12 weeks. He talked to his dr. and felt like he could get 30 more years on the liver, or die in a car accident before the liver wore out.
Really what can you do, worrying never solved anything. I don't know about your financial situation, but some people were talking about getting labs to reduce the price. Also, teaching universities sometimes have a sliding scale. You probably know all this and are just trying to get through day by day. Life is often more overwhelming than the disease!
Bug
Really what can you do, worrying never solved anything. I don't know about your financial situation, but some people were talking about getting labs to reduce the price. Also, teaching universities sometimes have a sliding scale. You probably know all this and are just trying to get through day by day. Life is often more overwhelming than the disease!
Bug
I do not know about the ins. thing. I know I cannot afford out of pocket.
But what are ya gonna do?
I have read that most people with HCV die WITH the disease, not BECAUSE of it. Cold comfort to some maybe, but it is comfort.
How have you been feelin?
But what are ya gonna do?
I have read that most people with HCV die WITH the disease, not BECAUSE of it. Cold comfort to some maybe, but it is comfort.
How have you been feelin?
Lilmomma? Will you get ins anytime in the near future? I admire you for txing, doing your best and letting it go. I would be a wreck wondering I think. Then again I chose to deny it for about 12 years before I started tx!
Good Luck with svr.
Bug
Good Luck with svr.
Bug
Filled the prescription, back on a/d's going to take it one day one week one shot at a time. Congratulations on turning out the song.
I WILL SURVIVE!
Bug
I WILL SURVIVE!
Bug
I'm right there with you hun. My brain was sharp as a tack before, everyone would come to me at work when trying to remember info, procedures, company info. now
its a challenge to make important phone calls. I sure do hope this goes away. I was going to take a course, but held off, good thing because I dont think I could do the paperwork that goes with it. Hubby laughs at me when I say "I lost a piece of paper with a name and address on it, did you see it" cause he knows I put it somewhere and forgot ;-)
its a challenge to make important phone calls. I sure do hope this goes away. I was going to take a course, but held off, good thing because I dont think I could do the paperwork that goes with it. Hubby laughs at me when I say "I lost a piece of paper with a name and address on it, did you see it" cause he knows I put it somewhere and forgot ;-)
I went 25 weeks out of my 48
It was too much for me to keep going, mentally and everything else. Just too many sx for me to cope with work and such.
I was undetectable at my 12 week PCR, and continued on at und. but do not know what my status would be today. I am 6 months post tx, and for the most part doing okay. I would love to know if the little buggers are gone or if their at it again. dont have ins. or the money for the test.I just pray for the best, and live my life the best I can. I cant lose any sleep over things I cant change.
I have come to this site most days just to read what you guys are doing, and how life is going. I have always liked this site. It is so full of info. I find lots of good ideas here, not to mention, some very uplifting messages to carry me through another day.
It was too much for me to keep going, mentally and everything else. Just too many sx for me to cope with work and such.
I was undetectable at my 12 week PCR, and continued on at und. but do not know what my status would be today. I am 6 months post tx, and for the most part doing okay. I would love to know if the little buggers are gone or if their at it again. dont have ins. or the money for the test.I just pray for the best, and live my life the best I can. I cant lose any sleep over things I cant change.
I have come to this site most days just to read what you guys are doing, and how life is going. I have always liked this site. It is so full of info. I find lots of good ideas here, not to mention, some very uplifting messages to carry me through another day.
Pity parties permitted all tx participants welcome.
I just can't say it often enough. This sucks! Big time. And if we didn't get frustrated and disgusted we wouldn't be human.
I have no idea of what the answer is but i'm putting in my 2 cents coz I'm concerned that you make the right decision for yourself, whatever it is.
And as far as money vs. meds; At this point, I swear I would just charge the stuff on my cc or do whatever it takes to give yourself the relief you need so you can handle the other meds.
I'm the last one to promote debt but, hey, your health is more important than that and $50 per month for a couple of months to buy yourself the comfort level to get through tx doesn't seem exorbitent.
I say, fill you script now and try to relax and mull over your tx options.
From waht you wrote, it doesn't seem like THAT many more months. Was it 12 weeks vs. 16 or 12 weeks vs. 24?
Damn! That's why I cut and paste everything. I swear I haven't got a single brain cell left in my head.
