Liver damage

[prettydamscared]

Hi all,  I learned on 4/4 that I have hep C.  I'm 51, female, 1a, VL is over 5M & I could possibly have contracted this as long ago as 35 years or as recently as 20 years.  BX won't be until June.  To say I'm scared is a major understatement.  I've spent hours reading old posts and links to articles.  You all are a wealth of information. I'm just figuring out the abbreviations.  I'm so glad I happened across this site.  I'm ashamed and embarrassed to talk to anyone about this and I'm so scared.  I feel like this disease is gomna kick my butt because it hits me in so many areas where I already feel weak and susceptible.  I understand high viral count isn't supposed to be an indicator of liver damage.  To me, it stands to reason that high VL and duration of time that I've had this would have to play into it.  Am I right?  What I'm most concerned about are prescription drugs.  I take ambien, xanax, or temazepam every night and have for years.  I take phentermine during the day & have been for almost 10 years.  I can't seem to find any info online about these drugs & have no idea how to broach my doc with this info.  I'd really appreciate any info about harmful drugs and/or supplements.  I drink very moderately so I'm not too concerned about that or should I be? My biggest concerns are the above mentioned drugs, how long I've been taling them and the fact that I can't sleep without a pill.  BX is 2 months away.  I'm afraid I'm going to completely freak myself out worrying about this between now & then.  Thanks in advance for any help.
Char

[prettydamscared]

It's good to hear positive news like yours.  So, you were diagnosed in 1995 and it sounds like you're in treatment now?  Glad you were feeling good up until treatment anyway.  How much longer to go? I wish you the best with it.  Char

[prettydamscared]

I read your post "Scared" I also feel very lucky to have stumbled across this site.  You'll probably be getting your results soon.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you that you don't have it.  Post when you find out.  Hugs, Char

[prettydamscared]

Hi JIm, Thanks for commenting.  I'm going to discuss all the drugs, vitamins and supplements I take with my doc.  Maybe I'm wrong, hopefully I'm wrong but, I have a sneaking suspicion that he's not going to know a whole lot about specific drugs and supplements other than what we all know, tylenol, cholesterol lowering drugs, etc.  I'm thinking that perhaps I should find a good hepatologist as opposed to a GI doc.........

[prettydamscared]

Wow! Thanks everyone for your responses and welcomes.  I sort of went into hibernation mode over the weekend and am just now reading all of your responses.  It's awesome to have this message board to ask questions and get support.  Thank you all again.

[prettydamscared]

Thanks for your welcome.  I wish you the very best with your treatment. Congratulations on your son's wedding. That's gotta be exciting.  Talk to you soon, I hope. Char

[prettydamscared]

I'm not sure if you're gonna get this response but here goes.  I discovered I have Hep C because my husband was diagnosed with it a year ago.  Almost in passing, his doc suggested that I be tested too.  At this point, I'd been online and read a lot about it.  I knew that it was rare for it to be passed through sexual contact so I didn't think I'd have it.  So, I didn't get tested until almost a year later and as it turns out I do have it, but not the same genotype.  He's a 2B and I'm a 1a which means, of course, that I didn't get it from him at all.  Thanks for asking, Char