Aa
what will you do when new P.I. come out?
Will you jump right in and start tx as soon as it's available, or will you wait a while and see how people are doing on the new drug? I'm pondering that thought. Part of me wants to jump in, part of me says wait and see how people are doing on it before starting.
going on 60 soon with 1a/2/2/ i'm going to tx asap...get this over...i hope to start tx by end of summer or early fall..the stigmas really got to me...as sick as i might get i'm still excited to start...
For many, having an early stage of disease is irrelevant.
We have an invader in our bodies.
We have a sickness.
We don't want to "wait a stage or two" and hope we're still treatable.
We want to be rid of it. Yesterday.
Perhaps the most powerful motivator of all.
We have an invader in our bodies.
We have a sickness.
We don't want to "wait a stage or two" and hope we're still treatable.
We want to be rid of it. Yesterday.
Perhaps the most powerful motivator of all.
I hear you on the stress factor, can-do. I can't say for sure because I don't have an obvious timeline that correlates with past stressors in my life, but I strongly feel that major life changes - deaths, divorce, major health issues (yup), the ones we always hear about- since dx played an important role in me progressing to cirrhosis - not the only cause, mind you, but an important one, nonetheless. They appear to contribute to other illnesses in life for many people that go through those trying times. Triggers, I gues you would call them.
I'm probably top of the list of obsessors regarding health - or the lack of it - but wouldn't you think that if someone had minimal damage and worked hard at maintaining or getting as healthy a lifestyle as possible that it could be a "good" obsession or stressor and work in ones favor?
I'm probably top of the list of obsessors regarding health - or the lack of it - but wouldn't you think that if someone had minimal damage and worked hard at maintaining or getting as healthy a lifestyle as possible that it could be a "good" obsession or stressor and work in ones favor?
"Whereas someone would less damage could possibly wait and possible risk advancing a stage or two, but still remain treatable"
The problem i see with that is the stress factor. People become obesses with HCV on a daily basis and that cannot be good for your overall health or any relationships.
can
The problem i see with that is the stress factor. People become obesses with HCV on a daily basis and that cannot be good for your overall health or any relationships.
can
Thank you all for your comments. Each one of you here has a perspective, an experience, an opinion that is valuable. That's why I can't stay away from this forum. For those of you who know me from this forum when I started tx, I am a worrier. I try not to be, try to worry about things actually happening and not project into the future and worry about events that haven't happened yet. I'm not always successful.
I think it's a very good topic of discussion Judy. There are a lot of people just learning about these new drugs and trying to make a similar decision about treatment. I hope you keep expressing your thoughts and concerns.
- Dave
- Dave
There is no question for those who have advanced liver disease to treat when the new stuff is out. It's for those who don't. I've been advised by my PCP not to jump taking a new drug. Not sure what my new hep doc will say. I also know it's a personal decision for each. It's just my nature to take a poll on what others think. Isn't that part of what a forum is about? We have all been waiting for these new drugs. Some much longer than I have. It's exciting, and hopeful and we all want to rid of this virus. Emotions can conflict with common sense. I'm just trying to sort it all out with help from the medical professionals and those here, where I've gotten more information and good common sense then I have with any doctor I've seen.
Just to add to trinity's well said post about making the decision to treat.
Even if one doesn't have liver damage does not mean it won't accelerate quickly at some point.
Treatment is much more successful with early stage disease. This may change with the development of more direct antivirals and cocktails of antivirals of course
extrahepatic manifestations of this disease like cryoglobulinemia and other autoimmune diseases are real and some are quite serious.
http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hcsp/articles/Bonkovsky-2.html
-Dave
Even if one doesn't have liver damage does not mean it won't accelerate quickly at some point.
Treatment is much more successful with early stage disease. This may change with the development of more direct antivirals and cocktails of antivirals of course
extrahepatic manifestations of this disease like cryoglobulinemia and other autoimmune diseases are real and some are quite serious.
http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hcsp/articles/Bonkovsky-2.html
-Dave
I think many factors need to be considered before entering into any type of treatment, primarily liver damage. Why treat if you don't have to unless you just want to be rid of the virus. Certainly the PI's give us a greater chance of achieving SVR and I'm almost certain 10 years from now the odds will be even greater with the newer drugs under development. Those of us who have relapsed and have advanced liver disease I don't see any other choice unless the person is comfortable co-existing with the virus despite the fact that it will continue to attack the liver.
Trinity
Trinity
Several of your posts about the new drugs sound negative and you seem reluctant to do them.
Why wait a while to see what happens after they hit the market. There is already enough data about the new drugs from the last 7- 10 years to make a decision. Use all that data and first hand knowledge from members here that have treated to move forward. Make an appointment with a Hepatologist and have a plan in place.
As they say the ball is in your court now. This is a personal decision that only you can make.
Best of luck whatever you decide.
Why wait a while to see what happens after they hit the market. There is already enough data about the new drugs from the last 7- 10 years to make a decision. Use all that data and first hand knowledge from members here that have treated to move forward. Make an appointment with a Hepatologist and have a plan in place.
As they say the ball is in your court now. This is a personal decision that only you can make.
Best of luck whatever you decide.
I will probably do what my Dr. recommends. He's has a good success record with many of my friends, stays current and knows everything about my situation.
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It is such a personal decision. For those like me that have advanced liver disease, the choice is clear-cut. Whereas someone would less damage could possibly wait and possible risk advancing a stage or two, but still remain treatable - those of us with compensated liver disease are acutely aware that moving from compensated to decompensated can be but a heartbeat away and are more willing to jump on the chance to clear now.
On a more practical note, age, job security, health insurance, family dynamics play an important role as well. Each of us must reach down deep to find what is right for us and hopefully that decision is made not out of fear but knowledge and hope.