Re: Free treatment?

[Guest guest]

Go to clinicaltrials.gov and search for hepatitis C and some will come up. Find the state you are in and then you will see what trials are recruiting right now or in the future.

Good luck

Cheryl

In a message dated 2/22/2011 1:24:25 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, jaded.maggi@... writes:

Does anyone know how one could receive free treatment for hep c? Or perhaps hep c drug trial programs for testing new drugs? I'm very low income and because I am hep c positive I can't get affordable insurance and the state of Texas doesn't offer Medicaid for non-disabled adults.

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the information :DFrom: Honey1962@... <Honey1962@...>Subject: Re: [ ] Free treatment? Date: Tuesday, February 22, 2011, 6:28 PM

Go to clinicaltrials.gov and search for hepatitis C and some will come up. Find the state you are in and then you will see what trials are recruiting right now or in the future.

Good luck

Cheryl

In a message dated 2/22/2011 1:24:25 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, jaded.maggi@... writes:

Does anyone know how one could receive free treatment for hep c? Or perhaps hep c drug trial programs for testing new drugs? I'm very low income and because I am hep c positive I can't get affordable insurance and the state of Texas doesn't offer Medicaid for non-disabled adults.

[Guest guest]

Maggi,First of all welcome to the group.  You have found a soft spot to land full of information about hep c.  We have people here in all stages of their walk with hep c.  From newly diagnosed to awaiting treatment, on treatment, not treating and a few that have gone thru treatment and are cured of the virus.  

My name is Teri.  I was diagnosed in 2004 with hep c.  I had the virus for about 24 years when they found it.  Lots of damage to my little liver.. or not so little liver at the time.  I went thru treatment for 48 weeks in 2005-2006 and by the end of 2006 I had achieved SVR or Sustained Viral Response...  cured.  I have blood tests still every 6 months just to be safe and not sorry and they all come back with no viral load so I have been clear for 5 years now.  

I used to live in Texas...  they got rid of Medicaid huh?  Wow.  I did check the responses before I jumped on here and answered you so I know you've been given links to find help.  Clinical trials are a great bet.  They pay not only for your medications but for the doctors and labwork that goes with it.  This process can be very expensive and going at this without health insurance could be very tough.  So clinical trials are a great thing.  If you have a doctor you are already working with, he or she is a great resource for your medications on treatment.  They have drug reps from the major companies that visit them monthly.  They can arrange for you to get subsidized medications or free meds.  

How long have you known you have hep c?  Do you know your genotype?  Have you had a biopsy yet?  Just a few questions that will give us some more information on  how to help you...

Don has built an extensive library with all sorts of information on hep c.  You could spend days reading in there and still not make a dent in all the articles that he has collected for us.  

This is a safe forum.. You can ask whatever you want without fear.  The only dumb question is the one you didn't ask.  Jump in whenever you are ready.Hugs,Teri

On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 12:13 PM, Jaded Maggi <jaded.maggi@...> wrote:

 

Does anyone know how one could receive free treatment for hep c? Or perhaps hep c drug trial programs for testing new drugs? I'm very low income and because I am hep c positive I can't get affordable insurance and the state of Texas doesn't offer Medicaid for non-disabled adults.

[Guest guest]

I only just found out friday, I had donated blood in January and they sent me a letter explaining why I can't be a donor anymore so I really only know that I have it. I called and spoke with a blood specialist and told them that I have been tested in the last 18 months and tested neg, so they said I have likely had it between 6 months to a year. Apparently I contracted it when I got a tattoo.I haven't had any further testing because I can't get a doctor to see me without insurance but I'm waiting on a call from a free clinic where I am on a waiting list for an appointment.So for now I'm just trying to educate myself and learn all I can about how to take care of

myself and protect my kids from being exposed. My greatest fear is that we will one day get in a wreck or something and my kids will come in contact with my blood. So I just want to learn all I can while waiting for further testing and treatment.

Does anyone know how one could receive free treatment for hep c? Or perhaps hep c drug trial programs for testing new drugs? I'm very low income and because I am hep c positive I can't get affordable insurance and the state of Texas doesn't offer Medicaid for non-disabled adults.

[Guest guest]

Maggie I am proud of you.  For just having received this diagnosis you are doing amazing.  You've got yourself together (or so it seems) and you are working on getting the things you need the most right now.. INFORMATION.  Good job.  I was a basket case when I was diagnosed.  I understand the car wreck fear totally.  I am going to give you a piece of unsolicited advice okay?  Here it is..  BREATHE.  In and out.  Do it again.  BREATHE.  

First off.. you are going to be okay.  You were just diagnosed and you know that you've had the virus less than a year.  This is a very slow moving virus.  It hasn't done any damage yet.  Here is what you need.  You need a more definitive blood test.. One that tells you your genotype and IF you have a viral load.  The viral load is the number of hep c viruses that are circulating in your bloodstream.  Now, here is the good news.  Not everyone who tests positive for the hep c antibody has active hep c.  Many people clear the virus on their own leaving just the antibody in your system.  What you have already tested positive for is the antibody.  Once exposed you have the antibody and always will.  It doesn't mean you have the virus active in your system.  You could have killed it off with your own immune system.  How's that for some decent news?  I don't want you to get into a wild panic until you find out if you have a viral load or not.  And if you do have a viral load and the virus is active..  I still don't want you to panic.  I am going to tell you something very important right here and I want you to remember it...  MORE PEOPLE DIE WITH THIS VIRUS THAN FROM IT.  Truly.  That's how slow moving it is.  Right now you just need the clinic to run a few blood tests to find out if you have the antibody or the virus.  One step at a time.  

