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Reply: Just began Triple Therapy for Hep-C

Hi madeNUSA1, sounds like you do have a lot of questions. Let me start by saying everyone...

Posted by TonyT26

Hi madeNUSA1, sounds like you do have a lot of questions. Let me start by saying everyone of us is different and as such our experiences with this will be different. What's happening to me may or may not being happening to others and the side effects could be better or worse in some cases.
It was my understanding that all genotypes should get treated and type 2/3 is actually a good thing. I have type 1a. Type 2 & 3 respond better to the treatment & has a better recover rate than does type 1. The liver biopsy ( & it ain't no big deal) will give you a better idea of the damage that has been done to the liver and the blood test will tell them if you have cancer or what the chance is that it will turn cancerous. I think it's called a ALPHA FETAL-TUMOR MARK test. They did not tell me that it "always" turns to cancer, but the ride for me is not over yet.

The treatment seems to be pretty well standard either double or triple drug therapy with Pegasus, Ribavirin and Incivek. My doctor started me on just the Pegasus & Ribavirin for the first month to make sure I could tolerate the treatment & see if just those two were making a difference. Then I started the third drug Incivek. I see that some people start all three at the same time. The third drug Incivek is the one that causes most of the trouble, but I have been told that the Pegasus/Ribavirin causes depression which in some cases can be quite bad. I've been lucky & have not gotten severe depression. I have good days & bad, mostly they are not the best, no energy, taste buds all messed up, an overall weak feeling. Usually the day before my injection & the day of I feel fair good, at least enough that I feel I'm able to come up for air, but there have been some horrid days. Lots of headaches, stay hydrated, it helps the headaches as well as keeps you from drying out. A few days or a week or so would not be so bad but remember you're into this for at least six months or longer & it gets old quick. For me, most of the time I don't feel like doing anything at all, my wife understands & has been there for me. I wish you luck with your husband, it's going to be tuff on both of you.

The third drug Incivek has it's own side effects, including the anal thing. What appears to happen is that the back door lubrication gland quits working, things dry out & you have a lot of stomach acid come through, burns like pooping fire at times. Keep the prep h & wipes handy, you'll know when it's time. They tell you to take the Incivek with high fat foods, I guess they feel the fat content will help lube & coat things to protect from the stomach acids. Incivek also causes rashes, which itch like you wouldn't believe, ice packs, and Benadryl & Benadryl spray help.

I had a Hawaii trip planned & paid for when I found out about this, we opted to postpone treatment till after the trip — but we were only a month or so out from the trip. Sounds like your trip is a good ways out, it might work out for you. It's not going to be fun if you have something planned in the middle of the treatment.
Here are a few links that make for good reading, hope everything works out for you, good luck.
http://www.hepatitis.va.gov/patient/diagnosis/labtests-hepatitisC-genotype.asp
http://whatscookingamerica.net/NutritionalChart.htm
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Posted byTonyT26

87 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Just began Triple Therapy for Hep-C Hi madeNUSA1, sounds like you do have a lot of questions. Let me start by saying everyone...

Reply: Just began Triple Therapy for Hep-C

I'm sorry to hear you're having a hard time, are your numbers coming back ok? My doc start...

Posted by TonyT26

87 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Just began Triple Therapy for Hep-C I'm sorry to hear you're having a hard time, are your numbers coming back ok? My doc start...

Reply: Just began Triple Therapy for Hep-C

Thanks for the info, I found the list on 'whatscooking' it opens up a world of choices....

Posted by TonyT26

87 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Just began Triple Therapy for Hep-C Thanks for the info, I found the list on 'whatscooking' it opens up a world of choices....

Reply: Just began Triple Therapy for Hep-C

Greetings all, I'm new to the group & all this. I'm on Pegasys & Ribavirin right...

Posted by TonyT26

87 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Just began Triple Therapy for Hep-C Greetings all, I'm new to the group & all this. I'm on Pegasys & Ribavirin right...

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