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.
My doctor told me a nurse would be setting up a time to come to my home on my first day of meds to show me about the injection and talk to me about side effects. She called yesterday and will come by next Friday afternoon. She told me to go ahead and start my Sovaldi and RIBA that morning after I eat. This to me is reality. It's finally happening. Looking forward to the end but dreading the beginning.
That is the same for me. My hepatologist said I would be started on INF/RIBA/SOV if had decided to treat since I am a 1a and have not previously done INF, etc.
It is either cause it is standard protocol or because my insurance may only cover that tx. But, she is well aware of the new combo coming out at the end of the year, so it is no rush.
WG--IFN/riba/Sol for 12 wks is the recommended tx for geno 1a. Most insurers will pay for this combo if patient is tx nave or retreating. I believe the new IFN/riba free meds coming in Oct. will eventually replace the current standard of care but that may not happen immediately. A lot of people will have to do step therapy. If IFN/riba based txs fail then they will have access to newer more expensive meds. That's the way it's been in the past anyway.