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Anyone not treating and why?
I just wanted to know if anyone has tested positive for HCV, asymptomatic, and choosing not to treat at this time.. and, if so, why?
BTW, I do not have many symptoms. My digestion isn't perfect, and some minor upper right quadrant aches, but that is it. I manage with acupuncture, supplements, diets, moxibusion, meditation and guided imagery. I know that won't get rid of the virus, but I do think it is helping to keep me healthy until I can tx.
I am 36yrs old, female who is co-infected with Hep B (chronic) and HCv. My Hep B levels are so low that they are unquantifiable, but I show + for Hep B DNA and antigen, so I do not qualify for any HCV trials. They won't take anyone with any other liver diease. It hurts that my VL is so low it can't even be detected, but I still can't tget on a trial.
My HCV is around 475,000 and I just found out this week through ultrasound (normal) ad Firbrosure that I have no fibrosis (.16 of a level 0 range 0.0-0.21). My inflammation came back level 0 (level 0 range 0.00-0.17 and I am .17 so I'm almost level 1 but not quite).
All of my labs came back perfect except that my ALT ranges from 41-46 so it's high, but not too bad.
In light of these tests, I think I'm going to try and wait for all oral tx. I do not have a lot of money, and my insurance only covers 60%. I tend to be very nervous of my health and medical issues, so SOC may be too much for me. I am also EXTREMELY hard to draw blood from and have been told that I'd likely need a juglar shot to draw weekly for tx. That will add quite a bit to the cost, as I have to go to the hospital for that and have a doctor - not a technician - do it.
If I could get on an all oral trial now I'D DO IT!!!!!!!!!! But since I cannot, i have no option but to wait.
My HCV is around 475,000 and I just found out this week through ultrasound (normal) ad Firbrosure that I have no fibrosis (.16 of a level 0 range 0.0-0.21). My inflammation came back level 0 (level 0 range 0.00-0.17 and I am .17 so I'm almost level 1 but not quite).
All of my labs came back perfect except that my ALT ranges from 41-46 so it's high, but not too bad.
In light of these tests, I think I'm going to try and wait for all oral tx. I do not have a lot of money, and my insurance only covers 60%. I tend to be very nervous of my health and medical issues, so SOC may be too much for me. I am also EXTREMELY hard to draw blood from and have been told that I'd likely need a juglar shot to draw weekly for tx. That will add quite a bit to the cost, as I have to go to the hospital for that and have a doctor - not a technician - do it.
If I could get on an all oral trial now I'D DO IT!!!!!!!!!! But since I cannot, i have no option but to wait.
I'm 67 years old and I found out I had Hep C around 1990, when I was a 10 gallon blood donor, and some of the recipients of my blood developed Hepatitis. They tested me a couple of times, both negative, then they discovered antibodies for non-A, non B hepatititis. At that time I felt great, and the treatment seemed worse than the curre. I evidently contracted Hep C 20 years before that, as a medic in Viet Nam. As a result I have a service connected disability for Hep C, but the VA won't treat me because I always test positive for marijuana. They said I had to test negative for a year if I wanted them to treat me. I felt fine, so I continued as is.
I had looked at several clinical trial over the years, but they all had the same caveat .. no pot. Fortunately this year a friend of mine told me about a clinical trial at our local university hospital. I contacted them, told them I smoked, and they said no problem, that was not one of the drugs they tested for. They were looking for folks with untreated chronic Hep C, so it was good that I never tried a treatment in the past. This is a triple therapy, Pegasys, ribavirin and GS 7977. Even though I have not had any problems from Hep C, I decided to do the trial. It was a real plus when I went in for the first visit and found out they were going to pay me for the trial. It must have been hard to find qualified lab rats, because there are only 11 of us in the trial.
I just gave myself the second injection yesterday, and today seems better than the day after last week's injection, side effects from the other meds seem to be nil.
I had looked at several clinical trial over the years, but they all had the same caveat .. no pot. Fortunately this year a friend of mine told me about a clinical trial at our local university hospital. I contacted them, told them I smoked, and they said no problem, that was not one of the drugs they tested for. They were looking for folks with untreated chronic Hep C, so it was good that I never tried a treatment in the past. This is a triple therapy, Pegasys, ribavirin and GS 7977. Even though I have not had any problems from Hep C, I decided to do the trial. It was a real plus when I went in for the first visit and found out they were going to pay me for the trial. It must have been hard to find qualified lab rats, because there are only 11 of us in the trial.
I just gave myself the second injection yesterday, and today seems better than the day after last week's injection, side effects from the other meds seem to be nil.
Hi Sunnyside!
I just had a Transjugular Biopsy (I know it sounds scary) but it was a Breeze I didnt feel a thing..I was in a Twilight Sedation where the only time I knew what was going on was when they ask me to hold my breathe,that was to guide the instrument down to my liver from the Jugular Vein..but thats all I remember from the procedure..Now on the other hand the other method my son had in 1999 was uncomfortable for a couple of days.Hope all goes well for you!
Country~
I just had a Transjugular Biopsy (I know it sounds scary) but it was a Breeze I didnt feel a thing..I was in a Twilight Sedation where the only time I knew what was going on was when they ask me to hold my breathe,that was to guide the instrument down to my liver from the Jugular Vein..but thats all I remember from the procedure..Now on the other hand the other method my son had in 1999 was uncomfortable for a couple of days.Hope all goes well for you!
Country~
I'm not treating because I failed triple tx. There are no trials open to me or anyone who has failed triple.
Thank you Advocate:), everyone on here is extremely knowledgeable and I appreciate all of the great responses.
Thanks again to everyone and God Bless You!!!!!
Thanks again to everyone and God Bless You!!!!!
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