Aa
Hi I'm Lori new here
I've had hep c 1b fir 30 years now they want to do treatment but my viril load isn't to high?
Hi again Lori. I see your now living in Vancouver wa which I believe is close to Portland Or? So you should have many good options. I would suggest either searching for a teaching hospital close to you and then contact them or get into a GP and ask for a reference.
No need to freak out and worry about things such as bleeding out. Just stay calm get into a doctor that has knowledge in Hepatitis C and go from there. Things will work out, many here will guide you through it. Just get the ball rolling... Take care.
No need to freak out and worry about things such as bleeding out. Just stay calm get into a doctor that has knowledge in Hepatitis C and go from there. Things will work out, many here will guide you through it. Just get the ball rolling... Take care.
Hi Lori. Welcome to the forum. You will get lots of support here. As others have already posted, having a low viral load does not mean you do not need to treat your Hep C. That monstrous virus is damaging your liver every day its in your body. The sooner you get rid of it, the better. So Step 1 - get a doctor who knows what they are doing. You need a hepatologist with experience treating Hep C. If there is a liver transplant center near you, you may want to find a doctor there. They are the best in the field. He/She will run the appropriate tests to find out what condition your liver is in. Then they will decide the best treatment for you. There are new treatments coming out over the next few months which have had great cure rates in the trials.
You will get through this but the most important thing right now is to find a good doctor who knows what they are doing!
Nan
You will get through this but the most important thing right now is to find a good doctor who knows what they are doing!
Nan
Hi just want to welcome you to this fantastic forum where you will never be short of support or indeed sound advice. Best of luck Jules
I just moved to vancouver wa to seek a good hepc dr just have no clue how to pick one but I'm getting real freaked out on some of this I guess I really have been in denial for years! I have never really discussed my diagnosis with anyone.
Ty so much! I will get a copy! I just thought since my drs weren't concerned then I felt I was ok.
If you do decide to get treatment make sure you keep an eye on your thyroid! After Interferon and Ribavirin (pegasys) treatment my thyroid went to hell!
Do the treatment and try to do the sovaldi that comes out this month. It has the least side effects....why, when you have a low viral load and a genotype that responds?
Because it is NOT the virus that can affect the rest of your life, it is the symptoms once bad things start to happen! They are permanent! So it is best to do a treatment before it's too late! I unfortunately have 1A for 35 years and had no problems until recently. I put off doing treatment for about four months and that was a HUGE mistake. Cirrohsis set in, portal hypertension, fatigue, brain fog. . . Now I have finished the treatment, do not have Hep C, but now I have a damaged liver...cirrhosis is permanent. So I have to deal with these symptoms for the rest of my life!
Please do the treatment BEFORE you "get sick." You want a great life with no complications. Now is the absolute best time for you to get rid of this virus before it's too late. I cannot believe how fast I went, in one year, from inflammation to permanent damage to my portal vein. I wish I had known this information years ago! I had no idea and here I am. I deal with brain issues, fatigue, pain, no more multi-tasking. Forever more to be monitored to make sure I do not bleed out because a vein in my liver could not take a bad day(it might not be that easy as I am learning about how to live my new compromised life).
You do not want to go through all this. You are super lucky and need to get rid of that virus.
Please. Best wishes, dbz
Because it is NOT the virus that can affect the rest of your life, it is the symptoms once bad things start to happen! They are permanent! So it is best to do a treatment before it's too late! I unfortunately have 1A for 35 years and had no problems until recently. I put off doing treatment for about four months and that was a HUGE mistake. Cirrohsis set in, portal hypertension, fatigue, brain fog. . . Now I have finished the treatment, do not have Hep C, but now I have a damaged liver...cirrhosis is permanent. So I have to deal with these symptoms for the rest of my life!
Please do the treatment BEFORE you "get sick." You want a great life with no complications. Now is the absolute best time for you to get rid of this virus before it's too late. I cannot believe how fast I went, in one year, from inflammation to permanent damage to my portal vein. I wish I had known this information years ago! I had no idea and here I am. I deal with brain issues, fatigue, pain, no more multi-tasking. Forever more to be monitored to make sure I do not bleed out because a vein in my liver could not take a bad day(it might not be that easy as I am learning about how to live my new compromised life).
