Treatment or No Treatment

[sugarray]

I have a viral load of 584,000 and am a genotype 3a.  The results from my biopsy was a grade 2, stage 0-1 scaring.  Would you go forward with treatment or wait?  The doctor said it is entirely my decision however the scaring is very low.

[cuteus]

you might want to click on "browse archive" and check on all the threads titled "to treat or not to tx" and read those responses from the members at that time as well as the current members that will come along to give their input. Also, read this article
http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=143867
and what Dr Palmer recommends at liverdiseasedotcom.
No guarantees that the new meds will have less side effects. other articles as to why living with hcv can be more challenging than previously thought and how it is not in the liver:
http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=173790
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11826420&dopt=Citation

Ultimately it is up to you to decide. So, good luck on that one.

[v eggie dip]

Hi there:

Okay you heard from the right wing, now from the left :)

I am grade 1 stage 1 low VL geno 1A and have decided to wait for the protese inhibitors to come along...After much research and listening to the horrors of sides these people tell day after day, I think the ribavirin is the culprit in the most threatening of sx's...It induces anemia in 1/3 of it's victims...I honestly do not think the medical professional guru's know what the lasting effects of this drug can do and in my opionion would only enter my body if my fibrosis was at stage 2 or above...

But, that said, there is still those who do not have such severe sides...The question I asked myself, and you should too, is this:  does the reward outweigh the risk?  Well being 54 years old, a geno 1 that has no more than a 60% chance of SVR I opted the risk was too big...I will watch and wait and in the meantime do whatever necessary to make my body as healthy as I can...Herbs, vitamins, supplements, eating healthy, no alcohol and counseling on how to balance emotionally while living with a chronic disease...

Whatever you decide to do it has to be one you can deal with and commit to...Best of luck to you in whatever you do...

Beth

[v eggie dip]

Hi there:

Okay you heard from the right wing, now from the left :)

I am grade 1 stage 1 low VL geno 1A and have decided to wait for the protese inhibitors to come along...After much research and listening to the horrors of sides these people tell day after day, I think the ribavirin is the culprit in the most threatening of sx's...It induces anemia in 1/3 of it's victims...I honestly do not think the medical professional guru's know what the lasting effects of this drug can do and in my opionion would only enter my body if my fibrosis was at stage 2 or above...

But, that said, there is still those who do not have such severe sides...The question I asked myself, and you should too, is this:  does the reward outweigh the risk?  Well being 54 years old, a geno 1 that has no more than a 60% chance of SVR I opted the risk was too big...I will watch and wait and in the meantime do whatever necessary to make my body as healthy as I can...Herbs, vitamins, supplements, eating healthy, no alcohol and counseling on how to balance emotionally while living with a chronic disease...

Whatever you decide to do it has to be one you can deal with and commit to...Best of luck to you in whatever you do...

Beth

[v eggie dip]

obviously I have got the brain fog without the riba lol...sorry bout that double post y'all

*brain dead dip*

[rusty_bawa2000]

I had the same question 24 weeks ago myself. Having pretty much identical characteristics my doctor at UCLA told me not to do treatment, while another doctor at Stanford advised me on going through the treatment asap. Today I finished with my treatment and I have no regrets for making that decision.

Few things you should consider:
- Current work situation, can you afford to take time off work if things do not go as smooth as you want

- Insurance, how much will your insurance cover the treatment.
- Your family situation, your treatment will affect people around you.

I do not know what kind of medical advances we will have in 5-10 years, but I heard that 3a genotype is one of the easiest to cure, so I would do it while you are young.

- Rus

[jmjm530]

If you had a resistant genotype like 1a or 1b, I'd definitely say wait on treatment, considering your stage 0 biopsy.

However, given you're an easier to treat 3a, you might want to give the *controversial* short-course treatment a try.

Basically, you treat for 4 weeks and you're non-detectible, you then treat for another 8 and be done. The Italian study says you will have the same rate of success as with 24 weeks. The advantage is that you expose yourself to these drugs for a minimal amount of time.

If it turns out the virus is detectible at 4 weeks then you have a choice to continue for a total of 24 weeks or stop treatment. I would recommend the latter. That way you've limited your exposure to a total of only 4 weeks. And regardless of what you may hear, from what I've read, stopping tx early will not effect any future treatments in a negative way.

You'll find a link to the full-text Italian study in the thread above "12 versus 24 weeks...."

