sounds like somebody that i know

If you're around HCV forums long enough that article basically writes itself. Sums up a lot quickly.

sounds like a few people that I know

Or 5% of the total group known as the "n" as opposed to 5% of the 20%? Not clear but yes this article suggests that 3/4th who start tx fail or withdraw from it. That doesn't sound right.

The points in the article are well taken but the numbers are a bit strange.

My GP has a mainly HIV/HCV practice and told me most of his hep c patients have not treated to date. What the value of "most" is, I'm not sure but it seems to be reality. Sorry for the anecdotal "my GP told me" but he did ...lol

My ID/HIV clinic told me about 20% were HCV+ as well and literature suggests 25% are. I'll ask how many treat but I would also bet it's a low number. I think they push for acute HCV tx. Obviously they do as my doc wanted me to right away when my VL rose. It will be interesting to see how the acute HCV cases will play out going forward in terms of tx. As better txs get closer to market it will not make sense to do this regimen. 32 weeks of interferon is a long time.

Well 24 weeks beyond your first undetectable VL anyway unless you hit it at 4 you do 24. For me it was 8 so I'm on 32. If I got there at 12 weeks it would be 36. That's a long time as it is.

Hmm, I agree with ECC, the article is not very clear. First it states that only 20% of those with HCV get treated. That seems extremely high to me. Are those worldwide numbers? Do they included people that are infected, but don't know it?

Then it says that only 5% go on to successfully overcome the virus. That seems very low to me. Is the dropout and non responder rate really equal to 95%?

Sounds like government accounting to me. :-)

i have never treated..never really 100% Looked into it..the main reason is the "fear" of sides..being unable to work..and unable to support myself..
The GI who just did my surgery..is kind of Renown..a big-wig...and he said it was wise of me not to treat so far...
My liver looks good...no scarring and not cirrhotic...i have had hepc for about 30yrs...
To me...and this is Just my opinion...for me..the treatment is too unknown..un-researched...and the treatment is worse than the cure..To me..too many ppl have had way too many adverse results from treating..now i am talking about the old SOC...i would never have done that..just not worth the risk...to me.
Sure i hope we get the miracle cure...and i thank and appreciate all of those who do the trials and pave the way...I am Just gonna try to live right and hope for the best!

Mema, when the surgeon tells you that it's better than a biopsy. Had mine taken out in 02/2011 and she told me that my liver looked healthy. Obviously they see it through the laparoscope as they . . . oh NVM it's gross. Had you looked up a laparoscopic cholecystectomy on YouTube yet? You'll be glad that you didn't prior like most surgeries you're going through.

I'd take your surgeon's assessment and run with it too.

I have to agree w/Mema . Fear of tx. Although I have minimal scarring, the risk of 'going batty' scares me. It has been said before on here, which thread escapes me. But... I would have liked to NOT KNOW what I have. honestly speaking.. I Will remain positive for newer tx's and take care of what I have left... Amen.

JPeeps, it definitely can make you batty and not yourself. It would almost be worth it if you got some euphoria out of the bargain but you don't really. Maybe some do. It's consistently inconsistent. One got peppier and actually told me they felt better after their shots. It makes me too hyper and speedy and way more emotional. It can also cause a very pervasive turmoil in your head with obsessive thinking and rumination and you have nothing but time to think about your situation. It's a very strange drug and that's only one component of the side effect cluster of Interferon.

Anyway, while I've gone nuts a few times I know some have gone stark raving mad. I'm amazed that I could work throughout but I've been able to hide it there. Nobody at work knows I have HCV or am treating with Interferon. I had a small rage episode oddly once before tx and once since. Thankfully, they were largely private affairs. Rage also doesn't just happen either. There's always a causal event but you can bombard someone unarmed with the aforementioned turmoil say when you're at a coffeehouse waiting in line to order and the slacker in front of you has never seemingly ordered a coffee before.

Thank you ECC for your input. I greatly appreciate your own perspective on interFEARon...Scary to think how it differs in individuals, IF there were a few simple side effects to treating with that one drug it may be worth it for me,, I applaud you for pushing thru..

I hear you about the coffee-shop scenario..Yesterday I nearly lost it at UPS from impatience w/ a poor soul who was simply there to help me.. this is w/o going thru tx... geezus.