To treat or not to treat, that is the question!

[truredhead]

I am so unsure about whether to treat the hep c with the interferon. I already received my first 3 months medicine from Roche. I have been reading so much about the side effects that is scares the heck out of me. All my blood tests are good so far as levels except the viral load is very high. I am a 1A geno, I do not drink and have been on methadone for 15 yrs. I have fibro and irritable bowel syndrome which seems to be better in last few months.My biopsy showed F1-F2, I am not sure when I aquired it, could have been a tattoo or former IV use. Just found out I had it year and half ago. Should I wait or treat? I just need some feedback I guess. My viral load was 24 million and that is the only bad thing I see on the blood tests. I know we addicts always expect the worse, but some of those sides never go away and I hate any mental probs starting, Its a wonder I am not goofy now! I sure you can tell how great I am at making decisions!

[Trinity4]

Sneaky, oh really. Didn't know it was a private matter since you have it posted on another public forum.  You made no mention of it being a private matter and I dare say I have 72 wks of twisted entertainment behind me and probably another 24 - 48 wks at some point so your treatment and how you respond is of no pratical value to me.  

If wishing you RVR and a shortened tx is insulting to you I will not wish you well again.

Trinity

[Trinity4]

Since you've started your interferon injections hopefully you'll be lucky and RVR with minimal side effects to boot.  That way, you can stop the interferon at 24 wks and hopefully no lingering adverse effects.

Trinity

[charm27]

First of all good luck with your decision making. Wish you lots of health.
I had a viral load of 75 million..1A Stage 2-  I decided to treat after I had my second biopsy- 1st biopsy in 1985- I showed inflammation-They didnt know about HepC at that time as we all know.
I ignored it up until 2007 had another biopsy ...I made my decision to literally give it a go at treatment. It was rough and worth it.

Charm

[Bali05]

yes , and hopefully the geno 1s who treated with PI will be SVR long before that
and not get any of the nasty sides from HepC.

[Bali05]

yes it is .

for example a trial done with nitazoxanide +SOC and geno 4 showed no difference in SVR but definately more sx when 36wk  compared to 48wk.
Nitazoxanide has next to no side effects.

[Trinity4]

There is no documented evidence showing the likelihood of adverse side effects will increase if exposed to 48 or 72 wks of interferon verses 24 wk.

Trinity