| Marianne |
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| #1 |
Hi, I recently was tested for Hep. C and tested positive. I did not believe the results (after all I had never used needles) and was tested again. The second test was positive as well. At this time I did a little research to educate myself about Hepatitis C. As it turns out, the more I read, the more I knew I knew nothing about Hep. C. and had a lot of work to do. :) I was told my test numbers were 449,000. I was also told if numbers were less then 800,000 they wanted to just monitor. This news came from my regular doctor. I later went to a specialist -- he now wants to do a biopsy...and possibly start me with the shots. I am an elementary school teacher and need to be on top of my game. How bad are the side effects? Any information I will appreciate. Thank you so much! |
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| LA |
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| #2 |
Hi Marianne, I am sorry to hear you have Hep C. Sounds like your viral load is small. That's good news. Do you know your Genotype yet? I went through treatment a little over a year ago and cleared the virus, and so did many on this board. I worked all the way through treatment, and missed few days from work. The side effects vary. Some people take the treatment pretty good. IMHO exercise helps a lot. Don't be scared.Lots of people are clearing the virus these days. Hopefully more people will be around soon to answer your questions. We are here for you. |
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| Marianne |
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| #3 |
Your words are heart warming, and I hope to hear from more of you. As you detected, the numbers referred to earlier are my viral load. If so low, why jump into treatment...that is what I'm wrestling with. I guess I need to go in again and find out my Genotype. Is it regular protocol to have a biopsy? Do you know of any reliable web sites that address the foods and drugs that are toxic to the liver, and one should stay away from? Again, thank you for your kind words!!!!!! |
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| Allison |
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| #4 |
Hi Marianne, my hubbys viral load was low as well, he was 159,000 but his geo type was 1b the hardest one to treat. He did the treatment 2006 and is now virus free. He has a very physical job and could not work through a lot of it. Although he tried very hard. His worse side effects where what they call on the board pegatron rage. If you only have to do the 24 weeks the side effects might not be so bad. As bent said everone is diffrent. I wish you good luck and a speedy recovery., Hugs Allison
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| trekie |
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| #5 |
Hello Marianne, Welcome. I found this sight to be one of the best around. Good info. People being honest and yes a little drama. You will have to wait and see on how treatment will effect you. To each their own. To some the sides effects can be mild for others extremely difficult and you have to be careful about the long term side effects. Vision, memory and fatigue to mention some. You really never know how you become infective with this virus. Maybe Childs bloody nose and a cut on your hand. Any time blood comes into contact with another person blood you have possible transmission of the disease. A good place to start is site called Janis and friends a great place for info. About diet watch your iron intake. Iron helps the virus to mutate its self. Live a healthy life is about all you can do until treatment. Some do the alternative drugs I know nothing about but some on this board do. And don't run out and update the will. This is a very slow disease that takes years to progress. chances are you will die from some other causes. Sounds like you have a good start at beating this disease and taking all the right steps. gain all the knowledge that you can. Defiantly find out what type of hep you have. it can mean a big difference. listen to your hep Doc. Hang tough and remember you are not alone. trekie |
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| david |
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| #6 |
Marianne, It seems you're a chronic carrier therefore combo therapy should be considered. Establishing particular genotype is of most importance and will dictate amount of time (12wks. thru 48 wks.) necessary to successfully achieve sustain sustain viral response. Geno-typing is generally performed before the liver biopsy procedure. Perhaps you should consider consulting with a reputable gastro and or hematologist familiar with hepatitis c for second opinion... Good luck, David |
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| Milret2 |
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| #7 |
One resource that you may find of great worth is the book The Hepatitis C Handbook by Matthew Dolan which can be obtained for a nominal price at sites like Amazon.Com or may well be available in many public libraries for free .. here is an Amazon page that gives you some info--> http://www.amazon.com/Hepatitis-C-Handbook-Matthew-Dolan/dp/1556433131/sr=1-2/qid=1169696792/ref=sr_1_2/105-6408188-2637235?ie=UTF8&s=books
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Learning your genotype is very important to help with the decisions needed and liver biopsy is sort of the gold standard for sorting out how well you are doing with the infection no matter what the viral load numbers are ( and they may fluctuate). Treatment may be something that you will feel can be put off but make sure you understand both the risks of not treating as well as the risks of treating.As you learn making decisons about treatment as well as living a liver healthy life style wil become easier. As has alresdy been said ... this is usually a slow disease so you should have time to learn and make informed decisions.
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| Marianne |
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| #8 |
Again, I'm so touched by your emails!!! I will definitely find out my Genotype, and check out the books and websites recommended. Thank you, Marianne |
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| Kim Jones |
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| #9 |
My name is Kim
Hi, I recently was tested for Hep. C and tested positive. I did not believe the results I had never used needles and was tested again. The second test was positive as well. So how did I get it because they say that you have to have blood to blood contact. Can any answer my question ?
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| LA |
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| #10 |
Hi Kim,
Have you ever had a blood transfusion? That's how I believe I contracted the virus.
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| smile |
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| #11 |
Blood transfusion here too.
Have you had any roommates where you shared razors or toothbrushes? Those are low risk things but it could happen. Did you ever get tattoos at a questionable location?
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| Kim |
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| #12 |
Hi
No! I have never had a blood transfusion and I never had roommates I still live with my mother. I think that I could had gotten hep c from work, because I worked at a factory were we all had to get vaccinated for hep b but they waited until my 6 month to give me my shot.
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| smile |
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| #13 |
Usually you will know how you got it. Hep C is very hard to get and it pretty much has to be intravenous by blood transfusion, tattoo or shared needles. Here are some other ways you may have caught it.
1. blood from another person in your eyes
2. sharing a straw to do cocaine
3. extremely rough sex or unprotected anal sex
4. sharing tooth brushes or razors
5. body piercing
These five are rare but can happen.
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| Nikki |
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| #14 |
Well geez, some of this is scary. I've had Hepc since I was 15 and am now 25! For the first time I found out that my liver results came back quite high and now they really want me to do my treatment. Whatever type I have I was told its the best, if that actually exists!!! But I have 3 little girls and was told that I have to do this treatment for 6 months and was wondering if I could get an idea of how handling everyday life will be effected during this treatment? I couldn't imagine missing out or being angry towards my babies!!!
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| LA |
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| #15 |
Hi Nikki,
You are lucky to need only the 6 mo. treatment.
Mine lasted a year, and I missed very few days from work.
My doctor gave me an antidepressant which helped a lot for moodiness, and it helped me sleep.
Don't be scared. IMHO it's worth it to be rid of the virus.
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