Tell your Stats III

[sfbaygirl]

I thought that we would do an update of stats for the newbies and veteran as the orginal ones are closed

This is JmJm's orginal post

So what are your stats? Both Hep C related and anything else you want to share. If you're on treatment, what week and how are you doing? If you haven't treated yet, do you plan on treating soon or going to wait? If you've finished treating, how did it all go? Etc, Etc...
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Male, 59 years old; geno 1B; Infected 37 years ago, Stage 2-3 out of 4 stages: 5'11", pre-tx weight 175 lbs, Excellent physical conditon and normal BMI (body mass index) -- www.halls.md/body-mass-index/bmi.htm --
Pre-tx viral load 1.5 milion; Treated Pegasys 180/Riba 1200; Procrit 40,000 units/wk; Non-detectible Heptimax (<5 IU/ml) at week 6; Currently on week 48 and will probably treat another ten weeks,more of less; Major sides -- anemia, nausea (early on) GERD, upper respiratory/sinus infections, loss of appetite with significant weight loss; depression; severe fatigue; psoriasis. Incapacitated and unable to work most of treatment but feeling better now.

Worst thing about treatment: A very humbling experience that made me keenly aware of my mortality.
Best thing about treatment: A very humbling experience that made me keenly aware of my mortality.

Location: Moth infested house
Latest hobby: Moth hunting
Lastest read: Of Moths and Men: An Evolutionary Tale by Judith Hooper.

Best quote read lately: "That you must check and recheck, and not trust anyone." -- Dr. Eugene Schiff, Hepatologist.

[Pdilly]

I think you gals donating your hair to locks of love is wonderful.  My niece had hers cut the week before she started chemo.  It will  help someone else.

[sfbaygirl]

No, it's not dark brown, it's blonde, but it could be...that 1/4 Mexican in me could do a nice brown. Mine is still intact, although it getting pretty darned brittle. 10" is probably about right too! Hopefully, I won't need any. I have heard that the hair loss starts about 16 weeks tx?

Locks of love is supposed to be a great place.

[OnAPrettyPoison]

Yessssss, I can see the finish line!!!!!  Actually, I have been growing it to cut it for locks of love.  Probably doing it in the next few weeks.  I have to cut 10" so it will still be below my shoulders, but I will probably still be in shock.  Want me to keep it for you?  It is dark brown.

[sfbaygirl]

You are almost there! When I think of 45 more shots...it's tough, especially almost being bedridden at the moment with the anemia. Hope the booster works soon.  At least I am in good spirits.

"25" inch hair!  You could collect it and sell it to one of us that has lost their hair.  What color is it, just in case...

Hope all of you undate your stats here so us newbies here can get a handle on who we are talkin' to.

[OnAPrettyPoison]

Hmmm,female, age 47, Genotype 1 A, 5'6", starting 145 lb down to 135 lb.  I was diagnosed in January 2005.  Probably got in 1982 from a tattoo - was diagnosed back then with nonA, nonB hepatitis - wished I had had a little more fun than being drunk getting IT. Starting viral load (2/8/05) 108,299 and treatment started 8/19/05.  Biopsy showed level 1 inflammation, level 0 fibrosis.  Started treatment in August 2005, just did the big #40 last Friday night.  Undetectible at 12 and 24 weeks.  No bad sides except the anemia and related fatigue on some weekends after the shot and for a while, massive amounts of shedding hair, all of which was 25" long.  Good things - I am glad I started treatment before I had real damage.  I think I had an easier time treating because I was otherwise healthy.  Bad things - I completely blew my exercising stuff when I started treatment and my muscles have turned to mush.

Otherwise, I just hope I get SVR.....and it won't be long before I have to give up the meds and see if my pretty poison worked for real.

[Pdilly]

55 F  Geno 2a or c (they could not tell which one)
Iam overweight (I call myself plump)
viral load 308,000
I probably got this in the hippie days in 70's.  
Been good ever since.
Have not had the bx yet to find out any other details.

