
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'm one of the fortunate ones that does have health insurance here in US with "doable" co-pays. My drug co-pays are $25.00 and my doctor visit co-pays are $20.00.
For those here in the US without insurance or with much larger co-pays, it's a major struggle. If they are lucky they get government assistance. The drug companies are really good about helping those that need it.
Mouse
and on that note, nice to meet a fellow uk-er:) where r u from? i'm in kent. sorry you have the beast, but try and stay positive with it and keep smiling:)
ps.... have you done any tx yet?
Pepy, yes it would be nice to get that but I think the NHS would collapse under the pressure. My hospital is 45 mins away - country driving and there is ONE consultant luckily he specialises in Hep. My partner's mother was treated further west and she had to see a gastroenterologist!! We're in Cornwall, both genotype
1 didn't ge the a,b whatever part, will ask about that when I'm in in 12 days. both did treatment mine didn't work she's still clear but waiting for results of 12 month test. It's worth thinking long and hard about the treatment - I was surrounded by people telling me to go for it - most of whom didn't have a clue what they were talking about. Apart from the fact that I would always have wondered about it, I wish I hadn't done it. I don't know enough to comment on how your other problems would affect the Tx talk about that with the dr I guess - you have a much better chance of it working than me tho'. I know of somebody in London with type 3 who did a three month course which didn't take, so although it'd be nice to take the shorter course it's good they're ofering you the longer option. He needs a liver transplant, but they want him clear first, or something like that, I ge this third hand. Good luck, and let me know how you get on.
when were you diagnosed??
sorry guys for interrupting this thread.
sounds like the major probs in the states is insurance. i say give it for free! god knows you suffer enough without having money worries too and they make plenty of money as it is. its not fair.
please god theres a solution to all our probs soon. in the meantime, all of you, be strong, stay positive and try to keep smiling