Are my symptoms consistent with Dx of HCV/Tx options?

[Pamela J.]

I am 50 yrs old and was dx with HCV 5/99, unknown source of contact, generally assumed I have had this 25 years+, Persistent RUQ pain and nausea led me to the doctor.  I work in the medical field.  Gall baldder removed in 1993.  Testing so far: ABD US, Hida Scan, ABD CT, IVP all negative.  Positive quiac,endoscopy postive for severe gastritis/bleeding stomach/priosec rx'd. Colonoscopy normal.  Liver bx (done bylaproscopy) 10/99 was consistent for moderate active HCV with fibrosis no obvious bridging, though one slide was undetermined for bridging. My genotype is 1b, viral load by PCR as follows: fall of '99 19,850,000. copies/ml all liver enzymes mildly elevated in the 60 to 70 range. Viral load in spring of 2000 was 35,000,000. copies/ml and also reported as 12,500,000 iu/ml which will be the standard from now on.  Liver enzymes remain the same.  I had 3 months of Amantadine 100 mg qd between first and second vral load.  I was dx with possible SLE some 7 years ago with + ANA' since, though lupis panels are neg as is RA etc.  Most recently had thyroiditis which my internist thinks is related to autoimmune. I do not drink alcohol, prior to dx I was a very occasional drinker. Whew!  I am currently on anti-nausea (compazine, bentyl or phenegren which ever works at the time) prn, Trazadone 100 mg hs, Prempro .625 and pain medication prn though very limited as I do not find them helpful. Is the pain I am feeling related to HCV? Is there any treatment option other than interferon/riboviran that I can look forward to? Pain, nausea, fatigue, chronic low grade temps, malaise in that order are my main symptoms and complaints.  I manage a busy ortho practice and have been forced to miss much work.  I do battle depression and my eating habits have changed dramatically.  Thank you for your time and attention, and any feedback I receive will be very welcomed.
Thank You again.
Pamela J.