Aa
hcv/employment/treatment
Hello to everyone. This is my first post to this forum.
A little about myself, I'm a 43 yr old male w/hcv geno 1b diagnosed in 1990. I have consistantly elevated alt levels, last test in june showed viral count of 5 million copies. I've had three biopsies '97, '2001, '2004. last one showed fibrosis, doc said a 2/2 score. Up until now I've been told I did not have to treat, As first two biops showed only inflammation but now with a signifigant change w/fibrosis I'm told I need to treat. For the past 7.25 yrs I've worked for an Illinois municipality as a mechanic. Its a physically hard job w/snowplow duties at all hours of night/day. I'm concerned about disclosure to my employer (the village I work for) in regards to treatment and the possible need to take time off if sides are bad. Also I don't know who would find out like coworkers as this disease is feared so much. It's a small place (150 employees) so if I started looking sickly the rumors would fly. Would they/could they fire me? do I need a lawyer? I know Ill is an "at will state" but I have a great work history with them and it would be a comfort knowing they know and supported me. My other objectives are to get on anti-depressant med and decide between the two peg drugs (dr offerd peg intron) but I like what I here about pegasys. If anyone can help with these employment issues I would be greatful. It's a shame we can't just come out and let everyone know we're sick, like people with say cancer can. The employment/insurance issue makes treating this disease a challenge. Thanks for taking time to read this.
wrench
A little about myself, I'm a 43 yr old male w/hcv geno 1b diagnosed in 1990. I have consistantly elevated alt levels, last test in june showed viral count of 5 million copies. I've had three biopsies '97, '2001, '2004. last one showed fibrosis, doc said a 2/2 score. Up until now I've been told I did not have to treat, As first two biops showed only inflammation but now with a signifigant change w/fibrosis I'm told I need to treat. For the past 7.25 yrs I've worked for an Illinois municipality as a mechanic. Its a physically hard job w/snowplow duties at all hours of night/day. I'm concerned about disclosure to my employer (the village I work for) in regards to treatment and the possible need to take time off if sides are bad. Also I don't know who would find out like coworkers as this disease is feared so much. It's a small place (150 employees) so if I started looking sickly the rumors would fly. Would they/could they fire me? do I need a lawyer? I know Ill is an "at will state" but I have a great work history with them and it would be a comfort knowing they know and supported me. My other objectives are to get on anti-depressant med and decide between the two peg drugs (dr offerd peg intron) but I like what I here about pegasys. If anyone can help with these employment issues I would be greatful. It's a shame we can't just come out and let everyone know we're sick, like people with say cancer can. The employment/insurance issue makes treating this disease a challenge. Thanks for taking time to read this.
wrench
Holy ****!! I just was in the middle of a BIG long post and my server "reset" and LOST it!!! Crud!
Hey Wrecnh....commeere. Are you scared? Sure you are. Lets talk. I WAS a type 1B. I did 50 weeks of peg/Intron W/Riba. I am CURED baby. And I have NO lingering side effects from the meds. You CAN do this and win the war.
I disagree with most on the idea of telling. I told absolutely everyone I had this and I was treating it. I educated myself and found out that it is really NOT all that contagious. I then educated all who I told to this fact. Once I explained it all they got way more comfortable around me.
As Rev said....you can use the FMLA. You need to apply before you start so the paperwork can catch up. That gives you an extra 12 weeks if you need it. I made it through with just the vacation and sick days I had but some are not so lucky.
It is not reasonable to believe that you will be able to hide this from everyone. They will notice that you look different,act different, and are not exactlt the person you were before. Trying to hide this would be very hard and woul;d add extra stress that you don't need. Do what you will with that. It depends on your life and employer. They CANNOT fire you for having this or doing tx(treatment).
If you have a choice...do the Pegasys. I know that THEY say that the sides are similar....but that is NOT true. The pegasys is MUCH more tolerable and you will be glad you chose it later.
Be careful of those AD's. I am NOT a big fan of using AD's as a "preemptive" measure. They all have their own side effects too. If you are not already prone to depression, then I wouldn't just "automatically" use them.
Here are some "Basic" sites for you to start to educate yourself with.......
http://www.hepcprimer.com/
#1 Hepatitis C Primer -
Basic information about the Hepatitis C Virus
http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/pubs/chrnhepc/chrnhepc.htm
A government site and position paper on testing for and treating HCV. If you have a doctor who doesn
Hey Wrecnh....commeere. Are you scared? Sure you are. Lets talk. I WAS a type 1B. I did 50 weeks of peg/Intron W/Riba. I am CURED baby. And I have NO lingering side effects from the meds. You CAN do this and win the war.
I disagree with most on the idea of telling. I told absolutely everyone I had this and I was treating it. I educated myself and found out that it is really NOT all that contagious. I then educated all who I told to this fact. Once I explained it all they got way more comfortable around me.
As Rev said....you can use the FMLA. You need to apply before you start so the paperwork can catch up. That gives you an extra 12 weeks if you need it. I made it through with just the vacation and sick days I had but some are not so lucky.
It is not reasonable to believe that you will be able to hide this from everyone. They will notice that you look different,act different, and are not exactlt the person you were before. Trying to hide this would be very hard and woul;d add extra stress that you don't need. Do what you will with that. It depends on your life and employer. They CANNOT fire you for having this or doing tx(treatment).
If you have a choice...do the Pegasys. I know that THEY say that the sides are similar....but that is NOT true. The pegasys is MUCH more tolerable and you will be glad you chose it later.
Be careful of those AD's. I am NOT a big fan of using AD's as a "preemptive" measure. They all have their own side effects too. If you are not already prone to depression, then I wouldn't just "automatically" use them.
Here are some "Basic" sites for you to start to educate yourself with.......
http://www.hepcprimer.com/
#1 Hepatitis C Primer -
Basic information about the Hepatitis C Virus
http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/pubs/chrnhepc/chrnhepc.htm
A government site and position paper on testing for and treating HCV. If you have a doctor who doesn
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