Just diagnosed

[roony30]

I was diagnosed with acute hepatitis C about 6 months ago,( I had no idea I had it.) The doctor at the ER referred me to a gastroenterologist, but I do not have insurance!!! I was wondering if treatment is expensive, and if so...how much?
Also, when my liver enzymes go up, it is very painful...kind of feels like someone is stabbing me with a knife in my side, does anyone else get that feeling or do I have something else wrong with me??
Any answers will be greatly appreciated.

[franke566]

Oh roony30 it is so expensive  you won't believe.  You have to get help now!  Try your charity hospitals- or go back to the emergency dept. you went to and speak to their social worker.  Call the American Liver Foundation to get a listing of free Hep clinics nearest you.  How do you know your liver levels are up?  You could have a gall stone- Okay anyone who doubts me raise their hand.  I had my gall bladder removed last month
because of a stone.  I thought it was my liver because thats where the pain started and seeing as how I am F4 87.9% fibriotic on the prometheys Fibrospect 11 I just knew it was my liver.  Well it wasn't.  An echo showed a large stone floating around and sometimes it was closing off the duct.  Since I had it removed the pain has not returned and I was getting it about twice a day for weeks.  Franke566

[annieCinMD]

You might try to find a clinical trial, too. I can't tell from your profile where you live, but hopefully one of the more knowledgeable members will post a link to a list of trials. I'm currently in one that is enrolling and it is one of the better ones. Most trials won't pay if you need rescue drugs, you have to hit insurance for that and they may fight you because some of these drugs are just as expensive as the Hep C drugs. Mine is a Schering Plough trial and they will pay for rescue drugs. They also have programs available to help the uninsured pay for their meds. As far as your liver hurting, I have heard people say that and I was sure mine hurt from drinking before!  That ones not too surprising. Good luck and ask away if you have more ?s.