Interferon, Level III Treatment?

[fretboard]

I know before Pegasys or Pegalated interferon, they used to use Interferon that really was horrendous as far as side effects went.  I also heard that at that time they were using plain interferon, most doctors wanted only stage 3 or grade 3 patients.  Is there any truth to this?  Also if it is true, or if it was true rather.  Do you know the reasons for wanting to wait until someone was a level 3?  God Bless  

[fretboard]

Congratulations on your first couple weeks of good news!!  That's really great!!  I have a bad memory as well, but see I remember your post of good news.  Anyways, I remember that he had his tx right after I was diagnosed, that was in 92.  Now I'll have to check in with him and make sure I have all the information correct on his story.  He did clear the virus after that hellish tx and he only went through that one tx.  I grew up with him and we go way back a long ways, so it won't be a problem asking him questions.  
God Bless

[Andiamo1]

I participated in the first phase 3 trial for interferon.  It was very low dose; didn't do anything and didn't have any sides at all.  That was in 1988 - 89 - I think - memory doesn't work so well these days.

Eric

[meki]

I can tell you that even NOW --- with the TX... LOL --- the sides are hellish - I wouldn't want to hear about them again. and yeah --- if he said it --- it was probably true.

Something about HCV and the SOC and prior SOC... It's not a pretty thing. It is, in every single way a chemotherapy - just like radiation treatment or other treatments. However, the sad part is - most of the side effects aren't visible to the public, (like going completely bald, etc.)... They are mostly inside... aches, pains, mental issues, fog... and more...

So if he said he crawled through the pits of hell - barely escaping... Believe him.

LOL!

Meki

[fretboard]

Thanks for the info., well I must be wrong about the treatment that was used.  Was that the very first tx that was used, here in the US?  One of my friends had the first tx that was used and fortunately, he cleared the virus.  However, according to him, he lost his hair completly and went through some hellish sx.  I know sx are a personal thing, but his story is so hellish I wouldn't even want to hear it again.  The time period was between 1995 and 1999.  God Bless

[Andiamo1]

I had a similar experience to Jenny.  Sides about the same, although they cycled more since it was only taken three times a week.  On the day when there were 3 days since the shot, the sides dissapeared, since interferon levels were very low and that was the reason for the failure rate being so high.

There was no requirement for stage 3.

[JennyPenny]

That wasn't my experience at all. I found the side effects comparable to the pegs and doctors all had their own theroies on which patients to treat..

[CockSparrow]

No that wasnt my experience.
I didnt find the sides that much worse.
Had more insomnia and fatigue than on Pegasys.

When I was taking Intron-A was only Stage 1 (i think)

The only reason to wait is that by Stage 3 there isnt much choice but to treat.
Earlier than that watch and waiting is an option.

CS