Wht symptoms did you have before treatment?

[Ballerina]

Hi all - this is my first time here. You all sound very caring and knowledgeable. I was just dx this week with Hep C. Having symptoms for a long time that no doc could figure out. Do any of you remember any symptoms that you have before you were dx.

Also, any advice for a newcomer? Especially when it comes to correct information from doctors and knowing what to believe. I've gone through too many docs just trying to figure out why I feel so terrible.

Thanks for all your help. I guess I'll be around here for a while - say a year! God bless you all!

[Forseegood]

what are you doing up so late? thought you were done with treatment and could sleep like a lil baby...or is watching those Girls Gone Wild all night commericals the only Tx habit you can't break?

[GoofyDad]

Welcome to the nut house. Sorry we meet under these circumstances. You've found a great place to hang out and learn about your diagnosis. We've got Ice Cream experts, bowel experts, female fish doctors who only shave their head, and guys who wear beekeepers bonnets to swim in the ocean. Oh and some folks who realy know their stuff about this treatment in case that's what floats your boat. It's a trip.

Someone should be by to push psylium husk and aloe vera shortly. You'll love her!

To answer your question, I was pretty much asymptomatic till my liver started hurting. I've done the treatment and now it doesn't. I like that.

[52TELE]

Hi Ballerina ,I cant believe this!!! I was young and stupid once too!!!!and now I'm not young anymore. There are a whole lot of us here that were young and stupid and I can think of no better company to keep than this group of once young and stupid people.

I was dx in fall of 2004 , exposed in 1975 , HCV 1a ,initial VL 2.17 million , bx grade 2 stage 3. Tomorrow I do shot 11 of 48.
I think  , for me , one of the good things is that time is flying by , thats generally not good when you are our age , but I cant hardley believe its been 11 wks already.
I think I can actually say I never had any symptoms at all. Nothing ever really seemed to out of the ordinary and I was in what I considered pretty good health. A chance blood test started this wonderful roller coaster in motion.
You seem like you are dealing with it pretty well and that will go a long way in helping deal with the tx. You mentioned you have some experience with depression and I assume anti-depressants . They will probably play an important role in your treatment. The meds most of us are on disrupt production of seratonin and it becomes quite easy to loose your sense of well being while in tx.
Its possible if not probable that you will develope anemia from the Ribavirin and if not dealt with swiftly it will make this already difficult task much worse. Many of us are dealing with that very problem , but there are "rescue meds" we can take that are a God send. Talk to your doc about rescue meds ahead of time and find out what his tx program is for dealing with the anemia.
It wouldn't hurt to discuss it with your insurance company  too just so you know where you stand when it comes to getting the meds approved .  As you have found while reading , there are some wonderful , caring , intelligent people going through the same treatment that you will and they have a wealth of knowledge in dealing with the side effects , both physical and mental. There really is so much to learn , I learn something new everytime I come to this site. Knowledge of whats going on in your body and taking an active role in your treatment will keep you from feeling like its out of your hands.
I have to shut up and get off of this PC.
God bless you and good luck , visit your friends here often
and I'll keep an eye out for your posts. Good Night.

[sfbaygirl]

I had symptoms like others, extreme fatigue, depression etc. The couple I didn't realize were the skin problems. I had this awful stuff on various parts of the body that seemed like ingrown hair. I would not go away. On top of that I had lichen plantus, which is HEP C related. That went away with script cream. When I started tx the skin lessions I have had for over 3 years started to disappear!  I have scars from picking at them, but they going away! I couldn't wear shorts it was so ugly.

I haven't heard anyone mention this one (don't know if it has a name). Maybe someone else has heard of it?

Started out (after initial diagnoses and problems from getting it) with no symptoms going for 5-6 years at least.

[Drarig]

If it's any consolation, I had my two children checked and they came back ok.  You sound like you are a fighter and have a great attitude going into this.  Sometimes that's half the battle.  I remember the first week I found out -- right around Xmas. It was terrible, but just know it gets easier to deal with as you accept it & put your dukes up to fight it.  Keep up the positive attitude & remember everyone is here for you.

[Pdilly]

Welcome to the site.  I have probably had this 30-35 at the age when we thought hippies were the in thing. I too have a son but he tested negative and so did my husband.  Most kids don't get it but there have been a few that do.  Just have him tested then you will know for sure.  It is a slow, slow developing disease so that is about the only thing that is good about it.  I too have only found out about 2 months ago. Had my biopsy yesterday (there is nothing to it really) and won't find out that until the first part of July.  Get use to the waiting game as there is so much of that involved.  It really plays on your emotions. When every you need a lift join us and we will do what we can to help you.