recently diagnosed

I've recently been diagnosed with Hepatitis C.  My viral load is 3.4 million and I have slight elevated liver enzymes. The doc want to do a liver biopsy. Should I do it? I've read about elastography as a better option; is it available yet & where?  I worry I won't be able to survive hep c treatment; due to heart valve surgery i had  a few  years ago.  I don't want to have a heart attack. I think I'd like to wait for a new treatment with fewer side effects.  About 20 years ago (I'm 53) I had extreme fatigue.  Thought is was allergies; I knew I had some. Got tested and had shots for 7 years. I got over the fatigue. I have lots of energy now except when the trees are releasing their pollen and allergies kick in. Help, I'm not sure what to do. I feel healthy otherwise.

[Bill1954]

Hi there, and welcome to the discussion group.

I think your doctor is your best resource to answer questions regarding interferon and cardiovascular disease; but understand that many people have successfully completed HCV therapy with preexisting heart issues.

I would personally suggest you go ahead with a liver biopsy if you intend to delay/postpone treatment; the results can guide you in terms of urgency to treat. If you were considering treatment anyway, a good case could be made to skip the procedure… whatever damage you might have sustained already won’t be much of an issue if you successfully treat your disease. What many people don’t fully understand is that doctors can tell if a person has developed cirrhosis by reviewing common lab results; so really, the biopsy is going to distinguish between stages F0 through F3.

Fatigue was my biggest single complaint prior to diagnosis; I was becoming exhausted at work, and was often taking naps by 11:00 am, when I should have been at my prime in terms of production. This was significant enough to press my doctor to find out what was wrong; actually, it pressed *me* to participate in our health care system :o).

I understand your concerns; a little doubt and anxiety can be healthy, but it can become a hindrance if it causes you to become obsessive. Continue to read and ask questions; and good luck to you—

Bill

[jusjames]

new tx regime does not equal less sides ! more likely more sides just more successful, and possibly shorter  

[cjsam]

People can treat with a variety of complication, I myself am treating with several underlying conditions, none of them are heart conditions but I know there are some who hav e treated with those types of conditions as well.  I think the biggest issue would be advanced stage liver disease, although I am not positive.  I would definately recommend getting a liver biopsy, as it would be able to tell both you and your doctor much more detail about your condition and whether or not to treat.