Hi Brian, Welcome! You've landed on a great forum. We're here for you. SVR all the way! Best, Kellie

Hello everyone! 

Thanks so much for your input. I am fortunate to have a great support system. I am in recovery so there is my sponsor (who is a doctor no less) & all my sober "sisters". My partner  has been supportive & of course my psychologist. She is the one who encouraged me to join a forum.  When i attempted treatment before I had support, but I really had no idea was I was getting into, if that makes sense. So I'm feeling more prepared to do this. It took me a bit to get into the mindset. I know I'll have down days, and I'll need all the support I have in place. So again, I appreciate all of you & your experiences you share with me.

Hi Jeannie:

Kellie is bang on with the 4 tips. I lucked out with all four, not knowing in advance how important these are.

And Cinnamon Girl's advice is also very sound. 

I say ask questions, and question everything. The forums told me more things than any book or professional.  The doctors just want you to stay positive, which is excellent advice as everyone responds to tx differently.

My thoughts are with you whatever you decide!

Hi Jeannie, it`s often a good idea to go ahead with treatment when the time feels right for you, and Kellie has given you some very good advice there.  On the other hand, the side effects from the triple therapies (with victrelis or incivek) can be quite hard going, and if your biopsy shows little or no liver damage you would have time to wait for the newer treatment drugs which are currently going through clinical trials.  It really depends on how soon you want to get on with it really.

Best of luck, and do keep us posted!  Whatever you decide, we`re here for support.

Hi Azhi Girl,

Great to hear from you again. Well, for me it came down to having my ducks in order, as they say.

There was no doubt I wanted to be rid of this. I was dreadfully tired of the fatigue and depression. Along with the body aches, migraines, and the deep fear of developing liver cancer.I didn't want to wait anymore.

I also wanted to come full circle and make some personal amends to myself.  I was a lost child in the grip of addiction when I contracted this. This is more then just a physical healing for me.

That being said, this is a pretty intense treatment and I had to make sure before I finally made the decision, that I would have (not necessarily in this order):

1. A partner on board with the treatment, that was able to pick up the pieces, when I was down and out, emotionally, financially (if needed) and able to make rational decisions on my behalf when I couldn't. There was an 8 week period while on the Incivik I was really out of it. I have a loving husband who is my rock. There is no way I could be doing this w/o him. When I did the treatment in "03 I was alone, w/o a support system. This forum has also been a great place where I can gain strength, friendships and tons of great advice. An unexpected bonus!
2. I would be able to take time off work, if necessary
3. Good health insurance coverage
4. An excellent medical team guiding me through this, with respect and compassion

All the lights were turning green for me mid-February and I made the decision to move forward.

I did have a lot of magical thinking that I wouldn't have many sx and that was a good thing for me, because I probably wouldn't have jumped in and started. Funny thing, the worst part of the sx I don't even remember now. I'm 8 weeks away from eot. 24 weeks is a drop in the bucket, in the course of a lifetime. It's doable

Thanks for asking, I wish you peace in your decision.

hugs, Kellie

Hi everyone! Just wanted to give an update. I saw my hep doc. He said it was really my choice on whether to do the treatment now or wait. He said I would only have to do it for 6 months. I can do anything for 6 months! I'm scheduled for a biopsy on the 7th & we will go from there. I want to just do this & be done with it (hopefully). Any thoughts on this?

Hi Girl! Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. I had to get some intense depression under control. To answer your question about what sx I've had, I've had a lot. You can read my posts, if you go to my member page and click on "member posts". I've got 9 weeks to go. I've been lucky to have a great hep med team and now a great holistic psy.

It's been very intense and uncomfortable treatment for me, but the end result will be fabulous. I keep my eye on the prize now. The treatment is working. I'm UND and have over a 90% chance of SVR. Best to you! Kel

Hi Kellie,

I'll be following whats going on with you closely. How are you feeling? What side effects have you experienced, and when? I'll let you know what doc says Tuesday. Thanks for the support. I really think this forum is going to be a saving grace for me.

Hi, Welcome to the forum. You've landed in a good spot.

My story is similar to yours. I'm 1a and did the riba and interferon treatment also in 2003 for 11 weeks. The sx were terrible. I'm 14 weeks into 24 week triple therapy with Incivik. I'm so glad to have found this forum. The members have been a life saver for me. I don't think I could have stuck through it all w/o their kind understanding. I'm looking forward to hearing about your dr. appt. Best, Kellie

Hi and welcome Jeannie,

Many of us tried and failed the old Interferon and Ribavirin, but the Forum has had great results with triple therapy with either Victrelis or Incivek.  We can answer most questions about side effects and treatment.  Do you know your level of liver fibrosis? You may be able to wait for the new drugs to be approved (1-2 years) or start treatment now. We also have several members doing Trials at the moment. Keep us informed. Cheers.

Hi Jeannie, Welcome to the forum. Nice people and good support and information.. Let us know your info, genotype and treatment when you do.

Hi and welcome to the crowd!!  I'm glad you found us, it's always nice to meet new people here. We've all got similar, yet very different stories to share and those differences make this a vey rewarding introduction! Each of us have gone through something difficult in most cases and the way we lived it, suffered in some cases and willingly shared it has really helped us get through it. I look forward to meeting you and I'm sure will enjoy your help and insight into this thing we call "The Dragon"!

Welcome to the forum! Your with friends here....you will find some great support and advice here. Keep us informed about your treatment!

Hello there and welcome!  I am new here just started therapy and tomorrow is my 3rd shot.  I am geno 1 HCV and currently taking peginterferon with ribovarin....next up is the victrellis.

Its nice here in the forum...everyone understands....everyone is nice...and everyone cares.  

Hi, I'm new to this (or any) forum. My therapist suggested I join so here I am. I'm genotype 1a, viral load 6mil +, I did treatment back in 2003 but did not complete it (probably bad move). I just got so sick. Now I have fibrosis. I see my doctor on Tuesday to discuss the treatment. So for now, I'm just looking to connect with some folks who KNOW what I'm going through, just even the thinking process right now. Look forward to hearing from you.