New to HCV, scared and worried.

I have just recently found that I have Hep C, Liver Biopsy revealed I am Stage 2 and Geno 1a, there are so many questions about treatment and side effects of the treatments. I have my family support, and I guess a good enough Dr. but I want the personal interaction from others that are currently or have been through this whole process. Friends and support from everyone is welcome! I will return the same in kind

[annieCinMD]

You are in the right place! I encourage you to look around the forum, learn as much as possible. If you are Stage 2, you have the option to wait on the newer drugs to hit the market, probably in 2011. The disease doesn't generally progress very fast, and you want to make an informed decision if and when you do decide to treat. 1a is one of the harder to treat genotypes and many have to go more than one round of treatment in order to clear the virus. I just came off a failed first try, so can speak first hand on that one.

[IMstacie]

Welcome.  This is a great place for support and education.  Here is a couple helpful links for you to get started.  I had the same type as you, just finished 48 wks of interferon/ribavirin tx. These folks helped get me through.   I'm hoping for SVR in 6 months.  There are also some new drugs on the horizon that appear promising.  Good luck to you in whatever you decide.

helps with the acronyms on this site:  http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/Common-Hepatitis-C-Acronyms/show/3?cid=64

good site with a lot of info:  http://janis7hepc.com/

[Shehabi]

You're in the right place, as mentioned, spare sometime of the day to read and to educate your self about it, you can always ask questions here and you can always get the support here, i honestly love the warm support among the members of this forum and i believe you gonna find it the same way i did.

there are things in the mentioned websites you need to know, like blood test etc, treatment and side effect? it is somehow tough experience but don't worry about it,  we all been or going through it and most of us get good results, be positive (very important to be) and you shall succeed.
Ask questions even if you feel they're random, speak your mind and don't blame your self for whatsoever was behind the infection

[22hamilton]

Hi mate just wanted to reiterate that you are now in the best place to take charge of the situation.Welcome to the forum, keep reading and asking questions.
Take care
Hammond

[skersj]

Welcome to the forum.  I was so scared when I found out that I jumped right into treatment even though biopsy showed stage 1. I was very healthy and thought it was a good time for treatment. I responded slowly to treatment and still had a viral load of 950 at 12 weeks but I decided to go 72 weeks in hopes I would still clear. About week 16 the side effects hit me hard but I felt I had to keep going. Now I have 9 weeks left and I am questioning my decisions. 72 weeks is a long time. I might clear but odds are against it. The new drugs coming out are promising. Take your time with your decisions. You will learn alot here on this forum. Be sure and take the time to read and re-read the new HCV studies.  I believe a lot people here know more than most doctors. Especially dealing with side effects should you decide to treat. My doctors didn't help at all with side effects. People in this forum got me through 61 weeks of treatment so far.

[Duke3d]

If you are still in the learning stage the Janis and Friends website has great info.

Gail

[jessiejames1973]

welcome
ask any questions people here will help you

Jessie