TREATMENT

[Guest guest]

hi all

As you know I havent started any kind of tx yet. I am a 1B - 86009 load.[as of june]

My question is [lets see if I can get this right], what is the most up to date treatment my doctor should suggest I take for my stats? And what will that involve?

Ive heard of several different treatments for different types of the virus, different stats.

What would I be looking at?

Can anybody give me a close answer?

love

don in kansas

[Guest guest]

Soon the new treatment protocols will include a standard interferon type drug / ribaviron and a protease or capsase inhibitor . Genotype 1's in general treat for 48 weeks , but some genotypes are only treating 24 weeks . For your first time they may start you on pegalyted interferon or pegasys and rebatol . But each doctor I am finding is different in their prefernce of treatment medications .

TREATMENT

hi all

As you know I havent started any kind of tx yet. I am a 1B - 86009 load.[as of june]

My question is [lets see if I can get this right], what is the most up to date treatment my doctor should suggest I take for my stats? And what will that involve?

Ive heard of several different treatments for different types of the virus, different stats.

What would I be looking at?

Can anybody give me a close answer?

love

don in kansas

[Guest guest]

i believe the most common treatment is pegalated interferon by

injection once a week for 48 weeks with 2 tablets of copegus taken

twice a day at 12 hours apart.

i have hep2 so my treatment time is cut in half.

[Guest guest]

listen to elizibeth before you pay any attention to what i say. she is

a lot more familiar with this then i am.

[Guest guest]

thank you

love

don in kansas

Subject: Re: TREATMENTTo: Hepatitis_C_Central Date: Monday, December 15, 2008, 11:20 PM

Soon the new treatment protocols will include a standard interferon type drug / ribaviron and a protease or capsase inhibitor . Genotype 1's in general treat for 48 weeks , but some genotypes are only treating 24 weeks . For your first time they may start you on pegalyted interferon or pegasys and rebatol . But each doctor I am finding is different in their prefernce of treatment medications .

[Hepatitis_C_ Central] TREATMENT

hi all

As you know I havent started any kind of tx yet. I am a 1B - 86009 load.[as of june]

My question is [lets see if I can get this right], what is the most up to date treatment my doctor should suggest I take for my stats? And what will that involve?

Ive heard of several different treatments for different types of the virus, different stats.

What would I be looking at?

Can anybody give me a close answer?

love

don in kansas

[Guest guest]

Your welcome hun

[Hepatitis_C_ Central] TREATMENT

hi all

As you know I havent started any kind of tx yet. I am a 1B - 86009 load.[as of june]

My question is [lets see if I can get this right], what is the most up to date treatment my doctor should suggest I take for my stats? And what will that involve?

Ive heard of several different treatments for different types of the virus, different stats.

What would I be looking at?

Can anybody give me a close answer?

love

don in kansas

[Guest guest]

When I started treatment on Dec. 2nd, they started me out with one

pill twice a day. Tomorrow, after my third shot tonight, I will

start taking 2 pills twice a day. My post transplant coordinator

called me today and told me my lab numbers are increasing, but

they're not worried about it right now. I didn't ask, but I assume

she is talking about my liver numbers. I didn't feel like asking

because I'm more tired today. I will know for sure when I get my

labs in the mail Thursday. My white blood cell count and my

hematocrit are both falling now, and she said I will be needing a

shot soon to keep them up in the normal level. I've not had any body

aches, fever, or chills at all since starting treatment. I had a bad

headache the day after my first shot, and nausea, and a small

headache yesterday, but that's all.

Penny

>

> I started out with 3 Riba then dropped to 2 at 11 wks when my VL

test came back. The Dr said I am what is called Rapid Viral

Response.

> Amber

> Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T

>

> Re: Re: TREATMENT

>

>

> The riba is weight based so it could be more or less

> Re: TREATMENT

>

>

> i believe the most common treatment is pegalated interferon by

> injection once a week for 48 weeks with 2 tablets of copegus

taken

> twice a day at 12 hours apart.

