Thanks for posting your list of Hep C related info. There are a few things on the list that aren't accurate and as you invited a review, here it is
If a person is treated with a combo treatment that includes Ribavirin and the virus comes back, Ribavirin will not be as effective if used again later in a different treatment combo. This is because the virus has become resistant to the drug.
It's actually the type of Interferon that the virus can become resistant to, not the Riba. If someone has used Pegasys, if they re-treat, they should try Pegintron.
The liver does not seem to deteriorate slowly. Instead it functions fairly well until cirrhosis.
Unfortunately, it's hard to predict the timeline of deterioration. A lot depends on lifestyle, length of time the virus has been present and many other factors.
Dialysis is the current treatment for liver failure.
Dialysis is a treatment for kidney failure.
There are no physical symptoms of liver damage until the liver is in its final fibrosis stage.
There can be physical symptoms of liver damage long before the stage of advanced fibrosis.
Liver Biopsies should not hurt.They are considered relatively safe
Some people do experience pain during and after a biopsy. A lot depends on the experience of the person conducting the biopsy, whether or not it's Ultrasound guided ( most are these days) and some after pain is pretty normal. I've had 2 biopsies and experienced after pain on both occasions - nothing horrendous and a couple of painkillers sorted it out
Thanks for posting and really hoping that the 7977 becomes available asap! It's great that Jim's started this journal and so encouraging to read
Love Steff xx
JIme said
Jun 16, 2012
My trial has only 15 people. We are in NYC. There is another trial in a VA in NY too and I believe there are at least 4 other sites in the country. Not really sure.
I think the first people on it started last August 2011. I have met one person online who is clear from last August. SVR. I don't know how many started that first phase. I think it's a few hundred people total, so far.
Lon said
Jun 16, 2012
Hi Jim,
From the small news clips that I've read, they make it sound as though only a handful of people are in the 7977 third round clinical trials. In reality it sounds like there might be hundreds or even thousands of people like yourself participating in this final round of testing. Do you have a sense for how many people like yourself are helping to test this drug during this third clinical trial?
I want to respond to this so that I can get the email if someone posts to this topic. These are definitely some of my questions as well! Thanks for posting!
It won't likely be delayed by any business decisions. The combo of 7977 and BMS 790052 is where the problem is. Gilead wants to use their own drug to go with 7977, not the BMS drug. 7977 will continue in trials until it's approval. Hopefully end 2013 or 2014.
Good luck. Read everything you can and try to find some people on tx that you can talk to in your area.
Lon said
Jun 16, 2012
Hello,
During the last few weeks I've been researching this Hep C, the liver and treatment options. I've been seeing a gastroenterologist for about 20 years and recently saw a specialist. I have an appointment in two weeks and we are going to discuss options. I wanted to put what I think to be true up for review. Please let me know where I am mistaken. Thank you.
- The liver can repair itself if the Hep C is eliminated, with proper care, maintenance and time, a stage 3 fibrosis can become a stage 1 fibrosis.
- Liver Biopsys are considered to be about 85% accurate. They are still considered the gold standard for determining fibrosis because the less invasive techniques are considered to be less accurate.
- If a person is treated with a combo treatment that includes Ribavirin and the virus comes back, Ribavirin will not be as effective if used again later in a different treatment combo. This is because the virus has become resistant to the drug.
- GS-9799 is on the horizon and is presently targeted to be released to the public later next year or in 2014. However recent business related issues have arisen that might delay the release of that treatment.
- The present treatment with Incivek has a 70% cure rate when used to treat Genotype 1.
- The liver does not seem to deteriorate slowly. Instead it functions fairly well until cirrhosis.
- Dialysis is the current treatment for liver failure.
- There is a significant waiting list for transplant organs.
- There is no real correlation between viral load and liver damage.
- There are no physical symptoms of liver damage until the liver is in its final fibrosis stage.
- Herbs will not cure Hep C nor have they been proven to reduce viral load.They may be useful in helping the liver to function better while awaiting treatment.
