An honest, emotionally challenging, fully documented true story, written by Jim Gervais about his experience with Interferon therapy for hepatitis-C.
It will evoke a full spectrum of strong emotional reactions in most readers..
The book describes how his life was affected by this treatment and how he ended up where his is now.
He grew up in a small town in central MA, went on to become a serious heroin addict, got completely sober after being diagnosed with Non A/Non B hepatitis at a UMASS infirmary around 1989, went to college later in life, owned a highly successful mobile DJ company, stayed clean for over twenty years and then came face to face with interferon.
The book gives a quick background of the author\'s early childhood events that helped lead him down this path.
He was also prescribed mega doses of Oxycontin, bringing flash backs of near fatal withdrawals in his younger, drug and alcohol fueled years as a Harley Davidson biker.
The author spent 48 weeks on treatment and endured unfathomable side effects from the medication.
The statistics being touted by the pharmaceutical industry of the success percentage, and the side effects, are far from what most people in the real world have been witness to.
The only weapon against Hepatitis-C is called pegylated Interferon combination therapy, consisting of one injection a week and six Ribavirin antiviral pills a day.
Reasons to be at risk are the following: Intravenous drug use-Snorting drugs-Inadequately sterilized tattoo equipment-Blood transfusion or organ transplant before July 1992-Those on long term kidney dialysis-Anyone who has shared toothbrushes, razors, or nail clippers with an infected person-Unprotected sex-Anyone who has occasion to work with needles, and in some cases, it\'s not known how it is passed.
For every person infected with aids, there are four infected with hepatitis-C.
They could pass this virus along to family members and others, through many different channels.
Those who aren\'t aware they are infected and continue to abuse their liver with alcohol could do major damage: cirrhosis, liver cancer, etc.
It can stay dormant for more than twenty years, increasing the risk of serious liver failure.
The major problem with Hepatitis-C is there is no vaccination, and there are no symptoms.
These are quotes from sources such as CDC, WHO, and other reputable web sites.
Hepatitis-C has been labeled an epidemic, is killing more people than HIV, and is projected it will bring the medical industry to it\'s knees.
He shares his experience, hoping it will help prepare those considering treatment, and help bring Hepatitis-C and Interferon out in the open.
The author is 100% pro-interferon, if it\'s in the right hands.
In the book he states that, in spite of his experience, he wouldn\'t hesitate to go through it again, if it became necessary.
One health issue after another.
An overpowering desire to spend most time alone in his little apartment, upstairs in an old farmhouse on a vegetable farm. etc.
Disability, psychiatrists, psychologists, medications, suicidal obsessions, paranoia, anxiety, panic attacks, severe depression, major anger episodes, highly confrontational episodes, severe mood swings etc.
No career, no retirement, no college funds, no end in sight.
Since starting Interferon in January of 2006, he\'s lost his six figure Mobile DJ business, suffered through bankruptcy, foreclosure, and the dissolution of a 20 year marriage.
At a staggering cost.
Also called "The Silent Killer." His is one of many extreme cases, he was one of the lucky ones; he cleared the virus.
An honest, emotionally challenging, fully documented true story, written by Jim Gervais about his experience with Interferon therapy for hepatitis-C
