treatment why

[timedog]

For the group! We know so little about each other and yet we share so much of ourselves here. I was just interested, if anyone is will to share, about what brought you to treatment. How long did you know you had hep c before deciding to treat. How did you make the decission, was it a hard one to make. Your biggest fears before hand, durning and after (if you have gotten that far).

I'll start I am 48 known I have hep c for over 20 years. I ignored it for a long time because I had no effects from it. Had a liver scan a couple of times over the years which was fine (now know ow meaningless the liver scan is). Primary kept suggesting I see a liver specialist put it off for years and  then wham had one carzy year. Starting with a cooking accident that lead to me finding out I had diabetes that fiinally pushed me to see the liver specialist and to have a biopsy. Once i got the results it was a no brainer for me.

Got scared by what I read about possible side effects, but figured I had to give it a shot. I went into this knowing there was a good chance it may not work for some reason that doesn't freak me out. The possible side effects did.

would love to hear other peoples stories. It was cool for me to read in a previous post that someone knew who the b**twh**le  suffers where now I know I an truly not alone on this ride.

[timedog]

sorry about posting twice I know space is limited. like to blame it brian fog but that would be a lie.

[Mister beagle bailey]

I'm a 58 yr old male, geno 2B and just found out a few months ago that I had hep C.  been infected in 1997 from a tatoo and decided to treat so that my liver wouldn't  get any worse.  All meds have sides, it you read every drug you had to take you would never take them.  The drug companies lists them to cover their @ss.  After today I have 7 shots left.  As I have thalassemia anemia it has been tough as my HGB has dropped to 7.1 and had to have a transfusion.  Finally, the 60,000 units of procrit just started to kick in and looks like I won't need another trans. to get me to the end of tx, my #'s have started to go up.  If you read the paper work that comes with the meds the drug co. states not to treat those with thalassemia.  The first 3 drs. wouldn't treat me till I found one in NY I knew about him as my family uses him and his father in law  for years  and now have 7 weeks left and still on full med dose.

Well, that's my story and I'm glad I did it.

hope this helps,

Beagle

[bobbyullc]

welcome,

my story is i got hep c in the 60 s doing drugs. i have had it for 37 years and am at stage 3.3 mostly due to bad living style.
i had a bx 9 years ago and was 2.2 so i chose to wait for better drugs and am glad i did. if i were still at stage 2 i would not be treating as i really believe in 3-4 years the tx will be almost painless and 99% effective. this opinion is not held by all but it is mine. i think the big determining factor is liver stage and if you can wait or even want to wait. please do not jump into a decision without thought. if you need to work during tx. presents a new problem. whatever your decision stick close to this site for support and keep us informed as we care.

do not let even a single day be ruined by fear of this or the disease is winning.

bobby

[jmjm530]

Dx with acute hepatitis 37 years ago. Dx changed to chronic persistent hepatitis within the year. Had first biopsy of what would be 4-6, can't really remember. Dx eventually changed to non-A, non-B. And finally, to Hep C, a few years after the virus was "discovered".

For most of the last 37 years, I didn't know I had Hep C and I think that gave me a different mindset than most who get Hep C as an initial dx. I simply went on with my life as normally as I could and after a few years hardly gave it a thought. No After all there was no treatment, so why give it any thought. Plus no Hep C "stigma" in those days cause there was no Hep C.

Finally, Hep C was "discovered" and I figured that's what I had and got tested. Unlike most, there wasn't any "shock" when I found out I was positive -- for me it was an old story and an integrated part of my adult life.  

I then spoke to several well known hepatologists and they didn't like anything they were seeing in this country regarding treatment. The odds were bad, the treatment worse, they said. So I didn't treat. My general health was excellent, I wasn't on any medications and I routinely participated in endurance sporting events.

Three years ago my latest liver biopsy showed stage 3/4. I was under the impression I was between stage 3 and 4, so decided to treat. In reality, I was a stage 3 out of 4 possible stages.

Three years later I started treatment. At that point, I figured I couldn't wait any longer given my previous stage 3 biopsy. Looking back, it was a conscious decision to wait until the last possible moment. I think a part of me knew what treatment had in store for me, and treatment did not disappoint :)

Now I'm in a waiting game. Tx is over but still don't know if I'll SVR. I also don't know if my previous vigorous health will ever return in large part because of the treatment drugs. In any case, there will be no regrets, because at this point I really didn't have any choice but to give it a shot.