Anyway, if it were me, I'd do the short course or simply wait for better treatments down the road.  But it's not me, it's you -- so I'd say take your time and continue doing your homework, and come up with a decision you're comfortable with.

-- Jim

[friole]

Grade 2, stage 0-1 scarring.  Something is happening in that old liver, and it isn't pretty.  The inflammation is progressing, and it is the inflammation that leads then to scarring.  I decided to treat even though I only had G1, S1. I have lived with this disease for 35 years, known about it for 12, and just made the decision to treat this year.  It was still not an easy decision to make.  In my opinion, which is personal, not medical, once that inflammation gets going, things can progress pretty rapidly....................or not.  

For me age (57) and insurance (good) and family life (kids gone and a supportive husband) made this the time to treat.  It will be nice to get that virus out of my system once and for all.  Like Cuteus said, it is such a personal decision.  For me, getting two sheets of paper and heading one, Reasons to Treat, and the other, Reasons not to Treat, was helpful.

Good luck in making your decision
friole

[strator]

Logistics have a lot to do with treating. I've known for almost 3 years. 1a gr2 stage 1-2. In my case even though my doc wanted me to come back in 2mos sober and start I waited until I had over a year because I knew it would be a tough thing to go through. Then I started preparing(for another year with groups and therapy) and talking to everyone I came across that had done tx. Educating my family and friends that I may not be myself for 48 weeks, and may have to change the way I put and the amount of 'food' I put on the table. It didn't boil down to one thing, but -having insurance now that would cover it, and not knowing what I'd have coverage wise in the future. Finding out that even after a year sober my viral load had doubled to 18 million, so this baby was not waitng for me to get my 'stuff' together,and I may have a better chance of clearing now rather than later,  not wanting to walk around with the real life chance of infecting someone else by accident. And realizing I could have been through treatment in less time than I stressed about it. It still came down to just suddenly knowing I was ready. Chip away at the logistics one at a time, with guidance from your medical team, people you love, and without question people who've treated or are treating. Sorry to ramble but all of us understand how difficult a decision it is.

[tina-b]

Okay.......saw doc today. Recap...hubby is 3a did 24/24 and 48/48 both times with peg and riba....full dose and completed tx both times without missing a dose. Cleared both times @ 8 and 4 weeks and stayed clear all the way through. Relapsed 1st time at 3 weeks post tx. Relapsed second time 7 months post tx. Vl now is 600,000.

Here is the question: Doc suggested "Coley" study. Anybody know much about it? How long on tx with study? Are placabeos invonved? Cost?

He already gave the study nurse my man's name to get him in it. Gave us the number to call to enroll. It can pretty much be a sure thing if he wants it...his doc is one of the study docs for this. He not only is going to the Liver convention next month...he is a key speaker.

Any opinions? Would you do it? My man is just like the rest of you and just wants rid of this ****. I welcome any and all opinions on this.

Thanks
Tina-B

[SnoWav]

Talk about fog I read your first two post and diden't relieze it until I read your 3rd. 1a 52 yr old had the bug for 30+ yrs I was going to wait for a better TX but after the wifey went the 48wk trail and cleared, It was condom time for me that was enough insentive for TX. I was having leg and arm pain before TX but diden't connect it to C. Just weeks after starting TX those pains went away.after 38weeks of TX a few tylnol and doing ok.Still working 40+ hr weeks.

[Sambone Martian Ambassador To the moon]

i wish that I could have taken the treatment earlier
before the fibrosis had had reached stage 2. That could be why the little buggers managed to hide a few and survive. Also all
of the protease inhibitors that are in the wings are only to be used with interferon and rib. so that could mean that there will only be more sides with them than without. I would say kill em
while their numbers is small and get it over with...
  And yes I am the sambone of old I think it has been about 4
years since i first started hangin out here. took the tx for 56
weeks and am 2 years post tx. I now am considering infergen.

[jmjm530]

The "hot" trial drugs are the protease inhibitors. Don't think the Cooley drugs go this route but you can dissect this article some:
http://www.coleypharma.com/coley/pr_1116293986

Whether you should even be in a trial now has a lot to do with how much liver damage you have and the specifics of the trial. I believe there's a full-disclosure legal document they have to provide you. Ask for it BEFORE you make the decision, don't wait for them to hand it to you when you pen you name.

If you can afford to wait a while, I'd contact the protease inhibitor trial people and see when they will be accepting geno 2's and 3's who have already re-treated. My guess a couple of years from now.