They've all been devoured by Brain (Fog). (sorry - I can't resist that line. It is so perfect! I can't remember (of course) who posted it but it sure is a perfect metaphor for what's going on in what's left of MY mind.
I just can't say it often enough. This sucks! Big time. And if we didn't get frustrated and disgusted we wouldn't be human.
I have no idea of what the answer is but i'm putting in my 2 cents coz I'm concerned that you make the right decision for yourself, whatever it is.
And as far as money vs. meds; At this point, I swear I would just charge the stuff on my cc or do whatever it takes to give yourself the relief you need so you can handle the other meds.
I'm the last one to promote debt but, hey, your health is more important than that and $50 per month for a couple of months to buy yourself the comfort level to get through tx doesn't seem exorbitent.
I say, fill you script now and try to relax and mull over your tx options.
From waht you wrote, it doesn't seem like THAT many more months. Was it 12 weeks vs. 16 or 12 weeks vs. 24?
Damn! That's why I cut and paste everything. I swear I haven't got a single brain cell left in my head.
They've all been devoured by Brain (Fog). (sorry - I can't resist that line. It is so perfect! I can't remember (of course) who posted it but it sure is a perfect metaphor for what's going on in what's left of MY mind.
Yes it is a **** shoot either way, you're right. Dr. A told me the same thing.Do the 24 unless I can't tolerate, then he'd be happy with 16.
24 is only 8 more shots from the 16. I'll just see how I feel along the way. If I feel lousy, I'll quit in a minute, no problemo. I really don't want to take procrit either, so that will be weighed in too with my decision.
24 is only 8 more shots from the 16. I'll just see how I feel along the way. If I feel lousy, I'll quit in a minute, no problemo. I really don't want to take procrit either, so that will be weighed in too with my decision.
I know what you're saying. Vitamins, eating holistic is so expensive.
Some examples of antiox. are Vit, C, E selenium, beta carotene. yes you can get these in foods too, but if the veggies are loaded with pesticides that's not good.God never intended us to eat all these chemicals and so our body doesn't even recognize them when they enter and of course years of eating like that causes problems.
If we drink alot of fruit juice, which IS good for us, we will gain weight from the carbs. Thats why i like to eat a certain amount of fruits and veg, but also use the powdered green drinks and ruby reds.
Life Extension magazine is a great magazine to learn alot about all of this. Their articles will include studies also.
Dr. Whitaker, he is founder of the Wellness Institute in California has a great newletter. Dr. Williams is another great doctor. They are all years ahead of what you will ever hear (if ever) from a conventional doctor.
the B vitamins definitely help with depression. They 'naturally' increase your serotonin. Ad's increase serotoin, but Ad's have sx. I am not saying in any way that people should stop taking Ad's. That is between them and their doctor, but just as everyone tries their hardest to be informed about the liver and questions their doctor and actually challenges their doc about their tx, people should also do the same studying and research on effects of other drugs they are on. Just as cholestrol meds have become a controversy, so have many other drugs people are taking.
But if your comming off AD's I would do some research about the b vitamins. I don't like to tell someone what to take. I mention what i take, but then I think we all have to look into it ourselves too. Niacin is something we don't want to take alot of becasue of our livers. I take it every other day, but if I had more damage, I would ask my doctor about it.(he's holistic and thank God he is in my insurance plan) My other holistic doc was not in my network and I had to leave her. $300 for every visit. That was getting too expensive. Then to boot I dx myself of hep.ha! I should have gotten a refund that day.
I hope it all works out for you. I don't have kids so its true what you say as far a college money and gas money. I honestly don't know how people that have a few kids handle all those college bills. I have 2 dogs and the vet bills are nuts, but not compared to what it costs to raise kids.
Take care bug,hope everything works out, see ya later!
Some examples of antiox. are Vit, C, E selenium, beta carotene. yes you can get these in foods too, but if the veggies are loaded with pesticides that's not good.God never intended us to eat all these chemicals and so our body doesn't even recognize them when they enter and of course years of eating like that causes problems.
If we drink alot of fruit juice, which IS good for us, we will gain weight from the carbs. Thats why i like to eat a certain amount of fruits and veg, but also use the powdered green drinks and ruby reds.
Life Extension magazine is a great magazine to learn alot about all of this. Their articles will include studies also.