For those with little or no liver damage who do have a choice, I say think long and hard before trying to slay the dragon. Sometimes it slays back.

-- Jim

[Chriskid]

Yeah, what am I doing here anyway? I’m suppose to be surfing in Mexico right now.  

Twas youthful follies 30 years ago.  I’m 52 liver’s not that bad, 1-1.  Found out back in 2000.  To me this is a business type decision.  Based on current liver condition and Q of L I’ll continue on for the full 48, (currently at 28)  Will probably make adjustments to meds as needed to try to insure my brain still functions long term.  If I fail svr, well that’s fine.  I’ve never been concerned about that.  I’m used to pulling out of situations or adjusting risk exposure based on conditions.  And fortunately my liver will still allow me to do that.  And other tx's are in the works.

What a beach not being able to do the things I like to do though.

[jmjm530]

Probably should add that after my first biopsy, the very best hep minds of the day told me that the chronic persistent hepatitis would "burn out" within the next 5-7 years. One of my  current hepatologists chuckled when he read the report written by the leading expert of the day. He said, "just shows how much we experts really know". This is something we should all keep in mind when speaking with our respective MD "experts".

-- Jim

[Upbeat]

Yep its a tough call. Quality of life vs quanity. The odds of SVR vs the danger of treatment. Its a personal choice we all have to make. As people on this board are aware I decided to live with the virus. I have no doubt it is causing damage. The natural aging process causes damage as well. This thing with a bx to decide if treatment is needed kinda bothers me. How do you know how much damage was caused by the virus or was it long term alchol use and general lifestyle. I decided to do a ultra sound and as it worked out it was my best choice as they found a aortic anyursym that I will be getting surgery for on the 10th of May. Lots of times its the luck of the draw. Good luck to whatever choices we all decide on.

                                                          Ron

[sailinlady]

Female 50, geno 1a, found out about a year ago.  No symtoms, hubby was positive for 1b so I tested.  Bx showed very little damage, fatty liver, probably from drinking.  Could have contracted the virus 25-35 yrs ago as a wild child of the 60's, or from a blood transfussion in 1987, or from my father in law (HCV positive) as I cared for him prior to his passing.  No clue for sure.

Why did I treat?  Mostly for my husband who is 59,1b and did not have a choice due to liver damage.  Would I do it again?  Not sure.  I may have been more help to him a healthy person.  I could have waited for a more friendly treatment.

The last few weeks have been a rocky ride.  I think I feel good, then I know I feel bad.  The brain has stopped working and sadly I don't care.  I'd rather be sailing.

[can-do-man]

male,age 48 Stage 4 grade 2, not much choice here. Doc said there was no stage 5. Could have started tx 3 and a half years ago. But was to stubborn. So if your stage 2 or more don't be as stupid as i was. If your a stage 0 or 1 make sure you know what your getting into. Not only for now but long terem after effects. For some treating could be worse then Hep-c, Thats just mine and my hepos thoughts. Just don't be swayed either way by what you read here or elsewhere. its got to be you and your doctors and spouse decision. Good luck to all.

And where theres a will, i want to be in it.

[52TELE]

I found out I had HCV after a Life Insurance blood test in 2004.
MY best estimate for initial exposure is Thailand 1975. Drugs were plentiful and cheap and I was an 18 yr old idiot. After returning to the US there was no additional exposure. As luck would have it , I also got a tatoo in Hong Kong that same year and it has really helped in trying to explain to my 15 yr old son how I got into this mess.

timedog , the next lines are in response to your statement about the BHS.
"They were all in love with dyin'
They were drinking from a fountain
That was pouring like an avalanche
coming down the mountain"

[jmjm530]

cdm says: Doc said there was no stage 5
----------------------------------------

I always thought stage 5 is when we guys start putting on the mascara. Fortunately, I'm only at the night cream stage.

On a more serious note, I do agree -- given current drugs -- that stage 2 is a good time to start seriously looking at your options, be it to treat of wait awhile


-- Jim

[can-do-man]

jim says.....I always thought stage 5 is when we guys start putting on the mascara. Fortunately, I'm only at the night cream stage.
_____________________________________________________________

Your thinking of perfume there jim, or janit. Was it the tx or the moths that pushed you over the edge?

