To treat or Not to Treat

December 16, 2005

Well , I will say a prayer that the Infergen works for you.

It has worked for some geno 1's who were non-responders to peg

combo. Me, I'm waiting for SP's protease inhibitor, viramidine and

PegIntron, because it is weight based. The doctors who I have the

most respect for (Dr. Shiffman at UVM, Dr. Schiff at UMiami and Ray

Chung at UMass) have all said that is the treatment that excites

them the most, even more than Vertex.

Good luck Lizabeth. Wishing you no sides, too.

DD

> Quite frankly I have no ideal where this is coming from

but .............if ya look to the bottom of the page it shows a 72%

SVR not ETR . Besides with the fast tracking by the FDA of Protease

inhibitors the SVR rates are going to be even higher . Why are u

insistent on giving treatment a bleak outcome , are you one of

those people who dont think anyone should treat ? Making someone

believe that treatment is hopeless is not a very nice thing to do ,

having a positive attitude is essential for those that are

infected .

> Re: To treat or not to treat

>

> , We were not talking about an ETR. We are talking

about SVR. Here is what you posted about SVR.

>

> It's a pleasure having you join in our conversations. We hope

you have found the support you need with us.

>

> If you are using email for your posts, for easy access to our

group, just click the link--

Hepatitis C/

>

> Happy Posting

>

> __________________________________________________

>

December 16, 2005

I wish I had the luxury of waiting on the Viramidine I would much prefer trying it to taking the Riba again . But my disease has progressed and is accelerating now so I treat now or I have to have a transplant . I have decided against transplanting so this is my last chance so to speak . Thanks for the wishing of no sides for me , lol but alas it's to late , rofl my sides hit with a vengeance the first night . Take care and I hope you have a Merry Christmas .........liz

Re: To treat or not to treat> > > , We were not talking about an ETR. We are talking about SVR. Here is what you posted about SVR.> > > > > > > It's a pleasure having you join in our conversations. We hope you have found the support you need with us. > > If you are using email for your posts, for easy access to our group, just click the link-- Hepatitis C/> > Happy Posting > > > > > __________________________________________________>

December 16, 2005

Hello everyone,

I am new to this, I have a question. I am

taking the combo therapy and I have geno type 2-

my doctor said there is a new study that says three

months is enough vs. six months and it is up to me- I

am thinking still six months b/c if I do it three

months and it doesn't work then I have to start all

over and do six months. Does anyone have an opinion on

this? thanks so much, Dylan :-)

--- elizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1@...> wrote:

> I wish I had the luxury of waiting on the Viramidine

> I would much prefer trying it to taking the Riba

> again . But my disease has progressed and is

> accelerating now so I treat now or I have to have a

> transplant . I have decided against transplanting so

> this is my last chance so to speak . Thanks for the

> wishing of no sides for me , lol but alas it's to

> late , rofl my sides hit with a vengeance the first

> night . Take care and I hope you have a Merry

> Christmas .........liz

> Re: To

> treat or not to treat

> >

> > , We were not talking about an

> ETR. We are talking

> about SVR. Here is what you posted about SVR.

> >

> > It's a pleasure having you join in our

> conversations. We hope

> you have found the support you need with us.

> >

> > If you are using email for your posts, for

> easy access to our

> group, just click the link--

> Hepatitis C/

> >

> > Happy Posting

> >

> __________________________________________________

> >

December 16, 2005

Just as a random thought - Which UMASS does this Ray Chung work at?

> > Quite frankly I have no ideal where this is coming from

> but .............if ya look to the bottom of the page it shows a

72%

> SVR not ETR . Besides with the fast tracking by the FDA of

Protease

> inhibitors the SVR rates are going to be even higher . Why are u

> insistent on giving treatment a bleak outcome , are you one of

> those people who dont think anyone should treat ? Making someone

> believe that treatment is hopeless is not a very nice thing to

do ,

> having a positive attitude is essential for those that are

> infected .

> > Re: To treat or not to treat

> >

> > , We were not talking about an ETR. We are

talking

> about SVR. Here is what you posted about SVR.

