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91034 tn?1401416303

What to do? Might start Trials...Totally clueless

Hey everyone! My first day to this sight.I'm 32 female and been drinking since I was 15.  So I was diagnosed with HCV a year ago and I was in shock, not sure how I got it or how long I've had it. But since I've been researching over the past week the common theme seems to be "it doesn't matter how or why" just Let's get rid of it! I've been in denial for this whole past year and just tried to forget about it. Well that didnt really work. I've started having panic attacks,depression,loss of sleep, and feeling hopeless. Then out of no where I got a call from a doctors office saying I was referred to them  by my ID who diagnosed me. So I called him back and he wants to do trials. I said ok put me on the list...... what do I have to lose!? I see the doctor on June 4th to do a liver panel. I haven't actually signed up yet.......I think I'm Geno type A1. As soon as I go to appt on this date I'll be sure to give everyone more info. One thing I remember him saying is the drugs didn't have interferon in them. next time I will write things down!
So I need to know what questions should I ask?
What are the risks? I also have Psoriasis and depression my whole life (w/no meds)
What should I do from now until then?
Drink extra water, eat less fish? I don't eat red meat or chicken should I start? Keep drinking coffee?
Clearly you can tell I have know idea and I'm alone with this fight because I didn't know if I should tell anyone but
something came over me and I decided to start the fight! Thanks anyone for there advice.
8 Responses
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5536514 tn?1373500002
you hit the nail right on the head sister.  Just as I must do.  One day at a time.  I also stopped drinking 9 years ago and I am still learning  alot.  thanxs for your info  g
Helpful - 0
91034 tn?1401416303
Thanks for the link!
Helpful - 0
91034 tn?1401416303
Thanks for all the info HectorSf!  I will definatley keep you posted.
Helpful - 0
1747881 tn?1546175878
Seeing that you are considering entering a trial I would suggest that you get familiar with how trials work, not all trials are created equal, follow the link for basic info on how hep c clinical trials work and perhaps what questions you might want to ask

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/community/Clinical_Trials.htm
Helpful - 0
2059648 tn?1439766665
Drinking will interfere with your chances of being excepted in a trial.  It's great your staying sober.

Best To You : )
Helpful - 0
446474 tn?1446347682
What should I do from now until then?

You should only be treated by a gastroenterologist or hepatologist who has a lot of experience curing patients with hepatitis C. The best chance of beating the virus is always the first time. If you have a doctor who doesn't know how to properly manage hepatitis C treatment then you could be setting yourself up for failure. So it is always important to have a highly experienced and educated doctor.

Any alcohol will speed up the damage to your liver caused by hep C. So you need to stop drink for good.

"what do I have to lose!?"

If you have a history of Psoriasis and Clinical Depression. You need to address both of these condition BEFORE starting treatment if the treatment will include include interferon based treatment. You need to know that treatment can made both condition much worse and could cause you to stop treatment. So you should have your psoriasis under control and be seeing a dermatologist before and during treatment. As you should be put on and antidepressant that relives your depression again BEFORE starting hepatitis C therapy.

Hopefully you will be doing a new treatment without interferon. Since you have probably only had hep C for less then 2 decades you may not have extensive liver damage yet so there may be no hurry to treat. Only a liver biopsy will tell the doctor have advanced your liver disease is.

From the box label...

"IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Boxed WARNINGS
PEGASYS, like other alpha interferons, may cause or make fatal or life-threatening problems worse (like mental, immune system, heart, liver, lung, intestinal and infections). Your doctor should monitor you during regular visits. If you show signs or symptoms of these conditions, your doctor may stop your medication. In many patients, but not all, these conditions get better after they stop taking PEGASYS (see the Medication Guide for more information and Warnings)."

"Mental health problems and suicide. PEGASYS therapy may cause you to develop mood or behavioral problems including:
* irritability (getting upset easily)
* depression (feeling low, feeling bad about yourself or feeling hopeless), and anxiety
* aggressive behavior
* former drug addicts may fall back into drug addiction or overdose
* thoughts of hurting yourself or others, or suicide"

"The most common life-threatening or fatal events (<1%) include depression, suicide, relapse of drug abuse/overdose, and bacterial infections. Hepatic decompensation occurred in 2% of CHC/HIV subjects. The most common serious adverse event was bacterial infection. Other serious adverse events occurred,including: suicide, suicidal ideation, aggression, anxiety, drug abuse and drug overdose, angina, hepatic dysfunction, fatty liver, cholangitis, arrhythmia, diabetes mellitus, autoimmune phenomena, peripheral neuropathy, aplastic anemia, peptic ulcer, gastrointestinal bleeding, pancreatitis, colitis, corneal ulcer, pulmonary embolism, coma, myositis, cerebral hemorrhage, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura,psychotic disorder, and hallucination.

For hepatitis C subjects, the most commonly reported adverse reactions were psychiatric reactions, including depression, insomnia, irritability, anxiety, and flu-like symptoms such as fatigue, pyrexia, myalgia, headache, and rigors. Other common reactions were anorexia, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, arthralgias, injection site reactions, alopecia, and pruritus."

Good luck!
Hector
Helpful - 0
91034 tn?1401416303
Oh yeah  forgot to say that I stopped drinking. But it is really hard. But now that you reaffirmed that I need to stay sober I will. Thanks!
Helpful - 0
2059648 tn?1439766665
My advice is don't drink.  Good for you getting into a trial.  

Best to you


Helpful - 0
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