Beginning treatment soon (Pegasys/Ribavirin)

[missrandii]

Hello all!
I've only posted here one other time (when I originally found out about my hepatitis c, back in October 2014).
I'm back. I feel lucky that my doctor has been very aggressive in getting me approved for some type of treatment, even though I don't have damage to my liver yet. Just a week ago, they gave me the decision on which treatment I wanted. They told me that I could do the Pegasys/Ribavirin and be cured by July or to wait until August for when the new treatment is approved by my health insurance and be cured by October (by the way, I have genotype 2a). Me, being the type of person whom likes to take care of things immediately decided on the older treatment. I'm currently waiting on the call so they can FedEx me the medications. I've read through a lot of horror stories about this treatment and I decided to come back here and maybe get some stories from others that went through the same treatment. I chose this one because I'm sick of feeling like crap all of the time and I'm ready for my new life. Anybody here that has gone through this treatment, I'd LOVE to hear your story. How was the treatment? How did it affect you? I realize everybody reacts differently but I'd like to get a little bit of an idea and mentally prepare myself for what lies ahead of me.
Thank you so much.

[Ekkiemom]

THATS A BIG DITTO TO WHAT JIMMY SAID MISS R
HUGS
Deb

[JimmyMose]

Please let us know how you are doing.  I saw you were on line the day after your post and maybe read the replies.   From your post it appears you already made a decision to start and were asking for help with INF/RBV treatment. If you do actually start tx, we will still help as best we can with your concerns.  

If it's not to late for you to change your mind then consider it.
My opinion and figures are approx

INF/RBV  6 months, "cured" SVR is usually considered at 24 weeks after end of tx approx SVR rate about 80%  greater chance of bad side effects and long term problems.

SOV/RIB 3 months, "cured" SVR is usually considered at 12 weeks, approx SVR rate about 95%  less chance of bad side effects and long term problems.

"cured" SVR under will take about 1 year either way to be sure

I believe the members commenting have pretty said all we can about which tx..  So what ever you do we will try to help you.




  

[dontworry_behappy1]

Hello and welcome to this forum. I treated with the drugs your being offered. This is a older drug treatment with interferon ( Pegasus ).   You might want to read some of the posts on the "Hepatitis C: Post treatment Issues."

Here is a link

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Hepatitis-C-Post-Treatment-Issues/show/1670

You have little liver damage and can wait for better treatment.  I know your asking because you really don't know anything about interferon or you wouldn't even entertain taking it.   You are lucky to have the opportunity to
wait and not treat with interferon.   Wait till you can treat without it.  

Best to you

[Ekkiemom]

Hi Miss R.  I would not take the injection protocol. As everyone has said it is a rough and somewhat risky Tx.  I am 1a and had the triple therapy in 2011 to this day I have exasterbated joint pain that never went away.  IMHO I would push for a better Tx with less SFX. I was on 24wk Sov/Riba just finished jan 14th and it wasn't so bad for me.  I know you have probably heard that the Riba is bad but to be very truthful Riba seems to get a bad reputation and it's not so terrible. Anemia seems to be one of the more previlant side effects but a med adjustment(s) will take care of that for the most part and ur Hepa monitoring you as well
Take your time and do some research so you can advocate for the best Tx for you
Good Luck to you
Peace Deb

[susan400]

I don't want you to feel like we're trying to 'beat you up/gang up on you..', but we do have your best interest at heart.  If you're tired of feeling like crap, we understand that, too. With that said, Pegasys won't give you the energy that you are desiring for.  I agree with what the others are saving.  Your best best would be the Sovaldi (a pill) along with Ribavirin (another pill). Did your doctor explain that Pegasys (interferon) is an injection that you give to yourself?  I have used it TOO MANY times to count, not only it but the original interferon Intron-A and Pegasys's competition Peg-Intron and another type of interferon- and older type called Infergen.  I would definitely have preferred to start out doing my first treatment with one of these newer power drugs (as in pills) as opposed to sticking myself with a needle.  Honestly, in my case, it was a needle that I got the Hep C from in the beginning of all this. My own youthful folly.., but still.  The ease of treatment nowadays is so much more preferrable.  Please reconsider waiting and doing a non-injection type of treatment.  There are many ways that you can take good care of yourself in the meantime.  Avoid fatty foods, especially fried foods.  Try as best as you can to avoid stress, I know life is stressful, but sometimes we can make certain changes to help alleviate some of it.  Drink alot of water, now, even though you aren't on treatment yet. It helps to flush the toxins out of our system. Avoid drinking alchoholic beverages.If you smoke, I urge you to find a way to quit, or at the very least, decrease the amount you smoke.  Any exercise that you can do at all is very good for your liver.  For some people, that might look like a walk outside, a bike ride outside, playing tennis. For others, like me, they enjoy the comraderie of the gym.  I've been fighting HepC for over 30 yrs and still haven't been able to totally obtain SVR (sustained viral remission), despite several treatments. With that said, I used to have to subtypes, I was double genotype 1, with 1A and 1B.  After several treatments, I was able to clear the 1B. I still am dealing with 1A.  But, with trying to live w/Hep C and trying to live as healthy as I can for me, I've managed to stay cirrhosis free.  I used to smoke and drink when I was first diagnosed 19 yrs ago, but quit both of them.  I used to not really exercise that much and had a sedentary job and I felt horrible. And my life stressors have been something that have been pretty much constant, but I've learned ways to cope.  My 1 child has had a chronic life altering mental health illness for most of his life and that's been hard.  Anyway, I am not trying to lecture you, I am trying to encourage you. As all the people who have replied to you.  We all will be hear for you no matter what you decide to do. Take care. Susan400