>

> i have hep2 so my treatment time is cut in half.

>

[Guest guest]

My doctor also dropped my dose of ribivirin( started at 1000 mg he lowered it to 800mg). I did make it through 12 weeks of treatment at the full dose before he lowered it.The hep C has been undetectable since week 4, I have geno type 1. My hemoglobins were getting to low, in fact he wants to wait for my blood work on Thursday to see if he wants me to start on the procrit, he doesn't want to start me on it yet, because of the side affects. I did go to my local health food store and got some meds called Energizing Iron. It is all natural and my doc said it was ok to take. I have been taking it for a month now so let's see if it made a difference with my bloodwork. I just started on week 16 of treatment last night.

Recently I started having problems with acid reflux, I told my nurse to remind me to say something to the doc. I have an appt monday with him. Other then all that, I am still going strong. I'm fighting my way to the top of the hill, and I'm determined to make it no matter what it takes.

Tracey

[Guest guest]

I just took my third shot last night, and again, no side effects. My

white and red blood cell counts are dropping, and I will be needing a

shot soon to bring them up. My liver numbers are increasing now too,

but they're not too worried about it. After my first shot, my ALT

dropped 100 points, but now it is increasing. My post transplant

coordinator called me yesterday to tell me to make sure I take very

good care of myself now, and get plenty of sleep and drink plenty of

water. She said if anything needs to be done, to let my husband do

it because she just wants me to rest.

Penny

>

>

> Subject: Re: TREATMENT

> To: Hepatitis_C_Central

> Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2008, 4:26 AM

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> My doctor also dropped my dose of ribivirin( started at 1000 mg

he lowered it to 800mg). I did make it through 12 weeks of treatment

at the full dose before he lowered it.The hep C has been undetectable

since week 4, I have geno type 1. My hemoglobins were getting to low,

in fact he wants to wait for my blood work on Thursday to see if he

wants me to start on the procrit, he doesn't want to start me on it

yet, because of the side affects. I did go to my local health food

store and got some meds called Energizing Iron. It is all natural and

my doc said it was ok to take. I have been taking it for a month now

so let's see if it made a difference with my bloodwork. I just

started on week 16 of treatment last night.

> Recently I started having problems with acid reflux, I told my

nurse to remind me to say something to the doc. I have an appt monday

with him. Other then all that, I am still going strong. I'm fighting

my way to the top of the hill, and I'm determined to make it no

matter what it takes.

>  

> Tracey

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Jackie,

The Energizing Iron is a form of liquid liver. The man that owns the health food store is also a doctor.I explained the situation to him and I told him I was doing the treatments of the ribivirin and pegasys and he said it would not affect my treatment, however I did talk to my doctor to about taking it before I started. I call my doctors office before taking any medecines, I don't want any thing to interfer with my treatments in any way. Before I started taking the iron, all I wanted to do was lay around. I was so drained and tired, but I am feeling pretty good now. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my blood work looks good. I will have the results tomorrow.

Tracey

[Guest guest]

hi, first let me say welcome to the group! IM glad you found us,

Your doc 'may' have extended your treatment time because he may have seen fatty liver in your tests as geno 3 tends to become fatty more than other genotypes and he is wanting to help give you the best odds of remaining clear. If you cannot get an answer from your doc, then its time to sit him down for a talk. YOU have every right to have your questions answered in a way that you can understand AND a way that makes you feel that he is addressing your questions.

This virus is very sneaky and can hide in scar tissue ,, and while you may be 'undetectible', it can still be there hiding so when you take away the drugs that are holding it at bay, it starts back up and you relapse. What viral test is your doc doing to see if you are undetectible? Many docs use a standard test that tests only down to 650iu/ml when there is one that is much much lower,, its called the 'heptimax' test and it can test the virus down to 2-5 iu/ml.. so you can show that you are undetectible with the first test and still have a positive viral load that would simply be under the level that THAT particular test can see. So ask your doc to do the heptimax test and if you are undetecible with that test, you can feel a little more reassured that you might stay in the clear. Do you know what your viral load was before you started tx?

