Hi Michaele, I agree that the list of contraindications seems frightening. As Alan said, take all your meds to your doc. and find out whether they can be safely taken. I am still on my BP meds, reflux meds etc but ask when I need something new. I recently had a course of antibiotics from my Dermatologist, but only after I had checked to see whether they were safe. Your fear of Interferon is probably unfounded. Before this round of Rx, I had 2.5 years of Inter. without any residual problems. Personally, with your liver damage, I would not wait for Inter. free Rx to become available. Because of the instability of the HCV and the risk of drug-resistant mutations, single therapy is unlikely. We will still need something to mop-up the mutations, and Inter. is excellent for this. At least it's been around for a long time, and heaven knows what Sx the new drugs may have. Just my opinion. Cheers.

I hear you, believe me. That stuff can kill you, particularly when you mix it with about a dozen other meds. My doctor and nurse practitioner made me stop just about everything I was taking, including dietary supplements, because to quote the doctor "the list of contraindications is quite lengthy", and they wanted to err on the side of safety. The only advice I can give is to bring this up at your next appointment, not as a casual topic, but as a potential deal breaker. Each and every medicine you are currently taking needs to be declared safe or discontinued, and your health issues have to continue to be handled in some way. It is a sticky wicket. But I bet it can be handled safely.

Alan

Hi , I was just reading over the  merck page and when it got to the contraindications for interferon use, I nearly fell over. I have HBP, a punked out thyroid, Hx of chest pain /angina, bipolar disorder/ more depressed than manic, cataracts, borderline for glaucoma, carpal tunnel, gastritis and stuff I dont even remember. How can Dr think this will be safe. I dont want to scare anyone or make you laugh to hard, but that stuff can kill you.  And being over 60 with a stage 3-4 liver, I really have to wonder. Am I just being a big baby?

Hi Mallani, I see your point, but Ive been in the back of an ambulance getting nitro sprayed into my mouth a couple of time. I have a problem with ST waves , and maybe its really just anxiety not angina, I took cardizem for a few years after a bout of anorexia that threw my lites off enough to land me in telemetry for a few days. I know Im a mess, but that was  back when I would work 10 to 14 days straight and drank alot. Over 20 yrs ago.  To Much info, sorry   Michaele            Glad to hear your doing well, how the boredom?

Hey Alan thanks for understanding . Before it was decided I was going to do Tx I didnt even take my Rx, now to supposedly bring me to a LOL  controlled normal Im on HBP med, thyroid med, gastitis med, Prozac, and I have about 5 prn meds. I stopped the asprin. The Dr said take some milk thistle , so I am. I never filled my nitro, flexaril or the crap for carpal tunnel. before Dx of hep c  they tried to get me to take about 15 Rx QD, I couldnt even walk. I stopped everything and got better real quick. Because they couldnt figure out what was wrong they would pass me onto another specialist. Even after DX they still didnt know S&S were from the C . Eye Dr said dont do any steroids...  I'd  laugh but Im to busy scratching my head.. Good wishes to ya..... Michaele