[amirtracy]

thanks candyman...and i now understand my affection for popcorn.;)

[Dale_Ray]

Male, 54 years young, geno 1A, infected 29 years, last biopsy showed mild fibrosis, 6'2" and pretreatment weight was 204 lbs. Currently 186 lbs. Physical condition prior to treatment was good. No limitations as far as enjoying life. I am currently on week 27 of 48 week treatment of Pegasis and Riba and Nupogen. Major sides: upper respiratory, fatigue, fever and emotional roller coaster. I have been fortunate and have not missed any work. I hope that continues.

Worst thing about treatment: My brain does not function properly and it is so bad I can't even explain it to you. Have trouble verbally completing sentences.
Best thing about treatment: My Wife

Location: In the rain in Memphis, Tennessee
Latest hobby: collecting my on hair
Latest read: One flew over the coo coo's nest
Best quote read lately: "I want to die just like my granddaddy peacefully and in my sleep not the the three screaming passengers in his car"

[amirtracy]

40 yr. old female. diagnosed Oct. 2005. geno 1b, stage 2/grade1, pre-tx vl 10 million, on week 13/48. peg/1200 riba. 5'5"/180 lbs.
contracted hep in mid-80's from iv coke use.

live in orlando, fla. married w/ 2 teenage sons.

best thing about tx= my husband. he saved me years ago and continues to save me every day. without him i would not be here.
also this forum and the people therein. thank you all.

worst thing about tx= feeling like sh*t and knowing there's noone to blame but myself. i'm working on the guilt thing...

[52TELE]

49yr old male 6'-5"-260 lbs.
Self Employed Professional Engineer / Musician
Very overworked
I have wife of 25 yrs and 15 yr old son
I live near Dallas ,Tx.
genotype 1a
initial virus count 2.17 million
bx 1.5 yrs ago , grade 2 stage 3
HCV detected during Life Insurance Examination
Lost my insurance but was picked up by Texas Risk Insurance Pool
(blue cross)
Exposed to virus as result of drug abuse while in SE Asia
in 1975 while in USN with no further exposure after returning to USA
Never had any symptoms prior to detection.
I am in week 9 of 48. I tend to feel better at the end of the week and have moved my shots to Saturday night to allow some descent time with my family on the weekend
tx=pegintron 150mcg , 1400mg Ribavirin , 40,000 Procrit
HGB and RBC crashed hard in weeks 1-5 , started Procrit and I am rebounding.
Worst sides have been anemia  , dry mouth and this God forsaken rash.
I am being treated by Dr. M.Troutman at the University of North Texas Health Science Center. Dr. Troutman is very proactive and I feel lucky to have found him.

Good things that have come from HCV? My family has been drawn closer than I would have ever imagined. I met all of you wonderful people that help me daily. This forum is very special and I really doubt it could be reproduced if they tried.

[Magnum]

59, male, stage 2-3, at least 12 years with Hep C. Four treatments so far. Entertainer. Blood transfusion during surgery was the cause. Licensed for medicinal marijuana. Licensed to thrill. Good attitute after all the torture and near death with too much Infergen. No depression. Here to help. Here to warn. Here with good people. Hear hear...

Magnum

[ohgreat]

34 years old
Male
5'11
176 lbs

vl 1.2 mil
Geno 3a

Liver bx next week along w/ultrasound thing- interesting to note, My liver is hard and swollen and I can physically feel it under my breast bone.  Been trying to not rub it so much and worry.  could be because I had lacerated liver 13 years, never paid much attention to it until diagnosed. Possible hep for 13 years or less (probably less, like 8-5 years)

In underwritting process with insurance currently.  Will prob be dropped.  I will probably check out the Texas Risk Insurance Pool if thats the case.  

Probably will start tx in late summer/Fall.

stopped drinking completely. make software for living and I really enjoy life now that every day seems more precious.

I have 2 cats that do not appreciate me rubbing on their livers when I get paranoid about my hard lump of a liver.  :)

[susan400]

Hi there.  I am 44 yrs old. I have type 1A/1B.  Stage 3.  I have treated 8 times, this current time being my 8th.  I'm on daily Infergen and 8 Ribavirin a day.  I take Procrit and Neupogen.  My current viral load is 200 copies.  I've treated this round for 10 mon., so my doctor wants me to make a decision on whether to continue.  Personally, I live alone.  I do not work.   I don't know what else to say.  

