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 gotta say .. I did not know myself that there were drugs specifically to combat fatigue during treatment. Too bad it couldn't have been communicated differently...
" “A simple correction could have made it less ATTACKING, ML”.
I'm with you on that one, Jasper.
" “A simple correction could have made it less ATTACKING, ML”.
I'm with you on that one, Jasper.
Mike, I suppose that statement could be said of ANY of us, that it's POSSIBLE for you to progress to liver problems within 5 years. Statistically the odds are in your favour however some of us don't want to play with those odds.
I would have him define what he means by "liver problems". Any evidence of liver damage at all? Stage 1, early liver damage can be sustainable for many years before progressing. I'm Stage 1 and I suspect I've had HCV for 23+ years.
You need to find out what he means by your biopsy being "very good". I would get copies of all your tests. I'm thinking you've got a search for a second opinion in your future.
You don't necessarily need to treat now, Mike. What I suggest is that you get fully informed about your own condition and what treatment involves, the potential side effects for you, the cost of the drugs, how it will impact your current financial and personal situation and give it a good hard think.
Incidentally, I'm Stage 1, 47 years old and at Week 26 of treatment...so obviously I went in for treatment in early stage.
Good luck.
Trish
I would have him define what he means by "liver problems". Any evidence of liver damage at all? Stage 1, early liver damage can be sustainable for many years before progressing. I'm Stage 1 and I suspect I've had HCV for 23+ years.
You need to find out what he means by your biopsy being "very good". I would get copies of all your tests. I'm thinking you've got a search for a second opinion in your future.
You don't necessarily need to treat now, Mike. What I suggest is that you get fully informed about your own condition and what treatment involves, the potential side effects for you, the cost of the drugs, how it will impact your current financial and personal situation and give it a good hard think.
Incidentally, I'm Stage 1, 47 years old and at Week 26 of treatment...so obviously I went in for treatment in early stage.
Good luck.
Trish
Mike,
Take some time and read through the Health Pages located in the upper right hand corner of the page. This along with the links attached to the different threads will give you some good back ground info. and from there you can decide whether you may need to get a second opinion. It seems that this thread has been impaired by some on going side bar conflict which I’m sure will either straighten itself out or just go away without any real answers to your questions.
Good Luck in your decision.
jasper
Take some time and read through the Health Pages located in the upper right hand corner of the page. This along with the links attached to the different threads will give you some good back ground info. and from there you can decide whether you may need to get a second opinion. It seems that this thread has been impaired by some on going side bar conflict which I’m sure will either straighten itself out or just go away without any real answers to your questions.
Good Luck in your decision.
jasper
I don't want to post examples. Just answer Trish. You enjoy the banter too much. You are pompous and I will not add to your already over inflated ego because no matter what I copy and paste you will see it as more justification to your one sided opinion of yourself. I do not wish to contribute to your demise. You are doing a great job all by yourself.
I think you are angry. Oh well.
The learning process doesn't stop when it comes to HCV. I learn something new every day.
"No, I don't want to discuss it with you. Just go ahead and copy and paste all the bad advise I've given so you can feel better and I can look bad."
Well, at least you are not in denial.
Having correct facts doesn't make me superior nor feel superior. Since you have no way of knowing how it feels I wouldn't be so quick to characterize it. Most people I know have a love for the truth and facts. When you blow smoke in my world you lose your credibility. But we are not all created the same, now are we ?
Mr Liver
Still waiting for examples of my meaningless babble. You have time to post this why don't you take the time and get some examples ?
The learning process doesn't stop when it comes to HCV. I learn something new every day.
"No, I don't want to discuss it with you. Just go ahead and copy and paste all the bad advise I've given so you can feel better and I can look bad."
Well, at least you are not in denial.
Having correct facts doesn't make me superior nor feel superior. Since you have no way of knowing how it feels I wouldn't be so quick to characterize it. Most people I know have a love for the truth and facts. When you blow smoke in my world you lose your credibility. But we are not all created the same, now are we ?
Mr Liver
Still waiting for examples of my meaningless babble. You have time to post this why don't you take the time and get some examples ?
No, I don't want to discuss it with you. Just go ahead and copy and paste all the bad advise I've given so you can feel better and I can look bad. Make sure you include all the caring and compassionate advice as well. Something you most definitely lack. I have no regard for you one way or the other. Take your vast knowledge and spread it among the community. They will benefit so much more from it than me. If everthing you post is so spot on you will never have the need to improve upon yourself. Isn't it wonderful to have such a sense of superiority, makes everyone look so miserably stupid which you enjoy pointing out to me and others over and over again. Carry on and continue having the time of your life but I think there's more to it than that.
Trinity
Trinity
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