Dr. Whitaker, he is founder of the Wellness Institute in California has a great newletter. Dr. Williams is another great doctor. They are all years ahead of what you will ever hear (if ever) from a conventional doctor.
the B vitamins definitely help with depression. They 'naturally' increase your serotonin. Ad's increase serotoin, but Ad's have sx. I am not saying in any way that people should stop taking Ad's. That is between them and their doctor, but just as everyone tries their hardest to be informed about the liver and questions their doctor and actually challenges their doc about their tx, people should also do the same studying and research on effects of other drugs they are on. Just as cholestrol meds have become a controversy, so have many other drugs people are taking.
But if your comming off AD's I would do some research about the b vitamins. I don't like to tell someone what to take. I mention what i take, but then I think we all have to look into it ourselves too. Niacin is something we don't want to take alot of becasue of our livers. I take it every other day, but if I had more damage, I would ask my doctor about it.(he's holistic and thank God he is in my insurance plan) My other holistic doc was not in my network and I had to leave her. $300 for every visit. That was getting too expensive. Then to boot I dx myself of hep.ha! I should have gotten a refund that day.
I hope it all works out for you. I don't have kids so its true what you say as far a college money and gas money. I honestly don't know how people that have a few kids handle all those college bills. I have 2 dogs and the vet bills are nuts, but not compared to what it costs to raise kids.
Take care bug,hope everything works out, see ya later!
Bless me father for I have sinned and these are my sins, I'm sorry to have irked you Father Jim. lol
___________________________________________________
You said:
I think people who choose the short course are also doing "all they can" based on a reasonable weighing of the risks versus rewards. And like yourself, once finished with treatment, should never look back and ask "what if", because they simply came to a different conclusion after looking at the data and talkign with their doctors. And that advice also goes to those that treated longer (like myself) who sometimes look back and ask "what if" I only treated 24 weeks. Jim, grow up, what is done is done, 54 weeks was your number. Move on:)
--------------------------------------------------------
But here is the thing,"I will look back."
If God forbid I got cancer, there is no real way of saying 'where it came from,' so that I wouldn't necessarily blame on the meds, but I know that I will be so ticked off if I relapse and think it was something that I CAUSED myself.
Lets face it how many studies did they do for the short course for geno 2's? How many people were in these studies? I think I remember reading the study once and the odds of clearing were lowered by the shorter course.
I still feel like I am getting a placebo because I literally have NO sx, thank God. IF that changed next week,and I started pueking and needed procrit cause my hemo dropped and if I developed a rash head to toe, this lady will be the FIRST and ONLY participant in the 'Do it at home clinical trial of the 6 Week Itty Bitty course.
Believe me I do tip my hat to all you guys who pueked your way thru and continue to puek their way thru. I'd probably quit.
I don't see myself being able to get thru that. I then would just pull myself off, believe me, no way am I pueking everyday and feeling like **** when I'm a stage 0 and can wait, ya know? Its great to feel good on tx, but the down side is it makes me want to stay on meds longer to help increase my odds.
Believe me I know the risks of the meds, these are dangerous meds and I hate putting them in my body.But at this time and even years down the road, it will still be chemicals, so i wouldn't have been happy waiting to 'still use drugs',,plus my liver would have more wear and tear, which then would lower my svr rate. So many things to weigh. Yeah okay, maybe the course would be shorter, but maybe the meds would be even worse for my body.
There needs to be more of integrated medicine involved. Problem is that most 'conventional doctors,' think holistic doctors are 'quacks.'
The first liver guy I went to when looking over my blood work saw that I had a 'hair analysis' done at a holistic doc. He then says,'excuse me a minute,'leaves the room, he then comes back and hands me a paper with a website on it 'wack watch or something like that.
He told me I was wasting my money getting these tests done. Well guess what? IF he would have read my hair A, he would have seem that it said excess calcium was in my hair and 'this is seen in people with hepititus and cirrohsis (amongst other things).'(And the H.A. was done BEFORE I even knew I had hep.)
This is just one example of how closed minded some doctors are.
(BTW since many folks with Hep have bone pain, some have osteoporois, maybe its caus the hep causes us to lose the calcium as seen in my HA)
Where am i going with this? I don't know. I'm rambling on.
see ya Pastor Jim.
