Good article. I'm always happy to read such stuff. Now, I have to avoid being hit by a bus while cycling! Cheers.
I think I'm back to looking both ways when crossing the street!
My comment about treating F3-F4s now refers to those governments and agencies that still want to use inferior meds because of cost containment, for example PBAC in Australia. This is the same reasoning that gets automakers sued for not fixing a dangerous problem because it's too expensive.
-- Edited by Gator Man on Tuesday 2nd of December 2014 05:59:23 PM
mallani said
Dec 1, 2014
Hi John,
Good article. I'm always happy to read such stuff. Now, I have to avoid being hit by a bus while cycling! Cheers.
Yep. Like when I mentioned the benefits of vitamin D and got slammed.
Hey, I got the crap kicked out of me for mentioning the down sides to Incivek. Stuff happens.
Back to Gatorman's good news.
Isiscat2011 said
Dec 1, 2014
Paul B wrote:
Yes. well getting back to the original post it is very good news indeed. And it is congruent with much of the current research findings.
Seems like opinions are changing as more becomes known.
Indeed. Not to mention there are some promising drugs in the pipeline that may be able to safely reduce/reverse fibrosis. The future looks bright.
Paul B said
Dec 1, 2014
Yes. well getting back to the original post it is very good news indeed. And it is congruent with much of the current research findings.
Seems like opinions are changing as more becomes known.
Tig said
Dec 1, 2014
Hi Paul,
I did a course of treatment using the original IFN too. Three shots per week. It was different than my last using the Peg IFN, but true, neither was a walk in the park. I don't want to hijack John's thread, so if you'd like to discuss it further, we can start a new thread In the On Treatment section. Thanks!
Tig
Paul B said
Dec 1, 2014
LC wrote:
I'm glad I didn't panic too much or I would have jumped on the peg interferon when first diagnosed.
Back in 1995 when I first treated they must have had a different approach. Treat everyone !
Those first two course I went on were horror show. Surprisingly, the current treatment, even though it has the DAA added is not as bad.
To be honest though I don't really get that... Stronger Interferon, same Ribavirin + Victrelis. You would reckon I would be doing it harder this time around. Still, having said that, it's no walk in the park.
Maybe it's the vitamin D
LC said
Dec 1, 2014
All I know is, I probably picked mine up 30 years ago, and never progressed to the point of cirrhosis in spite of pretty much drinking fairly heavily the whole 30 years. I didn't know I had HCV until a couple of years ago. I realize everyone's mileage varies on that though. I'm glad I didn't panic too much or I would have jumped on the peg interferon when first diagnosed.
Paul B said
Dec 1, 2014
Tig56 wrote:
Yes, seriously. I hope I don't have to remind you that we are all allowed to express an opinion without your constant critiques. This is an open forum and we invite participation, not condemnation.
Yep. Like when I mentioned the benefits of vitamin D and got slammed.
Isiscat2011 said
Dec 1, 2014
No problem. If people don't want to use common sense far be it from me to say anything.
IMO, we should leave the tx decisions to people's physicians. At least give things time to settle before expressing the urgency of treating F-0s - F-2s. I just finished reading a response to a 30 year old--who reported no liver damage--being told her tx was a matter of life and death!
Apparently liver fibrosis progression accelerated to "super fast" on October 10th.
Tig said
Dec 1, 2014
Yes, seriously. I hope I don't have to remind you that we are all allowed to express an opinion without your constant critiques. This is an open forum and we invite participation, not condemnation. I will appreciate your continued understanding of that expectation.
That's all the more reason to treat people before they reach F3-4!
Excellent find, Gatorman. More studies are showing that HCV cirrhotics who SVR are living normal life spans. This is positive news.
We really need to stop fanning the flames and scaring the crap out of people. If you read the study closely it indicates that the serious risks are for people who have advanced liver disease and that even at that late stage things can be turned around. It takes many years to reach cirrhosis; we all know that. There is enough panic as it is. Everyone agrees that all HCV patients need tx but not all need it right this minute--"before they reach F-3 - F-4!." Seriously.