In any event, I'd do some indpendent study on this as opposed to just getting your treatment doctor's input. Sometimes they have incentives to promote this trial or that. My first hepatologist, who I still respect, suggested some trial to me, which on reflection would have been a big mistake. Like many physicians, he is torn between wanting to do good for the many (trial) and for the individual (individualized tx, often not in a trial.)

-- Jim

[mjellk]

I'm in the very same situation..trying to figure out what to do about treating.  I am 51, recently diagnosed, and have had to have had this since before l989.  My alt levels in 2002 were fine, haven't had bloodwork again until this past summer, that's when my alt levels showed an increase.  Since then, I've been positively diagnosed as type 2b with a viral load of 1.8 million.  The first hepatologist doc recommends treatment without a liver biopsy, but, I've told her that I want one anyway.  She also will only treat for 24 weeks...not 12. I am going to see a 2nd doc this Thursday and will make my decision about treating.  I'm leaning towards doing it and seeing how good/bad the sides are.  I'm fortunate to have insurance right now and I work 2 days a week..so I have enough time to recoup before going back to work.  I'm trying to convince myself to do it sooner rather than later...but, this is one of the hardest decisions that I've ever had to make.  Especially so because I feel fine and can't imagine ever being sick.  What I really want to do is just stick my head in the sand and deny that I have it, but, I can't do that either.  My next step is a liver biopsy.  Geez, this is too much fun to look foward to!!


MJ

[cuteus]

yes! a lot of fun! and I for one want everyone to have as much fun as I did.  Especially the fun of seing NEGATIVE  6 mo post tx. THAT one was a  riot!

You are a two, I wish I was, two yrs ago.
You can't breathe in with your head in the sand...

[mjellk]

Thanks, I needed that.

So, I take it that you are now negative?? and you are type 1 and treated for 1 year??  If so, congrats.  Were your side-effects really horrible??

[mjellk]

Thanks for the kind words.  Insurance is one of the reasons that I'm thinking about doing this now, and, if need be, I can get extra time off during the winter months...not so in the summer.  Were the 24 weeks difficult for you??  Were you able to work??  

MJ

[bobbyullc]

I HAVE BC/BS AND THEY DENIED INJECTABLES. IT WOULD HAVE COST $16.000 IF COMITMENT TO CARE DID NOT COME TO MY AID. THANK GOD FOR THE"LARGE DRUG COMPANIES".

YOU MUST HAVE HAD A BETTER POLICIE.

[cougareyes]

Don't let the sx scare you away from tx. If you want to rid yourself of this virus, any torment you may go through during tx is well worth it.
That's really not the point; it is what are these drugs really doing to your insides. Sure HCV does it's damage, but how severe and at what rate. Six months or a year or longer on these drugs could damage you alot more than HCV.
Rus makes some good points about some of the other ingredients needed to make your decision. And above all else your head has to be in the place.   Good Luck

[avidreader]

It is a highly personal decision. I had the virus for more then 30 years and finally started treatment this year (genotype 1B Stage 2, Grade 2) Learning what I have learned since I started treatment and started reading all of the great links folks post on this board, I now kinda wish I had treated earlier when I was younger, healthier, skinner and higher energy. Basically, my primary care doctor kept saying: "you are not symptomatic, your enzyme levels are OK, just let it be." Meanwhile I'm at her office twice a year talking about debilitating fatigue which she diagnosed as depression. But--I can't blame her--I blame myself for not being more proactice in the management of my disease.

So--now I'm treating. Waiting for the results of my 12 week PCR. Better late then never and now I'm determined to beat these little varmints. I'm convinced that liver damage is not the only symptom of this disease and you have to factor that into your decision making process. Factors I considered:

I continue to work (and have to) but I have a 16 year workaholic history to fall back on in my workplace so I'm getting away with taking lots of coming in late/leaving early sick time. My workplace knows I am treating and my co-workers are very supportive.

Good insurance helps--at 54 I figured I needed to give myself a couple of opportunities to treat before I descended into Medicare twilight. My insurance ain't great--won't cover sensitive tests, wouldn't cover a 4 week PCR, but at least my meds are covered after a $30 co-pay per scrip.

My one kid is in college now (the reason I have to work) and I have an incredibly supportive and patient husband who was more then willing to go 48 weeks with me in this journey.

Even with what I consider to be remarkable support at home and at work, it's not always easy. I think if I were an easier to cure genotype though, I would strongly consider the short course treatment.

Good luck in whatever you decide!

