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.

[sfbaygirl]

54 F Genotype 1a
Dx 10 years ago- may have had it longer, but I believe the hospital gave it to me during a outpatient surgery.
Pre-tx VL 4,400,000.
BX 4y ago Stage 1
Tx: Pegasys 180/ Ribavarin 1000. Aranesp for anemia after 6 pt. drop in one- two weeks.
Shot # 4 last Wednesday
SX; anemia, flu-like symptoms, hypotermia, chills, extreme fatigue, back and neck pain, indigestion.
Not working, I can hardly make it across the house

Worst thing about tx: Waiting
Best thing about tx; Finding the support of this board

Location; on top of a mountain in an oak forest
Hobbies; playing with my 5 soon to be six grandchildren (all under 6) and my outdoor bird watching, gardening
Best latest read; Sick Puppy and Skinny Dip

[Bill1954]

51 year old Caucasian male
240 lbs
Diabetes type 2
Genotype 1a
Pre-Tx VL 75,600
Biopsy grade 2, stage 3-4
Treated with Pegasys/Copegus February 05 thru March 06, relapsed at 30 days post Tx
Location: North-Eastern California
Hobbies: hanging out with the grandkids, a little gardening here and there
Occupation: Carpenter for last 30 years, currently on SSI disability

[fishdoc]

Female, 50 years old; geno 1a; Infected between 1974-1977, Biopsy in 1996, 1999 1+/0: 5'6", pre-tx weight 180 lbs, BMI just below obese ;), made it to "overweight"
Pre-tx viral load 2,890,000; treating Pegintron 180/Riba 1200;
12 week PCR 38,700
as of may 21, 2006 I have 15 shots down...
Major sides -- stupid tired, don't think like I used to, some rash
Worst thing about treatment: The impact on my family, and my job, attitude problem
Best thing about treatment: Finding out what a good man Bill1948 is, after 25 years, I guess I'll keep him!!
Location: edge of the Llano Estacado
Latest hobby: pigeons
Lastest read: Extended treatment duration for hep c blah blah blah

[amberank]

STATS:26 y/o female, 170 lbs., caucasin, married 4 years, 3 y/o son' christian as of 3 years ago
DX:was dx 2.5 years ago but lost insurance soon after dx so was unable to pursue tx or further testing, VL at time was 50000, was so infected around 2000 during a wild & stupid phase of my life
TX:just got insurance through new job, have appointment at family doc on 6/13 to get referral to specialist for more testing and tx asap
SX:have no signs or symptoms of the virus, other than the blood tests, feel fine, I am terrified of starting tx b/c of sx, but want to get it over with and go on with my life!

Worst thing about being diagnosed: the fear of a virus I knew nothing about (even though I came to find out my dad has HCV as well)
Best thing so far: learning that there is hope

Location: south
Hobbies: sleeping! (with a full time job and college and a home and a son I don't have much free time), watching baseball, working out,
Occupation: CNA at a long term facility, though I am going to school to be a high school English/Drama teacher
Occ

[dog_lover]

Did you get SSI solely based on your hep-c?  I'm in the process of trying to get it and have had to hire an attorney.  Along with hep I have a back problem that resulted in my total and permanent disability.  I wear an internal pump that delivers morphine directly into my spine to help with pain.  I could really use the SSI.
Thanks, Dog_Lover

[Mister beagle bailey]

59 yr male
Geno type- 2B
Pre tx VL 318,000
3 shots left of Peg-intron and riba
Infected 1997 from tattoo
undetected at week 12
Sxs - low HGB 7.3; fevers; bone pains; lost 23 lb; indigestion
On 60,000 units of procrit a week
I have thalassemia anemia
Treating in New York but lives in FL
Hobbie-- chasing those crazy wabbits
Best part of doing tx-- Met the best of the best people here on the forum


BTW-spacecoast4 where is your stats??

Beagle

[Ducky1822]

Got IT in 1978 through blood transfussion. Know one could figure out what was wronge with me. Kept me in the hospital 47 day's before they believe that I was't drinking. Just told everyone I got the Flu easy. "90 after a suicede attempt they discovered what was wronge. Was on Peg/interferon 180 for 12 monthes but viral load shot right back up. I've had amonia levels up to 65 three years ago and then they dropped to normal. Some Dr.'s thought I ws making this up. I have beginning signs of kidney failure, diabetes 2, fibromyalgia, brain fog, Can't remember what they call it. Please forgive my spelling you all but I don't think that's related to the Hep C. I have a great Bill of my own whose job provides me with good insurance or I don't know how we would be dealing with the money side but even with that every penny gets accounted for. I love to paint when I can hold my chalk. I'm getting too chatty sorry Ducky1822

[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.

[52TELE]

"I wouldn't because that stuff makes me who I am today"
Here Here!!!! We are the culmination of our life experience , good or bad.

[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