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Hep C Discussion Forum -> On Treatment -> new to the forum just starting tx! introducing myself
Post Info TOPIC: new to the forum just starting tx! introducing myself
iggle


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RE: new to the forum just starting tx! introducing myself
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Welcome to the forumsmile

I just finished tx last week, and many on here have been through this or are in the middle of tx, so you came to the right place. I am not intending to frighten you, but from my own personal experience with tx the side effects can be pretty bad. The first injection will most likely be the worst one, so be prepared for that. The incivek can cause rash, itching, naseua, and backdoor issues. The good thing about incivek is you only take it for 12 weeks and those side effects dissapear quickly after you finish. Riba has it's own set of side effects, including anemia which is very common.

The best advice I have to to soak up as much information as you can before you start, so that you are fully prepared. I would start by reading the stickys in this forum, especially the triple therapy workbooks, side effect management, and anal itching and discomfort threads. JoAnne has some good advice too with the lotion, drinking a good amount of water to stay hydrated, and absoloutely make sure you eat 20 grams of fat with incivek. If you are not eating the fat then you might as well not even take the meds, because it will not work.

Like Malcolm said, you have a lot in your favor. Being young, with no damage, and a low viral load definitely increases your odds of success. Best of luck to you, and I hope to see you posting UND very soon. 



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dunkind123


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Thank you all for the warm welcome. : ) My family is supportive for sure..I moved back into my parents house to make things a little easier on myself. I would probably wait for a better treatment to come out with less side effects, since that was my doctors recom. buttt I have a slight insurance issue...I lose my insurance in 14 months and its good insurance thru my parents so i may only have one shot at doing this. So, the doc agreed and said lets do it.  I've always just thought I was doomed for life and it was pretty much over until these treatments came out with such good results. I dunno its like a god  thing..its weird...I lost my insurance when i turned 21...then the laws were changed so the insurance companys keep people on until they are 26...and this treatment came out right after i get my insurance back...the decision was clear to me..im just really thankful for it. Im glad I found this forum too...I have lots of questions...it also feels good to see people who are in it, thru it, and still standing strong!



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JoAnneh


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I say if you have family support to help you go for it while u r young
Before the disease gets stronger. It's good u got
Over a year 1st! Ur chances are better than mine at 53 as my
Disease has caused chirrosis. Best if u have
Support from loved ones. Eating 20 grams of fat w Invicek
Makes the medicine work. You will need to set alarm on iPhone
To go off daily at med times. Drink lots of water and buy lotion!
We are here for you, JoAnne

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JoAnne

Genotype 1a, Triple therapy w/Invicek started May 19, 2012

DET 4 wk. UND 2,6,12,24 48 treatment. Achieved SVR 2013!
mallani


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That will be Peg. interferon, telaprevir (Incivek) and ribavirin. The generic names on the packaging may be different. You'll soon get the hang of the weekly interferon injection- most of us do it on Friday nights, so there is a section called the 'Friday Nights Darts Club'. There are a lot of people on the same drug combo, so ask any questions about side effects. You will probably do 12 weeks of the triple Rx, followed by another 12 weeks of interferon and ribavirin (depending on your viral load results). Young people usually don't have too many problems, unlike us old guys. Cheers.



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Geno 1b, IL28B CT,  x3 prior relapser,  ex-cirrhotic, 75 yo, did 48 weeks with Victrelis/Peg./Riba.  VL 1.28m at start, UNDET. at 8 ,12 ,16 ,24 ,30  and 48 weeks.  EOT 15 Feb 2013 , UNDET. at EOT + 28 weeks. SVR!  Still Undet. at EOT +5 years

Malcolm
dunkind123


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Im taking the combo of interferon, teleprivere sp? and i believe ribo something.  Im sorry my last app was 2 months ago and i go in this month for the nurse to show you how to inject yourself and how to store the medication and such.



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mallani


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Hi dunkind123, as you are young, with a low viral load and no liver damage, you have an excellent chance of SVR. What drugs will you be taking? We are here to help and support, so ask any questions you like. Good luck. Cheers.



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Geno 1b, IL28B CT,  x3 prior relapser,  ex-cirrhotic, 75 yo, did 48 weeks with Victrelis/Peg./Riba.  VL 1.28m at start, UNDET. at 8 ,12 ,16 ,24 ,30  and 48 weeks.  EOT 15 Feb 2013 , UNDET. at EOT + 28 weeks. SVR!  Still Undet. at EOT +5 years

Malcolm
dunkind123


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Hi everyone! I'll be starting tx in a few weeks. I know most things about the disease but don't know much about the tx. Im 25 and have geno 1a..my vl is 50,000 and so far my biopsy said there is no liver damage. I was diagnosed at 17 with hep. Being young and stupid and influence of an older sibling I used pills IV and aquired the disease. I knew nothing about it. Ive been clean over a year and want to get it taken care of. I'm scared of getting really sick from it. Im from the Pittsburgh area. Anyway, everyone seems really nice here and thanks for your time. GO STEELERS! lol



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LC


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Have you given any thought to waiting for drugs with fewer side effects? I would check out the News and Events section because there is some good stuff coming down the pipe for HCV. - http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/hepC/HCVDrugs.html Of course, you would want to discuss with your doctor whether you need immediate treatment or not, and the risks involved. I figure, I am not going to make myself sick to get well unless I absolutely have to.

-- Edited by LC on Saturday 17th of November 2012 03:33:27 AM

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Genotype 1a, VL 1,151,923.  51 years old.  Started treatment on AbbVie TOPAZ II clinical trial Oct 10, 2014!  Undetected at weeks 2 and 4! 
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