just told I had hep C geno 1

I'm new at this,just found out today after blood work that i am Genotype 1 with a viral load of 3.2 million.They think it might go back as far as Vietnam where I was a Marine grunt squadleader(68) and often helped with the badly wounded while having open wounds of my own but they really don't know .I have not had the biopsy yet thats in mid Sept.My Doc says she feels nothing on the liver or spleen and my levels aren't very high.I'm sorry I missed the alt??is that correct?She said none of readings were very high and wants to do treatment as soon as we get the ultra sound and ekg and tissue sample for 48 weeks.I began to feel rough and have some pressure on the right side and joint pain and a regular clinic visit found a slight elevation in liver fucntion which has lead to this.I am tired some days and others on the verge of upset stomach but so far have gotten around that and still eat well.Can anyone tell me what to expect from the combo treatment?I have read the info and it says its bad and I have a friend who went thru it without a lot of trouble but he did at first it seemed to get better a month into it.I can't tell you he is virus free now because he died from a heart attack after treatment.My health is good otherwise and heart checks out ok and I'm 6 '4 280 and very strong but I know this will humble me in all likelyhood.This place has already given me a lot of info and hope thanks to all and God Bless.

[meki]

DAVMarine --- well - first, each person responds differently to treatment. There is no set --- YEP --- this is exactly what is going to happen...

Some people tolerate the TX (treatment) very well - others --- not so well.

Some folks have permanent damage - some have no problems at all.

Some folks can't take it --- and can die from it.

Others breeze through it like it's melted butter on mashed potatoes.

I figure the chief complaint of TX is Fatigue --- inability to concentrate, aches and pains... Low levels of energy - if any.

Kind of feeling like you have the worst flu of your life for many months.

Pay attention to your biopsy - learn what TX can do to you - and everything - make a researched decision on whether you want to treat or not.

Some people can wait - others cannot. It's an individual experience for each person.

You seem fairly educated and computer literate - so I will suggest that you take the time to browse through the forum posts here --- Google janis and friends hepatitis ---- which janis and friends will come up -- there is a wealth of info there.

Also go to hepcadvocate.com

That is a great link spot - and good info.

Welcome to the board - and good luck either way you go.

Meki

[jmjm530]

I would hold off making a decision on treating until you get the results of your biospy. If you have little or no liver damage, you might want to wait for newer treatment regimens which hopefully will emerge from trial in the next couple of years. Potentially, they can double the cure rate (80 versus 40 per cent) in half the time (24weeks versus 48 weeks). Also, if you're not already seeing one, I also recommend you see (or at least consult with) a liver specialist. They're called hepatologists and can be found at your larger, teaching hospitals. Many Gastroenterologists and GPs just aren't as up to date and don't have the experience. Meanwhile, try and learn as much as you can.

-- Jim

[mremeet]

Sorry to welcome you aboard, but you're amongst friends here who truly understand and are going through the same thing you are. What meki and jim said are dead on, and don't be all "gung ho" on starting treatment with existing drugs all by themselves (interferon (or IFN) and ribavirin (or riba)). There's a new developmental drug that really boosts the performance of the IFN and riba (that I just finished taking last year). It's called VX950 or Telaprevir, and there are continuing/ongoing trials of it that you might be able to get in on. Or if your liver isn't too bad off, you can even wait for FDA approval and just be treated at your doctor's office. FDA approval will probably come in about 2 years or so if all goes well (no guarantees though). In the meantime hang in there and educate yourself as best you can, being informed and proactive before and during your fight with the hepC virus will greatly increase your odds of winning this battle the first time around. Thanks for your service to our country, semper fi.

[FloridaMouse]

Can't add to what the others have said, just wanted to wish you luck on your new journey.  

Mouse

[Alady1620]

Good luck no matter what you decide on treatment.  It's not the end of the world.