Cirrhosis isnt typically seen on a scan unless it's really 'gross',, the ONLY WAY to see truely what the state of your liver is with a biopsy.. it is the gold standard of care and I wonder why he decided not to do it before you started tx... That'd be one of the questions I would ask him.... Biopsy is the ONLY way to see truely what is going on at the 'cellular' level... my liver was very very sick,, I was stage 3/4 of 4 with early cirrhosis that was not picked up via any test, scan etc,, and my viral load was fairly low (under a million) and my liver function tests were all normal but the ast/alt and they were only slighly elevated.. I had had the virus for 23 years when I was diagnosed..

The good thing is that I was given only 10-15% chance of even responding to tx and ZERO chance of reaching SVR,, and I DID BOTH! My doc was very aggressive as it sounds like your doc is being in extending your treatment to make sure you kill this bugger off... so tx and and does erradicate this virus.. So dont be discouraged by your doc's extending your tx as he may be doing the very thing that will increase your odds of remaining SVR for the rest of your life...

Didnt he tell you that only 50% of those treated remain clear of virus after tx? Geno 1 which is what I am is the most difficult to treat. You are geno 3 which is also somewhat easier to treat but it does become fatty easier and can reach cirrhosis quicker too.. Just because you reach that undetectible status while on tx does not mean that you will remain so after you finish tx and thats the bummer part of this treatment.. Treatment is difficult but doable and can be very disappointing when one relapses.. so since your doc is treating you longer, that alone will increase your odds of remaining undetectible... Remember, there is only 'remission',, there is NO cure at this point... thats why even after you finish tx, you have to still really take care of yourself.. you gotta eat right right, still drink enough filtered water,,get enough sleep and exercise and above all else, NO ALCOHOL in ANY FORM.. as alcohol can and does cause relapse as

it suppresses the immune system which stops the virus from getting out of control.... you definately dont want that after spending all this time treating to get rid of this virus... I know one gal who relapsed AFTER 10 YEARS because she went on a drinking bender for several months .. relapsed with same geno and retreated again, she was lucky that she was able to put it back into remission ,its been nearly 3 years now since she's finished her second tx and believe me, she stays away from alcohol in all forms,, no mouthwash, no nyquil or any other medicine that has alcohol in it..

I hope I've answered your questions but if you have anymore, please feel free to ask them,, and once again, welcome to the group,,, you'll find this is a great group and we will help ya in any way we can!

hugs,

jax

Subject: TreatmentTo: Hepatitis_C_Central Date: Thursday, February 5, 2009, 11:18 AM

I have a couple of inquiries. I have been diagnosed with hepatitis cand have been on treatment for 9 months. I am genotype 3. I did nothave a liver biopsy due to no cirrhosis on cat scan. I cleared thevirus in 5 weeks. I have read that with geno type 3 the treatment isusually 6 months. I am wondering why my specialist has me on 11months of treatment. I never seem to get a direct answer from myspecialist. Any input would be appreciated.My other question is why does hep c sometimes come back after a personcompletes treatment and have done nothing to reinfect themselves. Does anyone know? Thanks in advance.

[Guest guest]

You're very welcome Karla

Sounds like you stand an excellent chance to remain SVR after tx.. you had low viral load and low damage, sounds like you did the right thing to treat now and to extend your tx will only add years to your life..