This could be good news...Hugs,TeriOn Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 1:39 PM, Maggi <jaded.maggi@...> wrote:

 

I only just found out friday, I had donated blood in January and they sent me a letter explaining why I can't be a donor anymore so I really only know that I have it. I called and spoke with a blood specialist and told them that I have been tested in the last 18 months and tested neg, so they said I have likely had it between 6 months to a year. Apparently I contracted it when I got a tattoo.

I haven't had any further testing because I can't get a doctor to see me without insurance but I'm waiting on a call from a free clinic where I am on a waiting list for an appointment.

So for now I'm just trying to educate myself and learn all I can about how to take care of

myself and protect my kids from being exposed. My greatest fear is that we will one day get in a wreck or something and my kids will come in contact with my blood. So I just want to learn all I can while waiting for further testing and treatment. 

[Guest guest]

Clam down it is okay. As for you transferring it to your children it isn't that easy really.

Don't share razors, store your toothbrush away from theirs.

Keep things clean ie bathroom sink, counter tops with bleach or Mr clean.

Dish washers usually clean things pretty good. Mine has a sanitizing mode add a capful of bleach to the dish water if it makes you feel better. But their again you need to protect yourself from chemicals they are absorbed through the skin and processed by the liver. So less is more.

As far as being in a wreck well ..... not sure how to respond to that other than the paramedics have a greater chance of being exposed. The chance of even transferring during sex is almost nill.

It will be okay. I am not sure how old your children are but if they are in their teens just explain to them. Try not to cut yourself. lol I always freak when I do and run to the sink. Then clean clean clean. lol

I am a germ aphobe so you can image how I felt when I got the news. Like Teri said just relax and educate your self. You will experience a whole range of emotions before it is all said and done almost like greiving. Sorrow, anger, disbelife.......

But you have all of us here who will help best we can. We all have didnt experiences.

Good luck and may God watch over you during your new journey. Beth

Does anyone know how one could receive free treatment for hep c? Or perhaps hep c drug trial programs for testing new drugs? I'm very low income and because I am hep c positive I can't get affordable insurance and the state of Texas doesn't offer Medicaid for non-disabled adults.

[Guest guest]

MaggiAlso you might request help from the actual Pharmaceutical company. They always offer help with the costs for those who can not be entirely covered. Don will be a lot more in the know for the names of those companies.Gloria

Does anyone know how one could receive free treatment for hep c? Or perhaps hep c drug trial programs for testing new drugs? I'm very low income and because I am hep c positive I can't get affordable insurance and the state of Texas doesn't offer Medicaid for non-disabled adults.

[Guest guest]

MaggiFirst of all, welcome to the group!! Glad to see that you got right down to business and started communicating right away. I am so sorry that you just found out about your infection. Everyone of us on this forum have had that shocking day and then months of asking ourselves questions. However, it sounds like you can peg the day and the reason!!! I trust that the tattoo parlour has been informed. They must cease and desist immediately, doing anymore tats that can cause the spread of Hep C. In fact, you can ask yourself, how many other folks have used the place and how many others are infected? Unfortunately, the governments and the health agencies

have done extremely little toward prevention of just what happened to you. By the way, I believe that I was infected via ear piercing (with the gun); but, it was my ex-partner that pierced me immediately after he'd pierced his ear again.Please, please calm your fears about infecting your children!! Please don't dream up ways that it could happen. That will just make you nuts. Actually, it is very difficult to pass this virus to anyone around you. One thing that is recommended is that you don't allow your children to use your toothbrush, comb or razor. Yet, still, a whole lot of us had the virus for years and years (not knowing) and never infected anyone around us.Let us help you to cope with all of this horrendous news!! Been there, have the T-shirt - it wasn't a great place.Gloria

I only just found out friday, I had donated blood in January and they sent me a letter explaining why I can't be a donor anymore so I really only know that I have it. I called and spoke with a blood specialist and told them that I have been tested in the last 18 months and tested neg, so they said I have likely had it between 6 months to a year. Apparently I contracted it when I got a tattoo.I haven't had any further testing because I can't get a doctor to see me without insurance but I'm waiting on a call from a free clinic where I am on a waiting list for an appointment.So for now I'm just trying to educate myself and learn all I can about how

to take care of

myself and protect my kids from being exposed. My greatest fear is that we will one day get in a wreck or something and my kids will come in contact with my blood. So I just want to learn all I can while waiting for further testing and treatment.

Does anyone know how one could receive free treatment for hep c? Or perhaps hep c drug trial programs for testing new drugs? I'm very low income and because I am hep c positive I can't get affordable insurance and the state of Texas doesn't offer Medicaid for non-disabled adults.

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much. I didn't know bleach could hurt my liver lol.

Does anyone know how one could receive free treatment for hep c? Or perhaps hep c drug trial programs for testing new drugs? I'm very low income and because I am hep c positive I can't get affordable insurance and the state of Texas doesn't offer Medicaid for non-disabled adults.