Hi Dan,

I agree with Sirchinenge that changing meds if your viral load isn’t UND at 4 weeks is not the correct decision. Please see the Doc’s post below about when different people attain low viral loads which can take up to 8 weeks in some cases. But also note that even then he is not talking about only UND but also some who will be in the <15 group at that point. In fact I have read in a number of the trials where people have still been showing <15 at EOT and have then gone on to be UND at SVR12 or 24.

http://fixhepc.com/forum/experts-corner/287-viral-load-on-treatment-what-to-expect.html

I also agree that it would help if you have someone you can confide in with your concerns about both your treatment and the other health issues you have. I know from experience that this can be difficult with the stigma attached to hep c but it is important for all of us to share our thoughts and feelings with someone we trust. A close friend or relative perhaps? Or if that is not possible, your GP as you seem to trust him enough to have informed him you are treating with generics? Otherwise, I am sure that there are many of us here including myself who would be happy to Private Chat with you from a laymans POV if there are worries that you don’t wish to discuss in open forum.

How is the sleep going? As I’ve said in a few other threads I believe it is important to sleep at least reasonably well during treatment so if you are still having problems please discuss that with your GP too, and check drug interaction charts if he wants to prescribe something. You don’t want to bomb yourself out each night but at least a few good nights each week until you get use to the meds will help I’m sure.

Hope this helps
G

Yes, it is a worry! I go for my four week bloods this Wed so I sort of know the feeling and while I feel better since I started treatment it isn’t always consistent and varies from day to day so there is that nagging thought “What if it’s all in my head?”
But recently I have been seeing/feeling improvements that just couldn’t be happening if I was imaging things and this gives me much more confidence. I’m sure you will find the same over the next couple of weeks and will, at least, show a massively reduced VL at 4wks.

G

Lots of excellent advice there LondonGirl.

“Many GPs are not totally up with the latest on all conditions…..”

This is something we all need to keep in mind when talking with GPs and asking for their assistance. In almost all cases their previous experience with Hep C has been to order tests to confirm diagnosis of their suspicions and then write a referral for the patient to a specialist or clinic.
Suddenly over the course of the last 2-3 months they have got patients who are taking control of their own destiny and probably know almost as much, if not more, than the GP does about the virus.
It will be disconcerting for many due to:
a) No longer being the confident ‘expert’ that they usually are in their surgery.
b) The learning curve required as a busy professional to allow them to be able to provide good advice with the confidence that they are acting in the best interests of the patient.

Given the short length of doctors appointments it may be advisable during your meeting to use the approach suggested by LG regarding supporting your adult decisions. Give them a quick summary of the generics path you wish to take, how it is safe as per the printouts in your hand and how you would greatly appreciate their support but that you understand they may need to consider their decision. Then provide the GP cheat sheet plus a printout of the “Testing Provisions” blog, the site Home page, the main Getting Treated page and anythIng else you think may reassure them or trigger your particular GPs interest. Explain to them that you realise they are busy but here is some reading material for them to study later to assist them in their decision (don’t forget to run a highlighter pen or similar over the FixHepC web address) and ask when they think they will be able to provide you with an answer regarding support. Basically, show them this is a considered decision on your part that you have thoroughly researched and are confident in but allow them the time to bring themselves up to speed.

G

iT SEEMS the beginning of the TX seems the hardest, is that so ?

Dan, if you want Non judgmental blood tests without mentioning you’re on treatment I suggest the
following, go to any walk in GUM clinic and say you want to be checked, include Hep
C into the request.

I concur with Al, monitoring at all liver clinics consists of monthly visits,they ask a few questions
you leave and have bloods taken,its not much in the way of support. Like, you’re not missing much
I do wonder what would have happened if you’d come clean and said you’re on generics.

They may well say, They won’t monitor you’ in reality they have a duty of care, as such they have
too monitor you on treatment. Have you ever considered an advocate on your behalf?

Maybe Citizens advice.

I’m of the opinion they have a moral and legal responsibility to look after you. If it was me
Id be thinking a legal letter.

K, I refer you to the letter attached to the post I’ve linked from my blog thread. This is the same Hepatology Clinic Dan attends.

http://fixhepc.com/forum/patient-stories/98-gamma-gt.html?start=30#387

I can also confirm that, during an ongoing discussion with my private Hepatology Consultant at Pall Mall Medical, he confirmed that his NHS clinic had been instructed by their Trust Management, following a meeting in London, that no monitoring of patients using generics was allowed.

Thanks GAJ, You are helping me to re-enforce my own advise for my appointment
Brain fog is pretty bad right now and very busy with work and Christmas organising,
OK in the morning after a coffe, but by the end of the day, I am not great.
Can someone be really lovely and put the links I need to print out all in one post?
or is that being really cheeky ?