newly diagnosed

[newco]

Hi. I was diagnosed a couple of months ago with HCV and I am genotype 1a. I just ordered scripts for the pegasys/copegus. I was told all of my tests were good but when I had the biopsy it showed mild inflamation, does anyone have a clue how long I may have had this since I am not sure when I contracted it and I have three children that I am concerned about.
Also does anyone know if the side effects (if I get any serious ones) are permanent?
I've also read that because I only have stage one inflamation that maybe I souldn't try the treatment but my gastro doc says that I have a 50% chance for "cure". I am just worried about side effects.
I am so happy to find a site that I can go to for people that have this disease. It really sucks to know that I had to donate blood to find out that I had this.
bless you all
I posted this same question in a different area, sorry first time user.

[layla]

Welsome to the board. You should have your family tested but chances are they are fine. Many of us have had this desease for 25 to 30 years and our families don't. It happens occasionally by not typically. If you share totthbrushes or hygeine items I wouls stup that. This is a blood to blood disease so it is only transmitted that way. The side effects are different for everyone. Most people work though there are days it's difficult. A few can't work at all. You can only wait and see how it affects you. Sides generally go away after treament though it might take some months for this to happen.

If you read the threads just below by tyster you will find answers to other questions you are asking and some general info about this forum along with some good sites to research HCV.

Sorry you have HCV but welcome to the board. LL

[Tony-z]

Newco

Sorry to hear your HCV positive. I would like to welcome you to the Med-Help Hepatitis forum, you will find many knowledgeable and really caring people here.
I am going to put a link to a web site that should answer most all of your questions. More people will respond to your post soon with more information.

                GOD BLESS

                  TonyZ


<a href="http://janis7hepc.com/">Janis Webs Site</a>


http://janis7hepc.com/

[newco]

Thanks Layla,
I am not sure how long, but I plan to keep working since my insurance will pay for the Meds. My boyfriend has tested negative and we've been together six years so that's a good sign. And he's beeen awesome through all this so far. My concern for my children is due to treatment when I hemmoraged in 1974 during childbirth, I am not sure what they did to stop it and I understand the coagulents they used could have been infected so my other two children could have contracted it at birth (rare but possible). I am at a point of not caring how I got it just to get rid of it.
This sucks but my mother doesn't want me at her house anymore because she is afraid I might give it to her and my step-dad. So it makes me afraid to tell anyone I have it. So my doc wants me to see a psych for depression, I really want to try to stay off of other meds while I am in treatment. And if I need it I'll go. It's just wonderful to know tht I found a forum with people who can share thoughts nad feelings that will understand what I am going through.

[layla]

I chose not to tell many people about my HCV. I told only a very few close family members and 1 friend but I know for a fact each of them (including my husnabd) eash told their own most trusted person. I would tell even less if I had to do it over. Others do choose to share it as much as possible. It's really a personal choice. I am very sorry to hear how your parents have treated you. It is hard for people to understand this, it was for me so I am sure it is for people without it. Maybe you could print some information for them to educate themselves with. I also skipped the extra meds for the same reason as you. I had a difficult forceps deliver and my daughter didn't get it but it can happen. I think you will feel much better after your children are tested. In the beginning that was my biggest fear. Once that was cleared up the anticipation of starting tx was next. Hang around here and everyone will help you get through that. I most likely got this from experimenting with drugs at the young age of 15. I never did this as an adult but surely am paying for it. It really does not matter how you got it but for me I still feel embarassed about that time in my life which was not good. I wish it did not bother me but it does. Well I'm off for the day. Welcome and see you around. LL

[cuteus]

hello there newcomer, welcome to the neighborhood.

I am also a 1a, mild inflammation(stage 1, grade2), female, 50+yrs old, on week 71 today of Pegasys/copeg. Have "worked" for all of the duration, if you can call staring blankly at the monitor, working.
It would be difficult to carry on with a mentally and physically demanding job, though. And i find my sides have been on a scale of 1 to 5, mostly a 2 to 2.5.  very few days, i would classify as a 5, and not many, if any, a 0. Basicallly, many, many mornings you open your eyes and want to stay home in bed, but realize that you are not "sick" enough to waste a  benefit day, so you drag yourself to work and carry on.
I did not take any antidepresants. Only needed Procrit for anemia and vicoprofen to take the edge off the aches. without those two, I would not have considered 72 wks of therapy.
So you will see the whole gamut of reactions to this treatment and only will know for sure when you actually start.
best to you

[Amerabrit]

Cuteous, I liked your grading of sx, i think we can all relate to your formula:)
Newco, sx are different for eveyone. I am a 1B - week 40/48 PegIntron/Riba and so far am coping reaonably well.  Chances are you could sail through tx with mild cold/flu like symptons.
Very best of luck to you.

[ral]

Hang in newco and hang tight you will be o.k.

The medicine works



Bob L