week 3

[jack4u]

Just wanted to stop and say thanks again.Everyone has allways been so helpful.I was here on this site last year when I found out about all this.I got some info back then but got scared an kinda went into denial about this whole situation.The Other day I decided to come back and check things out again.I dont know why but I still dont want to believe this is happening to me.I dont want to sound like a cry baby,but it seems to be worse with the Tx than without.Some days I wonder if its even real....Can some one relate and if so your input would be greatly appreciated...

[sunshine007]

Hi Jack,

I know how overwhelming this all feels.  I too was throw way off when they told me.  I cried and almost couldn't make it out of the dr.'s office.  I also think that things are harder on tx.  Everything just feels different.  I think what helps me right now is being scared of what can happen if I don't treat.  My liver enzymes started going crazy, and I really was scared of how fast the virus was progressing, so I felt good about being on tx and actually having the chance to fight it.  It's funny how your mind can change your whole attitude. A few months ago I started tx and stopped after only 6 weeks.  I really wasn't committed to it, and thought I was going to fine if I quit and started again later.  Well later is now, and I might be forced to quit now (due to low platelets) and I really don't want to.  What I think is important is that we are very lucky to have this medicine to try and kill the virus, and we should feel fortunate to be given this opportunity when not too very long ago there wasn't any tx at all.  Please know you are doing the best you can and you are very strong by starting.  I just hope you can continue and kill the dragon completely and not have to do the tx again.  Best of luck!

[nygirl7]

We all felt pretty much the first way when we found out.  

After a little while when it settles in, you realize how LUCKY you are to have THIS disease and not a different one! Hey if you have to have something...this disease is usually VERY slowly progressing and there IS a cure!

If you have to hold a "I have a disease card" be glad and happy that you've got this one!  Really!

The treatment is not fun but it is doable. I worked the entire 72 weeks I did treatment. I have two kids that I'm single mother to and we talked it all out in advance and they were VERY supportive.

So was my current boss (last one - not so much but he was a MAJOR jerk before I even knew i had this!)

It's not the end of the world you will see.  We are happy and healthy and we REALLY joke around a LOT in here. The people are so supportive and loving that in time you feel sort of in a wierd way blessed to have had it.

Really. How odd is that? But it's true.

Best of luck, maybe your doc can prescribe an antidepressant before you start treatment. It will help alot with both treatment (there is a tendency to get depressed so most docs start us on it in advance) and it will help you BEFORE you start too.

I took my docs advice and started one in advance - and man it turns out I probably needed it ALL OF MY LIFE. LOL go figure another benefit ;)

Good luck

[jmjm530]

Yes, treatment can make this whole thing come to life, or "real" as you say. I lived most of my adult life with Hep C not even knowing it had a name. And even lived a number of years with it after the diagnosis. But it wasn't until a few weeks prior to treatment that the whole ball of wax really sunk in. You're not alone in this. You will be OK. Treatment can be like a long, dark tunnel but there really is light at the other end. Just take it one week or even one day at a time and you will be OK, probably finding strengths you didn't know you even had. We're all here for you Jack. You take care.

-- Jim