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.
This stuff is so confusing to me, I read all of the new drugs coming out, and of course I get the excitement over the higher SVR percentages but .... Is the interferon the worst part of the treatment? Is it the most dangerous part with the most side effects? I though riba was nasty too, riba rashes I hear about and birth defects Its in your system for many months after? So confusing all of this, IS it now just going to be these pro-tease inhibitors paired with the Riba? And is 12 weeks the goal? I really do read the new articles people post but a lot of times I fee like I need an some one to translate it! Thanks for any insight on this, Hope everyone is having a wonderful Tuesday...Kind of rainy here in Deutschland, but thats not uncommon!
Ribavirin ... nasty too but leaves the system after six months and I believe not as much risk of long term damage.
GS - 5885 and GS- 7997 I believe are relying on Ribavirin still but new studies are taking place with no Ribavirin and that is the ultimate goal.Personally I would nver ever do Interferon again. As a non responder it would not work for me anyway.
I would however give serious consideration to do a trial with Ribavirin.
The ultimate in my wish list is to get into a GS- 5885, GS- 7997 only treatment. Very little to no side effects and yes 12 weeks only.
with the combo and adding incevic on top well a recipe for PAIN. I did victrellis which seems to have less sx.
Thats my understanding.
Bill
First of all, everyone is different, but Interferon is really nasty stuff and it hits some people very hard. For me, it's more the cumulative effect of being on drugs for 6 months now. Hard to say which drug is worse, but it's not fun. 12 weeks seems to be the new goal, which is much better than the 48 I am facing.
As always, thanks for your clarifying knowledge!
All I know is that for the ten years since I was dx TWO docs - a hepatologist and an infectious disease specialist - both told me to to try to wait it out until there was an interferon-free treatment available. They knew it was in the works and wanted me to wait.
Neither ever said anything negetaive about Riba which IS part of the clinical trial I am starting very soon. And I am guessing it is for the reason Kramer said - the neg effects leave your body after 6 mos.
I find it AMAZING that it's actaully CURABLE! I have lived with RA for more than 30 years and will be on IV drip and chemo injections for LIFE with never even a thought of a cure...just treat, teat, treat...
A CURE is a miracle! A life-saving miracle! And heck, even aspirin has side effects! The list of drugs - including experimental drugs and treatments - such as gold injections - I have taken over the past 30 years for my RA is way too long to comtemplate. I've been human guinea pig. And always the deision was the same - as long as the side effects were reversible when you stopped, I'd do it. Of course, every drug i took for that compromised my liver!
Maybe ask her for some support and advice!