HCV CHAT ROOMS:
Here are some chat rooms that usually have people in them to talk about HCV.
(1) http://www.delphi.com/hepc/start this chat is always open 24/7, people take turns hosting and there is alway someone there who's willing to listen.
(2) http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/abigsamshepccenter this is a chat at yahoo clubs, there is usually someone there in the evenings, very good people here also.
(3) Chat with Wendy at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CANHepC/chat This chat is on Mondays in the mornings
Here are some sites that have lots of good info, and some have chats that are scheduled:
(1) http://www.hepatitisneighborhood.com/
(2) http://webmd.com/
(3) http://drkoop.com/
(4) http://hepatitis-central.com/
(5) http://medhelp.org/
Useful sites for all kinds of information on HCV:
(1) CHRONIC HEPATITIS C: CURRENT DISEASE MANAGEMENT pulished by the National Digestrive Disease Information Clearing House It is given in its entireity at the link from National Institutes of Health. http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/pubs/chrnhepc/chrnhepc.htm#A Topics covered include: Introduction; Risk Factors and Transmission; Clinical Symptoms and Signs; Serologic Tests; Liver Biopsy; Immunostaining; Diagnosis; Treatment; The Future of Hepatitis C: Research; Selected Review Articles and References
(2). Good site of information, current management, & treatment At this site there is an 20 page article covering current management and treatment of HCV. It invites you to make as many copies as needed for your information and to give to others. http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/pubs/chrnhepc/chrnhepc.htm#A
(3) Injection site map Patients being treated for hepatitis require injections ranging from three times weekly to every day. What are the best places to inject interferon? This injection site map can be printed out and used to help make injecting interferon easier. Start numbering the injections you give yourself and write the number in each square. This will help you to properly rotate your injections so the same spot isn't used more than once every 6 or 7 weeks. You can look at the map at the HepNet site.
http:// www.hepnet.com/inject.html
(6) How to handle side effects of Interferon A good source of advise on how to deal with the side effects of the Interferon or combo treatment of Interferon-ribaviran therapy for HCV may be found at URL: http://hepatitis.about.com/health/hepatitis/library/weekly/aa060501a.htm
It has excellent suggestions for how to handle the depression, fatigue, fever, aches and pains, and anemia that can and frequently do occur with therapy for HCV.
(7) Hepatitis C CLINICAL TRIALS
The Veritas Medicine database currently includes clinical trials for patients with Hepatitis C. Please click on the link below to go to the My Clinical Trials Questionnaire to search for trials that may be appropriate for you: http://www.veritasmedicine.com/trial/index.cfm?did=7&ml=1
The Veritas Medicine Team Email: info@veritasmedicine.com Toll-free number: 1-877-587-4257
Hepatitis Clinical Trials listing by State http://www.centerwatch.com/patient/studies/cat79.html
New drugs and studies for the treatment of hep c.
http://www.frontiernet.net/~monty/hcvpipel.html
(8) Hepper Support Site: Sandi's Crusade Against Hepatitis C" is now located at
http://creativeintensity.com/smking/
(9) Good resource for both HIV and Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/index.html
(10) Combo Survival Guide from A-Z originally written by fellow heppers in the US, Trishamn, Lacey & Freyja is available at this new location. http://www.hepcesn.net/comboguide.htm
(11) Veterans will be interested in these links
VA Hepatitis Page
Providing information and services concerning hepatitis C tailored to the special needs of veterans and their medical care providers. http://www.va.gov/hepatitisc/
Veterans Benefits Administration
U S Department of Veterans Affairs http://www.vba.va.gov/
Veterans Helping Veterans
A comprehensive guide for Veterans infected with Hepatitis B and C. http://www.geocities.com/hepvet/index.html
(12) Financial Help With Prescription Medications
Their function, in cooperation with the physician, is to assist patients who may qualify to enroll in one or more of the many patient assistance programs now available. These programs provide prescription medicine free-of-charge to individuals in need, regardless of age, if they meet the sponsor's criteria. http://www.themedicineprogram.com/info.html
(13) SEVERE HCV disability
Social Security Disability Benefits Law Information and Resources http://www.concentric.net/~severe1/index.html
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