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.

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rygordon 01/20/2014

My doctor wants to put me on this tx asap if not sooner, just waiting for ins approval. I am geno type 1 and at early stage of cirrhosis. Does anyone know if this tx is effective for my geno type? It sounds pretty harsh. I know the side affects can be hard, but maybe not. In any case I gotta do it. My dr. says he doesn't want to wait until the end of the year when you can take just 2 pills.

WarriorGal 01/20/2014

IMHO there are much MILDER, gentler newer treatments that are MORE affective.

I am on Sofosbuvir (Solvaldi) with Olysio (Semeprivir) NO RIBA and NO INTERFERON. Very good results for Geno 1s and no sides. It's off-label so not all insurances will approve it but it's worth discussing with your doc. See "Off-label Approval" thread here.

Google "new HCV treatments" or "Non-Interferon HCV treatments" some use Riba, but Inteferon is pretty much old school and no longer necessary.

You are still EARLY STAGE cirrhotic so you do have a time to do some investigating before jumping into something that harsh...

Up to you.

deleted_user 01/20/2014

I did treatment with riba and interferon in 2008 and it was VERY harsh. If your liver will tolerate waiting for the newer, gentler, more effective treatments; that's what I would do. It's up to you and your doc but please give it careful consideration.

If you are able to get a second opinion, please do so. It never hurts to get a second opinion and it does not mean you have to stop using your current doc...just consider another opinion.

deleted_user 01/20/2014

I meant to say... ..."...just consider another professional opinion."

MrOSO 01/20/2014

I strongly agree with RASS and KM, I would not advise anyone to take Interferon and Riba unless there were no other options available.

See if you can get approval for Solvaldi and Olysio, like RASS suggests. If not, then seek a second opinion. I did 48 weeks of Interferon and Riba last year, and it was extremely difficult. If I had known more before I started, I definitely would have waited.

deleted_user 01/20/2014

I am about to start the same treatment as you...12 weeks with all 3 meds. We'll have to keep each other posted as to how things are going. Good luck!!

rygordon 01/20/2014

Thanx for the input guys. I'm scheduled for an ultrasound this week and an endoscopy next month. My dr said after reading my biopsy results from 2005 and my recent blood work he seems to think I don't have a whole of time before I won't be able to do any tx. He's a hepatologist and is highly recommended. I guess wait to see the results of the new blood work, ultrasound and endoscopy and determine if there is enough time to wait. I will look into a second opinion if he says there are no other options. Kinda scary I care for a 19 month old, and my fear is I won't be able to care for her. I have great support here on this site and that's a great comfort.

packedsand 01/20/2014

Good luck with your test results ! Keep us posted ;)

WarriorGal 01/20/2014

If you are going to wait a month for ultrasound...I would use that time to research and discuss other options with your doc.

While you're waiting he could try for non-I, non-riba off-label treatment and get approval all in a month! And if it's not approved, then go ahead with what her is suggesting.Nothing to loose to trey for it.

allaboutliving 01/20/2014

When the virus rears its ugly head & your liver starts decompensating it can happen rapidly. I believe in & have gotten 2nd opinions from liver specialists & they have always given the same advice as my GI. I think you should inquire about the off-label IFN-free tx but personally I also tend to take the advice of the professionals & do the protocol they recommend. I do go to my appointments armed with info. & questions to make sure my GI has considered all aspects of my condition & tx plans. Be a good advocate for yourself. I did 48 wks of IFN/Riba & 9 wks triple with IFN/riba/Incivek & both times were harsh but doable. I think you have a better chance of success as long as Solvadi is in the mix & I posted a link on DS recently from HCV Advocate (I think) that stated some people are waiting too long because of the promise of these new meds. Wishing you the best outcome.

bethann718 01/21/2014

I hope for you the very best with your decision and journey to get to SVR !!! Peace, Beth

bethann718 01/21/2014

This clinical trial is recruiting. It should be approved by the end of the year, as per my Dr.
Maybe it would be helpful info to you.
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT01938430?term=sofosbuvir%2Fledipasvir&rank=4&show_locs=Y#locn

MLTTexas 01/21/2014

I'll see my doctor tomorrow (Wed.), and I have a feeling he will want to put me on the same 3 drugs. Can interferon really be that bad if for only 12 weeks? My biggest concern about it is losing weight, because I have no weight to lose. My muscle mass and body fat went with my transplant over 3 years ago and hasn't come back.

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