> >

> > It's a pleasure having you join in our conversations. We

hope

> you have found the support you need with us.

> >

> > If you are using email for your posts, for easy access to

our

> group, just click the link--

> Hepatitis C/

> >

> > Happy Posting

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

December 16, 2005

In a way I kinda agree with you , and I adhere to better safe than sorry attitudes myself , LOL So If I were a genotype 2 I think I would do the whole 6months instead of just the 12 , I think its way to soon to tell if the 12 weeks is gonna be enough . But that is just what I would do , lol You have to make that decision , base it on how you feel at the time and your doctors advice about it . Take care

Re: To> treat or not to treat> > > > > > , We were not talking about an> ETR. We are talking > about SVR. Here is what you posted about SVR.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > It's a pleasure having you join in our> conversations. We hope > you have found the support you need with us. > > > > If you are using email for your posts, for> easy access to our > group, just click the link-- > Hepatitis C/> > > > Happy Posting > > > > > > > > > > > __________________________________________________> >

December 16, 2005

Thank you- I think I am going to stick with it (no pun

intended) and just continue for the six months. I have

already finished my first month- (five shots so far)

and I am surprised how it is not as bad as I thought

it would be yet worse :-) lol- I feel more mental

symptoms than physical- like I have no brain some days

from being so foggy and forgetful and yes very very

moody (but happily not depressed) I am glad this

message things exists and I am glad to be here- thanks

for listening, dylan

--- elizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1@...> wrote:

> In a way I kinda agree with you , and I adhere to

> better safe than sorry attitudes myself , LOL So If

> I were a genotype 2 I think I would do the whole

> 6months instead of just the 12 , I think its way to

> soon to tell if the 12 weeks is gonna be enough .

> But that is just what I would do , lol You have to

> make that decision , base it on how you feel at the

> time and your doctors advice about it . Take care

>

> Re: To

> > treat or not to treat

> > >

> > > , We were not talking about

> an

> > ETR. We are talking

> > about SVR. Here is what you posted about SVR.

> > >

>

=== message truncated ===

__________________________________________________

December 16, 2005

I totally agree with . Do the 6 months and if you relapse, hoping yu don't, you'll know you did everything you could do. DDelizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1@...> wrote: In a way I kinda agree with you , and I adhere to better safe than sorry attitudes myself , LOL So If I were a genotype 2 I think I would do the whole 6months instead of just the 12 , I think its way to soon to tell if the 12 weeks is gonna be enough . But that is just what I would do , lol You have to make that decision , base it on how you feel at the time and your doctors advice about it . Take care Re: To> treat or not to treat> > > > > > , We were not talking about an> ETR. We are talking > about SVR. Here is what you posted about SVR.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > It's a pleasure having you join in our> conversations. We hope > you have found the support you need with us. > > > > If you are using email for your posts, for> easy access

to our > group, just click the link-- > Hepatitis C/> > > > Happy Posting > > > > > > > > > > > __________________________________________________> >

December 17, 2005

Dylan, That is what we are hear for is to listen, share our experiences and so forth. I am like you I would go the 6 months, especially if the blood work showed that you are responding at 12 weeks. It is just added insurance that you are getting all those little hep buggers. And know that we are here for you if you need us. Love Janet Rath <kdrath@...> wrote: Thank you- I think I am going to stick with it (no punintended) and just continue for the six months. I havealready finished my first month- (five shots so far)and I am surprised how it is not as bad as I thoughtit would be yet worse :-) lol- I feel more mentalsymptoms than

physical- like I have no brain some daysfrom being so foggy and forgetful and yes very verymoody (but happily not depressed) I am glad thismessage things exists and I am glad to be here- thanksfor listening, dylan--- elizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1@...> wrote:> In a way I kinda agree with you , and I adhere to> better safe than sorry attitudes myself , LOL So If> I were a genotype 2 I think I would do the whole> 6months instead of just the 12 , I think its way to> soon to tell if the 12 weeks is gonna be enough .> But that is just what I would do , lol You have to> make that decision , base it on how you feel at the> time and your doctors advice about it . Take care> > Re: To> > treat or not to treat> > > > > > > > > , We were not talking about> an> > ETR. We are talking > > about SVR. Here is what you posted about SVR.> > > > > > > > > > > > > === message truncated ===__________________________________________________

