Hep C

[Lora Z]

Well I don't know if I have hep c or not I'm just worried so I'm going to go get tested on the 4th of this month but I was just wondering about the treatment available b/c there's a chance I might have it.  Also I don't have MediCal so I don't know what to do and/or how expensive the treatment is.

[debnevada]

no problem.

get that test.

[Lora Z]

Thanks for being so supportive, if I do have it at least I've found a positive place where I can discuss my problems.

[Lora Z]

I know I guess I am just getting depressed.  I'm not even having symptoms or anything I just don't want to keep thinking I don't have it and then 20 years down the road I'm getting really sick b/c that's what happened to my grandma.  I don't even know if I have it or not, maybe I don't but it's just been bugging me b/c of what I used to do....like you said it's a good idea to get tested anyways right? I'm doing so good now I feel like I might be living a lie by telling myself I for sure don't have it you know?  I just want to know for sure b/c the people I was using with said they didn't have anything but why should I believe them?  I didn't start thinking about this until recently and I've been clean for almost 2 years now.  I just am worried that I'll never be able to have a normal life (i.e. get married etc.) if I do b/c how can I be honest with someone about it if I do have it?  I'll probably end up being alone for the rest of my life or I'll need to find somebody that has it also and that's kind of hard to do b/c people don't advertise that kind of thing.  Idk like Deb said first I need to find out if I have it or not, I'm going on Sep.4th to see so I'm not sure how long it takes to find out.  Also if I do have it I'm scared to tell my family b/c they don't know anything I was doing, they know I was using but they don't know all the strange details you know?  

[jmjm530]

If you've been an IV drug user -- just a guess based on your post -- then it's very reasonable to be tested for Hep C. Of course, you should also be tested for other things, including but not limited to Hep B, HIV, etc. Should it turn out you have Hep C -- you probably don't -- then you want to see a liver specialist (hepatologist) who will bring you up to date on current treatments, although not everyone with Hep C needs to be treated right away. As to "going back" to IV drug use? , always a bad idea, because if Hep C doesn't get you, something else probably will. My suggestion is to turn the concern you're demonstrating in your post into a life changing affirmation, i.e. turn your life around NOW. If you can't do it alone, then by all means seek professional help.

All the best,

-- Jim

[debnevada]

yes. There is.

and if you go back to "what you were doing before" if you DO have it, dear, it's bad news.  

It wouldn't even bring the the comfort that it did before because you'd KNOW that you were now doing a number on a sick liver.

Just get the test done, Lora. Then we'll go from there. We'll be here, I promise.

D

[Lora Z]

Thanks for being so reassuring, I guess I am just worried that if I do have it I might rationalize going back to what I was doing before.  And I don't want to do that!  Is there ever any way to get rid of it if you do have it?

[debnevada]

for Hep C? Nope, the standard of care now is ribavirin and interferon injections but there are some new drugs in the pipe, possibly sooner rather than later. Maybe they were using the word "cocktail" to describe combo therapy.

First, though, get the test and then we can chat about what's out there.

By the way, good for you in the "turning your life around" department. You are to be commended.I think the majority of us folks have gone that direction here as well.

Keep us posted ater the test.

[Lora Z]

Well I think there's a chance b/c of some of the risky behavior I used to engage in you know??  I don't have any symptoms (I don't think anyways) but I did some really stupid things and now I just want to get checked out b/c I've turned my life around.  The health clinic that I'm getting tested thru told me about cocktails/infusions??

[debnevada]

what makes you think there's a chance you have it?

If it turns out you do, there are lots of patient assistance programs.