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.

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Gastrointestinal System
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I've made my decision about treatment.

eyore455
eyore455
I went to my old Gastroenterologist today.I've used them when i had insurance and i truly trust them with my life. Actually i just talked to his assistant who is a CRNP. I've worked with her in the past and i also trust her with my life. Shes actually a national spokesperson for Incevik. She works very closely with the pharmacutical (sp) companys. She goes to all the national conventions so shes very much involved. And very caring for that fact. When i told her how the clinic i was going to was being very pushy with me going on treatment she was alittle surprised because there group has a close relationship with that hospital, I guess not close enough. She was alittle surprised too when i told her the nurse at the clinic said everybody gets a blood transfusion at there clinic. She said at there practice they do weekly blood work and if your Hgb just starts to drop they immeditately put you on procrit. I really didn't have too much confidence the more i dealt with that clinic. And like alot of you guys and gals told me, she told me not to treat right now.I only have stage 1 scarring and all my labs are always good. And with my panic attack disorder and plus my unemployment running out. i'm not in a good position to start treatment. She is on top of this and said the new stuff thats coming out in the next year and a half is going to be amazing. So for the time being i'm not going to treat and i better get my ass back to work even with my major spinal problems and get insurance so i can use my Gastroenterologist.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hey eyore - I think if I were in your situation I would most likely wait a while as well if I didn't find a suitable trial. Even if some future tx's include IFN/Riba there are trials getting promising results with the addition of 7977 for a total of 12 week and unlike Incivek, 7977 doesn't seem to have any add'l significant sides.

Wishing you the all best...

katla
dillytime
dillytime
yea larry theses new tx's..all oral are almost 100% cure........w/little or no side effects.......work no problem in that category ........i would watch out for these trials in u're area,,they are free plus they pay u a stipend..u wouldn't need insurance...................god bless u friend
eyore455
eyore455
I'm still gonna stick close to you guys. A) because of all the wonderful information on here.B) because you guys are a blast and a bunch of F**KING nuts just like me.C) Where else can you go to get all the free entertainment that you get here.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I wish that I had been more prepared before I started treatment. I am the sole provider for a family of 4 and the treatment has really affected my job performance. I was cocky and thought that I could deal with it,, but it has proven to be more challenging than I thought it would.
dillytime
dillytime
amen brother,,plus people on the outside are living and struggling w/there own lives...and i don't like to bother anyone,,and the bible says each man shall carry his own burdens,as i do.....amen
Trissa01
Trissa01
Hey Eye, sounds like you've come to the best decision for your health & circumstances.
You've got me feeling a stir of hope for the future, too.
catmagic
catmagic
Ah, the panic attacks. I know them well. I had to go on Clonazepam two and a half years ago to even drive. That's my "trigger" - not just driving myself but just being in a moving car as a passenger.

I can't wait any longer for tx. I am Gen. 1a and have been waiting for 10 years for the PI's out now. And I'm 65. My labs and scans and images were all good until ... about 6 months ago. I was diagnosed in 2002 and was Stage 1 Grade 0, so of course no need to treat. That has all changed. When I get the biopsy results from the dr. on June 26th, I'm gonna do it - knowing full well about the sides of Incivek, but the hourglass is filling up at the bottom now.

You are doing the right thing in my opinion - waiting for a better drug w/out the sides - since you are not that far along into ... trouble.

Wish you well!
MLTTexas
MLTTexas
Good decision in my opinion. I wish you well. Keep in touch with us. We all need each other. Marilyn
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hey.............You're killing me.................LOL:):)

Best of luck to you.................ya gotta do whats best for YOU:):)

Now.get back to work and get OFF me...........LOL LOL LOL:):)
eyore455
eyore455
Oh Baby your so HOT !!!!!!!!!!
eyore455
eyore455
Is that Honey i smell on your breath. You better hand it over......LOL
deleted_user
deleted_user
I did tx 10 years ago. It came back after svr in 6 months. At the time I was told new drugs will be out soon. Some were already being used in Europe. Well, now, 10 years later they are finally here. I would consider waiting for these new drugs but it looks like ( on paper at least ) another 3 years. I can't wait nor do I necessarily believe it. I sure hope so. My tx was a nightmare and now I can look forward to another hellish drug to add to the mix. Gonna be positive. Try to eat this time. STAND UP FOR MY RIGHTS when I deal with my providers. These forums literally kept me alive last time. I don't know what I would do without the support. The be in charge nurses were great also. Should start by July 4th but I've been putting it off. They want me to do a full 52 weeks again. Arrrrghhhhh after doing a year last time I was pretty psyched to see a 24 week program. Those who can, I am so happy for.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Good decision Larry. Having experience a failed 48 wk tx on the peg/riba...I most def am waiting for the newer drugs to be approved. Watching out for trials, but there don't seem to be any in our area. My bx was a few years ago, and I won't have another til I'm ready to tx again. No need to carry another burden on my shoulders. There isn't a thing I would change anyway! I don't drink, smoke and I eat very healthy (despite the ice cream and sweets...but I'm cutting way back on those!) I wish u well in the time being til u tx! Stick around, this is a great group!
pharaoh88
pharaoh88
If I had enough time to think before starting tx, I would've waited until the new drugs come out. But I'm not talking about side effects, I'm talking about TIME (48 weeks is a loooong time).

It's good that you can wait until those wonderful drugs come.