So much still to learn

[Puppyluvurr]

I never knew about rashes, hair loss etc. No one told me . Doc just said don't plan on counting money or pills ( if I was a bank teller or pharmacist . I go to a different dr again in sept to load him down with questions so I can decide what will be bests for me.(tx or no tx at this time. I am a ball of nerves. Do you lose all your hair like in chemotherapy ?

[Puppyluvurr]

Thanks Anne, I will definitely be staying with this site. Everyone has been so kind and informative. Really helped me with a lot of my fears. I was so scared, didn't think I was even going to consider tx. Dumb, I know. But since o have found this place it has changed my whole perspective. Thanks for caring all. Sandi

[Anne1717]

Hi - You just don't know yet what the sides will be and what ever happens - you will deal with it cause you have to.  I did not lose more than 30 % of my hair which no one notices, nor did I get depressed or have rashes. Although, all the others sides,  in turn did their best to be miserable.

It is what it is and the goal is to be well - and you will.  Stay on this site and use your friends here.

Best of luck,  Anne

[Puppyluvurr]

Sorry for the double post. This crazy iPhone has a mind of it's own and I'm too tired to sit at the comp. And Laptop lost it's mind. LOL Gotta get it fixed.

[Puppyluvurr]

Yes ctex I'm in Louisiana. About 60 miles north of new orleans. You mentioned bayside so  assuming i might be near the galveston area?Both of my best gerunds are in Texas. So really all I have here are my husband and awesome 18 year old son. I do wish my friends were closer though. I will be praying for you to have a full
and quick recovery from this horrible virus. I will keep you in my thoughts. Sandi

[cctex]

Yep, down on the Coastal Bend.  I am doing my third round of treatment.  AND IT'S WORKING SO FAR!!!  I don't care if I lose ALL of my hair if I can just be RID of this virus!!  Then we probably have to look at a liver transplant.  UGH...one problem at a time.  :)  

Are you in LA as in Louisiana or LA as in California?

You will find good peeps here in this group.  Everyone is very helpful and kind.  Good luck to ya!  Keep in touch :)

[Puppyluvurr]

Thanks ctex, if I was reading correctly. Is this your third time of tx? Oh and I'm assuming u r on my old home state by your name . I'm in la mow though. Blah

[Puppyluvurr]

Thanks ctex, if I was reading correctly. Is this your third time of tx? Oh and I'm assuming u r on my old home state by your name . I'm in la mow though. Blah

[cctex]

Hi, I did the old style treatment twice before.  The last time I did it (2009) all of my thick, curly, curly hair went very fine and straight.  I lost a lot of it.  But there were no bald spots, what hair I has was presentable, just baby fine and straight!  BUT after I finished tx, my hair grew back like it was before!!!  YAY!!  This time I figured I'd get ahead of the game and went on and got it cut short before I started treatment.  Now there's less weight to pull the hair out of my head and less of it to go down the drain.  IF it even happens this time.  It's so hot here that I might have cut it even if I wasn't in tx!!!  A little tip for you....brush your hair over the sink (or somewhere where you can let it fall and pick it all up easily) and then if you do have "fallout," it's easy to wipe up and it won't get your drain pipes all clogged up.
Good luck and let's hope you keep your locks!!  I've yet to meet anyone who lost it ALL...but I don't get out much and it could happen.  We are all different.  I'll be thinking about you!  cctex

[Puppyluvurr]

Not to mention I only weighed 130 lbs @ time of delivery. You've given me more hope Karen . I can do this! Sandi

[Puppyluvurr]

LOL Karen, I gess u got a good point there. I've given natural child birth twice. Both pretty large babies(1 almost 10 lbs)so I think of I can turn on my tough mode I'll be just fine.

[crossroadsec]

yeah, side effects can vary. I've had hair loss for years and it seems a lil worse. I'm thinking of trying Nioxin shampoo. I was terrified at times and raring at the bits at other times. I changed all my skin, hair care products and beefed up nutirition in preparation for tx. I think it helped. No huge surprises so far. The transplant hospital told me that determination was the key to achieving SVR. I'm figuring that out. Nothing like itchy skin or diarreah is gonna stop me. I've given birth. Heck, I can do anything. lol. Good luck. Karen :)

[Puppyluvurr]

Thals for your input flcyclist . Sandi

[flcyclist]

Good move.  Sounds like you'll be in good hands.

[Puppyluvurr]

Believe me, I won't take this lightly. I'm too afraid too. And I have been so appreciative of all the pple's inputs when I have posted a question. Everyone has been so informative.

[Puppyluvurr]

Yes I have my own hematologist out of tulane university Hosp. That's all they do is hep c and abdominal transplants. My gastro had sent mr there. He I had a much better chance of cure with them because they were much more knowledgable on it.

[flcyclist]

Are you entering into a clinical trial or selectiing your own doctor?  If your choice, take your time and be sure to select a GI or Hepatologist that has treated many HCV patients, if available, and one that takes the time to explain and answer your questions.  This isn't something to be taken lightly.  

Side effect vary dramtically, some do have hair loss, some have none.  One thing most common is fatigue, but that can vary also.  No one can tell you how you will respond, but they should inform you of the common reactions.  Read up on your own.  This forum has taught me so much and allowed me to ask better questions.  

Good luck as you get started.