Recently diagnosed

[JoshuaG313]

Hi i was just recently diagnosed with hep c and i am wondering a lot about treatment anything you can tell me will help. I have a very physicaly demanding job and can not afford to miss work or show a drop in my productivity. So far all i hear is bad things about treatment and its side effects.

[sandysf]

Joshua,

I freaked out when I found out two years ago too and my doctor wanted to treat right away with no biopsy.  I found this site and read and read and discovered new drugs were in the works (they were just approved) and that I should make no decisions about what to do next without a biopsy.  IF you have little to no damage you can afford to wait.  The best thing you can do is become informed and be an advocate for your own medical care.

I just started treatment 6 weeks ago and it is really not as bad as you hear.. many people work through it from what I understand.

[summer7799]

Hello, I too was just recently diagnosed. Going to see a specialist on Monday, hoping to get more info then. I have no idea what to expect or how long I have had this. I too am worried about the treatment. I am a hair dresser and work on my feet 40 plus hours a week. I don't know what to tell my boss if I need treatment. I can not tell anyone at work, so not sure what I would say. Its nice to know someone else is feeling the same. Let me know how it goes for you!

[beeblessed]

Welcome to the forum!  Is there any way you can delegate some of your duties, do light duties or get a jump start before you begin treatment?  I have not started tx yet but have similar issues.  Expect that your energy level will be challenged throughout, but that you will have good days and maybe not so good days.  A lot of the posts here talk about the importance of staying hydrated, as well as when, how and what to eat during treatment.

Beyond that, my biggest question was what to tell my boss and co-workers.  Responses here suggested saying that I had a pre-cancerous condition and was going through something similar to chemo.  (Actually, most people said to say nothing at all to employers but I need to)  I would hope that would help your employer cut you some slack but if your job is totally physical, someone else here may be able to suggest something.  Best to you.