Level of functioning through the process

I was recently diagnosed with hepatitis C, and have many concerns. The doctor diagnosed me at stage 2 stating I have a really good chance of beating the odds. I hear alot about the treatment and diagnosis but not so much on daily activity and functioning through out the day. Presently a fairly new position has presented itself one in which I would like to keep. Any feedback would be welcomed. The medications will be Pegasys and Ribavirin, she stated a coleague of hers worked an entire year only missing three days, but I can't help but wonder what her level of accuracy was like.

[RobertBeWell]

Everyone is different. Some people handle it no problem, some people get wiped out, others make it with blood, sweat, and tears.

The good news is, there are many ways to ensure a successful treatment. That's why it's important to get a doctor who regularly treats patients with Hep C. They know what to look for, and how to get around it.

You'll get tons of perspective on this shortly. We have many experienced people here who have experienced the whole range of treatment situations.

[copyman]

how did your doctor determine you are stage 2? If this can be verified by biopsy, etc then I would wait until next year if I was a stage 2. There are new drugs coming out then. One of the new drugs called Telaprevir offer cure with only six months treatment.

[spectda]

What genotype are you?

[frijole]

40% at best.

I treated 56 weeks and worked throughout treatment.  I have a desk job but was extremely concerned about analytical thinking.  If I lost that I would quit treatment - I decided that up front.  

I did not get the infamous brain fog, but things did slow down.  I worked at a slow pace and did absolutely nothing when I got home from work.  THat was the trade out.

You need to watch your hemoglobin level (HGB) carefully and when it drops into the 10s ask for PRocrit which will help bring it up.  The anemia that is caused by the ribavirn is pretty severe and can be down right crippling to QOL (quality of life)

So I think the level of physical activity in your job is key.  Level 2 is not bad ( I am between a 1 and 2 and am going to wait for the PIs to treat again) and you could probably wait if you choose.  Starting a new job or new position is kind of tough on treating I think.

good luck with a hard choice
frijole

[frijole]

Didn't mean to be cryptic. 40% was my estimated level of functioning at work

[Diane12855]

I'm 1a, stage 2 grade 2, and 55. I've been on tx for 6 weeks now, and am having good drops in my viral loads, which is a good sign that things are working right. I'm still working but only 4 days a week, my hemoglobin is down to 10.4 which isn't low enough for Procrit, but it sure drains you. At my job I'm on my feet most of the time. I do title searches for real estate attorneys, so I have to pull all kinds of documents from all parts of the 3 floor court house I work at, and I have to pay attention to details in those documents. A couple of weeks ago I found out I made a $19000.00 mistake... didn't find out my property was sold at a tax sale because I forgot to check the delinquent tax office. Now I have to pay that out of my pocket. It is because some days I do get the brain fog, and if there are people around talking when I'm trying to focus, I just can't do it. If your new job requires anything like this of you, and you are basically in good health besides the hep c, I'd wait for the new drugs, which will also allow you time to settle into your new job and get all the bumps in the road smoothed out before you ask so much from your body as current SOC demands.

Some may wonder why I didn't wait... my kids need me well before they get to the dangerous teen years (I had 2 kids after 40)... and I want to be available for them (emotionally), like my mother wasn't for me at that time so hopefully they won't make as many crazy mistakes as I made.

Hope this helps with your decision.
Diane

[chitch]

Thanks for the feedback and a better understanding of the process I will keep a look out for the hemoglobin level (HGB), and will look further into the new medication that may come out in 2011 or 2012.