Tracy  

[strator]

Something I didn't mention. Quality of life. Fatigue had already been interfering with my QOL. It just kept getting worse. I was always playing catch up with stuff around the house, my artwork and career and social plans. I'd take a day off to paint and end up napping. I couldn't imagine being more tired on treatment.My therapist said to me "don't you think you deserve a better life? It won't get better if you just settle." I want a better life. People who cleared told me it was a whole new ballgame for them. Someone at the VA group who has treated over and over since the early 90's w/o SVR looked at me and said "I just feel 100 times better knowing I'm fighting." I don't know if I'd be on my 6th week now if I hadn't been the old 'sick and tired of being sick and tired.' That's everyones personal choice. Right before I started I took a few days and remodeled my kids room (something from his Christmas list 2 years ago I was always too tired to do). When it was done and I saw his face I knew taking the chance on treatment was worth it. 6th week, fortunate to still be working, still napping too but now I consider it part of the fight. May you be well.

[strator]

Cool?!!?? My son's 13 and already saving to put me in a home cause he finds me so corny. His mom and I split up before he was a year old and I raised him with lottsa family help so I could be a stay at home dad til he was in the 2nd grade. It's me, him and my 82y/o Dad in the house. 3 different outlooks but love's the glue.
I also have an absolutely wonderful 30 year old daughter and 2 grandaughters, 10 and 4. I'm so proud of her and her husband. They've been together since they werer 14, both from very tough homelife's. They own they're own home and both went back to their inner city roots to work. He as a policeman and she works in the schools with socially troubled kids who just haven't been able(yet) to make in the normal classroom.
God Bless Chev, and thank you all who have cleared and come back to give us hope.

[Forseegood]

You've gotten some excellent pro and slightly con propositions here, but I thought Cougar brought something up that few want to talk about for obvious reasons...what do the meds themselves do to your system? I really think that needs to be weighed into this equation. I think most of us are reluctant to talk about this because it's hard enough for us to talk people into taking treatment anyway. And there is a real need for treatment for a great many patients. Also the fact that there aren't any other options for us, why dwell on the negatives of treatment if it's the only game in town?

I don't want to cause bad feeling and paranoia in people who are about to start, are on it now or have treated, I only bring this up because I think it's a valid question to think about if you do have some "wiggle room." I happen to know people who have suffered some pretty bad things more from the treatment than anything else...whether treatment flared up something in their own particular systems that was lying dormant....or the treatment itself effected these things is anybody's guess, the docs don't know for sure...And I don't know that youre going to get a completely unbiased take on it from many of them, being they are the agents of the treatment themselves. This has to be factored in. I myself am leaning toward treatment, of course I'm praying for a miracle like anybody else, but I am closely monitoring myself with blood tests, etc and I'll be doing a fibroscan soon. My decision will be based on some things that are going to come up in this next year.

Of course if my system seems to be holding it's own co-existing with the virus...do I really want to risk the potentially bad things that could arise from the treatment itself? That's besides the side effects question. So many things to consider, but I do recommend keeping a really close eye in the meantime, and you might just decide to treat anyway.

[mjellk]

This is some very interesting reading, and I thank everyone...I have no one else to talk with that has been through this.  My husband, yup, I'm a woman, although there for me...can't answer some of the questions that y'all can.  And reading about the different opinions on treat/don't treat...is giving me different perspectives from which to make a decision.  Again, thanks.  I am seeing a 2nd doc Thursday and will report back.  The 1st doc that I saw was very concerned about watching the thyroid.  She said that treatment could exacerbate a previously hidden problem.  And, of course, she mentioned the "great depression".  Right now, I do have "wiggle room"...I feel great and have no problems.  My health, if I didn't know I had this, I would say was perfect.  Boy, I feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders right now!!  I think I'm going to do the list thing...to treat vs not to treat.  That is the question!!

Chev...I may take you up on your kind offer to email.

[painintheside]

It depends how fast you went from Stage 0 to 1 or 2. I am for treating. I also found out that i am stage 4 but only after already deciding. Best wishes to ya!

Sincerely,
Dana

[friole]

51 is such a pivotal age. Seems like so many things physically start to fall apart after 50 (for real)- the fruits (or karma) of our youth and life.  Also at 50 we start turning to our future years. I think you can see the light at the end of the tunnel then - maybe only 15 or 20 more years of work, time on your hands, kids grown, vacationing, traveling, garden work... and on and on. In my way of thinking health is everything.  What good is retirement without it?  All the money in the world cannot take the place of health.

