June 2003
June 21 -- Susan Smith

Room 220 - Owner, Dry Creek Herb Farm, herbal advice for patients with hepatitis C.

Upcoming Agendas:
Meeting Agenda:
6:30 p.m. (sharp) - Theme Song: I Will Survive
6:35 - 6:45 Announcements
6:45 - 8:15 Susan Smith
8:15 - 8:45 (or earlier) questions/answers 'til we adjourn

July 16 -- Rm 220 -- Dan MacKenzie, Viral Death!
August 20 -- Clsrm 3&4 --support group members interact
Next Quarterly Business Meeting

The next Quarterly Business Meeting of I Will Survive will be on July 16, 2003
All are encouraged to attend (1 hr. prior to regular meeting) and to consider becoming involved in helping with support group chores
More News
Our Meetings: 3rd Wednesdays of every month; at SCC (Sutter Cancer Center, aka: Buhler Bldg) classroom 3&4 or Room 220; 2800 L St (@ 28th & L: kitty corner across from the 2-story parking & across L St. from Sutter Hospital)
Contact Us: Phone number: (916) 444-6996
Our Web Site> www.sacmall.net/transplant/hepc.html
Email: dck@innercite.com (include "I Will Survive" in subject line or your message might be delected before being read).
*New readers of this newsletter, see the following.
If you want to be included on our mailing/emailing list and you can afford to include a donation, make it to "I Will Survive, The Effort", P.O. Bx 2180, Loomis, CA 95650 for:
$24 if you want the Newsletter by U.S. mail
$15 if you get the Newsletter from the website (if you wish, each month we'll email a link to you)
$ 0 if, right now, you can't afford to pay dues. In which case "I Will Survive" will mail monthly Newsletters to you. Please contribute to the "Donations" Box at the meetings as you are able.

From May/June Hep C Connections:
...As HCV begins to replicate in its human host, it manufacturers enzymes, called proteases, which it requires to transform viral proteins into their functional forms. One viral protease, NS3/4A, specifically inhibits a key immune system molecule, interferon regulatory factor-3 (IRF-3) which orchestrates a broad range of anitviral responses. Without this master switch, antiviral responses never begin, and HCV can gain a foothold and persist in its host. Researchers at the NIH (National Institute of Health) report that when the IRF-3 pathway was restored within infected cells, that immune response reduced (modified HCV) viral levels to nearly undetectable levels within days.
...Patients will get the type of treatment they demand from their health care team. Physicians can't answer your questions if you don't know what to ask them. People living with chronic illness must educate themselves about the disease and empower themselves. To best deal with your hepatitis C and any other illnesses, you and your doctor(s) must work as a team. Ask questions until you get them all answered. Refer to a list if you need help remembering them. Keep your doctor(s) informed of any changes in over the counter (OTC) medications, stress, living environment, pain, etc. Keeping records of those items can really help. Keep track of all prescribed medications. Note the dosage, when you start and when you stop each drug. Get photo copies of lab results for your own records. Take all your medications when and how prescribed. Make necessary adjustments to your lifestyle. Proper diet, nutrition and rest are very important. Try to keep your body active by doing some form of light exercise. Reduce stress and rearrange your priorities so that your health, and taking care of yourself, is at the very top.

From May 2003 HCV Advocate:
...According to Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC), as of 4/18/2003 the price for 48 weeks (the standard period of treating genotype 1 patients, which is the majority of HCV infected people in the UNited States) of Peg-Intron is $14,604 and for Pegasys the price is $13,968. The cost of ribavirin therapy (1200 mg daily) by brand (Rebetol) is $17,801 and $10,208 for Copegus. Putting those together, the cost of a 48 week treatment period for Peg-Intron plus Rebetol is $32,405 versus $24,176 for Pegasys plus Copegus.

If you have no money or insurance call:
Sacramento Clinical Trials
Schering's Commitment to Care 1-800-521-7157
Infergen's Safety Net Program 1-888-508-8088
Roche's Patient Assistance 1-800-443-6676
Dr. Gish, et al, call: Pacific Hepatology, (916) 443-0503
Dr. Pimstone UCD Med Center, (916) 734-1557
Dr. Rossaro UCD Med Cntr, call: Katherine Suggett (916) 734-8696



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