December 17, 2005

Hello Janet :-)

I have felt really alone so I am glad that

you are here- and you will find I am a really good

listener too :-) I have told my parents and they are

pretending like they didn't hear my diagnosis-

initially they were like why did you get that and you

must have known and you didn't tell us- on the other

hand my husband is great- and the poor guy- this

medicine makes me really crabby at moments and he is

'putting' up with me better than I could handle

We are going on vacation (my son and husband and

parents) for Christmas so today 'Santa' came and we

celebrated Christmas early- I hope you all have happy

holidays- this is such a special time of year for

kids- i love to see the joy on my sons face- he

deserves it the little guy

Janet- thank you so much- I am sending you a cyber hug

and I hope you have a great day, Dylan

--- Janet <doc_jade@...> wrote:

> Dylan,

> That is what we are hear for is to listen, share

> our experiences and so forth.

> I am like you I would go the 6 months, especially

> if the blood work showed that you are responding at

> 12 weeks. It is just added insurance that you are

> getting all those little hep buggers.

> And know that we are here for you if you need us.

> Love

> Janet

>

> Rath <kdrath@...> wrote:

> Thank you- I think I am going to stick with it (no

> pun

> intended) and just continue for the six months. I

> have

> already finished my first month- (five shots so far)

> and I am surprised how it is not as bad as I thought

> it would be yet worse :-) lol- I feel more mental

> symptoms than physical- like I have no brain some

> days

> from being so foggy and forgetful and yes very very

> moody (but happily not depressed) I am glad this

> message things exists and I am glad to be here-

> thanks

> for listening, dylan

>

> --- elizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1@...> wrote:

>

> > In a way I kinda agree with you , and I adhere to

> > better safe than sorry attitudes myself , LOL So

> If

> > I were a genotype 2 I think I would do the whole

> > 6months instead of just the 12 , I think its way

> to

> > soon to tell if the 12 weeks is gonna be enough .

> > But that is just what I would do , lol You have to

> > make that decision , base it on how you feel at

> the

> > time and your doctors advice about it . Take care

> >

> > Re: To

> > treat or

> > > not to treat

> > > >

> > > > Actually , I have treated 5

> times

> > and

> > > never reached

> > > undetected. I am very pro treatment. I don't

> > like

> > > when people are

> > > told they have a better chance than they

> > really

> > > do. Hopefully you

> > > are right and the protease or polymerase

> > > inhibitors will raise those

> > > SVR's for all comers. But, we've been

> > disappointed

> > > before such as

> > > with BILN. My fingers are crossed just as

> hard

> > as

> > > yours that there

> > > will be high SVR's for everyone. But, again,

> > it is

> > > not wise to count

> > > your chickens before they hatch.

> > > >

> > > > And doncha really think that if we were

> > > " curing " 75% of people

> > > there would be lots more " noise " about it.

> It

> > just

> > > isn't happening

> > > yet.

> > > >

> > > > The 72% is a misprint. It happens.

> > > >

> > > > As for the person posting that her

> doctor

> > said

> > > treatment can

> > > effect her PBC....we've seen that happen

> too.

> > PBC

> > > is a much more

> > > serious disease than HCV is for most

> > > people....especially those who

> > > have it for decades and still have almost no

>

=== message truncated ===

__________________________________________________

December 17, 2005

I am geno type 2a I finished 6 months of treatment on August 5th

I am now 4 months post and Im undetected...I cleared at 4 months

> > > > Quite frankly I have no ideal where this

> > is

> > > coming from

> > > but .............if ya look to the bottom of

> > the

> > > page it shows a 72%

> > > SVR not ETR . Besides with the fast tracking

> > by

> > > the FDA of Protease

> > > inhibitors the SVR rates are going to be even

> > > higher . Why are u

> > > insistent on giving treatment a bleak outcome

> > ,

> > > are you one of

> > > those people who dont think anyone should

> > treat ?