It sounds like it is a good time for you to treat now and 24 weeks is not that long, after all, for what might be a lifetime of good health virus free.  I would definitely get the biopsy - that will also help in the decision (my doc also said why but I insisted). We all worried about the sides before treating. Mine have not been as bad as my worries so far - I am on 15/48.

Note to Strator - your words are so beautiful, I'll bet your art is too.  THank you for all your input here.  I enjoy every word.


friole

[cuteus]

funny you should mention the thyroid condition because that is one of the extrahepatic manifestations being studied with hep c infection. The virus has been found replicating in smaller scale in other organs in the body, the virus presence has to be triggering an immune reaction that can't be healthy. The drugs might trigger hidden conditions and make existing ones worse, but there is no guarantees that the new meds will be entirely benign.  Studies that follow the long term svr subjects have not found long term side effects in most of them.
Here is some articles connecting hcv to thyroid and other conditions, for those interested in what hcv is doing to the other guys within:
http://thyroid.about.com/b/a/097585.htm
http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2004/063004_b.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10468911&dopt=Abstract

those considering tx should add the test for antithyroid antibodies to their list of preliminary screening, along with cardiac and vision exams.
I did work the full time I was on tx, did not want to use sick days when I could do nothing but lie around in the house.The tx is not horrible, it is manageable, but it is very exhausting to feel like you have the flu day in and day out. Your shoulders slumped and you drag around, you want it to be over, but you want hcv gone more. It is WORTHY, and most of us don't seem to have long term effects, a few of the girls lost their thyroid function, but do not regret treating.
You already have a thyroid problem, it will have to be monitored carefully while on tx.  My mom has thyroid problems so I thought for sure I would trigger something during tx, but nothing happened. Fear of the unknown can consume you but you can't let it stop you.

[mistybean]

I would go!  3 genotype is 6 months?  good luck

[painintheside]

One more thing I wanted to add is....does tx work better with less fibrosis? It apparntly does because with cirrhosis, its tougher to fight! Getting tx while still in a low stage prbably (in my opinion) helps clear the virus faster and probably helps from relapsing. The thought of something in me, destroying my liver and making all the sx it does made me not hesitate at all for tx. I felt like cow dung before tx so I figured, how much worse can I feel on it? Well did #5 Thursday and actually feel better in alot of ways. Feel the same in fatigue (or close to) but have had some nausea.

I didn't know if a year from now we'd have health coverage. We do now. And I didnt want (even w/o bx results) to keep getting worse. Bx is most important and has changed my life. Only 33, and thinking, that w/o tx....iI probably wouldn't make it to see my baby grad. Tx is well worth knowing that you are controlling it.....it is not controlling you anymore!

Sincerely,
Dana

[NYgirl]

The inflammation is progressing, and it is the inflammation that leads then to scarring.

Bingo.

Personally I go with Jimbo's diagnosis above but that is just me.  I really wish I had known and had an option to get rid of this BEFORE I had stage 2 scarring.

And I am a 1a and a 1b so I've got it all around - but fighting to get rid of these cooties as best as I can! I want them GONE!

[cougareyes]

There are some dietary and supplemental alternatives you could use to lessen and control inflammation. Do some research you'll find that many things have been accepted to lessen inflammation.
Good Luck

[NYgirl]

You know I did #5 on Friday and now that I guess the procrit is kicking in I feel MUCH better myself.

Over the hump (this one anyways) - waiting for the next one.

In fact I dare say I feel sort of "normal" almost.  Wow.

I wish the doctors had been more careful about the anemia.  THAT is the thing that really makes you almost quit I think. If they would be more proactive with the treatment for it I'd imagine so many people would have such less sx that a lot less would quit!

[HepCinLA]

I would treat.  Being a 3a you have an excellent chance of clearing the virus for good.

Also don't get hung up on the stage/grade of your liver for two reasons:
1) People with miminal liver damage and low viral load have an eaiser time clearing the virus (plus I heard they have an eaiser time with sides)
2) Since the early 90's I've been hearing that better treatments will be coming along.  That hasn't happened yet.  When I was first diagnosed the chance for genotype 1's clearing was 17%, now it's up to 50% (again those with low liver damage/viral load responding better to treatment).  Why wait for your liver damage to progress only to find out that newer treatments once again favor low liver damage/viral load.

I think you will find the sides manageable.  You can try treatment and if the sides become too unbearable you can always stop.  