Thanks for you opinion. Even it I don't 100% agree, I'll still come to your church .lol
___________________________________________________
You said:
I think people who choose the short course are also doing "all they can" based on a reasonable weighing of the risks versus rewards. And like yourself, once finished with treatment, should never look back and ask "what if", because they simply came to a different conclusion after looking at the data and talkign with their doctors. And that advice also goes to those that treated longer (like myself) who sometimes look back and ask "what if" I only treated 24 weeks. Jim, grow up, what is done is done, 54 weeks was your number. Move on:)
--------------------------------------------------------
But here is the thing,"I will look back."
If God forbid I got cancer, there is no real way of saying 'where it came from,' so that I wouldn't necessarily blame on the meds, but I know that I will be so ticked off if I relapse and think it was something that I CAUSED myself.
Lets face it how many studies did they do for the short course for geno 2's? How many people were in these studies? I think I remember reading the study once and the odds of clearing were lowered by the shorter course.
I still feel like I am getting a placebo because I literally have NO sx, thank God. IF that changed next week,and I started pueking and needed procrit cause my hemo dropped and if I developed a rash head to toe, this lady will be the FIRST and ONLY participant in the 'Do it at home clinical trial of the 6 Week Itty Bitty course.
Believe me I do tip my hat to all you guys who pueked your way thru and continue to puek their way thru. I'd probably quit.
I don't see myself being able to get thru that. I then would just pull myself off, believe me, no way am I pueking everyday and feeling like **** when I'm a stage 0 and can wait, ya know? Its great to feel good on tx, but the down side is it makes me want to stay on meds longer to help increase my odds.
Believe me I know the risks of the meds, these are dangerous meds and I hate putting them in my body.But at this time and even years down the road, it will still be chemicals, so i wouldn't have been happy waiting to 'still use drugs',,plus my liver would have more wear and tear, which then would lower my svr rate. So many things to weigh. Yeah okay, maybe the course would be shorter, but maybe the meds would be even worse for my body.
There needs to be more of integrated medicine involved. Problem is that most 'conventional doctors,' think holistic doctors are 'quacks.'
The first liver guy I went to when looking over my blood work saw that I had a 'hair analysis' done at a holistic doc. He then says,'excuse me a minute,'leaves the room, he then comes back and hands me a paper with a website on it 'wack watch or something like that.
He told me I was wasting my money getting these tests done. Well guess what? IF he would have read my hair A, he would have seem that it said excess calcium was in my hair and 'this is seen in people with hepititus and cirrohsis (amongst other things).'(And the H.A. was done BEFORE I even knew I had hep.)
This is just one example of how closed minded some doctors are.
(BTW since many folks with Hep have bone pain, some have osteoporois, maybe its caus the hep causes us to lose the calcium as seen in my HA)
Where am i going with this? I don't know. I'm rambling on.
see ya Pastor Jim.
Thanks for you opinion. Even it I don't 100% agree, I'll still come to your church .lol
You're right, I don't have to make a decision today. I may not be as lucky at my 12 week pcr or my dr may really want me to keep on since I'm able to work and play on tx. (Just a little play time, but at least it's not just couch to bed like some who are so sick)I need to count my blessings today. And once I get those a/d's filled, I will! I'm a wimp!
A/d's =antidepressants. I'm really mad that I'm so miserable without them. My prescription is $48 without the ins, and I decided I need to refill more than I need the money. It just makes me mad because I paid out of pocket last month too and I had ins. then, just no card. Just hard trying to get switched over to my husbands since mine ran out Jan 31st. I was suppose to get the Celexa filled on Feb 3rd and I'm tired of trying to wait out the ins co. on getting me updated to my husbands plan.
Wyntre, I really shouldn't whine, you are so sweet. I am lucky, I get the shorter tx, have had less sides than you and luckily und at week 4. Thanks for the kind words, I needed a wake-up call to get off my pity party today!
Wyntre, I really shouldn't whine, you are so sweet. I am lucky, I get the shorter tx, have had less sides than you and luckily und at week 4. Thanks for the kind words, I needed a wake-up call to get off my pity party today!
I would not go cold turkey with those, you might make yourself worse. At this point I would just keep going and decide when you get to 16 weeks, you may at that point say I'll keep going and then do one week at a time.
wyntre9 - a/d's are anti-depressants
wyntre9 - a/d's are anti-depressants
"My ins ran out the 31st of Jan. Can't refill any meds and am going coldturkey off my a/d's, so I'm acting and feeling paranoid."
