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

[doglover28]

sorry about that....I still don't know if I have it.  Do know I have the antibody.  Some nice folks in here told me there could be a 20% chance that my body kicked it on it's own.  Whatever it is, it's taught me to count my blessings

[doglover28]

sorry about that....I still don't know if I have it.  Do know I have the antibody.  Some nice folks in here told me there could be a 20% chance that my body kicked it on it's own.  Whatever it is, it's taught me to count my blessings

[doglover28]

I would never have known that I have the Hep C virus had I not gone for a physical.  ALT was 48 (week later it was back down to 22).  Anyway, makes me wonder how many people are walking around with Hep C and don't even know it.  My Liver panels have always been normal when I have gotten my physical.  If I had gotten it a week later, I still wouldn't know that I possibly have it.  It's been a rollor coaster waiting...I guess it is for everyone.

[Dale_Ray]

Hey Char.
My circumstance are pretty similar to yours. I freaked for about two days thinking it was life ending. That was in 1995. My counts have stayed stabil since, my vl has stayed low, I have felt great until I started the treatment and I still get a good day now and again. Don't let your emotions get the best of you my doctor says bacon will get us before the hep does 99% of the time. The drugs your currently taking should be cleared by your hep doctor though. Sounds like you have a tough time sleeping by the drugs listed. Good luck to you. Dale

[doglover28]

Forseegood,

Thanks for the chat site info.  I noticed too there are a lot of dog lovers.
I guess I won't get my results back this week.  I went to the Doc on monday.  I'll try to put it out of my head.

[Forseegood]

hi, I go to live chat at the Janis and friends site, I'm there in the afternoons sometimes (I'm pacific time) and it's kind of lively, with lots of nice people, a lot of them treating...you'll like it I think, many many doglovers there also, wonder what makes animal loving so prevalent among hep c patients? kind hearts I guess...