That's a great attitude to have for starters. Also, there is a 'search' button at the top that can be very helpful during tx. Should a side effect arise stay on top it by calling your physician or seeking advice or 'search' here.
Best of luck to you.
jimbob
-- Edited by jimbob on Sunday 22nd of June 2014 12:37:23 AM
Cinnamon Girl said
Jun 21, 2014
Hi Hummingbird, welcome to the forum!
Isiscat has a good point that you would have time to wait also bearing in mind that Hep C is a slow moving disease, but it has to be your decision when to treat and I think if you`re in the right state of mind to get on with it now then it`s probably the best time to go ahead.
We have seen many success stories on this forum with interferon based treatment and although it can have some unpleasant side effects the 12 weeks will be a lot more do-able than a longer course of treatment and is less likely to cause any of the longer term problems that can arise.
Thanks for adding your details in your signature line, and do keep in touch...you`ll find plenty of support here.
Wishing you all the best of luck!
Fireman Rob said
Jun 21, 2014
HB,
It's definitely hard not to treat with any 12 option available. Good luck and keep us posted. It sounds like your kids are lucky to have such a caring mom.
Best,
-Rob
Isiscat2011 said
Jun 21, 2014
I wish you the best with your tx, Hummingbird. I can see you have made up your mind and I respect your right to make whatever decisions you see fit. I also support you. The odds are certainly in your favor to achieve SVR.
For the sake of others who may be reading this, however, I would like to point out that the odds of developing cirrhosis or liver cancer simply because one waited for all orals in this situation are almost non-existent. My concern is that many people will become unnecessarily frightened about this when the facts do not support this conclusion. The odds of Interferon related problems--both short and long term-- are much greater. There are certain red flags that people should be aware of before beginning an Interferon tx including pre-existing hematological problems and long standing depression among others. That is just careful planning.
Hepc tx is not a one size fits all. We are all fortunate to have more information available and more options now
hummingbird said
Jun 21, 2014
Thanks for answering.I Typed info into signature. I will ask about a fibroscan. I'm pretty determined to treat this.I have already made my decision. Also had some basic blood tests a couple of months ago & everything was normal. I lost my parents young and I have three grown children. I don't want to wait and put this off only to find out later I'm one of those who gets liver cancer or cirrhosis. I'm not gonna leave my kids till I'm very very old. I want to feel better. 3 months is a whole lot better than 48 weeks. I know new meds are coming. My life is as such that this is a good time for me to go thru treatment
Isiscat2011 said
Jun 21, 2014
hummingbird wrote:
But over the last 2 years, my energy level has crashed thru the floor and the depression has worsened.
It is entirely possible that your decrease in energy is caused, or exacerbated by, your worsening depression and even the ADs you are already on. I am deeply concerned when people think that getting rid of hepc as soon as possible, by any means possible, is necessarily the answer to what ails them. Interferon is not the best option for people who suffer from depression. Moreover, it is not just a question of side effects for 12 weeks; Interferon has been linked to some serious long term health issues. It was one thing to use Interferon when there were no other options, but things have changed, and they will continue to change for the better over the next couple of years.
I noticed your liver is at stage 1/ grade 1. You have time to explore your options carefully and to wait for safer and more efficacious treatment. Leading hepatologists are advising this course of action to those who can afford to wait.
I understand this is not a popular opinion when people are eager to start tx immediately; in fact the idea of not treating immediately angers some people. But please, consider your options carefully, for your own well being.
P.S. You may want to consider getting a current liver assessment since it has been a while since your last biopsy. Fibroscans are safe and relatively inexpensive. Approaching this sensibly with knowledge of your present health conditions, as well as a full understanding of your options, will yield the best long term outcome.
-- Edited by Isiscat2011 on Saturday 21st of June 2014 06:20:52 PM
Tig said
Jun 21, 2014
Hello HB,
Welcome to the forum! I'm glad you've made the decision to treat, it's a great opportunity to finally rid yourself of this disease. There have been others here that had initial problems obtaining their prescriptions but with persistence they prevailed. Once you have finished treatment, you'll likely notice improvements in many areas, especially your energy and motivation.
Please add a brief description of your condition to your signature section, such as genotype, viral load and test results like your ALT/AST. It helps us understand your own unique situation when replying to your posts. We try to keep a running track of our treatment success by posting results there too. We have a great group here and I'm sure you'll receive a welcome by others as well. I'm glad you found us! Good luck!
