Devon Nicholson begins treatment that could cure his Hep-C
THUNDER BAY – Healthbeat – Hepatitis C is a deadly “blood to blood” disease that attacks the liver causing liver cancer, liver failure and death. It now kills more people than AIDS, and is the number one reason for liver transplants in the US. The former National Champion amateur and retired professional wrestler Devon Nicholson began the first day Hep C treatment on October 15th 2012.
Nicholson brought two successful wrestling shows to Thunder Bay several years ago.
Nicholson is excited to be starting the 24 week “triple therapy” that will include the new Hep C miracle drug Incivek (Telaprivir).
“I’m very grateful to get the opportunity to take this medication” the former Canadian open winner in grappling told NetNewsLedger. “Although it has been highly successful at treating patients with Hep C genotype 1, I am genotype 2 and the medication is still in the experimental phase for my type.”
Nicholson was first told about Incivek’s possible effectiveness with genotype 2 patients by Dr. Hector Rodriguez, who studied at the world famous Mayo Clinic in Phoenix AZ. Rodriguez is the Hep C specialist who performed the liver transplant on legendary wrestling champion “Superstar” Billy Graham. Graham set up a meeting between Rodriguez and Nicholson who wasn’t having luck finding treatment in Canada.
“After failing my first Hep C treatment my Hep C liver specialist in Canada (Dr. Curtis Cooper) told me I would have to wait 4 years for a new medication. Knowing how deadly the disease is I wasn’t ready to accept that answer,” stated Nicholson.
Devon went to Phoenix to visit the specialist there, “Dr. Rodriguez seemed very positive that the Incivek treatment would work for me. He gave me requisitions to have more testing done in Canada including a liver biopsy and told me he would look into getting me into an experimental treatment program at the Mayo once he had the results.”
Prior to committing to be treated in the US Nicholson decided to get a second opinion from another Hep C specialist in Canada. “I saw Dr. Linda Scully and informed her of what the US specialist had told me. She said it could be possible to attempt the Incivek treatment in Canada despite my type 2 genotype.” Dr. Scully further researched the possibility at a Hep C summit in Prague before meeting with Nicholson again.
Continue reading....
Nicholson’s official Hep C treatment website is www.dontbleedonme.com.
Good Luck Devon, and Happy Belated Birthday!
No comments:
Post a Comment