hepatitis c

[historian]

To those of you who, like myself, suffer from Hepatitis C here is a good word and some hope. I was diagnosed approx 20 yrs ago, and the disease was progressing non stop. I went through the interferon and ribavarin regime but I couldn't cope so I stopped. My liver specialist then prescribed Sulvadin with Ocylio (I think the names are correct). After 2 wks i had a viral count test which showed a load of more than 2 million. 2 wks later i had another viral load blood test and it showed negative - not a trace of the virus! Amazing. So now I'm in remission. So to those of you who suffer from this disease take heart. There is hope.
However, there is one caveat - the pills are very expensive and cost (hold onto your pants) 1000$ a pill!!!!! The insurance really didn't give a hassle and are paying for it but to those who don't have insurance the company will help you get the pills even if they send some to you free!!!! Amazing.
Anyway good luck to you all.

[mopinko]

2. my BIL is a sufferer.

he went through ribovirin and interferon as a medical trial.
they got his load down, but the side effects were awful. especially the depression.

he recently got a liver lobe from his son. he was really lucky that he did the kind of work where he controlled his own schedule. dont know how he could have worked through it all otherwise.

best of luck. i know there is tons of research in the pipeline for this.

[Nite Owl]

3. I'm so happy that you

you are in remission.
My son has hepC also, diagnosed 9 yrs ago. He went though the pegasus/ribovarin for 24 weeks. He went down to 114lbs. When the course was completed the virus was gone--- for a month then came right back.
Hope his insurance will pay for it when he is ready. He still feels good and the count is low.

Were there a lot of side effects?