Tig
hummingbird said
Jun 21, 2014
Hi. My new insurance and a grant has covered everything. Thank you Obamacare! I'm attempting to wait patiently for the meds to get shipped. The dr prescribed the wrong brand of interferon. So I've been on the phone all week trying to no avail to reach the dr's office (leaving messages). Also the specialty pharmacy has left several messages for them to call in the script but nothing yet. I'm excited, nervous & anxious. I'm hesitant about the side effects. I already have suffered from depression for years and take antidepressants. In 2006 I was supposed to undergo tx, but I chickened out. Percentages of cure were too low and I wasn't willing to be sicker than the disease made me. But over the last 2 years, my energy level has crashed thru the floor and the depression has worsened. So I found a GI that insurance covered in April and I am ready for this disease to be gone! Tx is Sovaldi, Ribasphere, and PegIntron, 3 months. Decided I need support from others who understand. Thanks for listening
Hi HB.
That's a great attitude to have for starters. Also, there is a 'search' button at the top that can be very helpful during tx. Should a side effect arise stay on top it by calling your physician or seeking advice or 'search' here.
Best of luck to you.
jimbob
-- Edited by jimbob on Sunday 22nd of June 2014 12:37:23 AM
Hi Hummingbird, welcome to the forum!
Isiscat has a good point that you would have time to wait also bearing in mind that Hep C is a slow moving disease, but it has to be your decision when to treat and I think if you`re in the right state of mind to get on with it now then it`s probably the best time to go ahead.
We have seen many success stories on this forum with interferon based treatment and although it can have some unpleasant side effects the 12 weeks will be a lot more do-able than a longer course of treatment and is less likely to cause any of the longer term problems that can arise.
Thanks for adding your details in your signature line, and do keep in touch...you`ll find plenty of support here.
Wishing you all the best of luck!
HB,
It's definitely hard not to treat with any 12 option available. Good luck and keep us posted. It sounds like your kids are lucky to have such a caring mom.
Best,
-Rob
I wish you the best with your tx, Hummingbird. I can see you have made up your mind and I respect your right to make whatever decisions you see fit. I also support you. The odds are certainly in your favor to achieve SVR.
For the sake of others who may be reading this, however, I would like to point out that the odds of developing cirrhosis or liver cancer simply because one waited for all orals in this situation are almost non-existent. My concern is that many people will become unnecessarily frightened about this when the facts do not support this conclusion. The odds of Interferon related problems--both short and long term-- are much greater. There are certain red flags that people should be aware of before beginning an Interferon tx including pre-existing hematological problems and long standing depression among others. That is just careful planning.
Hepc tx is not a one size fits all. We are all fortunate to have more information available and more options now
Thanks for answering.I Typed info into signature. I will ask about a fibroscan. I'm pretty determined to treat this.I have already made my decision. Also had some basic blood tests a couple of months ago & everything was normal. I lost my parents young and I have three grown children. I don't want to wait and put this off only to find out later I'm one of those who gets liver cancer or cirrhosis. I'm not gonna leave my kids till I'm very very old. I want to feel better. 3 months is a whole lot better than 48 weeks. I know new meds are coming. My life is as such that this is a good time for me to go thru treatment
-- Edited by Isiscat2011 on Saturday 21st of June 2014 06:20:52 PM
Hello HB,
Welcome to the forum! I'm glad you've made the decision to treat, it's a great opportunity to finally rid yourself of this disease. There have been others here that had initial problems obtaining their prescriptions but with persistence they prevailed. Once you have finished treatment, you'll likely notice improvements in many areas, especially your energy and motivation.
Please add a brief description of your condition to your signature section, such as genotype, viral load and test results like your ALT/AST. It helps us understand your own unique situation when replying to your posts. We try to keep a running track of our treatment success by posting results there too. We have a great group here and I'm sure you'll receive a welcome by others as well. I'm glad you found us! Good luck!
Tig
Hi. My new insurance and a grant has covered everything. Thank you Obamacare! I'm attempting to wait patiently for the meds to get shipped. The dr prescribed the wrong brand of interferon. So I've been on the phone all week trying to no avail to reach the dr's office (leaving messages). Also the specialty pharmacy has left several messages for them to call in the script but nothing yet. I'm excited, nervous & anxious. I'm hesitant about the side effects. I already have suffered from depression for years and take antidepressants. In 2006 I was supposed to undergo tx, but I chickened out. Percentages of cure were too low and I wasn't willing to be sicker than the disease made me. But over the last 2 years, my energy level has crashed thru the floor and the depression has worsened. So I found a GI that insurance covered in April and I am ready for this disease to be gone! Tx is Sovaldi, Ribasphere, and PegIntron, 3 months. Decided I need support from others who understand. Thanks for listening