[SJL]

A very interesting & informative thread. I am female, age 62. I was diagnosed in 2001,(biopsied in 2002 with chronic acute hep c, stage 3, grade 4, with beginning cirhossis,)  when applying for a hospital position. I probably contracted in 1970, while having blood transfusions.I felt a little over-whelmed, but never embarassed. The hardest part of accepting was that my ex-husband was an alcoholic and appears that it is indeed a genetic disorder,as his family from grandfather down have been effected. My heart goes oot to this illness. The University of Indiana has done a study on the family, including my 4 daughters. To make a long story the shortest I can, I got the job & my life was an open book to my hospital team. I was a Donor Development Officer (fund raiser). I loved my job, but unfortunately due to 2 rounds of therapy, Peg-Intron/Riba (48 wks.) and daily Infergen/Riba (52 wks.), I have been off for over a yr., and I am not positive I will be able to return. My body just won't accept the meds. I have responded twice & then relapsed. I have a wonderful Hepatitis C Doctor who has been very supportive,trying everything in the book & even taking my case to various Hep C seminars for evaluations.

I have developed Neuropathy from the meds. My feet, legs and right hand have been effected.(numbness). I have fallen 8+ times, as my feet & legs go numb after a short period of time. I never know when this is going to happen, so it keeps me close to home and if I am out I am always looking for the closest seat. Not a good way to have to function. I also have lost some of my short term memory & I seem to have a problem formulating the proper words. Fatiuque and shortness of breath still occur on Pegasys maintainence.

I am excited about the new meds coming on & I pray that they will reach survival for everyone & be much easier to tolerate.
It has been an unbelievable roller coaster ride for me.

Once the serious risks of the interferons today are taken into account, it is my opinion that these drugs were not ready for "prime time." In the bad old days, Doctors were the sole proprietors of medical knowledge, which they doled out sparsely. Today's patients are more likely to believe that our health is in our own hands. With that, comes the belief that we must do our own statistical analysis & risk-benefit assessment. I feel this shift in info and decision-making was supposed to be empowering. It often is but the flip-side is we can also end up feeling confused and responsible.`It puts an incredible burden on us.

Well-I've done my high-risk assessment-(after 120+weeks of treatment) factoring in the best of my knowledge-and come up with an answer--Wait. This is not very everyone & millions of people will be making their own decisions. If we reject a drug which might prevent or cure Hep C, are we asking for it? If we take a drug with serious side effects, are we choosing them? These are queasy and very personal questions.

Until, we finally get a real, serious "breakthrough",I will elect to wait and lead a functional, as close as possible, life.

This is only my opinion & of course everyone is entitled to theirs, and if you are on treatment or starting, my wish for you is SVR. It obviously is attainable for some & God bless them.

Sandy

[KAMO]

Hi.  I'm still kinda new here and mostly read the posts.  I'm female, 38, genotype 1, not sure of stage, but bx showed moderate damage.  I know I got Hep C from a blood transfusion or from all the drugs I was on for Leukemia back in 1985.  I found out about Hep C 3 years ago and tried some herbal remedies and a healthy way of life for about a year with out any changes.  I did tx for 48 weeks which didn't work because the doc cut my meds when my counts fell instead of giving rescue drugs.  My new doc says he thinks we should try it again the "right" way.  It seemed to be the way the majority of my docs felt (oncologist, general, liver specialist).  So I started again this past Fri. and can see the difference in care already from the new staff.  I know deciding to treat is a very personal thing and my decision was based on my age and medical history along with some doctors that I trust with my life!!

[can-do-man]

hi there, Caught IU medical center, Your hepo start with a K
Just curious, Best to you

[itsallmental]

Female, 58, 1a, stage 3.  I found out in November of 04, I had acesites bad, doctors thought I had cirrohsis due to drinking but I don't drink.  I did heavy drugs for 1 year back in the late 60's in SF, had a blood transfusion (3 pints)after childbirth in 71 and again in 79, I also am tattooed quite a bit so wow, I could have had it as far back as 37 years. Liver doctor stopped my treatment after 4 1/2 months due to severe anemia, low platelet count and severe rash over 85% of my body.  At the time I got sick and all through treatment my weight was just 98 lbs., couldn't gain an ounce.  Now I'm back up to 120 and feel good.  I have a male friend who did the treatment for 6 months and we both were taking the same doses, I always wondered how someone who weighs 98 and someone who weighs 350 could take the same doses.  Does that mean it was too much for me or possibly too little for him?

