Congratulations on kicking drugs and being sober for 8 months. That is a great accomplishment. It shows you have great strength and determination. Those assets do come in handy when doing Hep C treatment.
I have never used Methadone so I obviously have never withdrawn from Methadone. However, I have worked extensively with people who have withdrawn from Methadone. From my observation (and I know it was only observation accompanied by what the people were telling me), Methadone withdrawal is far more painful and grueling than Hep C treatment. My observation and understanding is that methadone withdrawal produces severe symptoms of withdrawal which last for months. (nausea, vomiting, severe abdominal cramping, bone pain, general body pain, total exhaustion, tremors, perspiration, fever, severe runny nose to name a few).
I had some pretty uncomfortable and problematic side effects from Hep C treatment (Interferon, Ribavirin, and Incivek) (severe internal rectal pain, rash, nausea, and some systemic problems related to the nausea and rash, and severe fatigue and generally feeling terrible). Others get severe anemia, and other problems. And, of course, there can be very dangerous side effects from Hep C treatment. However, generally speaking, I do not think Hep C treatment side effects are anywhere near as severe as Methadone withdrawal. Granted, there are differences and they are difficult to compare. But overall, I think I would take Hep C treatment over taking Methadone withdrawal if I had the option. But then, I have never withdrawn from Methadone so my observations and conclusions may not be correct.
On thing about Hep C side effects is that the most severe side effects can usually be treated and controlled with prescription medications. If the side effects are kept under control, treatment is not nearly as bad as it the side effects are ignored. Plus, with Hep C treatment, the side effects come and go and change weekly. Plus the severity of the side effects vary from day to day and week to week and from person to person. Some people do not get bad side effects. Others get more problematic side effects.
Hep C treatment is no picnic, but it is doable. And the worst side effects can be treated. It is my opinion that if you have made it through months of Methadone withdrawal, you can make it through Hep C treatment (and treatment may very well not be as bad as you anticipate ).
As far as the all oral treatments, several are being studied in trials now. It may be 3-5 years before they come on the market for general use.
You should be evaluated and have a liver biopsy done so you will know exactly what your liver damage consists of. If you are at a lower stage with minimal liver damage, you may be able to wait for the all orals. If you have a lot of liver damage, you may not have time to wait for the new oral treatments.
There are some threads on the forum that deal with some of the trials. Here are some links:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Clinical-trial-GS-7977-and-BMS-790052/show/1696575
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/GS7977-Study-Patients-Here/show/1769198
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/results-of-12-Week-Interferon-Free-Regimen--riba/show/1794796
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Gilead-clinical-trial/show/1633742
Best of luck.