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.
I recently had my 12th/13th week lab tests and my doctor's appt. was scheduled for later this week. (I was tested after the 4th shot and was then a "slow responder".)
My doctor's office just called. I am not responding to the treatment. I am to stop all meds and he wants to see me tomorrow. Oh, they called last week after my CBC and my white blood count morphology was "markedly decreased". At that time, he wanted to do the CBC weekly.
I am so disappointed and very sad!!! I do not understand this. I am in good health and have not had anything to drink since I was diagnosed in 1992!!!
Has anyone else had this experience?
Love and friendship,
ElleeB
My doctor's office just called. I am not responding to the treatment. I am to stop all meds and he wants to see me tomorrow. Oh, they called last week after my CBC and my white blood count morphology was "markedly decreased". At that time, he wanted to do the CBC weekly.
I am so disappointed and very sad!!! I do not understand this. I am in good health and have not had anything to drink since I was diagnosed in 1992!!!
Has anyone else had this experience?
Love and friendship,
ElleeB
Why oh why does this happen for some...DAMN IT!
Please don't be too upset if they wont let you remain on this specific treatment, there are new types of meds soon to be release for people who have a tough time responding to the present meds. Don't loose hope dear friend. WHERE THERE'S A WILL THERE'S A WAY...SOMEHOW...SOMEDAY YOU WILL FIGHT THIS BATTLE AND WIN!
HERE FOR YOU IF YOU WANT TO CHAT...
YOUR FRIEND,
Brave Rabbit
I know quite a few people who had to stop because they werent responding.. and I know how depressing it can be.. you feel as if nothing is worth it!
But just think, medicine is advancing at a QUICK rate, with many clinical trials in their final phase.. meaning there will be some new meds to KILL this hep c dragon! and I know of one trial that is specifically for people who didnt respond to treatment.. i'll try to find some information on it for you.
Keep your head up though, we are here for you
Many are non responders, and still many others are relapsers. We give it our best, but sometimes what we try does not work. I did tx but relapsed after so now I am just waiting for whatever new becomes available.
There are plenty of things you can do in your everyday life that can help your liver to slow down the affects the virus is having on your liver. There are some who chose not to do tx until there is something less harsh on the body, and in the meantime, they take ALA and milk thistle among other items to give their liver a hand.
Just wait and see what your dr has to say at your next appt, and go from there.
Best of luck to you.
There are so many things to consider. Age is one. Menopause is another. Estrogen protects the liver, are you on any hormone replacement therapy? I am 55 and found that I felt lots better on bHRT. I took it for 6 months, then went to an organic cream that I rub on my tummy.
If you're interested there is a group that focuses on alternative treatments for Hep C.
http://dailystrength.org/groups/alternative-treatments-for-hep-c
I chose alternative treatments because when I found out what was making me so sick, I was too sick to do treatments, I already had most of the sides of treatments, and I wasn't on treatments. It took 18 months to get my energy back and now, 2 years later, I'm better than I was 6 months ago, so that is positive.
Best wishes!
I'm glad you have an appointment right away tomorrow so you can talk to your doc about options. There are options! You have a lot going for you in that you are in good health and you don't drink...and you have a very good attitude.
As others have said, unfortunately, being a nonresponder or a relapser is not all that uncommon...especially for genotype 1. Even those that get to an undetectable viral load early in treatment are at risk to relapse after treatment ends. That's the real sad part of this disease. The good part is that you are doing everything you can to help yourself and that is important.
Best of luck Ellee. We are here and we care!!
Know that we're here for you. Sending lots of hugs your way.