Starting treatment next week...

[Inge153]

I am due to start on Peg Interferon and Ribavirin next Tuesday, and I am suddenly getting a bit apprehensive. Is there anything I can do to make the biginning of treatment as easy and painless as possible? I'm geno 1a, so it is the full 48 weeks with a 50/50 chance of  success.  I'd really be grateful for any advice..  Thanks,  Inge153

[bridgenichole]

I am on my 4th week of treatment, I'm geno 3. It has been very easy though i have almost no side effects at all. I was scared to death when I began I thought I'd be so sick but I continue living the same as I did before treatment except no more drinking when we go play pool.

[Cory255]

If you're a rapid responder you'll have better chances of SVR.  If I were you I would 1st find out what week you are UND, and then go from there.  If you're UND by wk 4, go for 48 weeks.  If UND any later, go for 72 or longer.    

Take more medication and go longer than 48 weeks so you won't have to go through it again.  I've heard so many people who have relapsed with genotype 1.  Cory.

[vik97]

Congratulations on your decision to start treatment!  It is normal to be apprehensive before beginning treatment.  Once you get started, you'll be less apprehensive.  Just remember how great it will be to get rid of the virus.  I'm also geno 1a, 48 week treatment, presently in week 20.

[Rockerforlife]

I did 2 TX and had very mild sides,you may be like me.Your odds maybe be more than 50% goin out of the gate,your female,if your not over weight,younger than 40,low VL,there are other factors that may boost your odds so to speak,the big one is if your clear by week 4,your odds of SVR are 95-99.9%....look forward to your 4 week PCR test.