patients with many diseases and conditions. Hepatitis C /Co Infection
support groups have been shown to help patients deal with their diagnoses,
manage care and treatment more effectively than they would on their
own. Support groups are now an arm to medical care and they
improve quality of life for most participants.
Support groups are more important than ever
for Hepatitis C patients considering treatment, in a clinical trial, 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 or cure rates for patients 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 the good 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 such as adherence.
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 www.hepatitisCmsg.org
list under the Resources section of this website.
or if you are looking to start a group, we provide resources and trainings free of charge,
look at website under current projects.