Tig said
Dec 1, 2014
Hi John,
That's all the more reason to treat people before they reach F3-4!
Tig
Gator Man said
Dec 1, 2014
A recent article in JAMA concludes that life expectancy for patients with cirrhosis from HCV who attained SVR is comparable to the general population. I don't have the article, but I have attached a link to a press release about the November 12th publication.
This is what my doctor told me after I reached SVR. It's nice to see that the data supports his statement. All the more reason that TX for F3/F4 is necessary for everyone now!
-- Edited by Gator Man on Monday 1st of December 2014 10:20:15 PM
I think I'm back to looking both ways when crossing the street!
My comment about treating F3-F4s now refers to those governments and agencies that still want to use inferior meds because of cost containment, for example PBAC in Australia. This is the same reasoning that gets automakers sued for not fixing a dangerous problem because it's too expensive.
-- Edited by Gator Man on Tuesday 2nd of December 2014 05:59:23 PM
Hi John,
Good article. I'm always happy to read such stuff. Now, I have to avoid being hit by a bus while cycling! Cheers.
Hey, I got the crap kicked out of me for mentioning the down sides to Incivek.
Stuff happens.
Back to Gatorman's good news.
Indeed. Not to mention there are some promising drugs in the pipeline that may be able to safely reduce/reverse fibrosis. The future looks bright.
Yes. well getting back to the original post it is very good news indeed. And it is congruent with much of the current research findings.
Seems like opinions are changing as more becomes known.
Hi Paul,
I did a course of treatment using the original IFN too. Three shots per week. It was different than my last using the Peg IFN, but true, neither was a walk in the park. I don't want to hijack John's thread, so if you'd like to discuss it further, we can start a new thread In the On Treatment section. Thanks!
Tig
Back in 1995 when I first treated they must have had a different approach. Treat everyone !
Those first two course I went on were horror show. Surprisingly, the current treatment, even though it has the DAA added is not as bad.
To be honest though I don't really get that... Stronger Interferon, same Ribavirin + Victrelis. You would reckon I would be doing it harder this time around. Still, having said that, it's no walk in the park.
Maybe it's the vitamin D
Yep. Like when I mentioned the benefits of vitamin D and got slammed.
No problem. If people don't want to use common sense far be it from me to say anything.
IMO, we should leave the tx decisions to people's physicians. At least give things time to settle before expressing the urgency of treating F-0s - F-2s. I just finished reading a response to a 30 year old--who reported no liver damage--being told her tx was a matter of life and death!
Apparently liver fibrosis progression accelerated to "super fast" on October 10th.
Yes, seriously. I hope I don't have to remind you that we are all allowed to express an opinion without your constant critiques. This is an open forum and we invite participation, not condemnation. I will appreciate your continued understanding of that expectation.
Tig
Excellent find, Gatorman. More studies are showing that HCV cirrhotics who SVR are living normal life spans. This is positive news.
We really need to stop fanning the flames and scaring the crap out of people. If you read the study closely it indicates that the serious risks are for people who have advanced liver disease and that even at that late stage things can be turned around. It takes many years to reach cirrhosis; we all know that. There is enough panic as it is. Everyone agrees that all HCV patients need tx but not all need it right this minute--"before they reach F-3 - F-4!." Seriously.
Hi John,
That's all the more reason to treat people before they reach F3-4!
Tig
A recent article in JAMA concludes that life expectancy for patients with cirrhosis from HCV who attained SVR is comparable to the general population. I don't have the article, but I have attached a link to a press release about the November 12th publication.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-11/tjnj-lea110614.php
This is what my doctor told me after I reached SVR. It's nice to see that the data supports his statement. All the more reason that TX for F3/F4 is necessary for everyone now!
-- Edited by Gator Man on Monday 1st of December 2014 10:20:15 PM