[sparkie#2]

Hi,
I don't post often but here goes
I am 41, F. geno 1a
i found out i had hep-c in 91, when i donated blood, had bx all was good. doc talked to me about tx but i was not intrested. then in 99 while i was haveing surgery i aked for another bx still good 1-1
as i said i am 41, and the more i thought about it the more i worried. my fear was that if this progressed in the later years would i be able to handle tx then. age has a way of making us think about such things.
so i decided to do tx now instead of waiting till i had no other choice i just decided it would be better now than later
i am on pegintron full doseand 1200 riba a day
i am 16/48 will do # 17 tues
i have had tough sides and many, but nothing i cant handle
my blood counts have dropped but veryy little compared to others here for me its enough to feel but not to treat not yet anyway
but they are dropping so i know its only a matter of time
iam really not sure how i got the hep , i think i know but will never be sure, anyway it doesnt matter i know have it.
i was undetetable at 12 weeks and will do all 48 weeks
thanks for shareing
hoping all a great week ahead
Dee

[Mister beagle bailey]

both are really being to scare me!!

beagle

[Algernon]

Female 48, 3a.  I, too, was stupid in the 70s (lots of fun, hundreds of times, Jerry Falwell would say I definitely deserve hepc. )

Stage 1, fatty liver, great health, very active, busy job.  I knew for 8 years before I treated.  I finally decided to go for treatment because 2 of 3 docs said I should--mostly based on my genotype (3a is easy, right????) and their belief that you really oughta get rid of this virus if possible.  I have two kids (8 and 10)--and I couldn't risk dying on them.

I didn't know about this board before I started treatment.  With this board AND with my own personal experience at week 17/24, I wish I hadn't decided to do this.  I'm too far into it to back out now, but I really think the costs (long and short term side effects) outweight the (possible) benefits for me.  I would wait on better drugs.

[returntosender]

Male, age 55, 1a, diagnosed in 1994 after applying for insurance prior to my daughter's birth.  Treated in 1995 with Interferon, and 1997 with Interkeukin or some other stuff and in 1999 with combo. Had three kids during this time. They are now 10, 11 and 12.  I consider them some of my better sx.

I cleared each time but virus returned.  As far as I can tell, I got it from my best friend who returned from Vietnam with a pretty nasty case of Malaria, HepC and some serious brown dope.  We sat in a park for a couple of weeks until he went off to the hospital and me to rehab.  He died in April 2005.

I started my fourth course of tx in July 2005.  I was really sick although my biopsy revealed 2/2 but my quality of life was really poor, and was becoming more and more isolated and depressed.  Started tx with 5.5 million.  Alt/Ast really high.  Within a month I cleared and enzymes normalized.  As bad as tx has been at times, it is nothing compared to how I felt before I started.  Taking action is always better than sitting and doing nothing.  Thanks for this thread.  Thanks to all of you for your amazing compassion and insight. This is almost like finding a really good AA group.

[hubbyandme]

Thanks for asking.  My husband will be 48 in December.  He found out about eight months ago because his liver function was being monitored due to being put on Lipitor about a year before. His ALT was about 100 and our doctor ended up sending him for a Hep panel...

Since then, he had the usual tests...genotype 1b, viral load over 9 million, liver biopsy – mild - #1.

We have been together for 15 years.  He was in the Navy and has a few tattoos (prior to 1990), he has had a blood transfusion prior to then, had some major spine surgeries when I have been with him...bottom line, we don't know when he got this, but he says it is possible that it could be 20+ years.

So he decided to treat.  He does not do the internet, etc., just knows the basics and whatever I can gently get through to him without freaking him out.  Sometimes I think he’s better off to tell you the truth.  First shot was Friday.  Flu-like symptoms so far.  They are worried because he has chronic lower back pain, and his rheumatoid factor is high (46) although he hasn’t been dx’d with rheumatoid arthritis (yet).  So they are watching.  He has a very good attitude about all this so far…says he wants to get rid of the virus…hopefully, that will happen, although I know the odds aren’t as great for 1b’s and with his viral load…will see what his blood work shows in three months and go from there.

Good luck with your treatment!

