looking at my va records online now i see that my kidney function readings began going downhill bout halfway thru the second tx..
after 15 months of peg switched over to infergen daily my brain cracked and i went to the va er / stress unit. i see now that some observative soul wrote in my records that i looked unkempt and older than my actual age. well no shit.. ive seen better looking scarecrows..

I hate treatment, it has been hell. I hate the sides. And I hate it when I read stuff like this and my brain says "see, you need to quit this shit NOW."

But seriously all this information in the articles is real, but it's still anecdotal. Just because I wasn't wearing seat-belts and was thrown from the jeep before it went over the cliff does not mean that you should not wear a seat-belt. My story is true, and I will stand at the top of a hill and shout it for all to hear, but if you look at the data, seat-belts are still a good idea.

I'm not saying interferon is not bad. The stuff is poison. But we demand evidence from drug manufactures before trying new treatments, I'd like to see the same evidence of harm. Factual studies.

There, rant mode OFF.

Bob

But who would pay for that study? There's no profit to be gleaned from the results...therein lies the problem...

Exactly Kat...exactly!!!!

mema, my lovely...my goddess...I missed you!

I have no idea who told you it was ok to get a life and abandon me; IT IS NOT!

Thanks for posting this about interferon. Sorry you are still having issues. Over the years, many doctors have suggested treatment, but I am fearful after reading about so many horrible sides, vision loss, etc.
There should be some follow up studies, but of course, that info doesn't seem to be available. It seems that many people never quite recover from it. Also, if they do, they still have most of the liver damage they had before. I wish I would hear more success stories, but they don't seem to be around.

Bob it's all about the genes; success or failure, degrees of damage. I wish you good genes Man!

JB, there are plenty success stories.
I did tx, have a few sides left over from tx, and I cleared the virus. I think any drug used for a long period of time, could contribute to long lasting sides. Age and health is also a factor. I only endured 24 weeks of interferon, but at 3 years post tx, the lasting sides are few and manageable.

With all that said, I still have hope that people who can afford to wait, will wait for the non interferon treatments.

Im with Miss Becky. I did 48 weeks of triple with victrellis,am svr now. I know I will have sx for a while. I still have a bit of brain fog and my emotions are kinda of screwed up but its getting better. Just need to have folks point out that I still have it in my system and I get over it quick! All that being said I thank god for the interfuron when I needed it! I would do it again if it came to it! It is what it is.
I also am happy for the new tx that is comming out. I also hope that folks who can wait, will wait!
Prayers Guys!
Bill

An analogy..
Shark infested waters and some make it while others get ripped to shreds. It has nothing to do with attitude, lifestyle or prayers.
No studies needed as the water turns red.
Congrats to those who had the luck to make it to shore. Pep talks not in order for those that didn't.
So do you attempt to cross the waters? No right answer until now when "Wait I see the cruise ship SS Gilead on the horizon!"
Pretty well sums it up! :^)

Not A pep talk just what happened for me and how i feel about it my brother!

I wasn't addressing you specifically fish. Again congrats on your success

I'm 3 mos post treatment; triple w/incivek. I have joint pain, mostly neck & back, hands sometimes, and it's mostly just when I wake up & continues for an hour or two, and then late in the day. I've always had back issues, but this is worse. I'm still hoping it will ease up as time goes by.
@Kramer, I too have this dry eye problem when I sleep at night. It started during tx. It's so bad I have to use my finger to move my eyelids off my eyeballs to open my eyes! Then I put a drop of artificial tears in. How long have you had this?

It started about a week after starting SOC, three years ago and is still with me. It's a common complaint. I feel like my eyeballs are sunburnt and the only relief I get is to apply a hot moist facecloth to my eyes for a couple of minutes and then a good viscous eye drop.

Im sorry Interferon did not work for you (and many) and possibly contributed to some of your long lasting sides. BUT, it has worked many and although the meds take awhile to get out of your system many feel fine and have been cured. Im two months post Tx and all my labs are now within range, Im feeling much much better. My strength is coming back, the head is clearing and the morning wood is back and now I need to wait and see if it worked. If not, Ill be waiting for the news meds also. Will I wind up having some long term side effects? Definitely possible. We are all aware (or at least most) that the drugs are poison, the side effects suck, Tx is long and NOBODY wants to go through this. We would all like the new drugs with less or no side effects to show up. How do you know the new drugs will have no long lasting side effects, say two or three years down the road? Did you hear that from Gilead or Baxter maybe? These meds are still killing something in your body. The evidence that it is a shorter Tx and easier is there for sure. Is it one, two or three years from hitting the market? Will insurance approve or pay for a more expensive Tx? And here Im assuming it will be more expensive. Although these kind of posts are probably necessary to a point they just scare the crap out of people and possible sway their decision from trying to better their health. Would a cancer patient think Hey, chemo sucks and the sides are bad so Ill just wait until something better comes out? And for the people that are on Tx this most likely just pisses them off. Many factors should be considered when starting or postponing Tx. IMO, those decisions should be made by the patient, doctor and family. And it is correct that Interferon treatment is not for everyone. Again, this is why you have a doctor to monitor your monthly labs. If its going bad, they pull you off or supply rescue meds.

When I first found this board it provided information for treatments, trial info, Friday night shot clubs, some fun, welcomed new members and mostly gave SUPPORT. Maybe Im in a foul mood but its seems lately that weve lost most of why I came on board. It seems like the compassion and support part is long gone.

I wish everyone health and happiness
Later