You do not want to go through all this. You are super lucky and need to get rid of that virus.
Please. Best wishes, dbz
Back at you, good afternoon. (I keep telling mysellf it is just great minds running in the same channels...hehehe). P
L: Do you have a copy of your latest biopsy? If so, what is the wording on there concerning the Stage and level of you liver?
'Scarring is usually a part of the description under whichever stage they show. Not trying to give you a hard time, but to get more specific info so we can give better answers, instead of 'guessing' where that is on the spectrum.
Pat
'Scarring is usually a part of the description under whichever stage they show. Not trying to give you a hard time, but to get more specific info so we can give better answers, instead of 'guessing' where that is on the spectrum.
Pat
Forgot to mention Lori, I also don't drink alcohol.
I do hope that you find a trusted, knowledgable Doctor.
Please know we are here to help you.
.....Kim
I do hope that you find a trusted, knowledgable Doctor.
Please know we are here to help you.
.....Kim
Hi Lori
My viral load was 357. Yes, three hundred and fifty seven and I have cirrhosis. Was treated and cured. Having a low viral load increases your chances of curing this disease. Even tho my viral load was low, my liver
was being destroyed and scarred on a daily basis. Don't smoke, into nutrition and always eat healthy, personal trainer for the last 20 years and work out daily, 5'4, 110 lbs, had Hep C and now because of it now have Cirrhosis.
Don't let ANYONE tell you that since your viral load is low that you are OK.
Doesn't work that way.
Minimal scarring is liver disease and perhaps cirrhosis. That's what I also have, minimal scarring and mine is cirrhosis. Don't want to scare you but
you need to find a good hepatologist whom knows everything regarding liver disease. This is nothing to fool around with! That's why Hepatitis C is called the silent killer.
Stay well
.....Kim
My viral load was 357. Yes, three hundred and fifty seven and I have cirrhosis. Was treated and cured. Having a low viral load increases your chances of curing this disease. Even tho my viral load was low, my liver
was being destroyed and scarred on a daily basis. Don't smoke, into nutrition and always eat healthy, personal trainer for the last 20 years and work out daily, 5'4, 110 lbs, had Hep C and now because of it now have Cirrhosis.
Don't let ANYONE tell you that since your viral load is low that you are OK.
Doesn't work that way.
Minimal scarring is liver disease and perhaps cirrhosis. That's what I also have, minimal scarring and mine is cirrhosis. Don't want to scare you but
you need to find a good hepatologist whom knows everything regarding liver disease. This is nothing to fool around with! That's why Hepatitis C is called the silent killer.
Stay well
.....Kim
Welcome Lori.
Well, minimal "scarring" sounds like cirrhosis. It doesn't really matter if your viral load is high. It sounds like treatment would be the way to go for you. Myself, I'm presently treating with Sovaldi and Olysio and if you should have any questions just let me know. I'm 1a and have never treated before this.
Well, minimal "scarring" sounds like cirrhosis. It doesn't really matter if your viral load is high. It sounds like treatment would be the way to go for you. Myself, I'm presently treating with Sovaldi and Olysio and if you should have any questions just let me know. I'm 1a and have never treated before this.
Have you hd a biopsy, fibrosure or fibroscan? What were your results? What do they want to treat you with? Those things will better help us give you an informed answer.
BTW, welcome to the Forum. You have definitely come to the right place for information and support. Pat
BTW, welcome to the Forum. You have definitely come to the right place for information and support. Pat
Hi Lori and welcome here. Have they done a biopsy to see how much liver damage you might have as 30 years is along time. What kind of doctor are you seeing and how up to date are they on these newer meds that our out or close to being approved? Is this doctor one that treats many Hep C patients? As for your viral load that really doesn't mean a whole lot at this time when it comes to liver damage. Although a really low viral load might be easier to cure. Best to you.
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