Susan

[anneinMD]

44 yr. old white female. Live in Maryland between Baltimore and DC.  VL 539,000.  Diagnosed 3 yrs ago.  Infected at least 18 yrs. ago.  IV coke in 1980's.  Work in Information Technology as Client Support technician. Trying to break into Software Development.  Pretty much Sx free with normal liver enzymes.  Awaiting appt. with GI on July 10 to discuss options.  Will probably know more after a few visits with him (after Bx).

PS.  The guy that prompted my initial post decided to stick around.  He isn't entirely convinced that he cant' "catch" it from me through sex, but I'm wearing him down on that.  Told him he needs to think like Bill Clinton (lol)!

[52TELE]

Has anyone ever approached you about being declared a saint?
Susan , that is remarkable. I applaud you for your ability to continue to focus  , mentally and physically ,on becoming virus free.You are truely an inspiration.

[anneinMD]

Not much gained with the self-flagellation.  The way I look at it, I wouldn't repeat that stuff, but if I could erase the past, I wouldn't because that stuff makes me who I am today.  One of my good buds at work said something pretty cool.  We were talking about taking the "wrong" path in life.  He said they both come out in the same place anyway. Pretty profound from someone else who took the "wrong" path (the one littered with drugs).  Best to you on success in tx.  I'm not there...yet.

[can-do-man]

Tracy says........worst thing about tx= feeling like sh*t and knowing there's noone to blame but myself. i'm working on the guilt thing...
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You have nothing to feel guilty about. Theres not a person out there that hasn't done or said something in their life we wish we hadn't.

Plus thats how you THINK you got it. Could have got it from the some health care or dentist, Maybe as a child. Don't much matter how you got it. Its your doing something about it.

Sounds like you got a great hubby and 2 great kids. Your a sweet caring person who works hard. So that trumps all.

Plus could have been that popcorn at the drive-in.:)

[merlino]

50yrs old -
Gena type 1
Diagnosed 6 yrs ago
Last Blood wk vl 4mil
Single mom - 2 sons - divorced
Scared - to tx or wait
Worst Thing - been my secret since day 1
Best thing - Finally being able to talk and not be judged-HERE

[JPinNOLA]

Male 55, oops 56 yesterday
6'0 200 prior
Live in what is left of New Orleans, have only lost 5 lbs, how can you loose weight in New Orleans?
Occupation: web applications programmer (PHP)
vl: 1.8 mil
geno: 2b
diag: 1995
no biopsy
Contracted best guess 1972 after surgery returning from Viet Nam was hospitalized for unknown reason, symptoms exactly like accute hep, VA says prove it
Don't get me wrong gave myself plenty of chances to get it honesly during the 70's :)
tx: week 11
sx: rash, anemia thus constant fatigue, slight but persistent neasue, brain fog (luckly I'm the sole programmer at work so who knows), my first migranes (new experiences...a plus?)
Was very symptomatic prior to tx, therefore a lot of the sx are similiar to what I was experiencing prior.  Can't imagine going thru this just to get rid of the virus.

[amirtracy]

anne, i know your right and i work on it everyday. i've gotten better at it actually. i hope you find what you need as well. i wish you the best.

update on my stats- just the call i am UNDETECTABLE! heptimax <5...i needed a boost ;)....a long way to go but i'm going for it.   tracy

[friole]

Way to go - sneaked that haptimax right in.  Congrats on the UND.  Was this 12 weeks?

[amirtracy]

yup. 12 weeks. from 10 million to nada! i'm excited- trying to keep it all in perspective. know i've got a long way to go but it's a start! thanks for the well wishes and right back at ya...tracy

[sfbaygirl]

Yeah Tracy!  That is so exciting!  I hope my 12 wk. is UND. wont' be for a few weeks. Did you do it at week 11, so you could continue meds?

[amirtracy]

hi there! no i did it the day before my 13th shot. no insurance so it didn't apply in my case. i'm hoping for the best for you too. thanks,  tracy