hep c 1a

[flyingrider]

Its 4am I am scared, I got hepatitis c  when I was 17 after being in a car accident that left my husband dead,I am 50 now and just found out yesterday that I am type 1a ,I suffer from depression. Is there any docs that will treat me? Its 3 meds s shot. Of interferon an 2 different pills 6 months or 48 weeks. My viral load is 1 million. And I plural effusion in left lung.....please help. I am so fatiqued...am not deppressed. Just affraid....

[hcvJames]

What a goof I am. Of course that last should have been addressed to " flyingrider "

[hcvJames]

Why wouldn't a doctor treat? The depression thing? If that's it there are plenty people here have/have had the same problem and will tell you how they coped with it during tx. I didn't have a real problem in that area .. so it might be a little easier for me to say don't let that be a show stopper than otherwise. Just know people here have experienced it all and can give guidance and support. Second it's important to find out exactly where you stand. What stage you are in. That's usually nailed down with a liver biopsy. I was/am stage 4 of 4, fortunately still have liver function (compensated) and was able to treat .. twice .. waiting for the outcome of last treatment .. I had hcv for 30, maybe close to 40 years, before accidentally finding out. The two years, at least, prior to that I was becoming very fatigued quickly doing common things, chalked up most of it to getting older .. This is just a long winded way of saying even if you are stage 4, as long as you are compensated you can treat. Sooner the better. You may not be stage 4, could be stage 3, in which case you could wait for new meds. I wouldn't, didn't, new meds have a way of not being ready when predicted, but that's me, focused, and highly motivated :-) .. well ok, more like paranoid, anxious and incapable of holding more than one thought at a time, especially when that thought is, holy sheep dip how do I get rid of this thing. Please stay in touch, see doctors, do the preliminary test, get the biopsy, and ask questions here.  

[BoceprevirGal]

  There are new meds that will have much less side affects, that the FDA will be approving within the year. These meds are great news for us Heppers. There is hope on your horizon. Go have a biopsy, and if you arent at stage 4 (cirrhosis) I would recommend you wait for the new meds to be available~

[mckansas]

First, get to a specialist, like a hepatologist, not just gastroenterology. Find out what stage of damage your live is in. This is extremely important. They will do a biopsy and find out how damaged your liver is. Don't just jump into treatment until you know the facts. It's a slow moving disease, like I have had it since 1975 just found out I had it in August 2012 and I'm at the worst stage. decompensated, level 4 cirrhosis. My gastroenterologist said do the treatment, but I went to he transplant center and he said NO WAY. It would send me downward very rapidly and advised diet and medication until the new medicines come on board. The interferon is hard on you and causes depressions and hardship on your organs. Go to transplant center, get evaluated first. Then decide. You're not going to die right away, stop drinking if you drink, stop drugs if you take drugs and find out exactly where you are in your disease. There are lots of options ok? Many people will advise you here. Take a deep breath, it's hard to find out you have this disease. I know I freaked out and went downhill very rapidly, but there are many options. Eat right, limit salt and find out your options.