What to Do?

[mcmcorp45]

I was born with hep-c, mother was a drug user. Got adopted, 22 years later I give blood at college for a fund raiser and bam! there you go. Biopsy is Stage 1 Grade 1 after 22 years. I gave up drinking i only drank for abouot 2 years of my life. And I have moderate fatty liver. So now I feel depressed and worry every day that I am going to die so why do anything. DR gave me effexor xr 75 twice a day and it helped, but i get scared that I will create more damage so I dont take them and come back to square one. I have no clue what to do, I saw a few DR's and I found only one that I liked. One DR told me to get a life insurance policy because in a few years my family will need it???? and that was a few years ago and here i am typing at work, so i dunno about that. Any suggestions insite, humor anything would be great to hear. And if anyone knows anything about HEP-c and being on antidepressants please share I have read so much that I dunno what to believe. Thanks all!!!

[GrandmaA]

Sounds like your adoptive parents did a good job with you. Praise the Lord. I wish I had your stage and grade numbers. You are most fortunate. In 5 years the treatments will be better (when the Protease Inhibitors are FDA approved) and you will only have to treat for 24 weeks instead of 48. Chances of getting an auto immune disease from the treatment are greater if you treat longer.

[Mikkimoe]

I know how confusing these sites can be - I have been on them for several months since my diagnosis - but this one is my favorite.
I found a nice reference site that you should check out. They will send you a great info pack (CD, book etc) it is sponsored by Schering Corporation (The  peginterferin med you will eventually be on). There is also a live nurse that will call you - It's all free.

http://www.beincharge.com/bic

Stay informed - be smart and get the best Heptologist you can find.

Mikki

[HARRYBEADS]

   You should try to get a Heptoligist, and start on the effexor, interferon causes deppression, let alone the dx. My family Doc always gets the final word. I take effexor and it made it easier, did not make things worse, being worked up makes things worse.  My family Doc always gets the final word cause he knows me.

Harry

[mcmcorp45]

Thanks guys, I understand all that you have said and i agree. Its just so frusterating you know, I have found one DR who is just a primary care DR. but he is the only one out of 4 gastros and such who has ever done anything for me. I have read so much on the subject and you hear both extreams. And some sites out there are just crazy sometimes. They make you feel like a walking virus who if you take anything your going to kill your liver. Right now my DR after all the test and such is not worried really, he just knows I am depressed over it and will is helping. He is more concerned with my mental health than anything. And thats what I find is the best DR. someone who knows what is up but remains calm and treats you like a regular person. Not OMG your going to die and if you take a tylenol that is its over.

From all my hours and hours of reading I see that antidepressants are a typical drug that is perscribed to patients with Hep-c, does not seem like a big deal. Who knows....

Thank you all for your replies keep going haha it gives me hope... and if you read some stuff on-line it makes it seem like thats all we got if even that but thats far from the truth we got alot going for us!

[oyasin]

I'm 57, and can't be sure where when or how I got C1b. Don't care. Most likely mis-diagnosed A, some 34 years ago. I just found out it was C last year. I had quit alcohol a year before that, but I was a moderate, but often, drinker for over 35 years. I haven't had a single symptom since contracting "A". Biopsy shows mild inflamation with a hint of fibrosis. TX didn't work after 12 wks. My plan is stay healthy, stay informed, and forget about it.

I don't attempt to make light of the disease here. It CAN cause serious problems. I just thought you might like to hear from someone for whom hepC is just not that big of a deal.

Good luck, don't worry, and read, read, read.
David

[Kande]

Hello, Hey everyone that has posted is right, you have not been given a death sentence. I know a lot about liver disease... I had a liver transplant, but not because of hep.c. I would be glad to give you more information if you are interested, but I'll wait to see if you write back as it will be long and detailed info.. For now just relax and as others have said "Get another doctor." I'll wait to see if you post, then we will shed some light on this subject...good things to eat for your liver, meds. to stay away from etc.. Take care  Kande

[pigeonca]

That's bum luck.  But you know what, lots of people get born with something wrong - in fact, I'll bet most people have some chronic condition or another.  My sister-in-law got diabetes at the age of 2, in 1949.  They told her parents she wouldn't survive childhood, and if she did, she'd be crippled and blind.  She's now 59, a mother and a paragon of health - despite the diabetes.  She takes good care of herself, and if you take good care, you'll be fine as well.

I think if you hang around this group and especially if you visit the archives, you will find answers to your questions and more.  There are many pertinent web sites that can help you.  You are young, and as you read more about it, you'll see that this disease can be arrested and - in many if not most cases - cured.

Hepatits C moves very slowly, especially at your age.  Younger people do better on treatment than older folks do, so you need to consider all your alternatives.  Work with that doctor who you get along with, and you will get a better picture of what you next need to do.

Good luck and good health...
pigeon

[sfbaygirl]

What an idiot Dr!  If you are tested for Hep C for a life ins. policy, you won't get one. There have been several here that were born with Hep C. Sorry to hear of this, but it isn't the end of your life!  You are likely to die of something other than hep c with a stage 1, that is what my very good dr. said.  Take the anti d's if they help you.  Having this can make one depressed, especially at first. Arm yourself with knowledge, you will feel better. Yes, you can get a lot of bad info out there on the internet. I stick to this site as we have some really intelligent and supportive people here.  Get a good Dr. not the one you went to! Geez, what a jerk! You will be fine and can live a long full life. Read some of the archives and ask questions here. Hep C can be lonely and it is good to find others that know and can relate.  

Good luck and welcome to the forum!
Linda