Those treating hep c these days are very fortunate to have this available. I treated in 2008-2009 with 45 weeks of interferon and ribavirin. Had a very high viral load and stage 2 liver damage at biopsy, less than two years after contracting it. The success rate I was looking at going in was about 45%, with high viral load, relapse, and inability to finish due to debilitating side effects all factors as well.
I cleared the virus in 4 weeks, which was incredibly rapid for my viral load, and was the best indicator of ultimate success. I lasted 45 of the 48 weeks before the doctor decided I had lost too much weight (60 pounds) and being a rapid responder pretty much negates the importance of those last three weeks.
Physically, it was absolutely brutal. To this day I don't know how I got through it. The fatigue and round the clock body pain alone were enough to completely incapacitate me for the duration. Oddly, however, while that therapy is known to cause devastating depression, it did the opposite to me. As deathly ill as I felt physically, mentally I felt what can only be described as a natural high unlike anything I ever imagined possible. Insanely enhanced cognitive function, constant state of optimism, retention of vast amounts of information in short periods of time... it was nuts.
Ultimately, I stayed clear. 6 months post treatment I tested negative and my doc said I no longer needed to see him. I got tested again years later and was again negative, with totally normal liver function.
If you care to at some point, read through some of the horror stories people tell while being on interferon/ribavirin therapy.
God awful. But worth it in the end.