i am new to this so what am i in for?

i found out my viral load is 741,756 and i went to have a ultra sound of my liver and more blood work  that will tell where my enzymes r so i don't always understand what yall r talking about...about 10 yrs ago i took interfron for 2 months and it messed with my seizures so i quit..had no  support but i have some support now although i have no family..on the 17th i will be 56, but i have herniated discs with sediatic nerve pinch, diabetis, seizure disorder, and have had a knee replacement and shoulder replacement and need another knee replacement which can;t have because of hepc too dangerous...on the 15th i go to my gasternoglist and i guess he will tell me about interfron,,,i have heard that it has changed some in past 10 yrs or so, but am wondering what exactly i am in for...so if anyone could respond i would sure appreciate it..also when you have trouble when they draw blood do they put a port in or what??? i am really stressed about this and will they put me in the hospital to start all of this???i haven;t had a liver bibosby yet either...thanks   billie

[jusjames]

why would you need a port? they dont take blood regular enough for that! monthly most likely,
a shot once a week and riba twice daily (pills) expect to feel bad if you dont its a bonus! you dont need  a biopsy necessarly, what genotype are you

[WriteItDown]

Hi Billie, welcome to the forum!

You're asking a lot of questions here and it sounds like your medical history is pretty complicated, so probably your best bet would be to talk to a good hepatologist -- maybe when you have the appointment with the GI you could be referred to one?

However, if you had a bad time with seizures when you last treated, I am not sure you would be a candidate for another go-round now.  The interferon formulation has changed (they pegylate it now, so it stays steady in your system longer, and you only have to have one shot per week), but I don't know if that would really change how your body responds to it.  Also being diabetic can present problems in treating for Hep C, so maybe depending on what stage you're at, your doctors may decide not to treat you now.

If I were you I would take it one step at a time. See the doctor, try to see a hepatologist, and get the necessary information to make a decision about whether to treat.  If you and your doctors decide you should treat, then you can worry about the treatment.  And plenty of folks here to answer your questions.  Good luck to you!