Filed under duh : Hep C Patients Receiving Optimum Care Have Better Cure Rates

[mad_adventurer]

Saw this headline on Hep's homepage:
"Hep C Patients Receiving Optimum Care Have Better Cure Rates" http://www.hepmag.com/articles/HM_Optimum_Care_2501_23114.shtml

Of course you have a better outcome if you have access to better care. I can't believe it took four years and 35,000 patients to come to this conclusion. If this money was better spent on actually working toward better meds or even simply giving people better care the world would be a better place.

[nevergiveup]

Is the treatment expensive?

[diannastarr]

Hi Nevergiveup, Welcome to the Forums!

Here's some info from the Fair Pricing Coalition
(http://fairpricingcoalition.org/2011/05/24/the-fair-pricing-coalition-expresses-disappointment-at-the-price-of-vertexs-newly-approved-hepatitis-c-drug/)

$48,400 for 48 weeks of treatment of Merck's Victrelis
$49,200 per 12 week course of Vertex's Incivek

“If each of the new drugs costs $50,000, we are looking at regimens that will ultimately cost between $150,000 and $200,000 in the very near future," said FPC member Murray Penner.

There are a lot of patient assistance programs available. Hep has a nice recap here:
http://www.hepmag.com/articles/hepatitis_paps_copays_20506.shtml

[nevergiveup]

thanks for getting back with me. what is a good diet? dont know how long i have had the virus but went to the doctor to get checked for diabetes and the doctor was concerned about high hemoglobin and low platelet count. found out i had the virus and was in denial for about a year because i dont have any symptoms. had a liver biopsy finally in october and found some scaring on my liver. i am now considering treatment. i dont know if i will have to quit my job. i keep putting it off. i have never used drugs i am a barber who do remember having paper cuts or maybe sissor cuts, razor cuts but always used caution when handeling cuts. i also have used cuticle nippers, fingernail clippers etc. reguardless i have been told that i have the virus now i am at the point where i really am thinking about treatment. i am wondering if this is the reason why i cant control my bowels. if i eat something sometimes i have to go to the bathroom about half hour later. i dont go out to eat very ofthe anymore because of that. or trips that schedule tours i would hate to be on a bus and have to use the bathroom. this is embarassing i just wonder if this problem will go away

[Ann]

Hi Never, sorry about the late response.

One of the best things you can do when hep C positive is to stop drinking alcohol, even if you only drink socially.

As for diet, a normal, healthy diet is best and it's a good idea to cut out as many processed foods as possible. There are many resources on the internet detailing what a healthy diet entails.

It sounds like you need to find an Infectious Disease Specialist or Gastroenterology Specialist who has experience with hep C patients. He or she could best advise you as to whether or not treatment is a good option for you at this point.

It is a difficult treatment to go through and some experience more side-effects than others. There's no way of knowing how it will affect you personally until you do it, so it's hard to say whether or not you'd be able to continue working. Some people find they can carry on as normal, some people need to cut down on their working hours, and a few find it near impossible to work while on treatment.

You should not, however, have to quit your job solely on the basis of having hep C.

I don't recall ever hearing of diarrhea to the extent you're experiencing it being caused by hep C, but that doesn't mean it isn't causing it for you. Again, this is something to discuss with a knowledgeable doctor. You should also be checked out for other more common bowel problems, such as parasitic infections and IBS.

You would be wise to also check for other blood-borne viruses such as hep B and hiv. 

If you have further questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Ann

[nevergiveup]

thank you for responding to my question.