Diagnosed with Hep C about a year ago I have a question?

[meyer_09_l]

i was 18 when i was infected, shooting drugs, i smoked cigs before i knew, and i still smoke cigs.. tryin to quit.  But i was diagnosed about a year ago so how long do i have to live ?  my viral load was around 9,000 when i first found out i believe

[Susan_1a_CC]

And you!

[James10500]

No worries.  Cheers to health, and happiness.

James

[Susan_1a_CC]

Just came back to the computer to say that I didn't mean to sound crass or short although I suspect that I did.  I have lost so many people in my life, and never was it "expected."  My heart does go out to all people who suffer, regardless of cause, as I know pain, fear, loss are universal feelings.  But so are hope, joy, and love.

Anyway, my apologies for being snappish.  

[James10500]

Word

[Susan_1a_CC]

Yes, 75.5 a statistical average.  Not a one of us knows how long we have to live regardless of our HCV status.  You know, we are all dying - absorbing that can really help one to live - NOW, while we can.

[GFRY]

you are expected to live for a very long time with that disease but also you can live long with out it , you can get treatment and you have a very good chance of getting cured as you have low viral load and a young age and haven't been infected for long which are favourable factors for curing this virus.  

[James10500]

75.5 years ? I wonder what the 750,000 people world wide that will die from Hep C related illness think about that stat.

Meyer 09 are you planing on treating your hep C ? It is basically curable.  Why would you roll the dice with a disease that can kill you ?

[lydel]

I have had Hep c for probably over 30 years.  I am now with the transplant unit but I have not gotten bad enough to be put on the list yet. I went through several rounds of treatments and always came up a non-responder. My viral load is in the millions!  In the last two years I have progressed to cirosis ...had I found out early in my life that I had Hep C I may be in better shape than I am today.  But way back in the 80's late 70's when I knew something was wrong because I was so tired; they didn't even know what Hep C was.  They called me non-A, non-B  and had no idea what to do about it....so they did nothing.  The point is, no doctor will tell you how long you have to live; and they are coming out with a lot of new drugs for treatment now. What you need to do is stay positive; above all find a doctor that knows and deals with Hep C and is a GOOD doctor and do everything YOU can to maintain the health of your liver. NO drinking, no drugs, no cigs....EVERYTHING that enters your body passes through your liver...start finding out about the medications you are on and how they are processed in your body because they may need to put you on different medications if you have any prescibed to you. Watch what you take over the counter...do not take aspirin...or Tylenol (some doctors will say Tylenol is OK...NO) eat a low-fat diet...get rid of the junk food, exercise and reamin positive...we all havea shot at this!  Good luck...keep fighting for yourself!  I went through several doctors before I finally found one that I felt would help. Have a liver biopsy done to see exactly where your liver is as far as damage goes. Be sure the doctor has done many many biopsies!!  And remember...you are not alone.

[Susan_1a_CC]

Your current life expectancy is 75.5 years.  Given that, you may want to stay in touch with a hepatologist so you can plan on how to take care of your hep C in order to be as healthy in your older years as possible.  Also, try reading "The Easy Way to Quit Smoking" by Alan Carr.  Yes, he does make it easy to stop.  Your question indicates that there is some part of you that wants to make the best choices you can at this point in your life - listen to that inner wisdom.  Good luck.