Anxious

I have Hep.C geno type 1a. I feel really frightened sometimes of what may lie ahead. I also have to lose weight Dr.Wakil said before treatment will work. I am doing all my Doctor says to do. I still feel frightened and he doesn't even need to see me for a year and a half. Does anyone else feel this way? Thank you.

[Bill1954]

Most of us with HCV are frightened to some extent; you’re in excellent hands with the doctor you mentioned above. I treated with that group for years, and have since been cured. Listen to them, they will help you. Continue to read and ask questions, and you’ll eventually prevail—

Bill

[nygirl7]

HepC is generally a very slowly progressing disease.  I don't know how long you figure you've had this but I would make sure you get a biopsy done to determine just how much liver damage you have before waiting for a year and a half just to see him again.  While losing weight is generally a good thing for increasing your chances of success - you do need to find out if you do have the time to 'wait' in order to do so.

We all know how you feel believe me, we've all been there at one time or another.  If Bill says you are in good hands then chances are that you are so take comfort from that.

Good luck.

[Kathy73]

Have you had a biopsy yet?

[jesuslover]

First I have to say THANK YOU BILL and Nygirl7 for making me feel at ease. Big hugs from me. To Kathy73 No I have not had a biopsy yet. I am losing weight first so that the biopsy is correct. Being over weight causes fatty liver I am thinking my Specialist said.
Thank you all for writing back and it is good to know I am not alone...Good Luck and Blessings to all. I am happy for you Bill that you beat this.WOW.  Can you tell me about all you went through? Also what does a biopsy feel like?

[Kathy73]

I started treatment as a 1.a overweight at 250 lbs. I don't think weight is a determining factor in a biopsy. I know it can affect the SVR rates but I was a high viral load and am UND at 12 treating for 48 weeks. I think we are individuals and while many factors go into the percentages for SVR, we will SVR or not individually for many different reasons. I don't like the idea of someone saying lose weight before you can treat. The percentages aren't that much lessened by the weight factor as far as I can see.

[Bill1954]

The biopsy procedure is generally no big deal; it sounds much worse that it actually is. They can use a ‘twilight’ anesthesia if you ask them; it’s similar to the one used for colonoscopy, etc. I wouldn’t let the thought of the procedure itself drive your decision; the results can be vitally important in the decision to undergo treatment. Some doctors do not require biopsy if the patient decides to undergo treatment regardless of liver damage; I’d opt for the biopsy if offered.

My treatment experience was OK; I didn’t suffer major illness like some people report; it wasn’t pleasant by any measure, but very doable. I relapsed the first time; then treated for an extended period the second time in order to increase the odds of success. Continue to read and ask questions in here as well as other places. Also, if you haven’t already, take a look at the following site:

http://janis7hepc.com/

You might start by opening ‘newly diagnosed’ near the top of the page, or any item of interest in the right-hand margin; this site is an excellent place to begin your HCV education.

Again, Dr. Wakil (along with all the physicians in that group) is top notch—you’re in a cutting edge environment with them. Good work!

Take care,

Bill

[jesuslover]

Thanks for all the imput it means a lot to me. It really does. Thank you Kathy,Thank you Bill.

Bill I will listen to Dr.Wakil my husband feels like you do about him...That he is ahead of others in treatment and knows what he is doing. My husband attended a lecture of his and said I have one of the best Hepatologists. I feel good about him too. I love to hear what is going on with others and thanks for direction to sites with information.

[SLD1]

I was just diagnosed with HEP C in Dec and am awaiting biopsy. Not sure what level of infection I have, but it is quite stressful, especially when one cannot figure for the life of them how it was contracted...and of course of all the HEP virus, C has no vaccine or cure it appears.

So I can feel where you are coming from, and hope that my situation doesn't take me on a menal schism....

But your name "jesuslover" places you in good hands.....Jesus's crowd.....yes lawdy!!!
Just a comment and wish all virus carriers the best.

[FlGuy]

It might not have a vaccine but there is a cure.  A little more familiarity of it all will make more sense to you.

[merryBe]

your doctor may be doing you a big favor. Losing weight while on tx is risky as there is more oxidative stress, and more potential strain on the heart which the meds are already effecting.

Also, insulin levels greatly effect how well interferon works, so it may be more an issue of your caloric intake is effecting your blood sugars, which in turn raises your insulin level and lowers your chances for a succesful outcome. Ergo getting some weight off before tx, if your liver is still stage 1 or 2, may make the most sense.
If your biopsy shows a leter stage of disease, such as 3 or 4 then you may not want to wait to lose weight simply because time to end stage becomes a greater issue...there may not be time to treat succesfully if you wait to lose then as the disease does not progress in a linear fashion. Meaning it may take 30 years to get to stage 3 and only 2 more years to go to stage 4, where success rates go way down.

However, even if this turns out to be your case you can help yourself greatly by learning to control caroloes and eliminating sugars. Maintaing a healthy diebetic (diabetic) style diet, such as "The Zone" by Barry Sears, MD suggest will help keep your insulin low and allow the interferon (pegasus) to do its job.

It's normal to be scared and confused at first we all are. You will find lots of support in here.

mb