… where by “lamenting” it is to be understood “talking about the facts happening in the real life” and by no means “squeezing the brain of dr. Freeman or baby crying” (or at least I hope I am not doing this illy:' /> ).
(@Dr. F. – I read properly your message and in a constructive way – reading your post today made me very happy, thank you !)

I continue to believe that Life and Health are by far more important than the Intellectual Property (which has of course a high level of importance, but not so high as being healthy and alive). A big issue at the moment is that many people cannot (yet) make a proper differentiation.

Remember this guy?

Even though he was not aware at that time about HCV, what he says applies perfectly to the context of truth related to HCV generics.

cheers,
RHF

Hi LG,

try to not lose your optimism. It see it as a good idea to consider, till you will make the next test bloods, that the brain is perhaps “playing” a little bit with your mind by not being under the “safe umbrella” of the HCV drugs.

It might also help you the saying of Louis Pasteur : “Chance favors the prepared mind”, which might lead to an idea like the following:
– You are so well informed about generic medication for HCV, so why not starting a money saving project?
– If it will turn to be really necessary, when the time will come, you will be prepared with finances and knowledge for a new round of treatment.
– in case after 12 weeks you will get the UND result, well, you will have more money in your pocket which you might use for instance to celebrate your SVR12 by making a nice vacation somewhere. (like for instance on the beaches from Australia , but here I would better let the Australians say better whether they recommend vacation in Australia – I have no idea if the water is warm neither how many sharks are in the area…. illy:' /> ).

What I just wrote is not so much of an advice, but I believe that such an approach will give you some hints for you to be prepared to act and not stay passive .

I wish you all the best,

Cheers,
RHF

Well, arguing about SVR as being a cure or not for HCV, reminded me the following joke from several years ago when the bird flu was a hot topic:

In a certain small village people were asked to sacrifice all of their chickens in order to prevent the spread of the bird flu.
Some did so, some did not. One of those people who did not sacrificed his chickens was asked:
-Q: “Why did not you sacrifice your chickens?”
-A: “Well, I was not sure (aka I have no solid evidence) whether the living creatures from my yard are really chickens, no veterinarian came to me to confirm me that it is really chickens”

Going back to the topic of cure or not, there are various debates that related to treating HCV, it is questionable to discuss about “cure” or SVR, because literally, “cure” implies that the virus is gone and the liver returns to the normal status (no fibrosis). As long as after reaching SVR the fibrosis is/will be reduced, but is not completely vanished, “cure” might be perhaps too much for some peope. So SVR seems to be a more accurate term.

No matter whether we talk about SVR or cure or whether some small HCV RNAs exists somewhere in small quantities, as long as there will be no more “destruction force” against the liver, I can live very fine with SVR12/SVR24,SVR48, or any other “N” number you put after SVR as long as N>=12 .

Cheers,
RHF

Hi Serg,

thank yoy for the post and the links you provided. I understand your point of view and why you feel in this way.

I would like to emphasize one important point: the HCV is very tricky and the fact that there exist new and effective medication should not be understood that everyone will simply go to the pharmacy and buy it. Each patient has his/her own story therefore seeing and discussing with the doctor about the treatment is essential. The chance to get treated means in fact that the patient has recrived the right diagnosis, gets from the doctor the information about what treatment to take and … can access the treatment. That’s the chance that I recommend .

Just the information about medication is not enough, it is only a variable from the complex equation of getting treated from HCV.

Cheers,
RHF

My doctor proposed me that even if SVR12 will be reached, I should continue to make every 6 months the usual blood tests and an ecography. I would think that VL will make sense to make only if GPT/GOT will exceed the normal range values

Regards,
RHF

Hello dr. Freeman,

Thank you for this information.
Shall the same thinking apply for a person that reaches SVR12, but afterwards is again diagnosed with HCV?

Regards,
RHF

Hi Serg,

my opinion is that there might be couple of tricks to help the liver stay in a good shape and slightly reduce fibrosis, however if the virus is not eradicated, it will continue to produce damage.
I also fear that the damage being produced is not linear, e.g. if this year you feel your energy drop is 5% by compare with last year, this does not imply that next year your energy will decrease with another 5%.
I am not an expert in medical sciences, but I believe that the more liver damage is being produced, the faster the health deteriorates.

So, my advice to any HCV patient is: if there is a chance to get treated, TAKE IT! (and also read further the short text from my signature GENERICS WORK !!!)

Cheers,
RHF