Great post ranger!!! And morning WOOD IS GOOD!!!

Oz

Why do you think billions of dollars are being invested in more effective and humane drugs Ranger? If SOC was an acceptable answer to treatment there would be no such race on.
Please don't scold me for bringing the facts to light.
If I had known the risks of treatment before I started, I probably would have declined. I was told by my Hep Dr. that if I found treatment too rough I "could just quit" LMFAO!!
I was asymptomatic before Interferon.
I am now still HCV pos and dealing with the damage of the attempt.
I'm happy you made it "to shore" intact but please don't get all scoldy to those of us that did not.
Please enjoy your potential SVR and recover soon!
IMK

...and this board is about support ..and facts!

I personally am not trying to deter anybody from doing tx, just being honest about sx. I'm still glad I did tx & killed the virus. I was told I couldn't wait because of liver condition & my age (62). My sx weren't pleasant, but tolerable. Even now, for most of the day I feel fine, and have gotten back into walking 2 - 3 miles almost every day. I take an OTC pain pill as needed.

@ Kramer
It's all about you, isn't it?
Re: SOC acceptable, I don't see that in my post
Scoulded? Just asking questions and looking for FACTS
And re: facts..."it must be true, I saw it on the internet"
My opening line stated I'm sorry it did not work for you and many others. I truly am sorry and I also stated I might be in line with you for different treatment options.
I just spoke my opinion but it doesn't jive with yours evidently.
Out..i I'm done

My history here of sharing links to information is at odds with your assessment of "I heard it on the Internet" so kindly back off.
This topic was started as a common ground with other "non HCV/Melanoma" patients who have suffered at the hands of Interferon and I found that provided great clarity as to what the cause of my sorry state is ..not chronic HCV but damage from treatment.
Again, enjoy your potential new found health and a speedy recovery for you. It does happen for some, for others it's a struggle.

All I know is that I've had Hep C for probably over 30 years and never had treatments. Then a little over 3 years ago, the Hep C, which had never slowed me down, quietly turned into early Cirrhosis and primary liver cancer. So I had a transplant in July of 2010.
The transplant got rid of the early cirrhosis and cancer, but not I'm at at least phase 2, probably higher, with Hep C in my new liver. I'll be starting triple treatments as soon as I get the go ahead. No, I don't want lasting effects of interferon, but I also don't want cirrosis that will progress to cancer again, then death.
Hep C doesn't get better on it's own. It progresses.

Marilyn you are between a rock and a hard place and I wish I could make your circumstances better.
It seems Interferon is your only option at this point.
As always I wish you good outcomes and that you land on the side of others who have little collateral damage from treatment.
No one knows how treatment will go. No Dr; no one.
You have a great medical team and I wish they would get you into an oral only trial ..who knows, it may happen yet!

Thank you Marilyn. I always keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

No one wants to take a drug with nasty sides, perhaps long lasting ones. But those that do or have done so in the past made the best decision they could make at the time.

The comments on the link Kramer provided were real and heartfelt. And after all, isnt that why were all on this board: to share our experience , strength and hope with each other? But I still state to be a scientific study, you would need at least 4 groups:

A: Those that took Interferon and cleared HCV
B: Those that took Interferon and were non responders
C. Those that have HCV but did not take Interferon
D. Those that took Interferon for other purposes


If the long term sides were only in groups A, B & D, then Interferon is the common culprit.
If only in groups B and C, then perhaps its the progression of HCV (like Marilyn says, it does not cure itself).

These are of course simplistic observations, but they illustrate a point. And furthermore, what am I supposed to do if Interferon does have lasting sides? I just did shot 33? Does that mean I should stop? I guarantee that part of my brain leaps for joy when it hears this, demanding that I stop now. But at what cost? Sure its a nasty drug. What are the options? I dont think Ive heard anyone on this board recommending starting treatment immediately if it was medically feasible to wait.

Kramer, no one is attacking you personally. I for one greatly appreciate your contributions to the board. But I hope this illustrates why some of us start to second guess ourselves based on anecdotal evidence.

Peace man,
Bob

Thank you Bob
My intention of starting this discussion was for those of us dealing with a diminished quality of life from Interferon. Wondering WTF happened to me?
I am sensitive to the fact that there are members here who have done or are doing Interferon but I think we are all past the stage of fearing to talk about the horrors of HCV and treatment so as to not frighten anyone.
This board is for all to share personal experiences and information they may from credible sites. The Hepatitis C Trust is one such site.
I wish everyone the best outcomes and a return to health. I will not hold back information for in information there is knowledge and knowledge is empowering

That's what happens when info like this is posted over, & over
and over. People get scared & don't want to tx. Yes some can
wait. But some cannot. Ever noticed there are not many newbies
coming on here anymore. They read all this negative stuff and
are gone. Just my opinion.

Oz

Ozzita I say to you and rangers that I post many links of great news, helpful advice on living well,dealing with symptoms and breaking news on treatment fronts so yes please I politely ask you to back off as well.
You reached out to me for information and after much research on my part for you ,did not even think to respond back to comment or perhaps even thank me.

i wouldnt discourage anyone from trying interferon treatment but itll be nice when there are better meds. interferon is some horrid stuff..

And why should we back off Louie? Our experience and opinion doesnt count? Why dont you kindly back off. Sharing links? Yes, you have posted plenty of information including propaganda provided by the drug companies who are trying to recoup their "billions" of invested dollars on the sick person's back. The "race" is on to make "billions" of dollars, that's why. The drugs now suck but are the new drugs more humane? It sounds like the new drugs might be but do you have a crystal ball to see 5 plus years down the road? Or do you trust Gilead and Abbott? Show me that fact, can you?

Kramer, I did thank you. I said my blood work was all in the normal
ranges and thanks so much anyway. If that's not the way it went
down, it must be the PEG, eating up my brain. LOL. And yes you
do post great info, on everything for this virus. But a lot of the info
on current TX just scares people away. Were just giving our opinions.
It's not personal. I read mountains of your information & I'm greatful
for time you put into all this.

Good day,

Ozzie