[can-do-man]

both are really being to scare me!!
----------------------------------------------------------------

Oh GEEZ, you don't see us with that hose and bucket going door to door playing red cross

[Mister beagle bailey]

don't need the hose and bucket any more as the HGB is on it's way up.  However, if you or any one else you know have any extra blood you know where to send it.

The Blood Baron

[dyce]

Ha there, I'm 47 years young, geno 1-a, stage 0 grade 1, 5,000,000 viral load,  been on tx 7 weeks and it seems to be workin as my alt and ast liver enzyemes have normalized. My 1st pcr after starting tx will be at 12 weeks and if I don't clear or get a 2 log drop, I'm pullin the plug on this. At stage 0 , I see no need to beat myself up with this current tx cause I'm hopin the new drugs will be here soon if it don't work. I have this option, not to get to aggressive but many of my friend  here don't have this option. I consider my self very lucky the virus is moving slowly but part of the decision was the other things the virus can cause , like diabetas, auto-immune disorders and I hope to stop it before it can cause any real damage. I've known about this since 1991 and caught it from a blood trasfusion back in the 80's.

[ms maddie]

I've been reading posts here since early last year when I was Diagnosed with Hep C.  I had a bx a year ago February.
Stage 2,Grade 1.  I went for a second opinion because the first physician suggested a wait and see approach.  She is a GI doc with a lot of experience working with Hep C patients.  I asked her the usual question about....if I was your sister, how would you advise?  She said she would currently advise against it if I was her sister.  I went for a second opinion to a noted hepatologist at a larger institution.  I had my bx slides sent for examination. He said that his pathologist consisdered the stage to be more like a 1.  He suggested that I should get treated because right now I am healthy and tx is harder as one ages.  He said I might be precluded from treament in the future if other health issues complicated matters.  I did find out that he had a clinical trial going on comparing hispanic vs. caucasian response to current treatment. I think he genuinely wanted to offer me free treatment, but I also think he had another agenda as well.  Ultimately, I have taken a wait and see approach for now. Like many others, I am praying that the newer protease inhibitors will at least cut down on the time interferon needs to be taken.  I am also hoping that the Ribavirin will no longer be required to get rid of this darn virus.  I pray these meds will be the miracle that the pharmaceutical companies are building them up to be.

[ms maddie]

Oh sorry.  I forgot to say I am geno 1 (not sure if a or b)  
Probably got the virus 24 years ago from a blood transfusion.

[strator]

Male, 53yro, 1a, grade 2, stage 1-2, pre tx VLoad 18.7 million. No definitive answer on how I got it. Lots of possibilities: hastily done medical procedures even as a kid, training to be a pro boxer where someone’s blood often flowed into cuts of another and any handy tool to dr you up could have been contaminated, over quarter century of risky behavior with drugs and sex. Recovering 24/7 alcholic/addict with suprisingly less damage than I would have expected. My vote goes to the one time I stuck a needle shared with a coke dealer in my arm in 1975.
Got sober cause I needed and wanted it bad enough. Took 12 detoxes between Dec 2002 and May 2003. Got a letter from one of the first ones in ’03 telling me I probably had hep c.*  
After my last drink in Aug ’03 spent til Sep ‘05 working on sobriety, life, and preparing mentally for tx, with support groups, therapy and the meager research I managed on the web. Found this forum day of shot#1.The fatigue was the only symptom I noticed and was the main catalyst(along w/being infectious ) to seek treatment and try to improve QOL. Single Dad living w/14yro son and 83yro Dad. Wasn’t sure if tx was right for me at this time but realized there may never be a better time.
*Note: from 1993 til  2000 I didn’t drink and couldn’t figure out why I was so frikkin  ired every day despite a pretty healthy lifestyle. When I first read about hep c in I thought-bingo.

Last night was shot #32, 180mg pegasys, 1000mg daily of ribavarin. 12wk pcr-291,000. 24wk VL was 3140. Will get a 36wk and plan from there. Have been pretty fortunat with sx, though I've had my rough periods with the itch, rage, and fatigue and always, always ache. Still working light to heavy construction about 25-30hrs a week, and doing art work. So far no ADs or rescue drugs involved. Last month cbc was at 10.9 from 14.4 at start. Awaiting this mos cbc results.
Have days where I second  guess decision to treat now. Then I come here or step out into the world  and realize I've got no control over where this disease takes me, only over the path I take to get there and how I walk it. Right now I just figure I’m one of the most fortunate b***tards alive.
Thanks for the thread,
Peace and wellness,
Don

[strator]

Know it doesn’t matter but I said …Took 12 detoxes between Dec 2002 and May 2003….
should have read 12 detoxes between Dec 01 and May 03. That means I first found out about the hep around Sept of 02. That's 3 years before I felt ready for treatment.