Well Im no doc but I would disagree about the alcohol.. but its only because alcohol is an immune suppressant and its your immune system that agressively keeps the virus at bay.. Even in autopsies of ppl who supposedly cleared the virus years ago, they still find active virus inside the body,, even outside the liver itself... so it is just good common sense to not drink after tx.. I mean, my doc told me I could have one drink per season,, but in 6 years since I finished tx, I've had two sips because I dont ever want to ever have to do tx again,, it left me badly damaged but the virus is in remission..and I DONT want it to wake up,, lol

Well it sounds like you're doing great hon,, keep at it and dont give up,, keep your attitude as positive as you are right now and you should do just fine!!!

hugs,

jax

From: ksqkoala <ksquallsameriplan (DOT) net>Subject: [Hepatitis_C_ Central] TreatmentTo: Hepatitis_C_ Central@yahoogro ups.comDate: Thursday, February 5, 2009, 11:18 AM

I have a couple of inquiries. I have been diagnosed with hepatitis cand have been on treatment for 9 months. I am genotype 3. I did nothave a liver biopsy due to no cirrhosis on cat scan. I cleared thevirus in 5 weeks. I have read that with geno type 3 the treatment isusually 6 months. I am wondering why my specialist has me on 11months of treatment. I never seem to get a direct answer from myspecialist. Any input would be appreciated.My other question is why does hep c sometimes come back after a personcompletes treatment and have done nothing to reinfect themselves. Does anyone know? Thanks in advance.

[Guest guest]

More than likely, and I can not speak for your doctor. And again I am just assuming here. But he wanted you to be able to reach

Sustained Viral Response. Which in a nutshell you put the virus

in remission. For some of that means that they are undetectable for the virus for like forever.

Yes it came back for me. I reached undetectable week 4 of treatment and remained that way throughout treatment. I was undetectable at the end of treatment. But it came back within 3 months after I stopped.

But you have to consider that I am genotype 1, and that is the hardest one to treat. And It is the most typical type of infection in the USA.

I hope this answers your questions.

Love

Janet

"There are souls in this world that have the gift of finding joy everywhere and of leaving it behind them when they go"

Frederick Faber

Subject: TreatmentTo: Hepatitis_C_Central Date: Thursday, February 5, 2009, 1:18 PM

I have a couple of inquiries. I have been diagnosed with hepatitis cand have been on treatment for 9 months. I am genotype 3. I did nothave a liver biopsy due to no cirrhosis on cat scan. I cleared thevirus in 5 weeks. I have read that with geno type 3 the treatment isusually 6 months. I am wondering why my specialist has me on 11months of treatment. I never seem to get a direct answer from myspecialist. Any input would be appreciated.My other question is why does hep c sometimes come back after a personcompletes treatment and have done nothing to reinfect themselves. Does anyone know? Thanks in advance.

[Guest guest]

I rate this the best answer ever.

Thank you Jackie for this excellent answer.

Love

Janet

"There are souls in this world that have the gift of finding joy everywhere and of leaving it behind them when they go"

Frederick Faber

From: ksqkoala <ksquallsameriplan (DOT) net>Subject: [Hepatitis_C_ Central] TreatmentTo: Hepatitis_C_ Central@yahoogro ups.comDate: Thursday, February 5, 2009, 11:18 AM

I have a couple of inquiries. I have been diagnosed with hepatitis cand have been on treatment for 9 months. I am genotype 3. I did nothave a liver biopsy due to no cirrhosis on cat scan. I cleared thevirus in 5 weeks. I have read that with geno type 3 the treatment isusually 6 months. I am wondering why my specialist has me on 11months of treatment. I never seem to get a direct answer from myspecialist. Any input would be appreciated.My other question is why does hep c sometimes come back after a personcompletes treatment and have done nothing to reinfect themselves. Does anyone know? Thanks in advance.

[Guest guest]

Yup Jackie is the best.

Love

Janet

I lived in Oklahoma just recently moved to Texas last June.

Wahhhhh I miss Oklahoma.

