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HEPATITIS C SUPPORT GROUPS ARE MORE NECESSARY NOW THAN EVER BEFORE!

6/6/2012

3 Comments

 
Patient support groups are important for
patients with many diseases and conditions.  Hepatitis C support groups have
been shown to help patients deal with their diagnoses and manage care and
treatment more effectively than they would on their own.  Support groups are
important elements of medical care and they improve quality of life for most
participants. 

Support groups are more important than ever
for Hepatitis C patients considering treatment, or on treatment, using one of
the new protease inhibitor drugs along with PegInterferon and Ribavivin.  Adding
one of the new protease inhibitors has increased SVR (sustained viral response)
or cure rates for patients, dramatically.  Including one of the new drugs may
also allow some patients to be on treatment for a lot less time than in the
past.  That's great news!

But the new meds have
also made treatment more complicated and added to the side effects some people
experience.  Support groups provide an important forum for patients to talk with
their peers about questions to ask and the pros and cons of treatment, while
they are consulting with their doctors about whether and when to treat.  Once
patients start treatment, support groups provide an opportunity to discuss any
difficulties or side effects they are experiencing, and share tips to manage or
reduce side effects and other problems.

Having
a place to talk about Hepatitis C and treatment with peers provides fellowship
and encouragement.  Support groups make it clear to individuals that they are
not facing Hepatitis C and treatment alone.  They are more important now than
ever.

If you want to find a Hepatitis C or
Hepatitis C/HIV/AIDS co-infection support group in New York, go to the Hepatitis
C Support Group list under the Resources section of this website.  








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3 Comments
Stephen in Orlando link
6/11/2012 10:11:47 am

I really liked this post, and I could not agree more! Apparently, the number of deaths caused by HIV has surpassed HIV. There could be a number of reasons for this, but there are still a lot of people who completely ignorant of this virus. This is something that needs to change. Unfortunately this is a disease which can show no symptoms early on, and some people may be infected for years without realizing it. I am a big supporter of further efforts to help uncover this disease, and to make sure more people are aware of the potential risks of HCV. Once this virus has entered the body, it goes to work attacking liver cells. I only recently learned of how this virus hijacks these cells in order to replicate itself!

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ClinicalGPS link
1/9/2013 02:00:15 am

I think what Stephen meant to say is that deaths from HCV have surpassed HIV, but besides that he makes a good point. I am sure you heard about how the CDC has recommended that baby boomers get tested for hepatitis C. There is certainly a growing need for more hep C support groups, especially as the number of diagnosed cases goes up. I just hope that more baby boomers will heed the CDC's message.

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Steve in Alabama link
1/27/2013 05:44:42 am

I have to agree with this notion. I feel that many people still don't know that much about diseases like hepatitis B or C. I read recently that the number of deaths due to hepatitis C is on the rise. Unfortunately, because there can often be no symptoms for hepatitis C, many people may not realize they are infected. I think that we could benefit from more widespread education about hepatitis.

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