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.
" Congrads to all that have completed triple therapy with Interferon., I start my treatment in august. I'm so afraid and have nothing but negative thoughts going thru my mind because of all the side effects. I really don't want to do it. I had a liver transplant 10 months ago and I went thru so much before that, I hate to put my body thru the triple therapy and all the side effects. any advise would help. "
He told me I could wait until Nov. or so, and that they will monitor my labs closely, but he emphasized that at that time, I may or may not have the option of interferon-free treatments, depending on how things go with the new drugs, Medicare, insurance, etc. He's just not sure yet what will be available for post-transplant patients.
I believe we have a great transplant team, and that our doctor is considering what's best for each of us. Since you are already at phase 2-3 fibrosis within a year of transplant and your enzyme levels are extremely high, and I'm sure for other reasons involving your health, I feel that he would have told you to wait if he thought it was the best thing, because he wants to avoid the interferon too if possible. You asked me what my ast and alt are. Well, they vary, but are less than half of what yours are, but I'm not sure if that makes much difference as far as how the liver is being affected.
I just think we need to put ourselves in the hands of The Lord and our very capable doctors and transplant team.
And Hank, you HAVE been a great help to me for 3 years now, and I appreciate you.