[fresnoborn]

I found out I had hep c in August 2005.  I think I got it from a blood transfusion at age 9 or maybe blood transfusion in 1986. I really don't know. I had a bx that said I was stage2/grade 2 and my vl was 500,000.  When i found out i had hep c i became seriously depressed and scared to death. I just knew i was going to die soon.  I started treatment immediately in october 2005 and i just took shot 40 last wednesday.  would i do it again?  probably. Doing tx has been very very hard for me and i have been anemic off and on during the whole tx. I had a hysterectomy when i was on week 15 of tx and the healing process was extremely slow and mentally exhausting.  I pray that the virus never comes back but i know that is no guarantee. I am a 43 year old female, mother of 3 and 2 grandaughters.  I did it for me and I did it for them.  I want to be around when they need me and I so want to be needed by them.  Take care and God Bless.

[returntosender]

Your thread about rehabs and detoxes reminded me of something I forgot to mention in my post - my best friend who died in April, died of complications from HepC. We shared the virus as well as our drugs but the one differnce is that while we both stopped shooting dope 30 years ago - he continued to drink. I got sober about 20 years ago (took me a little longer to part with the booze (addicts think that when they are drinking they are doing well).  My friend told me at Christmas that he would rather die than give up beer.  In the end he got his wish as he died from liver failure. By that time, I think he might have reconsidered his decision.

[goldyn]

Female 42 found out 4yrs ago had hepc most likely from 2 blood trans i had in 1985 with my twin boys.1st bx stage 1 little damage i found out i was 1a with 1 million viral load oh yes thought i was smooth sailin till 2nd bx showed stage 2 with an enlarged spleen with now a viral load of 15,000,000, i really felt the dragon was starting to turn its ugly head and i better hurry up and do something was really worried about tx have 5 kids and teach preschool . just did shot 19/48 cleared at week 12 still teaching still chasein after all those kids tired as heck still not in need of rescue drugs  low abs. nuet. hemoglobin went from 14.5 to 12.2, have some blue days, hair shedding, some stomach issues watching  borderline high blood pressure, and some numbness in hands and feet but am still manageing just praying my 24wk pcr comes back just as good as the first ,would i do it again you bet i personally felt i better get off the pot and fight or iwas going to be flushed.
FOUND out by routine blood work.

[OnAPrettyPoison]

I am F, 46, Genotype 1A, Grade 1, Stage 0.  I probably have had it since 1982 from a tattoo (or two) and I was diagnosed with non-a, non-b hepatitis. Just didn't think anything more about it until Jan 2005 when routine blood work showed a second year of slightly elevated liver enzymes and the HCV test came back positive.  I am week 36/48 and other than some anemia issues and related fatigue I have not felt bad on treatment and was clear at 12 and 24 weeks.  I have been on procrit since week 6 but no AD's or really anything else than vitamins/supplements recommended by doctor and the occasional sleep aid.  I never had to take any kind of medicine every day before, and it is really strange to pump this amount of medicine in my body. I am feeling better now than I did earlier in treatment and have resumed some of my pilates and yoga which help even more.  I kind of attribute the low sx to not having liver damage starting treatment.  I decided to treat now while my odds were the best.  I do hope the new meds in the pipeline come soon, but I wasn't going to wait.  I am stubborn and I wanted it to be over, done, finished.  I was not going to wait until it affected my quality of life. Plus it would drive me crazy not taking care of something I knew was wrong with my bod.  

Great thread!

[harty29]

Great quote from strator.  Says it all - I've got no control over where this disease takes me, only over the path I take to get there and how I walk it.

Female, 1a, 57 years old........a nerdy, goody/goody type all my life and I have no idea how I contacted Hep C.  Found out after donating blood at a school sponsored blood drive last year.

Would rather fight than wait.  Decided I wasn't getting any younger and the sides would only affect me more when older.  Just took shot #31 of 48.  

Rash, rage and fatigue....oh, the fatigue........but still working full time and still playing with the grandkids every chance I get.