> > > Making someone

> > > believe that treatment is hopeless is not a

> > very

> > > nice thing to do ,

> > > having a positive attitude is essential for

> > those

> > > that are

> > > infected .

> > > > Re: To

> > > treat or not to treat

> > > >

> > > > , We were not talking about

> > an

> > > ETR. We are talking

> > > about SVR. Here is what you posted about SVR.

> > > >

> >

> === message truncated ===

>

> __________________________________________________

>

December 17, 2005

Dylan, You are not alone now. You have a rather large new family. 600 + member family. *smiles* Yes Dylan it helps when we have a helpful spouse, mate, significate other to help us through this bump in our road. I like you am lucky because I have the most excellent husband who has been my cheerleader, caregiver, prodder in the behinder when I get too slow. He is the best!! Thanks sweety for the cyber hug, and know that you have one coming right back at ya hon. Love Janet Rath <kdrath@...> wrote: Hello Janet :-) I have felt really alone so I am glad thatyou are here- and you will find I am a really goodlistener too :-) I have told my parents and they arepretending like they didn't hear my

diagnosis-initially they were like why did you get that and youmust have known and you didn't tell us- on the otherhand my husband is great- and the poor guy- thismedicine makes me really crabby at moments and he is'putting' up with me better than I could handleWe are going on vacation (my son and husband andparents) for Christmas so today 'Santa' came and wecelebrated Christmas early- I hope you all have happyholidays- this is such a special time of year forkids- i love to see the joy on my sons face- hedeserves it the little guyJanet- thank you so much- I am sending you a cyber hugand I hope you have a great day, Dylan--- Janet <doc_jade@...> wrote:> Dylan,> That is what we are hear for is to listen, share> our experiences and so forth.> I am like you I would go the 6 months, especially> if the blood work showed that you are responding at>

12 weeks. It is just added insurance that you are> getting all those little hep buggers. > And know that we are here for you if you need us.> Love> Janet> > Rath <kdrath@...> wrote:> Thank you- I think I am going to stick with it (no> pun> intended) and just continue for the six months. I> have> already finished my first month- (five shots so far)> and I am surprised how it is not as bad as I thought> it would be yet worse :-) lol- I feel more mental> symptoms than physical- like I have no brain some> days> from being so foggy and forgetful and yes very very> moody (but happily not depressed) I am glad this> message things exists and I am glad to be here-> thanks> for listening, dylan> > --- elizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1@...> wrote:> > >

In a way I kinda agree with you , and I adhere to> > better safe than sorry attitudes myself , LOL So> If> > I were a genotype 2 I think I would do the whole> > 6months instead of just the 12 , I think its way> to> > soon to tell if the 12 weeks is gonna be enough .> > But that is just what I would do , lol You have to> > make that decision , base it on how you feel at> the> > time and your doctors advice about it . Take care> > > > Re: To> > treat or> > > not to treat> > > > > > > > > > > > Actually , I have treated 5> times> > and> > > never reached > > > undetected. I am very pro treatment. I don't> > like> > > when people are > > > told they have a better chance than they> > really> > > do. Hopefully you > >

> are right and the protease or polymerase> > > inhibitors will raise those > > > SVR's for all comers. But, we've been> > disappointed> > > before such as > > > with BILN. My fingers are crossed just as> hard> > as> > > yours that there > > > will be high SVR's for everyone. But, again,> > it is> > > not wise to count > > > your chickens before they hatch. > > > > > > > > And doncha really think that if we were> > > "curing" 75% of people > > > there would be lots more "noise" about it.> It> > just>

> > isn't happening > > > yet.> > > > > > > > The 72% is a misprint. It happens. > > > > > > > > As for the person posting that her> doctor> > said> > > treatment can > > > effect her PBC....we've seen that happen> too.> > PBC> > > is a much more > > > serious disease than HCV is for most> > > people....especially those who > > > have it for decades and still have almost no> === message truncated ===__________________________________________________

August 8, 2011

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideLifestyle.htm?f=2011/august/4/lifestyle\

3.isx & d=2011/august/4

To treat or Not to Treat

by Ana Valenzuela

One out of 10 Filipinos is infected with Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is one of

today’s challenging and infectious diseases. It is threatening to the physical

condition as it can lead to other diseases.