Hep C in LA (genotype 1B, week # 8 of treatment)

[scubadiver30]

Hi there. Writing from Spain so my apologies for my english
I'm 43, male, asimptomatic and diagnosed with HEP C + in april 05. All my blood counts are OK but the ALT is 85 and AST is 39. I still don't know my geno nor the viral load. I'm waiting for the results. My social security judgemental doc does not consider a biopsy neccesary at the moment and no tx as of yet (I have had 2 ecographies and in both I showed no portal hypertension, spleen & other gastric organs normal but a mild fatty liver). Don't drink and don't smoke, but I'm experiencing a mild pain in my lower right chest. But I went to a younger doc that seems pretty much into treatment (in fact he's and advisor for Pegasys in Spain) so that makes me wonder. I'm trying to get a Fibroscan but overhere is difficult to get an appointment because there's only one in madrid.

Can anyone give me some advice? These 2 doctors are contradicting each other and I don't want to lose my job but I don' want to waste valuable time either before jumping into tx.
I have read that fibrosis /cirrosis is asimptomatic? am I mistaken??

Tnx and God bless you all

[scubadiver30]

Thanks for you quick response. I will surely try to get the fibroscan or biopsy ASAP. I have read 3 books already on the subject but it seems there's too much information running thru my brain LOL (Sting dixit). I'll post the info as soon as I   get the results (but what drives me crazy is that evrything moves real slowly over here in spain)...there's no help groups or forums as this one and doctors are not all that helpful. It's an outcasts disease out here :-(

saludos

[v eggie dip]

it moves slow here in Canada too!  very frustrating, and it also seems to be an outcast disease here as well..I have made a point of telling anyone I deal with in the medical profession that I contracted this through a blood transfusion...got the "looks" early on and don;t want to deal with it

Best of luck to you

Beth

[GoofyDad]

"Only 33, and thinking, that w/o tx....iI probably wouldn't make it to see my baby grad"
Interesting the yardsticks we choose, isn't it. Seeing my boy through 'till he's ready to use his own wings is my No. 1 priority. Who knows how far along that timeline I'll make it? Through elementary, middle school, college, marriage, kids? Take each day as a gift, I guess.

"Since the early 90's I've been hearing that better treatments will be coming along. That hasn't happened yet."
I belive SVR odds are up about seven-fold since that time (6 mo  non-peg interferon mono therapy). I'd rather take one pill and call in the morning - but until that's an option I'll take what we have now over 15 years ago.  

[v eggie dip]

howdee goofers:

hope today is a good day for you!  now that I know I am stage 1 I am obsessed with the progression and when I got this bug...Logic tells me I have not had it for 37 years...

Question:  you being a 3..prior to tx did you have liver pain, muscles and joint aches, fatigue, high alt/ast?  how long do you think you have had this?

*dip on a quest*

[GoofyDad]

1980-81 - it was an accute jaundice episode. Maybe I had it longer and that was a flare - but I really doubt it.

I had some mimld liver pain for maybe the last year - probably wouldn't have thought much of it had I been niave to my condition. All blood work was normal until the last year when WBC and platelets started declining a bit. Glucose has read high on occaision.

A little low on energy for a few years, but losing 30 pounds helped that a lot. I think if I could lose 10 years (and possibly gain an inch or so here or there, as long as we're building a wish list :)), I'd be good to go.

[NYgirl]

have made a point of telling anyone I deal with in the medical profession that I contracted this through a blood transfusion...

I had FOUR transfusions last year and every time I tell a doctor this must be where I got it I get the SERIOUS eyeballs.

Then I tell them well h3ll I was quite a coke wh0re when I was a in my 20s that must be it.  Shuts them right up.

;-)

I dont really but I want to!

[v eggie dip]

hey you may just have got it from the blood xfusions...I never received any letters from the Red Cross saying I had it, and I have donated blood!

[friole]

NY Girl - I am so glad to hear the Procrit is kicking in.  You had a rough few weeks there.  Is it helping at work?

HepCinLA -- you too - sound much much better.  Still doing okay running around after the little ones?  Hard to believe you are on #8 already.

Scubadiver - Welcome to the forum. I am not sure what some of those tests are that they are running in Spain, but it sure it taking a long time just to get genotyped and your viral load. I would lean towards the younger doctor. THe older one sounds like he doesn't even want to learn about Hepatitis C.  There is a lot of stigma attached to Hep C in the States too.  Many of us do not disclose our condition to others.  You will find all kinds of good information on this forum - many people treating and many waiting.  Good luck to you

friole