LOST1

Howdy all-
Many thoughts racing though my mind as I grow close to treatment with Pegasys/Ribivarin, some post that you can live with HCV and that a "cure" has not been proven with any treatment.

Well - what do we consider to be a cure?, statistics show that if you clear the virus and 6 months after treatment ends, you are still undetectable, that you have only a 2-3% chance that the virus will return. Is that a cure? For me that is close enough to being a cure, and suggests my personal effort to try to achive this goal .
This is called a sustained response.
The sustained response percentages are about 50% or higher with Pegasys for genotype 1 patients, and about 80% for genotypes 2 & 3. Genotypes 2 & 3 also only need 6 months of treatment verses the 48 weeks year than us geno 1's need, [if a response is proven after 12 weeks.]

So far the close to twenty people, That I know of that are already into the Pegasys treatment, only one had adverse reactions and bad sides, but he also switched mainstream, with different treatments,which I beleive had a lot to do with his reactions,as the older is processed in the kidneys and Pegasys processed right in the liver,resulting in better results.

Now some Doc's may be way to quick to treat, and some Doc's, as with others even posting here, seem to be totally against treatment of any kind because they think that there is not enough proof that treatments are a "cure".

I know of many, all genotype 1A's that have taken the older interferon treatments, and after 5-6 years are still virus free,[undetected]and feel better than they have in many years prior to treating, not one has suffered any ill effects after several months following the older, harsher, treatments.

I have discussed other reasons, such as ageing, declining Quality of life, etc, on why I am going to take treatment, some say there are risks and dangers, but you put your life in greater danger everyday, just getting into the family vechicle to drive to the local grocery store.!!!!!

More points to ponder, I am sure, but these are my personal feelings.

I would Appreciate any and all input or opinions on this.
Happy monday, be well +


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--Get Outdoors-Enjoy Life----Neil

[This message has been edited by LOST1 (edited 12-31-2002).]