Love

Janet

"There are souls in this world that have the gift of finding joy everywhere and of leaving it behind them when they go"

Frederick Faber

From: ksqkoala <ksquallsameriplan (DOT) net>Subject: [Hepatitis_C_ Central] TreatmentTo: Hepatitis_C_ Central@yahoogro ups.comDate: Thursday, February 5, 2009, 11:18 AM

I have a couple of inquiries. I have been diagnosed with hepatitis cand have been on treatment for 9 months. I am genotype 3. I did nothave a liver biopsy due to no cirrhosis on cat scan. I cleared thevirus in 5 weeks. I have read that with geno type 3 the treatment isusually 6 months. I am wondering why my specialist has me on 11months of treatment. I never seem to get a direct answer from myspecialist. Any input would be appreciated.My other question is why does hep c sometimes come back after a personcompletes treatment and have done nothing to reinfect themselves. Does anyone know? Thanks in advance.

[Guest guest]

Thank you Janet,I am so sorry that yours came back after 3 months. Are you currently undergoing treatment? TreatmentTo: Hepatitis_C_Central Date: Thursday, February 5, 2009, 1:18 PM

I have a couple of inquiries. I have been diagnosed with hepatitis cand have been on treatment for 9 months. I am genotype 3. I did nothave a liver biopsy due to no cirrhosis on cat scan. I cleared thevirus in 5 weeks. I have read that with geno type 3 the treatment isusually 6 months. I am wondering why my specialist has me on 11months of treatment. I never seem to get a direct answer from myspecialist. Any input would be appreciated.My other question is why does hep c sometimes come back after a personcompletes treatment and have done nothing to reinfect themselves. Does anyone know? Thanks in advance.

[Guest guest]

I have a appt. to see a doctor here in San that is using

pro-tease inhibitors along with the standard treatment.

My appt is March 5, I hope I qualify for the study. Otherwise I am going to do treatment again the standard way again, only have talked to my current GI to 72 weeks of treatment as oppose to the 48 weeks they currently give Genotype 1's.

We will see.

Love

Janet

"There are souls in this world that have the gift of finding joy everywhere and of leaving it behind them when they go"

Frederick Faber

From: ksqkoala <ksquallsameriplan (DOT) net>Subject: [Hepatitis_C_ Central] TreatmentTo: Hepatitis_C_ Central@yahoogro ups.comDate: Thursday, February 5, 2009, 1:18 PM

I have a couple of inquiries. I have been diagnosed with hepatitis cand have been on treatment for 9 months. I am genotype 3. I did nothave a liver biopsy due to no cirrhosis on cat scan. I cleared thevirus in 5 weeks. I have read that with geno type 3 the treatment isusually 6 months. I am wondering why my specialist has me on 11months of treatment. I never seem to get a direct answer from myspecialist. Any input would be appreciated.My other question is why does hep c sometimes come back after a personcompletes treatment and have done nothing to reinfect themselves. Does anyone know? Thanks in advance.

[Guest guest]

I will pray that it works for you. [Hepatitis_C_ Central] TreatmentTo: Hepatitis_C_ Central@yahoogro ups.comDate: Thursday, February 5, 2009, 1:18 PM

I have a couple of inquiries. I have been diagnosed with hepatitis cand have been on treatment for 9 months. I am genotype 3. I did nothave a liver biopsy due to no cirrhosis on cat scan. I cleared thevirus in 5 weeks. I have read that with geno type 3 the treatment isusually 6 months. I am wondering why my specialist has me on 11months of treatment. I never seem to get a direct answer from myspecialist. Any input would be appreciated.My other question is why does hep c sometimes come back after a personcompletes treatment and have done nothing to reinfect themselves. Does anyone know? Thanks in advance.

[Guest guest]

you're very welcome...and thank you!

From: ksqkoala <ksquallsameriplan (DOT) net>Subject: [Hepatitis_C_ Central] TreatmentTo: Hepatitis_C_ Central@yahoogro ups.comDate: Thursday, February 5, 2009, 11:18 AM

I have a couple of inquiries. I have been diagnosed with hepatitis cand have been on treatment for 9 months. I am genotype 3. I did nothave a liver biopsy due to no cirrhosis on cat scan. I cleared thevirus in 5 weeks. I have read that with geno type 3 the treatment isusually 6 months. I am wondering why my specialist has me on 11months of treatment. I never seem to get a direct answer from myspecialist. Any input would be appreciated.My other question is why does hep c sometimes come back after a personcompletes treatment and have done nothing to reinfect themselves. Does anyone know? Thanks in advance.

