Hepatitis C Support Group
Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease which can cause liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person's blood. Many people with HCV infection have no symptoms and are unaware of the need to seek treatment. Hepatitis C infects an estimated 150-200 million people worldwide.
Side effects of interferon
Some people may experience flu-like symptoms such as fevers, chills, lethargy, muscle pain, depression and mood swings. Less common side effects can include loss of appetite, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, skin dryness and itching, dry throat and/or weight loss. Still less common side effects include mild temporary loss of hair, blood disorders, thyroid disorders and skin lesions. All of these disappear once treatment is ceased.
Side effects of ribavirin
Ribavirin can temporarily lower red blood cell count and platelet count and this may cause tiredness, shortness of breath and less energy. These blood levels will be monitored by the treating doctor. Ribavirin causes birth defects so pregnancy should be avoided during treatment.
This drug is not available to women who are pregnant and/or breast feeding.
Effective forms of contraception should be used by both the person being treated and their partner during and for 6 months after treatment.
Some people may experience flu-like symptoms such as fevers, chills, lethargy, muscle pain, depression and mood swings. Less common side effects can include loss of appetite, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, skin dryness and itching, dry throat and/or weight loss. Still less common side effects include mild temporary loss of hair, blood disorders, thyroid disorders and skin lesions. All of these disappear once treatment is ceased.
Side effects of ribavirin
Ribavirin can temporarily lower red blood cell count and platelet count and this may cause tiredness, shortness of breath and less energy. These blood levels will be monitored by the treating doctor. Ribavirin causes birth defects so pregnancy should be avoided during treatment.
This drug is not available to women who are pregnant and/or breast feeding.
Effective forms of contraception should be used by both the person being treated and their partner during and for 6 months after treatment.
Which was very hard for me, since the interferon shot stays on 36 hours of side effects, but the riba, especially in my case 1200mgs a day, was a daily struggle.
Lets see, the ribavirin causes tiredness, low red blood cells, low platelets, shortness of breath and in my case no energy, so imagine taking 1200mgs a day for 11 months, My Good Lord how did I managed all these weeks of the stuff.
Sure I could have asked for my riba to be lowered, but I wanted this dragon out, asap, so I took them religiously even though I felt like I was dying.
In fact I wasn't dying, my numbers sure were low, but not dangerously low like those who are pulled from treatment due to the dangerous drop in their numbers, so I continued, till the end, and managed to kill the virus, and have been free of it, since.
Mind you, I never drank again, except for the one toast at Christmas, and most of the time, I don't even drink the whole glass.
I was lucky, cause upon being diagnosed with hep c, I lost the thirst or feeling of chasing the dragon, right then and there.
So today both my husband and I live alcohol, drug, and hep c virus free.
The best of luck to all who wants to really get rid of this virus, if you are not in danger with these meds, then it is doable, I am proof of that.
Treatment is no bed or roses, but doable if it's your last resort.
Good luck to all,
Mckenzie
type 1a
status: undetected over 5 years now.
Richard
type 1a
status: undetected over 7 years now.
According to Schering co. after a Patient is SVR for 7 years he is considered cured.
But, but but ....... I say there is always some hep c in our system.
It never quite goes away, which is why, a person is better not to resume to drinking again, or doing drugs post treatment.
Living a healthy active life, is the key to keep the dragon away.
Hey girl, How are you sweetie.?
I have done everything that I am suppose to on this TX!!!I drink so much water that it is laughable , I rest, and I have even gained weight, not lost.(I did lose in the beginning)
As you know, I would almost be done with tx, but now have the 72 weeks due to being a "slow" responder.
For me, the sides have been rough the whole time since the beginning and continue to get worse, it seems.
It always picks me up when I think of your "ONE day at a time" theory, and it works! Thank you, Mack for being so consistent and caring so much,
Cee