Hepatitis C

[Mishelli]

Hi I was recently diagnosed with Hepatitis C.  
I am 25 year old female.  I weigh about 135.  I have Genotype 3a and a viral load of 450,000.  I was told by my regular doctor and now she is refering me to a specialist. I have an appointment on the 10th.  It's been stressful playing this waiting game for test results.  Does anyone have any input, or anyone have this type with these numbers?  I know my viral load is in the low range.  Any information would be great.  My symptoms are, loss of appetite, nausea(no throwing up),dizziness, pain on upper right side, hot hot hot flashes on my face, low-grade fevers, achiness in back and neck, I have more energy in the morning hours and am tired at night but I wake up every hour and toss and turn alot...Thanks

[NYgirl]

Well you came to the right place. We are ALL patients in here, none of us are doctors and we all have HepC.  

We were ALL shocked when we found out we had this disease so we can relate to how you feel. The GOOD NEWS is it's not a fast progressing disease...I had it over 25 years and NEVER knew it only popped up in a physical that my liver enzymes were through the roof (200s) so the doc figured something was up!

I had no problems at all.

Treatment isn't fun but it's generally "doable" meaning we can work and have a regular life (except no drinking at ALL).  Everyone is really worried about the side effect from the treatment but they vary by person but mostly are NOTHING like you think they are going to be at all.  It's NOT really like chemo or anything (I never took chemo but...)...it's doable.

I'm 40 and started off weighing 130 (I gainned weight before hand on purpose because I knew I would lose alot) and now I weigh 117 (I'm 5'7 so pathetically thin).  Expect that you probably will lose about 15 pounds.  That bothered me to loose so much. And I lost about 50% of my hair but it's not the worst thing in the world.

The worst thing would be being diagnosed with a disease that did NOT have such a good CURE rate.  If you have to have anything this isn't the worst thing to have.

There are a bunch of 3s in here (I have two kinds 1A and 1B so looking at a year of treatment).  You're type is one of the pretty good ones to have generally.

Please make sure you have a biopsy ASAP - that is the ONLY way you will know for sure if you need treatment right away or not. Viral load doesn't have really anythikng to do with the amount of liver damage that you have.

Did you have bloodwork done you can let us know? Like your ALT and AST numbers are you liver enzymes...stuff like that.

People in here are MORE than generous about helping when they can for anybody!  It's been a Godsend to be in here, when I started I was so confused and knew nothing and everyone helped so much.

Now...I'm on week 32 and finally looking and seeing the end of treatment somewhere on the horizon!  The best part is I am now Undetectible...and that is GREAT!

Best of luck!

[Mishelli]

Thank you for all that information nygirl.  You are very helpful.  Its nice to have someone to relate to and that understands what you are going through.  I have all my liverwork tests at home and will send them for input.  I am happy to hear that you are doing well.  Congratulations!!!  I will write back soon, leaving work for the day.  Just wanted to send a quick note that your response is appreciated.  :)  Talk to you soon.

[Mishelli]

Hi everyone

Thank you all for you input and advice.  It is appreciated.  I have my labwork from when I was admitted to the hospital.  I was having horrible sharp pains on my right upper side so bad that it woke me up at 12:30 am 3/10.  So I went to the emergency room and had a fever of 103.4.  They admitted me for 4 days and did every scan and test you could do(including a painful colonoscopy) :(  They thought it was my gallbladder at first.  So 1 week after I got out of the hospital I went to my primary doctor and she did a round of tests and called me and told me it was hep c.  Was that pain related to my hep c?  My liver tests at the time on march 10 were as follows
ALk PHOS 108(High), AST 26, ALT 42(High).  I dont know if these make a difference but Albumin 3.0(Low), total bilirubin 0.4, wbcs 8.40, rbcs 4.18(Low), lymphocytes 23.3(Loe), neutrophils 63.5(High), monocytes 11.7(High), platelet count 373.  

I demanded copies of all tests and keep a notebook for when I go to the doctors.  Do you think I need to have a liver biopsy?  Having 3a and 450,000.  Is that worrisome enough? I hope everyone is doing well and thank you again for welcoming me.  :)

Shelli

[OnAPrettyPoison]

Hello and welcome!  Get copies of your lab work and keep up with it.  Also check out the janis site at www.janis7hepc.com - they have lots of information about the disease, biopsies, tratment, waiting, etc.  Research, read, and participate in decisions about your health and your treatment!