Hi Paul,
Welcome to the forum.
Many of our members are folks who are HCV positive, but in my 2 years here, you are the first I know of with HCV/HIV. From the classes we took (my partner has HCV), however, many are.
Good that you have found us. We are a group of patients, caregivers and family members whose lives are affected by liver disease of many kinds. The forum is active and many members are generous to share their experiences and knowledge with each other.
Right now there are active posters in several stages of HCV treatment interventions. Many who have been treated and failed along the way.
My partner, Mike, had the Interferon/Ribavarin combo in 2003 and didn't clear the virus. He lived pretty well for a number of years, but because he was not yet sober, his liver continued to decline and the HCV had a high time of it in that sad liver. His viral load since transplant has been through the roof...69,000,000 in January, somewhat less in the April testing. Woo Hoo.
Mike has been sober now since September 2010 and got a liver transplant in May 2011. He is a year now post transplant and doing well. But that old HCV is blood borne and having a high time with his nice new liver. We have been told to expect to need treatment in the next years, not right now, but soon.
There are several protocols that our members are following...some with the combo like Mike took and some that add one of several new protease inhibitors...Incivek for one.
The members report that they take the third drug for some number of weeks, generally reach a nondected Viral Load and then continue with the Interferon/Ribavirin for the rest of a year.
What protocol is prescribed for your unique circumstance?
Re side effects. Some have more than others. Flu like symptoms, fatigue, wt loss, insomnia, depression -- are some that are reported. Most report taking some kind of antidepressant or anti anxiety meds right from the beginning as that is most often a side effect. Those with really positive attitudes towards getting rid of the virus seem to fare best.
Some work at their normal jobs during treatment, some are too fatigued and in a bit of a fog, and so unable to do complicated or physically challenging work. One member reported her husband was a long distance trucker and he couldn't keep up with that, for example.
You can narrow down on the posts about
a particular subject by going to the top of the forum and clicking on search. Put in a key word and the most recent posts with that word in the title will be selected.
Happy Reading.
Post often, we are here for you.
Mama Lama
Post Edited By Moderator (hep93) : 4/18/2012 12:41:55 PM (GMT-6)