We didn't have much choice at the time but I'm somehow reassured that all the lingering sides are from the drugs and not from chronic HCV. It's been the not knowing exactly why I feel so poorly that freaks me out and the Dr.s just shrug their shoulders "no comment"

I'm sorry to hear you guys suffered so much from this treatment. Someone here just posted recently about losing some of his eyesight from interferon.

Slide I've been driving my GP nutz for the last couple of years requesting all kinds of lab work to be done to explain my sore joints, achy bones, dry eyes, skin problems, vertigo, etc..all comes back negative. The only comments I get from him and the Liver Dr. is "uhm yes it's the Interferon".
To see others that have used it for disease other than HCV and report the same problems, well it's somehow reassuring in a twisted way, that it's the drug and not my liver, my hep!
It's been my new reality.

I never ever would do intereron..its brutal and has very longlasting side effects..negative ones..Two (former or inactive) members come to mind whose health was destroyed by it..Actually alot more than two..
Someone once told me that Interferon has been around for a long time..and they try to fit it to a tx...that the long term affects weren't researched. My doctor who diagnosed me years ago said do not do it..and the doctor i just saw in december told me to still wait.
This is all just MHO..but i think that shit is brutal and for me..not worth the risk"

I agree with Slide. Once it's done, however, there damn well should be SOMETHING to counteract such awful after effects....

Interesting reading.......Sorry you are still suffering the long term effects. I remember reading somewhere about people that it took years to clear up from it.

Kramer, I have listened to what you have said on here, and I have been given the option on treating now or waiting and believe you me, I am waiting!!!!!!!!!!

And to think that on my first visit to the Hepatologist, I was like "Alright, I want this out of my system! Bust out the interferon, NOW!"

I knew nothing about what I was talking about.
I knock my doctor here, sometimes...but I'm glad that he just looked at me like I was an idiot and steered me to the "warehouse."

Good call Slide! If only I'd known that the treatment revolution was just around the corner. Back in 2010 even triple treatment was thought to be years off.

Glad you responded well to that, because I TOTALLY wrote it wrong.
I have no liver damage - that's why I was being idiotic.
Obviously, you guys with serious damage were between a rock and a hard place...I didn't mean to suggest there was something stupid about the decision.
I felt bad that i wrote it like that.

No not at all Slide. There was no "right decision" at the time but thankfully that is changing!
There was no warehouse then ..lol

My brother did interferon in 2004/2005 every day for 18 months and is heathy as a horse today at age 61. I did interferon three different times starting in 1992 and again last year for 48 weeks. I have Aches and arthritic pain but I believe it's from all the wear and tear from playing sports all my life. Right now dealing with neuropathy in the feet. Not sure how someone can say its from the interferon. Not saying it's not but how can your doctor know. I know they are supposed to be the wizards of smart but can they prove it?

You and your brother can count your blessings. As success or failure with Interferon is based on your genetics, so are side effects and collateral damage from it.
You may or may not find this of interest.
http://hepatitiscawareness.com/hepc/science/hepatitis-c-trust-post-treatment-survey

@Clay IMHO with the excellent news you shared the other day I would say you have chosen wisely. I hope your Bx comes back confirming the same results.
I am Stage 4 and feel pretty confident (as my liver is still compensating) that I will make it to oral only treatment very soon!

Thanks for sharing this with me. I feel very fortunate as does my brother. I pray that everyone can Feel the same as I do. Even though I feel ok I definitely don't think that I am out of the woods. I will continue to take care of myself as though I am still not clear. It's the only way to go.
I'm hoping from taking care of myself that the liver is regenerating and working its way back to where it needs to be. At the time y brother under went treatment he was diagnosed with cirrhosis. He seems to have no complications what so ever which leaves me to believe his liver has reversed its deterioration. I'm thinking that maybe the genetics thing comes into play but more so living a good life as the reason. If it can work for us then it can work for others. Just trying to encourage people who have doubts. Thanks again.

I've lived the healthy life all of my adult years. No smoking, little drinking, jogging, weight training, vegetarian, rarely missed work due to "not feeling well-itis" ... how much more did I miss??? lol
There are too many "maimed lab monkeys" around these parts to require any more proof.
My point in this thread was to perhaps answer the nagging questions we have about our diminished quality of life, whether it could be post treatment or just HCV.
The Melanoma/Interferon discussion seems to answer that.