[Guest guest]

Hey Jackie,I just wanted to let you know that I found out the test that my specialist does to detect viral load is the heptimax. That is good new right? [Hepatitis_C_ Central] TreatmentTo: Hepatitis_C_ Central@yahoogro ups.comDate: Thursday, February 5, 2009, 11:18 AM

I have a couple of inquiries. I have been diagnosed with hepatitis cand have been on treatment for 9 months. I am genotype 3. I did nothave a liver biopsy due to no cirrhosis on cat scan. I cleared thevirus in 5 weeks. I have read that with geno type 3 the treatment isusually 6 months. I am wondering why my specialist has me on 11months of treatment. I never seem to get a direct answer from myspecialist. Any input would be appreciated.My other question is why does hep c sometimes come back after a personcompletes treatment and have done nothing to reinfect themselves. Does anyone know? Thanks in advance.

[Guest guest]

YES Karla, that IS GOOD NEWS!!! IF you're undetectible with that test and remain so, you will have a great chance of remaining SVR ,, for life!!!! YEAHHH Karla!!!!

From: ksqkoala <ksquallsameriplan (DOT) net>Subject: [Hepatitis_C_ Central] TreatmentTo: Hepatitis_C_ Central@yahoogro ups.comDate: Thursday, February 5, 2009, 11:18 AM

I have a couple of inquiries. I have been diagnosed with hepatitis cand have been on treatment for 9 months. I am genotype 3. I did nothave a liver biopsy due to no cirrhosis on cat scan. I cleared thevirus in 5 weeks. I have read that with geno type 3 the treatment isusually 6 months. I am wondering why my specialist has me on 11months of treatment. I never seem to get a direct answer from myspecialist. Any input would be appreciated.My other question is why does hep c sometimes come back after a personcompletes treatment and have done nothing to reinfect themselves. Does anyone know? Thanks in advance.

[Guest guest]

Thanks soooo much for your support Jackie....I am really happy...YAY!!!! [Hepatitis_C_ Central] TreatmentTo: Hepatitis_C_ Central@yahoogro ups.comDate: Thursday, February 5, 2009, 11:18 AM

I have a couple of inquiries. I have been diagnosed with hepatitis cand have been on treatment for 9 months. I am genotype 3. I did nothave a liver biopsy due to no cirrhosis on cat scan. I cleared thevirus in 5 weeks. I have read that with geno type 3 the treatment isusually 6 months. I am wondering why my specialist has me on 11months of treatment. I never seem to get a direct answer from myspecialist. Any input would be appreciated.My other question is why does hep c sometimes come back after a personcompletes treatment and have done nothing to reinfect themselves. Does anyone know? Thanks in advance.

[Guest guest]

You are VERY welcome Karla.. I remember when I got good news,, it felt so good and it make me feel like at least this tx was working so all that suffering had to be worth it..lol..

you just keep doing what you are and stay positive,,

we're here hon,,

jackie

From: ksqkoala <ksquallsameriplan (DOT) net>Subject: [Hepatitis_C_ Central] TreatmentTo: Hepatitis_C_ Central@yahoogro ups.comDate: Thursday, February 5, 2009, 11:18 AM

I have a couple of inquiries. I have been diagnosed with hepatitis cand have been on treatment for 9 months. I am genotype 3. I did nothave a liver biopsy due to no cirrhosis on cat scan. I cleared thevirus in 5 weeks. I have read that with geno type 3 the treatment isusually 6 months. I am wondering why my specialist has me on 11months of treatment. I never seem to get a direct answer from myspecialist. Any input would be appreciated.My other question is why does hep c sometimes come back after a personcompletes treatment and have done nothing to reinfect themselves. Does anyone know? Thanks in advance.