[fishdoc]

I love that song.  I have a horse, gosh I guess he's 9 or 10 now, buried his mom at 27, and he will be with me til one of us croak and on his tombstone : Pepper.  I really love that song... cinnamon and sugary and softly spoken lies...

[tulsatime]

Hi I am a 42 yr female type 2 Stage 4. I got it from drug use 20-25 yrs ago. I know this cause I have been clean for 20 yrs. I found out I had it only 3 yrs ago. At first I did nothing cause My sister has it and they told her there was nothing she could do about it. So I thought you just lived with it until it killed you. I didn't tell anyone except my sister. I didn't want people to be afraid of me like they was of my sister. Even family members were afraid to use her bathroom. So I held it in and said nothing not even to my husband for a year. Until I ask my other sister to get tested cause I told her I might need her kidney someday. (cause I was having Problems with kidney then)but what I really wanted to know if I might need half her liver someday. Low and behold she came back positive too. So now all three of us sisters had HCV. But the one that just found out, got tested for viral load and it came back 0. So I thought well maybe that could be the case for me, so I found a clinic and had my viral load done,  it came back 3mil. So the doctor told me about a trail study. so I went to that clinic. Couldn't get in the study cause my platelets were so low and I found out I had cirrhosis. But the doctor there said he would treat me and I could get meds free from pegasist co. So I said sign me up! I did 24 weeks. relapst and am waiting to start treatment again. I would do it again in a heart beat. I don't have any choice being stage 4. My sides were tolable. Just tiredness. I will fight till the end. I have a daughter and grandbaby I need to be around for.  God Bless all

[Dale_Ray]

I love that song "save a horse ride a cowboy"!

[Dale_Ray]

I'm male, 54. I have probably had the hep c since 1977. Accident which required transfussions. Was not aware of it until late 80's and blood mobile caught it due to new screening test. Went to my doctor and then to a hemotologist. Made out my will and started getting things in order for the family. Figured I would only make it a few months. After the dark mood passed I went on Interferon in 95'/96' and after 4 months was found to be a non responder and pulled from treatment. Forgot about it and waited on new drugs and history of success. On round two of pegasys and riba now. At week 23 of 48 and clear. I'm committed to finishing this thing no matter how bad it makes me feel. Having problems with platelets and neutrophils but it is just part of it. I hope to get clear and stay clear but I figure God has more control over that than doctors and medicines. I'm a 1A. Dale

[simplehue]

I am a 47 yr old, found out in nov 2005 I think. Contacted from drug use in 27 yrs ago, that is what I think anyway. I am geno 1a, started treatment jan 19th. I will start my 15th shot this week. I am not working outside the home, nor can I,with the side effects I have.

One of the things I relate to is your post sjl, I am only on week 15, yet have the cognitive imparement you describe, not being able to form words I should know. Having a delayed response some days where my mind sees the stop sign but my body doesn't react in a timely fashion,causing me not to drive on those days, Falling X 2 at this point, needing to hold on to things when I do go out. Some symptoms come and go, like the rash has left for now, the riba rage is not as previlent as it was in the beginning, yet the fatigue has turned to exhastion some days, plus many other symptoms as most of you are aware of. My most recent new symptom is worsening visual problems, roller coaster Blood pressure and fast pulse rate not at resting and muscle aches.

You wrote:

Tday's patients are more likely to believe that our health is in our own hands. With that, comes the belief that we must do our own statistical analysis & risk-benefit assessment. I feel this shift in info and decision-making was supposed to be empowering. It often is but the flip-side is we can also end up feeling confused and responsible.`It puts an incredible burden on us.

I agree also with what you wrote on the above topic. I believe I should be as informed as I can be, but I can not go to school for 12 years to have the information a Doctor has about this disease and the ramifacations of the medication. I am continuing my treatment at this time, looking toward clearing as I am still in the early stages of treatment. Although I am hopeful, I am also a realist about this as well.

I do hope for everyone to clear and more research and information for all of us and family members having to deal with this. It is a hard road and I have to say I admire the ones that continue to work and can work.

Well thats my thoughts for now, glad I had some this am. lol Wishing the best for everyone today. valerie

[can-do-man]

Keep fighting gal, i'm also stage 4 and plan on driving people crazy for a while. If tx don't work for me then we will try to keep it at bay, slow it down till new meds come around. People can and do live many years with cirrhosis. Best of luck to you