Hi Bug.
Excuse my ignorance, but what is a/d's?
BTW, as I read through this thread my first reaction was; Yah! She'd doing great. She's UND already and has the option of even considering the short tx vs. the long tx.
that's a great position to be in.
(If it wasn't for having to make a decision about it! - sometime in the NEAR future, that is) :-)
Hope you're feeling better.
And, one more thing, if it's any consolation, we started tx almost the same time, I think. (I just did week 8). And I'm nowhere near UND as of last bloodwork)
My second reaction was, Damn! The stinking insurance issues. As if we don't have enough other problems to deal with. That makes it really tough.
I don't know what a/d's are yet but it sounds like something you should try NOT to go cold turkey with. (easy for me to say, right).
Hi Bug.
Excuse my ignorance, but what is a/d's?
BTW, as I read through this thread my first reaction was; Yah! She'd doing great. She's UND already and has the option of even considering the short tx vs. the long tx.
that's a great position to be in.
(If it wasn't for having to make a decision about it! - sometime in the NEAR future, that is) :-)
Hope you're feeling better.
And, one more thing, if it's any consolation, we started tx almost the same time, I think. (I just did week 8). And I'm nowhere near UND as of last bloodwork)
My second reaction was, Damn! The stinking insurance issues. As if we don't have enough other problems to deal with. That makes it really tough.
I don't know what a/d's are yet but it sounds like something you should try NOT to go cold turkey with. (easy for me to say, right).
800 is weight based for me because I just converted lbs to kilo and came up with 57kg.
I weighed about 126 going in and weight about the same now. Who knows? My clothes still fit, clogged arteries from the food I eat but guess the smaller portions are keeping the weight the same.
Goof: My ins ran out the 31st of Jan. Can't refill any meds and am going coldturkey off my a/d's, so I'm acting and feeling paranoid. My poor husband!
Cindy: I don't know what to do. Based on this weekend I would love to quit at 12 and move on. I don't want to be a sissy. Maybe I'll wait and decide once I get on a/d's
Myown: Ok I am a wimp and take A/D's what's the healthy alternative?
I weighed about 126 going in and weight about the same now. Who knows? My clothes still fit, clogged arteries from the food I eat but guess the smaller portions are keeping the weight the same.
Goof: My ins ran out the 31st of Jan. Can't refill any meds and am going coldturkey off my a/d's, so I'm acting and feeling paranoid. My poor husband!
Cindy: I don't know what to do. Based on this weekend I would love to quit at 12 and move on. I don't want to be a sissy. Maybe I'll wait and decide once I get on a/d's
Myown: Ok I am a wimp and take A/D's what's the healthy alternative?
At least one of the shorter course studies was done with weight-based ribavirin as opposed to an 800 mg flat does. Don't remember, however, if they tested the shorter course with flat dose to see if any difference. Maybe Goofy would know. That said, if you cleared early and your hemoglobin had a dramatic drop, it's possible you may not have needed the weight base. Also, how much did you weigh going into treatment and how much do you weigh now? It's quite possible that 800 mg is weight-based for you.
Here's one weight-based scheme:
RBV based on weight:
< 65 kg
Here's one weight-based scheme:
RBV based on weight:
< 65 kg
Its a cr.p shoot no matter what you do. Both my doc and Dr. A said if UND at 4 go 24 weeks, unless it is untolerable. I was <615 but still detected at 4 weeks, so they both said do more. Dr. A said if can handle it, add the 12 weeks and be done with it. I could have been UND at week 5 for all I know, but I will never know, so I will extend but not the whole 48 weeks. Dr. A said there would be no additional advantage between 36 and 48 weeks.
Ok enough about my senerio, my point is at this point if I were you, just do the 24 weeks, so you don't doubt yourself later, esp. since you are doing well.
Get it done girl and get done right!
You too Ladybug, you dont ever want to have to do this over again and end up with more time (like jail) ;-)
Ok enough about my senerio, my point is at this point if I were you, just do the 24 weeks, so you don't doubt yourself later, esp. since you are doing well.
Get it done girl and get done right!
You too Ladybug, you dont ever want to have to do this over again and end up with more time (like jail) ;-)
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis Social Community
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
