HELLO EVERYONE, ALL THE POSTS I HAVE READ ARE ALL DOING WHAT THE DRS SAY TO DO. DOES ANYBODY GO OUTSIDE OF THE BOX?? WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO LOSE!! ARE YOU LOOKING FOR QUALITY LIFE OR QUANITY!! SURE THE Tx MIGHT HIDE THE VIRUS BUT YOU LIVE WITH THE SIDE EFFECTS EITHER WAY. HAS ANYBODY READ " TRIUMPH over HEPATITIS C " BY LLOYD WRIGHT, IT MIGHT GIVE YOU A DIFFERENT OUTLOOK??

Hi there,

My name is Anita and I am new to this site and actually just ordered Lloyd Wright's books as I was previously on Interferon for 7 months and did not go into remission. I have had Hep C in my body for over 40 years as I contracted it at the age of 15. Yesterday I found out that my biopsy shows that I am now at "fibrosis stage 4 (Cirrhosis)" Now is that stage 4 cirrohosis? I am a bit confused and what I am trying to learn is what this means....what my prognosis is..and my specialist could not give me an answer. She recommends 72 weeks of treatment on Peg-Intron and I truly fear doing this as I am prone to depression and the last treatment had me suicidal. I lost my husband 2 years ago and feel I am not strong enough emotionally to deal with the heavy duty side effects of the drug. Therefore I am trying to find an alternative treatment. I am also on my own and cannot afford NOT to work and I know I was not able to through the 7 months of Interferon. Has anyone had any success with alternative treatment? I am trying to remain positive and research all I can. I am definately a fighter but I do know myself well enough to know I do not feel I am emotionally able to do the Peg-Intron right now. Any comments or help would be truly appreciated.

Wishing you a wonderful day...Anita

Here is a good article on the metavir scale which I think is what you are wanting information on. I believe there are four stage in the first inflamation part and then four in the fibrosis to cirrhosis.

http://www.hepcchallenge.org/CiC_conference07/presentations/CiC%20DEN%202007_overview_cooper.pdf

I have taken interfuron treatment for 11 months in 2004 I have a clean bill of health and have had hep c for 20 years! If anyone wants to ask me any questions feel free to ask me.I quit drinking while taking treatment and am only now a social drinker.I got hep c from a mva accident surgery. I am 36 years old and run a busy trucking company.

HEY STARSHINE, HOW ARE YOU DOING? I JUST WENT TO MY DR. AND MY VIRAL LOAD WENT FROM 8MIL TO 1.3 MIL IN SIX MONTHS. I AM GENO 1A AND HAD HEP C FOR OVER 30YRS BUT JUST FOUND OUT 2 YRS AGO. I STILL BELIEVE THE DRS KNOW SQUAT ABOUT HEP C SO DO YOUR RESEARCH. MY DR STILL WANTS ME TO TRY THE Tx FOR 3MO, BUT I STILL REFUSE. HE WASN'T IMPRESSED WITH THE DROP IN MY COUNT AND SAID THE ONLY TEST WOULD BE A LIVER BIOPSY TO TELL THE CONDITION. I ALSO SUFFER FROM DEPRESSION SO HE WOULD NOT GIVE THE Tx ANYWAY. GOOD LUCK TO ALL, AND GOD BLESS!!!
JOE