Aa
At what point to consider tx
Hello all,
I am looking for some opinions and experience with HCV and when to tx. In the past three months I have begun to show signs of HCV being active in my system. I don't know exactly how long I have been infected but was made aware of it by my doctor about 8 yrs. ago and was fine until recently.
Long story short it started with my AST/ALT levels at about 160/260. My doctor refered me to a GI. The GI has done some testing and found my GT is 1 and I have a VL of 5,000,000. He did a Ultra Sound and said it looked good. I had a biopsy done about 2 yrs. ago and that was good. As of 8/20/08 my AST/ALT is still high about 140/240. He says I should begin treatment now. He wants me to try a new drug they are testing at Scripts in San Diego, Calif. but he doesn't know the name of it, I will have to wait for them to contact me to see if they will except me in the program and if I choose to do it. It would be the IFN/Riba and the new drug.
He says if I don't treat it is very possible for me to have liver problems within 5 yrs. He also says that my chances of cure with IFN/Riba are only about 30%. Are there questions I should be asking him to get a better understanding? Would you get a second opinion if you could?
I am weighing all this out and I know many of you have studied and researched going threw your own experiences. I also know from reading some of the posts that there is a lot of knowledge and insight in this community and I am hoping to get some valued feed back.
Thanks in advance for anyone who will take the time to respond.
Mike
I am looking for some opinions and experience with HCV and when to tx. In the past three months I have begun to show signs of HCV being active in my system. I don't know exactly how long I have been infected but was made aware of it by my doctor about 8 yrs. ago and was fine until recently.
Long story short it started with my AST/ALT levels at about 160/260. My doctor refered me to a GI. The GI has done some testing and found my GT is 1 and I have a VL of 5,000,000. He did a Ultra Sound and said it looked good. I had a biopsy done about 2 yrs. ago and that was good. As of 8/20/08 my AST/ALT is still high about 140/240. He says I should begin treatment now. He wants me to try a new drug they are testing at Scripts in San Diego, Calif. but he doesn't know the name of it, I will have to wait for them to contact me to see if they will except me in the program and if I choose to do it. It would be the IFN/Riba and the new drug.
He says if I don't treat it is very possible for me to have liver problems within 5 yrs. He also says that my chances of cure with IFN/Riba are only about 30%. Are there questions I should be asking him to get a better understanding? Would you get a second opinion if you could?
I am weighing all this out and I know many of you have studied and researched going threw your own experiences. I also know from reading some of the posts that there is a lot of knowledge and insight in this community and I am hoping to get some valued feed back.
Thanks in advance for anyone who will take the time to respond.
Mike
I don't want to take sides here but think it important to echo part of what Mr. Liver said.
It's easy enough these days to check most everything on the internet. Maybe not the ultimate source but at least a start.
So, is you post that widgets are red, then for heavens sake be able to defend that point because you've read or seen a report/study/something saying widgets are red. Or, if you haven't, then make that very clear in your post that you *think* they might be red but aren't sure.
Not only will people get accurate information that way, but it will also end up causing less fighting here.
-- Jim
It's easy enough these days to check most everything on the internet. Maybe not the ultimate source but at least a start.
So, is you post that widgets are red, then for heavens sake be able to defend that point because you've read or seen a report/study/something saying widgets are red. Or, if you haven't, then make that very clear in your post that you *think* they might be red but aren't sure.
Not only will people get accurate information that way, but it will also end up causing less fighting here.
-- Jim
Mike if you're still there...
Some will tell you that treatment isn't any worse than this thread. Trust me, treatment is a lot worse !
But seriously, if you ignore some of the back and forth, there are some good facts presented here for that should be of help moving forward.
Whatever you do, take your time and get all the facts straight before you make a decision. This place is only a start in that process because frankly we often don't get the facts right here. So double-check everything with outside sources. Getting a second opinion from a hepatologist would help in that process, but don't hesitat to double-check what you hear there as well.
-- Jim
Some will tell you that treatment isn't any worse than this thread. Trust me, treatment is a lot worse !
But seriously, if you ignore some of the back and forth, there are some good facts presented here for that should be of help moving forward.
Whatever you do, take your time and get all the facts straight before you make a decision. This place is only a start in that process because frankly we often don't get the facts right here. So double-check everything with outside sources. Getting a second opinion from a hepatologist would help in that process, but don't hesitat to double-check what you hear there as well.
-- Jim
What do you think about the GI telling me my chances of cure with the IFN/Riba are only about 30%?
It seems against the odds, almost to treat with the knowledge you are not going to be cured.
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A couple of things. First, it would be good for you to get a consult with a hepatologist instead of a g.i. This is particularly true since your g.i. told you that you only have a 30 percent chance of clearing as these are not current odds, even for genotype 1's. Really, the biggest downside to treatment is not the odds (which are closer to 50% for 1's and higher for other genotypes), is the fact that interferon can frequently have some lasting effects. Of course, hep c can have some lasting effects. For me, that outweighs the treatment. But. You need the best info possible from the best medical source in your area. You deserve it. We will be here for you, but do avail yourself of good medical help. If you let folks know your basic area they can suggest some good hepas in your neck of the woods.
It seems against the odds, almost to treat with the knowledge you are not going to be cured.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
A couple of things. First, it would be good for you to get a consult with a hepatologist instead of a g.i. This is particularly true since your g.i. told you that you only have a 30 percent chance of clearing as these are not current odds, even for genotype 1's. Really, the biggest downside to treatment is not the odds (which are closer to 50% for 1's and higher for other genotypes), is the fact that interferon can frequently have some lasting effects. Of course, hep c can have some lasting effects. For me, that outweighs the treatment. But. You need the best info possible from the best medical source in your area. You deserve it. We will be here for you, but do avail yourself of good medical help. If you let folks know your basic area they can suggest some good hepas in your neck of the woods.
Oh no...here we go again with a fighting thread....Med Help....are you out there...i would suggest removing posts like this before they get to out of hand ...Mr Liver....take it easy man....take a deep breath...now take a deep breath out....now relax for Gods sake....
"The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their right names---Chinese proverb"
Gladly....
You're a BULLY Mr Liver.
"You know the basics of tx and that's about it. This is the topic you should stay with until you learn more."
And you're rude and insensitive.
Leave her alone. She's on a very difficult treatment but I have never seen her behave as poorly as you. What's YOUR excuse?
You may have your facts right.....but your tone is so condescending and your attitude so egotistical, that I for one, don't care to ever read anything you have to say.
Gladly....
You're a BULLY Mr Liver.
"You know the basics of tx and that's about it. This is the topic you should stay with until you learn more."
And you're rude and insensitive.
Leave her alone. She's on a very difficult treatment but I have never seen her behave as poorly as you. What's YOUR excuse?
You may have your facts right.....but your tone is so condescending and your attitude so egotistical, that I for one, don't care to ever read anything you have to say.
I dove in head first not knowing very much and I am or was Grade 2 Stage 2, Knodell activity index of 7 of 22 what ever the heck 7 is with bridging fibrosis and had to geterdone while I’m still young and did and now we are in the restoration stage if this helps you.
jasper
jasper
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