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COVERING ALL BASES IN BEING RECENTLY DIAGNOSED
Hello. Recently diagnosed 3 wks ago with Hep C. Can't believe what is happening to me! Just short of a miracle that I've recently met someone in an online creative writing course that had Hep C & has treated! We've both joined the course within this past month, (well 2 courses - (and pretty intense at that!). Distraught, & blurted it on the class interaction board - She suggested my mind may be put at ease by signing in here, as this place was a godsend during her treatment.
History: Went to GP with complaints of being continually tired & it turned out to be the Hep C virus! Besides talking with my classmate, I've dug around on the Net. The more I read the more concern I become. She also placed me in contact with a friend that has given me the abbreviations & common med terms used here, as well as suggested reading material & an email contact.
Last couple of wks: (A real life interrupter!) Contacted a liver specialist immediately in a nearby city & met with his staff (the specialist will see me after results are in -is that normal?). Ultrascan performed; blood tests for Genotype & Viral Load Count - (How long does it take for result or has it taken for some of you??). Lastly, had a liver biopsy Friday. Ouch! They said it was a breeze??? When can I expect those results?
(continued - only so many words allowed!!!)
History: Went to GP with complaints of being continually tired & it turned out to be the Hep C virus! Besides talking with my classmate, I've dug around on the Net. The more I read the more concern I become. She also placed me in contact with a friend that has given me the abbreviations & common med terms used here, as well as suggested reading material & an email contact.
Last couple of wks: (A real life interrupter!) Contacted a liver specialist immediately in a nearby city & met with his staff (the specialist will see me after results are in -is that normal?). Ultrascan performed; blood tests for Genotype & Viral Load Count - (How long does it take for result or has it taken for some of you??). Lastly, had a liver biopsy Friday. Ouch! They said it was a breeze??? When can I expect those results?
(continued - only so many words allowed!!!)
That means that when I'm quoting you, I'm factually correct 1/2 the time!:) Really meant to imply the 50% is me misquoting you!
Are you outside the states? Your manner of talking sounds so British.
As far as your trip to the liver specialist and not meeting him, I met with the specialist first, and then the bx and viral load (pcr) were ordered. I talked with him on the phone to get my results and initially decided to treat last Sept. I am geno 2, stage 1 grade 2. I was a little apphrensive about tx and kept putting it off because I didn't know how it would impact my perfect life! ;) After much discussion, thought, and prayer I started tx Dec 8. This Friday I will be 1/2 way thru. Tx effects everyone different. Some have horrible sides, dizzyness, no appetite, skin rashes, thyroid problem and drop in white blood cells, red blood cells or both. Some people breeze through with minimal sides. Some people work full time, some take a long leave of absence. There are so many variables, just like we have different strains, we have different liver damage and different responses to tx. I am working, and I have minimal sides. I am on procrit and felt pretty bad around week 4 but the procrit helped get my enegy back. Good luck with your very personal decision.
As far as your trip to the liver specialist and not meeting him, I met with the specialist first, and then the bx and viral load (pcr) were ordered. I talked with him on the phone to get my results and initially decided to treat last Sept. I am geno 2, stage 1 grade 2. I was a little apphrensive about tx and kept putting it off because I didn't know how it would impact my perfect life! ;) After much discussion, thought, and prayer I started tx Dec 8. This Friday I will be 1/2 way thru. Tx effects everyone different. Some have horrible sides, dizzyness, no appetite, skin rashes, thyroid problem and drop in white blood cells, red blood cells or both. Some people breeze through with minimal sides. Some people work full time, some take a long leave of absence. There are so many variables, just like we have different strains, we have different liver damage and different responses to tx. I am working, and I have minimal sides. I am on procrit and felt pretty bad around week 4 but the procrit helped get my enegy back. Good luck with your very personal decision.
Jimjm - Thank you for your diplomatic explanation! And for the compliment on my absorbing much in three weeks. Part of it is my course-mate relating her entire experience offline with me and referring me to quite a knowledgeable chap that has given me to-the-point reading assignments! LOL
I have so many questions, and will have more once answers to my labs arrive. Although my work week is 30 hours which does not sound so bad, it does require me to travel to places quite far from home at times. Even though I have seniority and put in for the warmer spots, traveling may be a concern. As a matter of fact, I'm only at my flat about sixty percent of the time. This certainly impacts one's life.
GoldenOak - Thank you for directions to that informative site, and also what you conveyed further up this thread
Najeen - Thank you for the reminder. I do see the patient-to-patient advisory. My friend wised me to this as well. Anything I see where people make note of, or quote their 'specialist', if it interests me, I do intend on copying it and obtaining thoughts from my specialist and/or his staff.
Aquarius - Thank you! This is exactly what I'm interested in. Labs dropping, I understand is normal with treatment but it is disheartening I'm sure. Laughing here, reading you 'don't work' but care for a 3 and 4 yr olds!! That's harder than most jobs! I am neither married nor do I have children. However, have a great admiration for those who do and can pull so much off in addition to all that and do this treatment - thta is looking more and more - - - -! Your words are appreciated and particularly the time you took typing because I know you're tired. Thank you. Breeze
These responses are impressive and appreciated. Thank you.
I have so many questions, and will have more once answers to my labs arrive. Although my work week is 30 hours which does not sound so bad, it does require me to travel to places quite far from home at times. Even though I have seniority and put in for the warmer spots, traveling may be a concern. As a matter of fact, I'm only at my flat about sixty percent of the time. This certainly impacts one's life.
GoldenOak - Thank you for directions to that informative site, and also what you conveyed further up this thread
Najeen - Thank you for the reminder. I do see the patient-to-patient advisory. My friend wised me to this as well. Anything I see where people make note of, or quote their 'specialist', if it interests me, I do intend on copying it and obtaining thoughts from my specialist and/or his staff.
Aquarius - Thank you! This is exactly what I'm interested in. Labs dropping, I understand is normal with treatment but it is disheartening I'm sure. Laughing here, reading you 'don't work' but care for a 3 and 4 yr olds!! That's harder than most jobs! I am neither married nor do I have children. However, have a great admiration for those who do and can pull so much off in addition to all that and do this treatment - thta is looking more and more - - - -! Your words are appreciated and particularly the time you took typing because I know you're tired. Thank you. Breeze
These responses are impressive and appreciated. Thank you.
i am 43 yrs old, female. i am slowing a bit and i just got my labwork back. things are dropping. i have a 3 and 4yr old to take care of, so i manage. i don't work tho. it is hard for me at times cuz i am active and go, go , go. i find myself sitting alot more, tho i do try to do as much as my body will let me. my whole family, kids ages 24, 18, 4, 3, know and a few friends know. i get support from all. they don't always understand as much as the people here do. i am more irritable, short tempered. it is not as bad as i thought it would be. i do get nausea occasionally but it comes in spurts lasting for 20-30 minutes, sometimes 1-3 times, but not every single day. i sleep ok. i get really tired going up a flight of stairs these days. cognitive skills maybe slightly off. not too much. family is all negative, including spouse. i amy have had this for 27 yrs, not sure. i found out when i was 4 months pregnant with my 3rd child. i breastfed and had vaginal deliveries. i don't think i really had too many sx from the disease itself, maybe a rash or two, here or there. maybe fatigue, hard to tell. the tx has made me suffer from some minimal sx, compared to others. i have a slight rash on hands and the others i mentioned before. the tx is doable, for me, at least to this point. i am glad i chose to tx. i have to run, but stay close to the forum, you will hear and learn alot. good luck!
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