Biopsy results

[IwillBeatHCV]

Hello everyone,
I just got my biopsy results back I have early bridging necrosis and portal-portal fibrosis and it's grade 3, stage 2. Genotype 1 and viral load about 2 million.
I went to the local university and in the process of being involved in a study with Pegasys and ribavirin.
I am 41 y.o. male and excellent health besides the hcv (if that makes any sense). But I have to be honest, I am really scared about the treatment and its side affects during and post treatment. My work requires me to be very alert. So I suppose I am asking for advice and moral support here. Thanks.

[IwillBeatHCV]

Thank you all for your advice and comments.

[landfill]

IMO the virus is destroying your liver and treatment isn't optional.  When I started tx I was 59 and my liver was stage 1.  The dr said that even if I didn't treat it it probably wouldn't have time to kill me before something else does.  I finished tx in 8/03 and I'm SVR.

The drugs will kick your butt but it's temporary.  The dr won't let it hurt you.  But it does something to your mind too.  I was mad at everybody and obsessed with a 25 year old divorce.  I thought about it day and night.  I did very little work even though I showed up every day.  I started taking an antidepressant 4 months into tx.  If I had it to do over I'd start the AD at the beginning or before.  Even so, I'm not sure it did any good because my state of mind was very bad with the AD too.

You didn't say what you do but you're right to worry about the psychological effects of tx.  If bad judgement on your part could hurt you or somebody else I'd talk to the dr and everybody else about it.  My best wishes for you.

[Laika]

You've gotten some great advice here.  The only thing I can think of to add is that this treatment may teach you that YOU come first, not your job.  I realize you may have a family, lots of responsibility resting on that job, but you will get through it, and it's possible that along the way you will find certain positive things have happened to your priorities.

When I began planning for treatment, did a lot of fretting about my business, which is high maintentance and I did everything.  In busy season, I was already having big problems with fatigue from the hepC & from trying to do too much, being in my late 50's.  I was able to rearrange things so that my life is doable on treatment, and when it's over, I will not go back to the "old way" of doing things.  Less money & more rose smelling for me!

Good luck...you're doing the right thing, which is usually the hard thing.

Laika

[relentless]

Hello,

I was 1b, 2,000,000 load, stage 3, grade 3.  Did 48 weeks of pegasys and 1200 copegas (ribovarin).  Was clear at 12, 24, 48 and 9 months post tx.  Sides were managable.  Dry skin, dry nassle passages, cracking fingertips, low energy, short on patience.  Did not get night sweats, nauseaus or lose any hair.  Didn't get any other nasty stuff either.  You must drink water all day long!!!!!  Don't push yourself.  Sleep as much as possible.  Cut down your work load when possible, keep a journal with an entry at the time you do each shot.  Schedule your shots so you have one or two light days following the shot.  I did mine on Saturday nights so I would feel good for one day of the weekend the lay on the sofa and soak in the tub on Sunday and rebound on Monday. Buy a tape on yoga for beginners and do it.  Buy a book on dealing with catastrophic illness and read it.  Understand what your liver does and stay away from stuff which makes it work too hard.  Switch from coffee to tea.  Basically use the time on tx to reposition you mindset about the way you go about your daily routine.  It is a life changing experience.  They may be suttle changes but you will be a different person at the end of the journey.   Hopfully you will be one of the lucky ones that clears the bug.  Their numbers are growing by the day.  Good luck!!!!

relentless

[LvdByGod!]

well iwill, you are doing what you have to do right now and you are being courageous and getting the job done...that is a huge accomplishment and worthy of much respect...if work suffers some just realize that you are fighting a battle to save your life and somethings are more important than others sometimes...certain things take priority...i'm sure you will do the best possible at work and family...

i just know you are going to do great and it will probably much better than you are thinking as it is with many people...especially with the side effect meds we have at our disposal...

welcome to our little family here...let us know if there is ever anything we can help with,

sandi

[rearfang]

Welcome. I have just started the tx, and I too am scared because as a teacher I need to be alert as well. I decided I will do the best I can, because I am stage 2 grade 3 and I want to stop this virus before it does more damage to my liver. Be strong, think positively and do what you need to do for your health. We are all in your corner.
Lauren

[Aubbie]

I too am knew and frightened but this site and these people have taught me so much and still learning. I will be starting soon and worry because of my Lungs. BUT I go to a pulmonary this 12th.  I am bridging fibrosis and type 1  quant load 129385 but I am 52 and thats against me . Mine is mild also, thats on my side and POSITIVITY and these great people HERE . SO you think positive with me and I think theres alot of new ones.     TO cuteus, you mentioned a test at COSCO is it a test??? I did not understand it. GOD bless everyone and IwiiBeatHCV is my kind of attidude!! Aubbie

[poolcue]

Welcome Iwill,
I'm on the idealstudy tue. is my 12th week.  So far my first shot had the most side effects.  Be sure to take something for the body and headaches,drink lots......lots.....lots and even more water.
Good luck, you have found a great forum to ask questions and put a smile on your face from all the CRAZY things us heppie's do!

poolcue

[cuteus]

with a stage 2 gr 3 damage there is no waiting further to treat, no matter how well you feel right now.  The rare possible long term effects from tx  do not outweigh the certain effects of ESLD.  You will probably do a one year sentence, more if needed to ensure you only have to do this **** once, and then it will be over, and you will add your name to the growing list of "cured" genotype one.  And hopefully, like me, you will forget you ever treated. You will find yourself staring at your blood work results to verify that you indeed had hcv and became negative after treating.  You will have those copies because from day one you asked your provider for copies of EVERYTHING.
A lot of the brain fog that happens during treatment can be due to the hemolytic anemia most of us get. Make sure you keep your hgb at a level where you can function at work. buy "post it" s in Costco, for they will come in handy.
welcome to the world of online support

[ScaredDeb]

Hi, I am new to all this, but I thought I could give you some encougagement. I too was scared of the side effects of starting treatment. I was in great shape too except for have HCV. I am 41, viral load 3 mil, type 2 with cirrhosis, which was a shock to find out since I was feeling so well. I have been on treatment 7 weeks now. I am still alert and felling fine. The only problem I am having is upper back pain on the right side. I don't know why but from what I read it is common with cihrrosis. I do have a few night sweats after taking the shot but get up feeling fine. I am very lucky so far. a lot of people do not do as well. Everyone is different. But don't let the side effects scare you off. You can do! I wish you all the best, Debbie