how bad is the treatment for hepatitis c?

Answer 1

The treatment for HCV is a mild form of chemotherapy, so there are usually side effects. However, as a support group facilitator who sees many many people who are living with HCV and many who are treating it, I have found that the people who have taken the time to learn about the disease, and the treament (including the side effects & side effect management) tend to do be able to adhere to the treatment better, thus giving the medication the best chance to work. Those that have educated themselves about what to expect are better mentally prepared to deal with side effects such as nausea, aches, etc. They learn little tricks to do when side effects occur.
If you are a genotype 1, your chances of clearing the virus are around 50-57%; genotypes 2 & 3 have about a 80-85% chance of clearing the virus. At worst case scenario, if a person does the treatment, but becomes a relapser (virus returns within 6 months post treatment), studies have shown that even these folks benefit by giving their liver a rest from the inflammation and the scarring (fibrosis) that has occurred may even regress by a stage or two.
My advice to you, from someone who has gone through it, is to give it a shot, pun intended. If you don't try it, it will never work. You may be one of the lucky ones that clear the virus. It's a great feeling. I am one of the lucky ones and I thank God every day for that. I have been clear for seven years; my energy has returned and I feel blessed not to have to worry about cirrhosis or liver cancer. Best wishes to you whatever you decide.

Answer 2

Kyle, The severity of Hepatitis C (HCV) varies from person to person. There are many variables that affect how it progresses. If someone with HCV drinks alcohol, that can cause the virus to multiply faster. If they've had it for a long time, then they may have a lot of fibrosis (scarring) of the liver, which can lead to cirrhosis and other problems. On the other hand, many people live with HCV and don't have any symptoms. There is a treatment for it, which has between a 50-80+% success rate, depending on which genotype they have. The best thing to do, is for your parents (and you) to educate yourself about the disease. They should have vaccinations against Hep A & B so they don't have two types of viruses attacking their liver. They should also be seeing a gastroenterologist or infectious disease doctor because primary care doctors are not trained in the specifics of the disease. In some people, untreated HCV can progress to cirrhosis, liver cancer , and/ or the need for transplantation. Arresting the damage to the liver may prevent that. They may be able to learn about things they can do to lead a healthy lifestyle through a good support group. Hope this helps. You may want to read some of my other answers on HCV. Best wishes. PS. Hepatitis C is rarely sexually transmitted. It is not always contracted through sharing IV drug needles. Many medical professionals have contracted it through their job. Here are the risk factors: Blood transfusions or organs transplants before 1992, tattoos, piercings, accidental needlesticks or exposure to blood by EMT's, paramedics, nurses, doctors, phlebotomists, etc, kidney dialysis, IV drug use even if only one time years ago, pnuematic vaccinations given by the military, especially Vietnam era, snorting drugs & sharing the straw or dollar bill, sharing toothbrushes or razors with someone who is infected even if they dont' even know it, rough sex where blood is exchanged or kinky sex when pins or needles are used.

Answer 3

It depends on how healthy you are and what genotype you have...I did the Interferon/Ribivirin treatment in 2004.

I'm writing a book about it right now, and should be finished by the end of this month. It's really not that bad if you cleanse your body and get into shape before you start. I had to do the 48 week treatment and I am now virus free for 3 years now.

Stop by my blog and send me an email I'll send you a free copy of my book when finished. Then you can decide what you want to do.

I hope you don't take this the wrong way "the_only_solorose" (the first poster), but please don't say stuff like that to people who are thinking about treatment...it's very negative and it is possible to clear yourself of the virus. I'm living proof.

Answer 4

The only sure fire way of telling is if you try the treatment-there is no sense in letting others bad experiences scare you away from a potential cure!

I actually felt better on treatment. Most of my side effects of the actual virus subsided on treatment, so I felt 100 times better.

Those who have a very hard time on treatment have been found to not fully understand how to self inject. The medication will make you very ill if you are not injecting under the skin. Most have found that they were not pulling back on the syringe and actually administering the medication directly into the blood via vein. I did that three time during my treatment course and I was very ill!

Other than that, I can honestly say that there are people out there who have done the treatment and failed due to other diseases they may have been infected with. Interferon is contradicted in those with lung disease (aplpha1 antitrypsin genetic disorder) as well as others who may have had chronic lymes disease as well as others.

There is also the case of HCV actually causing damage to other organs that leave the succeptable to diseases that may also be contradicted in those seeking antiviral chemotherapy.

The latest form of antiviral chemotherapy is that of Infergen. Used along with ribavirin, not only are the success rates climbing for those harder to treat genotypes (1a and 1b) but the medication is much easier to tolerate.

Do not try and treat your hcv with herbs. Not only do they not provide anything positive other than making you feel good, they can counter-react with the bi-directional diseases of chronic hcv infection.

Things you can do while you contemplate treatment:
eat well:
no foods or vitamins containing iron
low or no salt
cut down on refined sugars
NO artificial sugars! (I suggest Stevia-found in stores like GNC. A little bottle goes for a long long time. Cost about 10 bucks. It is 100% natural and so far to date, completely safe! Stevia dates back hundreds of years!)
NO alcohol
Limit OTC and Prescription medications!
Drink clear fluids-water is best.
Coffee has benefits! I suggest however, if you have panic attacks not to drink anything containing caffiene. (Panic attacks are caused by minimal to maximum liver damage and the inability to filter toxins and body waste from the body either too slow or not at all, which then ends up passing the blood brain barrier and causes the chemicals in the brain to either overreact or miscommunicate).
Our motto is "everything in moderation-because with HCV, a little bit can go a long, long way".

Good luck and hugs! I've been where you are!

Answer 5

Treatment is what you make of it. While its not a walk in the park there are worse things. Go into it with a positive attitude and it will be much better than you thought. No one has the same side effects..you can't look at 'john' and say oh I'll be sick like him...everyone reacts differently.

Like Cindy (my mentor) I too did treatment in '05..I am now clear of the virus BUT, IF I had to do it again I would.
Feel free to e-mail me..I'm good with one on one.
Bayla..2 year SVR=sustained viral responder as in I cleared the virus..YIPEE

Answer 6

The standard therapy now used in the treatment of hcv is interferon used in combination with ribavirin.Treatments for hcv are not successful in clearing the virus for everyone,and for some people the side effects of treatment can be severe and difficult to manage. The aim of treatment is to stop viral replication and eliminate the virus and subsequently prevent the development of cirrhosis,liver failue and liver cancer.
The treatment is recommended for people who have a chance of clearing the virus.

Answer 7

The treatment can be pretty harsh. Some people end up quitting before finishing. I can't remember off the top of my head what the success rate is, but it's at least worth trying.

Answer 8

treatment for hep c is symptomatic, there is no cure for hep c.