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 Peg Interferon and
Ribavirin. Adding one of the new protease inhibitors has increased SVR (sustained viral response) or cure rates for patients, dramatically. Some drugs allow some patients to be on treatment for a lot less time than in the past. That's the good news! Yes some are now CURED!
In the next year there will be many more new once the FDA gives the OK.
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. A safe environment to share tips to manage orside 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, 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.
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If you, your organization, hospital or clinic are looking to start a group, we provide resources and trainings FREE OF CHARGE.
Please look at website www.hepatitisCmsg.org under current projects for how.