Hey- Recent hep C diagnosis; biopsy soon--?!
Question: Hey- Recent hep C diagnosis; biopsy soon--!?
Anticipating Dr's treatment suggestions- any advice on interferon, etc!? Thanks, folks~Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
I disagree with Formerly!. The old school of thought was to wait until the liver disease has advanced (determined by a biopsy which shows more fibrosis [scarring] of the liver!. Ex: stage 3 or 4 [cirrhosis])!. However, research shows that a lower viral load is easier to treat than one that is in the millions or tens of millions!. Earlier age at treatment is also a favorable factor in successful treatment, as is genotype and other factors!.
http://hcvadvocate!.org/hepatitis/factshe!.!.!.
There is no better time than the present to treat!. Common sense says that isn't it easier to eradicate a viral load of 2 million instead of waiting until it's 30 million!? Also, health related quality of life counts for something, too!. Treating early and getting it over with while you're younger and stronger than you'll be is better than waiting until you have more advanced liver disease, more fatigue, and possibly extrahepatic manifestations of the disease!. Yes, Hep c can cause a myriad of other diseases which can also negatively impact your life!.
http://www!.hcvadvocate!.org/hepatitis/fac!.!.!.
In my opinion which is based on my experiences with a local support & clinic, I have found that the more a patient is educated about the disease and the treatment (and side effect management), the better they tend to do on treatment!. I also recommend that you go to a face to face support group so you can meet others who are going through treatment or who have already gone through it!. Networking with others is a great way to learn & get support!. All these things can increase your chances of a successful treatment!. Best wishes to you!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
http://hcvadvocate!.org/hepatitis/factshe!.!.!.
There is no better time than the present to treat!. Common sense says that isn't it easier to eradicate a viral load of 2 million instead of waiting until it's 30 million!? Also, health related quality of life counts for something, too!. Treating early and getting it over with while you're younger and stronger than you'll be is better than waiting until you have more advanced liver disease, more fatigue, and possibly extrahepatic manifestations of the disease!. Yes, Hep c can cause a myriad of other diseases which can also negatively impact your life!.
http://www!.hcvadvocate!.org/hepatitis/fac!.!.!.
In my opinion which is based on my experiences with a local support & clinic, I have found that the more a patient is educated about the disease and the treatment (and side effect management), the better they tend to do on treatment!. I also recommend that you go to a face to face support group so you can meet others who are going through treatment or who have already gone through it!. Networking with others is a great way to learn & get support!. All these things can increase your chances of a successful treatment!. Best wishes to you!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
It's too soon to make any decisions on treatment - the biopsy will help you decide!. You might want to delay treatment if the liver is normal or has only minor problems!. If treatment is warranted, it can be a tough decision since the side effects of interferon can be worse than many cases of Hep C!. Unless the liver biopsy shows some serious problems, its OK to monitor things for a while and see if you actually need any treatment!. Usually liver damage from hep C progresses slowly, so monitoring the situation is not a risky course of action when there is only minor damage to the liver (and you are not increasing the risk by drinking alcohol or regularly using medications like Tylenol, Alleve or ibuprofen)!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Treatment options depend on the strain of Hep C that you have, so your doctor will need the biopsy results and blood tests to determine the best course of treatment!. Some strains of Hep C are easier to treat than others!. Some people are able to clear the virus from their bodies with treatment!.Www@Answer-Health@Com