[AWorriedMom]

Missrandi, please listen to what the other posters have told you. There is no reason to subject your body and mind to Pegasys. In your position you could wait years for a better treatment without harm to yourself. Your age, gender, and the fact you have no damage bodes well for a perfect outcome. Seriously, I would wait for the Sovaldi and Ribavirin if I were you. Your profile shows you are interested in autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. if your interest is because you have these issues it is VERY important to stay away from interferon. Interferon has the potential to make autoimmune diseases much worse. Please reconsider your decision.

[klonny55]

I was a genotype 2b and successfully cleared the virus after a 12 week course of Sovaldi/Ribavirin with basically no side effects at all. My advice is to get a second opinion and/or wait until you are able to access the new treatment. If you have little to no liver damage there is no rush. Interferon is nasty stuff!

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

Correction to typo: solvadi.

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

What's the rush? 2a's do Solavadi/Riba successfully.
I'd avoid Pegasus. It may cause further damage.
No damage means you can wait for a better tx. The virus can mutate from failed tx so it's better to wait than to go getting treated by ancient meds and run the risk it mutates and you don't SVR. Once you treat it may be more difficult  to SVR with another tx. Treatment naiive is best before tx.
Ask for Solavadi/Riba. That's da bomb.

[JimmyMose]

additional info to my prior post
AASLD/IDSA/IAS–USA is directed to USA medical practitioners.  

My opinion If you live in another country you and or medical provider may not yet have access to these new drugs.  I would guess for a doctor wanting to treat GT2 with INF/RBV now without damage to the liver, better have some other urgent valid reason.  I would get second opinion.

[JimmyMose]

hcvguidelines.org recommendations for health care professionals.
Excerpts (please go to the link for details)

Recommended regimen for treatment-naive patients with HCV genotype 2 infection.
Daily sofosbuvir and weight-based RBV  for 12 weeks
Extending treatment to 16 weeks is recommended in patients with cirrhosis.

The following regimens are NOT recommended for treatment-naive patients with HCV genotype 2. PEG-IFN and RBV for 24 weeks

AASLD/IDSA/IAS–USA. HCV testing and linkage to care. Recommendations for testing, managing, and treating hepatitis C.

http://www.hcvguidelines.org/full-report/initial-treatment-hcv-infection    accessed  February 1, 2015

Note:
When citing hcvguidelines.org please use date you accessed site(should be the same date as your post)
http://www.hcvguidelines.org/news/how-cite-and-permissions

Guidance for hepatitis C treatment is changing constantly and may be different at any time. It is a good idea to confirm revisit/refresh the linked page before commenting especially if it's after the date the webpage was last accessed.

the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), in collaboration with the International Antiviral Society–USA (IAS–USA), have developed a web-based process for the rapid formulation and dissemination of evidence-based, expert-developed recommendations for hepatitis C management. The IAS–USA provides the structure and assistance to sustain the process that represents the work of leading authorities in hepatitis C prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in adults.

This Guidance should be considered a "living document" in that the Guidance will be updated frequently as new information and treatments become available. This continually evolving report provides guidance on FDA-approved regimens. At times, it may also recommend off-label use of certain drugs or tests or provide guidance for regimens not yet approved by FDA. Readers should consult prescribing information and other resources for further information. Of note, the choice of treatment may, in the future, be further guided by data from cost-effectiveness studies.

[hepc4Sandi]

Hi there, I did Sovaldi/Pegasys/Ribavirin last year and was successful. Why isn't your doctor putting you on a Solvadi treatment? I don't know the % of success or failure on the Tx that you are describing, but I would push for one that includes Sovaldi. My treatment was fairly uneventful, had the usual Sx, sensitivity to the sun, hair got brittle and fell out some (came by fine), tired but was able to work the whole time, my Ribavirin had to be adjusted as I became a bit anemic, and it was bothering my heart. But I knew that my odds for being successful were in my favor (I was genotype 4). Get your support system in place, be prepared to drink plenty of water. Let us know how we can support you.