There are two ways to get HBV(Hepatitis B Virus). One is through blood to blood

or bodily fluid contact, and the other is through mother to child transmission.

“Bodily contact, exposure to blood, you had a needle prick when you were doing

an injection, blood transfusion, sharing of needles, piercing, tattooing,

multiple sexual partners, but here in the Philippines, the incidence is more on

mother to child transmission. Meaning the mother is a carrier of HBV, and during

the process of delivery, the virus is transmitted to the newborn,” says Doctor

Judy Lao-Tan, internal auditor of the Hepatology Society of the Philippines

(HSP) at a recent press conference sponsored by the HSP and Roche.

The HSP is rallying behind the mandatory vaccination of newborns so that the

high numbers might see a decline. The first vaccine should be given at birth, so

that it prevents the virus, followed by vaccination at one month and six months.

“Not everyone who is a carrier of Hepatitis B is a candidate for treatment.

Two-thirds who have hepatitis B are just carriers, the only problem they have is

that they can transmit the disease and nothing is going on inside their body.

One-thirds have active hepatitis, they are the ones who will require treatment.

Not all, not everybody is a candidate for treatment,” says Doc Judy.

From Hepa B to Liver Cancer

Majority of acute Hepatitis B carriers do not develop chronic Hepatitis B.

Still, the HSP is moving for prompt treatment of active Hepatitis B patients.

Those who have chronic Hepatitis B are at risk of developing liver cirrhosis.

“When you develop liver cirrhosis, you may develop liver cancer. The normal life

span of a patient with liver cancer after diagnosis is anywhere between three to

six months,” says Dr. Marilyn Aguillas, President of the HSP.

Apart from liver cirrhosis those diagnosed with active Hepatitis B might also

get infected with another Hepatitis virus. “With the HBV, you have the tendency

to develop Delta Hepatitis. It requires the Hepatitis B to be infected.

Fortunately, in our country, Delta Hepatitis is not a major problem, unlike in

Mediterranean countries where dual infection is high,” says Doc Judy.

“Hepatitis B is more faithful to you than your wife or husband, the only way to

remove it is either through treatment or oral medication,” says Doc Marilyn.

Medications, however, are not easy on the pocket. They would require you to

shell out a whopping P12,000 a week, or more or less the minimum monthly wage.

Even more saddening is that patients are troubled by the drawbacks of

discrimination. The Yellow Warriors Society is an online patients group. It has

members that are skilled employees, lawyer, accountants, among others, and it

became an online venue for them to share what they are going through. Pamela

Chan, a speaker for the Yellow Warriors Society shares, “there are a lot of

members who are competent. They have passed all the exams, submitted all the

requirements, but when they have been tested positive, they are not given the

job. Even though there is memorandum by the Department of Labor and Employment

not to discriminate Hepatitis B carriers, the employers will say that it is

company policy. It is no longer about the competencies, but about the stigma

that the public has.”

How can the patient provide for his medical needs without work? This is where

Roche, the world’s largest biotech company, comes in as it tries to help those

who are financially incapable through its program the PEGASSIST.

“The PEGASSIST Easy Access Plan socializes the medication discount system. This

means, patients who truly cannot afford the medication will get a higher

discount accordingly,” says Doctor Dennis Dioko, Roche specialty business unit

director.

Patients can ask their doctors about this program or call the Hepatitis Hotline

(718-7620). They can receive as much as 50 percent off on the medication and be

provided with selected Hepatitis B laboratory tests.

Not every Hepatitis B patient would require medical attention, but those

needing so now have a viable alternative making it easier.

August 8, 2011