My husband has just started therapy drug for Hep.C./Interferon combination rib. will med.s stop virus totally?

Question

Anyone who has taken treatment,,pls.let me know how drugs warked for you<

Answer 1

It is rather dependent of his "genotype" but yes, there can be a sustained viral response to antiviral chemotherapy. regardless of him responding or not with interferon and ribavirin, the liver gets a much needed break. I do know those with genotypes 1a or 1b who responded and sustained a viral response long after treatment. You are considered cured if you remain sustained after a year post antiviral chemotherapy. If he responds to treatment, the meds can reverse liver damage by half.

The only horrible side effect I had was psychosis towards the end of treatment, but the reason is because I had lost a considerable amount of weight and was still on the same dose for my starting weight. It caused medication toxicity, which can cause psychosis. Other than that I felt GREAT on treatment. Other common issue is white and red cell counts lowering to the point another medication should be added. (gotta keep your infection fighting cells up to fight possible infections)

There are several things your husband should be doing:
1. antidepressant with an anti-anxiety med such as zoloft and buspar.
2. a gallon of water a day
3. support groups
4. doctor visits (once a month or more depending)
5. trying to eat-even if it is a bite of this or a bite of that. i made myself one huge helping of a "very berry shake" and sipped on that all day long. the colder a drink (whether it be water or a shake) the better.
6. REST.
7. adhere to the same medication levels, same day, same time for the weekly injection, antivirals around the same time twice a day (am and pm)
8. commitment to care or other 1800 program to ask questions and talk to a nurse about sides, that way they can suggest who to see or what to do.
9. SUPPORT from you (I see support already which is GREAT!)

The other less bothersome side effects were dry chapped mouth (all treatment long, in which I sucked on altoids and ice)
hair loss (3rd to 6 month, tapering off the rest of treatment of 48 weeks)
Sleep loss
And a rash in the mouth last two months of chemo, (relieved with hot sauce!)

I would further like to explain to everyone that have posted some incorrect info: Having responded to antiviral chemotherapy for HCV does not leave you safe from getting liver cancer because certain viral infections are actually the cause of cancer. The good thing is that it just lessens your chance of liver cancer.
Even though the virus replication has been stopped, that doesn't mean that the cancer cells are gone.

Furthermore, the total sustained viral responses for ALL gentotypes combined are around 88%.

DO NOT take herbs while on treatment unless the doctor okays the only one approved which is MILK THISTLE. Other herbs can cause a false lab report, make bi-directional diseases worse. HCV is more complex than that of herbs. If a person is taking a specific herb that might benefit the liver, it may be dangerous to take if the person has kidney damage and the herb has been known to cause failure. So folks PLEASE don't post herbal treatments as well as flushes, cleanses and other treatments that are not scientifically accepted. I have known many folks who didn't even know they were ill until the herb they took caused them their life as well as caused organ damage. HERBS ARE A NO-NO!
Example: Licorice. Good to take for liver, however, it can cause the blood to thin, in which many heppers already have thinned blood. the result: internal bleeding.

I hope I got the point across! HCV is serious!

Answer 2

I work in hospital pharmacy, I haven't taken the drug. Is it a cure?It is easier to explain what we do know about those who achieve a sustained virologic response (virus undetectable in the blood 6 months after cessation of follow-up). In such individuals, the chances are greater than 90% that the virus will still be undetectable 5 and 7 years later. Liver histology shows less inflammation and, in a distinct minority, shows regression of fibrosis. Such individuals are no longer at excess risk for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Answer 3

I agree with BJ tech with regard to the data he has shared however the results of studies in hepatitis C patients taking the same medications show that less than 40% have a sustained viral response.

Answer 4

Hi Lisa

I dont know anything about drugs, but here are a few other ideas on how to heal the issue Ive given people with success.

Cause
The most common cause of hepatitis is a virus that can occur in five potential forms: A, B, C, D, or E. Other causes include excessive alcohol consumption, drug abuse (including pharmaceutical drugs, such as acetaminophen), overexposure to chemicals, and, sometimes, as a reaction to properly prescribed medications.

In recent years, hepatitis C has been on the increase. It is most frequently caused as a result of blood transfusions. Typically, people with hepatitis C are identified either because they have abnormal liver tests or because of a hepatitis C antibody test. A positive test does not necessarily mean serious liver disease, however. People with hepatitis C may have no liver disease, a mild form of chronic hepatitis, or a more serious form of hepatitis that may progress over a number of years to cirrhosis. The usual indications are a positive antibody test for the hepatitis C virus, abnormal liver tests for more than six to twelve months, and a liver biopsy that shows chronic active hepatitis. Approximately 20% of patients chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus will go on to develop cirrhosis.

Note: Infectious hepatitis can be easily spread two weeks before and one week after jaundice appears. The feces of people with hepatitis contain the virus. Therefore, very strict toilet hygiene and hand and cloth washing should be observed during this time.


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Natural Cures

Aromatherapy: Rosemary can help stimulate liver function.

Diet: Follow a diet low in protein and high in fresh vegetables to minimize stress on the liver. Also eat small meals throughout the day, and avoid foods such as refined sugars, alcohol, and caffeine, which cause stress on the liver, and be sure to drink plenty of filtered water. Drinking fresh lemon juice water every morning and evening followed by vegetable juice is also recommended to help liver function. Easily digested grains, such as millet, buckwheat, and quinoa, are also good food choices.

Enemas: Three warm enemas administered daily can help boost liver function.

Herbs: The liver-cell regenerative properties of herbs such as milk thistle and licorice can be helpful. Take 1/2 teaspoon of this mixture three times a day. Tumeric combined with milk thistle has also been shown to help alleviate the symptoms of hepatitis B.

Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy is the application of water, ice, steam and hot and cold temperatures to maintain and restore health. Treatments include full body immersion, steam baths, saunas, sitz baths, colonic irrigation and the application of hot and/or cold compresses. Hydrotherapy is effective for treating a wide range of conditions and can easily be used in the home as part of a self-care program. Many Naturopathic Physicians, Physical Therapists and Day Spas use Hydrotherapy as part of treatment.

Juice Therapy: The following juice combinations can be helpful: beet, carrot, and wheat grass juice; or garlic, burdock, flax, and black currants.

Nutritional Supplementation: Supplement with vitamin C, beta carotene, liver glandulars, milk thistle extract, vitamin B complex, adrenal glandulars, lipotropic factors, pantothenic acid, free-form amino acids, betaine hydrochloric acid (HCL), multi-enzymes, and evening primrose oil.

Alternative Professional Care
If your symptoms persist despite the above measures, seek the help of a qualified health professional. The following professional care therapies have all been shown to be useful for treating hepatitis: Ayurveda, Acupuncture, Detoxification Therapy, Magnetic Field Therapy, Naturopathic Medicine, and Oxygen Therapy.

Best of health to both of you