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!

[Emily_MHManager]

Hi everyone -

Tons of this is being reported as abuse.  Since a good portion of it seems to be about content, there isn't much we can do.  We can not say who is right and wrong.

We have said, and will continue to say that whether to treat or not is a personal decision, and no one should be intimidated into it.  No one should be scared out of it, either.  The purpose of these threads is to give info, good and bad, from the treat-now side and the maybe-wait-and-see-side.  Then it is up to the person to make an informed decision.

I am going to assume that no one will make this personal, and that everyone will play nice.  If not, as this thread is long, and the posts in it are longer, we may end up taking it down as we do not have time to sit and babysit while you all are fully capable of discussing this without making it personal.  

As always, you can disagree without disrespect, and your message will be far more effective if you consider the way you deliver it.

Emily

[Rockerforlife]

.
Very good PDF book on Methadone.


http://www.drugpolicy.org/docUploads/aboutmethadone.pdf

[merryBe]

I provided myriad studies in my hgh thread and as you know advocated for tharapeutic use of hGH not abuse or overuse.
HGH has shown no influence on hcv replication, and no adverse effects at therapeutic levels, meaning by bringing my HGH back from the 20% of normal function to normal function, I gave myself the same fighting chance many of you had naturally.
HGH is a hormone, and just like thyroid disease without it people get very sick...

I know this concerned you, but I think had you read some of the references I gave in the thread you might have seen some of my points. This hormone is essential for cellular repair.  Many hcv people have normal levels, and should not be on it...but those who are deficient, or severely deficient should be on it.

Perhaps it would help if you go look at pics of children with progeria...essentially that's what I had...adult onset pituitary dysfunction....without HGH my aging process was being accelerated just as those children (who make none) have aged 90 years in only 9 years.

I'm sorry if my thread was not clear enough on possible dangers, I brought up what overuse might cause, but you might want to consider that I shared this BECAUSE people with hcv often have their pituitary gland quit working, and they need to know this.

It is not my intent to be contencious or start an argment on differnet topics on this thread. So, respectfully, if you wish to take me to task on that topic let's move to my HGH thread and continue the discussion there.

[Trinity4]

OP does not have an overly compromised liver and after 15 years of methadone is F1-F2.  Nor is the OP an alcoholic or considering transplant.

Can you provide me with studies that show no risks when taking HGH?

[Cory255]

If you've never been thru tx before and you're genotype 1 you should consider the odds of achieving SVR.  I've been told it is anywhere from 20%-50%.  I would do everything you can to try and increase these odds, so you don't relapse, if you clear the virus.  To increase these odds you should carefully consider to take more medicine and go thru tx for longer.  

I would talk to your Dr. or hepatologist and try to work something out.  Dr's will tell you general information, As I think you will know best what to do in your life.  Trust your instincts.  
Bring in paperwork from studies showing it has benefited patients to extend tx to 72 wks and try to get him to agree with you on this.  Start tx to see how you respond by week 12, and then go from there.  Cory.

[IAmTheWalrus]

Thanks for the facts Mr Liver. Your points about protecting factual accuracy are well taken also. The thing about facts is that they must me interpreted or misinterpreted as the case may be. You make a really good case for your interpretation.

However, I don't get the impression that NYG or others are trying to scare anyone into treatment. I think their words come from genuine concern. Sometimes clear delineation between fact and opinion or encouragement is not made as it should in all cases, most of us are not perfect. If we were all trained medical professionals, this might happen a lot less. I know my hepatologist would never crack his lips unless he is giving medical facts.

I don't think characterization of HCV as a "silent killer" is much of a stretch at all. Elaine lost a brother and a son to this disease in the last few years. Sure, Nick had other complications, but most people with HCV have some other complications as well. From a personal perspective for many, "silent killer" is an apt characterization.

There is more to living with and treating HCV than JUST the facts, though. There are emotions, and emotional support is a good thing and is needed. I am not justifying any clouding the facts, here, just pointing that out.

But again, thanks for your post. I think I learn a lot from hearing the opinions and dissents. It is good to have the discussions available hers. Facts, those stubborn things, are particularly welcome.

Respectfully,
Brent