Having 2nd thoughts

[sunshine415]

hello, I don't know , my brain just keeps on thinking and having gut feelings on these life threatening medicines versus, how many years would  it take for my liver to get to the last stage? If it was silent for .well we think like 30/35 yrs/ well,,,,,,, if it can ,which we don't have a crystal ball to let us know... but ,heck ,I"m 58 now ,dec,59 yrs. and if it would be 'quiet' for another 20/25yrs ,heck I'd be like 80/85 yrs....and I sure won't be rocking on the dance floor , it be more like rocking on the ole' rocking chair...... it's such a decision.... if only.... two simple words.... but, again. I have alot of more luggage to haul than alot of others medically speaking.... so many other blood disorders, and chronic illnesses... it's like every mornin', I won't know how I'm feeling until my day begins.... good ones /bad ones.... sooooooo, have alot of "thoughts" to pull thru with this decision...and then again , just another 2 yrs will be ,what a scientist is working on now.. has something to do with insulin for a miracle drug to help so so many types of diseases especially hep c ,cancer ,etc. with less side effects.. is sounding pretty good too...I'm just gonna have to waive a few things out ,I guess. Have another liver bioposy and see from there where I'm standing.. thanks for listening.... to all take care.ty

[beeblessed]

Hey Sunshine.  It is a LOT to process, so take the time you need to make a decision.  I am sending you a link to a thread, where I had very similar concerns:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Why--why--why/show/1572197

Also, I just found an old lab report.  In 11/2010, my VL was 2 million.  In 8/2011, 9 months later, my VL was 10 million 700 thousand.  Afer 4 weeks of SOCs, my VL dropped to 329 thousand.  We expect it to drop even further because of the addition of Victrelis, so I do my labs soon for that and hope to have results on Halloween.  Whatever you decide, go with your gut and it will be the right decision for you AT THIS time in your life.

[babs824]

having second thoughts is a good thing even third and fourth. get all the information u can and be sure you are ready. if u are a high stage however time is not on your side and u need to decide fast. there is lots of good information here. read read read. ask questions too. best of luck it is not and ez decision. i waited 12 years from when doc said to get treated til i finally had the courage. soooo best of luck. knowledge is power, babs

[screaming48]

It is a personal and very difficult decision to make, I had to think about it for several months before I decided to do treatment as my body is also very sensitive to meds. I just got my blood work today and am undetectable and it has not been easy, I was one of the ones who has decided to try out all of the side effects starting week 1 I am on week 5 and still trucking though I feel like crap. I keep hoping that the sides will give a little, and as others have said alot of people dont have any sides at all (lucky dogs) and that may be the case for you as well. I wish you the best in your decision, it is right to be as informed as you can be as it is your body and your choice will affect the outcome. :) anne

[Livinontheedge]

Hi Sunshine !  In my opinion only,  I always felt like there is not a better time than the present.    Just remember the choices you make can effect you now or later.    I being a GT A1 waited a long time to go on this treatment and feel greatful for be given the chance to slay this dragon NOW.   I just took my 6th shot tonight and it seemed like I got slapped with every SX immediately upon starting treatment in my first 3 weeks,   the last 2 havent been that bad, but SX go up and down, and Ive been through worst things in my life.    With the triple tx w/ inc, my 4 week labs were "UND",  so right now I am elated.   Also, Scared too, because you never know how things will take a turn, but I am going to do what my doctor recommends ,   I believe that God is not going to open a door for me and then slam it my face.    I have other issues with my health as well, and I know if I get this monster out of the way or at least know that I have done everything I can to slay it, then I am at peace.     I just turned 48 and have two beautiful granddaughters, a pasture of horses and people who love me and I love, and that right there gives me every reason in the world to continue on with this..        One more word on HCV,  I know for me, My VL has never been high a million copies at the highest and then dropped over the last 10 years to even undetectable numbers and then they would jump back up to 12,000 or so.   My liver panels have always been normal,  my liver biopsies have been good, until the last one in Oct which moved to stage 2 liver disease.   Fogginess , Depression, anxiety, body aches, chills and other sx have been coming and going for the last 10 years as well.    I honestly pray this all goes away when this is over, there is a good chance it will .   What do I have to loose ??    

[sunshine415]

hi, thanks so much for giving me a heads up on decisions.... I mean it's like hepc, boy, why couldn't questions be a bit easier on us... there is so much to consider on this disease, I mean, I even had cancer insitu,but got it in time, with a complete hysterectomy along time ago... even that was much easier than the hepc,honestly.But, I guess I'm just having 'moments' at this point.... especially I am so very sensitive to medicines.... ugh... but my Dr.. does of course ,knows this.. now I have a G DR. on this and also in Boston I have a liver specialist. talk about different opinions... it's like the ball in my court. oh geez, thanks.... from the specialist,and the G Dr.and my Primary Care Dr. you need to try this medicine... and if it works it works and if doesn't at least you can say you tried. oh again. thanks. but ,my primary practically (she's a great sensitive Dr. and I like her soo much, she's good) and my mom also has her too. and always asks my mom ,oh how's deborah doing.. pls .have her try the medicine.... etc. etc. all of a sudden tonite I just got a gut feelings.. and usually my gut feelings are like ,usually right. ahh, watcha gonna do.. ya know. o.k. going off to bed now. and thanks alot ,I needed ya ,right now.... ty

[brianmo]

I know how it is. I was dx ten years ago, had three liver bx and was trying to figure out if I wanted to live the rest of my life with this. It was a number of factors that help decide to treat. My age, 57.  Not getting any younger . The new drug that shortens tx. The new gene test that tells if you have a favorable gene for grating. I did, cc. The fact I want to retire next year so I won.t have such great insurance.
It's a personal tough decision. Look at all your pros and cons. I realize you have other health issues which is something to consider but also remember, not everyone has bad sides. It's been a month so far for me and I feel normal, realizing that this can change any day, I just take it one day at a time and do what I can for that day
Another liver bx is an excellent idea and discussing all this with your doctor should help.   Good luck and keep us all posted on your decision.   Mo