- The experts estimate that if a person under goes treatment and the treatment fails, that even though the virus has returned, the treatment has given the liver a break and possibly added years to the functioning of the liver.
- Liver Biopsies should not hurt.They are considered relatively safe.
- Liver profile blood work does not indicate the level of liver deterioration.
Thank you.
Hi Lon,
Thanks for posting your list of Hep C related info. There are a few things on the list that aren't accurate and as you invited a review, here it is
It's actually the type of Interferon that the virus can become resistant to, not the Riba. If someone has used Pegasys, if they re-treat, they should try Pegintron.
Unfortunately, it's hard to predict the timeline of deterioration. A lot depends on lifestyle, length of time the virus has been present and many other factors.
Dialysis is a treatment for kidney failure.
There can be physical symptoms of liver damage long before the stage of advanced fibrosis.
Some people do experience pain during and after a biopsy. A lot depends on the experience of the person conducting the biopsy, whether or not it's Ultrasound guided ( most are these days) and some after pain is pretty normal. I've had 2 biopsies and experienced after pain on both occasions - nothing horrendous and a couple of painkillers sorted it out
Thanks for posting and really hoping that the 7977 becomes available asap! It's great that Jim's started this journal and so encouraging to read
Love Steff xx
My trial has only 15 people. We are in NYC. There is another trial in a VA in NY too and I believe there are at least 4 other sites in the country. Not really sure.
I think the first people on it started last August 2011. I have met one person online who is clear from last August. SVR. I don't know how many started that first phase. I think it's a few hundred people total, so far.
Hi Jim,
From the small news clips that I've read, they make it sound as though only a handful of people are in the 7977 third round clinical trials. In reality it sounds like there might be hundreds or even thousands of people like yourself participating in this final round of testing. Do you have a sense for how many people like yourself are helping to test this drug during this third clinical trial?
Thank you,
Lon
I want to respond to this so that I can get the email if someone posts to this topic. These are definitely some of my questions as well! Thanks for posting!
Thank you. I hopeful for the 7977 drug treatment.
It won't likely be delayed by any business decisions. The combo of 7977 and BMS 790052 is where the problem is. Gilead wants to use their own drug to go with 7977, not the BMS drug. 7977 will continue in trials until it's approval. Hopefully end 2013 or 2014.
Good luck. Read everything you can and try to find some people on tx that you can talk to in your area.
Hello,
During the last few weeks I've been researching this Hep C, the liver and treatment options. I've been seeing a gastroenterologist for about 20 years and recently saw a specialist. I have an appointment in two weeks and we are going to discuss options. I wanted to put what I think to be true up for review. Please let me know where I am mistaken. Thank you.
- The liver can repair itself if the Hep C is eliminated, with proper care, maintenance and time, a stage 3 fibrosis can become a stage 1 fibrosis.
- Liver Biopsys are considered to be about 85% accurate. They are still considered the gold standard for determining fibrosis because the less invasive techniques are considered to be less accurate.
- If a person is treated with a combo treatment that includes Ribavirin and the virus comes back, Ribavirin will not be as effective if used again later in a different treatment combo. This is because the virus has become resistant to the drug.
- GS-9799 is on the horizon and is presently targeted to be released to the public later next year or in 2014. However recent business related issues have arisen that might delay the release of that treatment.
- The present treatment with Incivek has a 70% cure rate when used to treat Genotype 1.
- The liver does not seem to deteriorate slowly. Instead it functions fairly well until cirrhosis.
- Dialysis is the current treatment for liver failure.
- There is a significant waiting list for transplant organs.
- There is no real correlation between viral load and liver damage.
- There are no physical symptoms of liver damage until the liver is in its final fibrosis stage.
- Herbs will not cure Hep C nor have they been proven to reduce viral load. They may be useful in helping the liver to function better while awaiting treatment.
- The experts estimate that if a person under goes treatment and the treatment fails, that even though the virus has returned, the treatment has given the liver a break and possibly added years to the functioning of the liver.
- Liver Biopsies should not hurt. They are considered relatively safe.
- Liver profile blood work does not indicate the level of liver deterioration.
Thank you.