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!

[SJL]

My symptoms, which went undiagnosed for at least 15 yrs., was extreme fatigue (diagnosed as chemical depression) and acute hives, for which I was prescribed meds. It is to bad that a Hep C test is not part of a blood work-up. I wish you the best and I agree, this is a wonderful supportive panel which is always here. They have all helped me immensly. So just ask away, no question is to small or to large for this group.

[Ballerina]

I've been reading for the last couple of hours - so much good stuff. I'm an information junky so this is perfect. I have already gotten four great sites (Janis7hepc.com, etc.) and learned so much.

I just had my second blood test today so won't know all the numbers until next week. We don't know if I contracted it 30 years ago when I was so young and sooooo stupid, or from the last 5 years of blood transfusion from accidents and hemorrhaging (how do you spell that word anyway?).

Just met with the internist today. Hard part was, if I got it 30 years ago I might have passed it to my son who is now 20 years old. That would be very bad. He had a blood test today to see if he has Hep C. I will be devastated if I gave it to him. Hopefully not. It's one thing to be foolish with your one body - but to affect your son is another.

I think it will be good to start tx as I have had 3 years of doctors telling me I was anxious with nothing else wrong. None of them checked for Hep C. I am going to a teaching hospital so I feel very confident that the hepatologist will be good and have a lot of experience.

[Drarig]

Hi, there - welcome -- I'm fairly new on this forum, too(couple weeks).  That's good that you found this site, I wish I came on it sooner.  Diagnosed 3 yrs ago -geno 1, Liver is Stage 2. Currently on Wk 14 of 48 of Pegasys/Ribavarin. Pre tx my viral load was 6 million.  On my 4 wk bloodwork, it was down to 454.  Will get my 12 week results on Monday & hope it's down to 0!   Overall, doing pretty good on tx -- wish I started sooner.  Diagnosed 3 yrs ago, but think I had it about 20/25 years.  After finding out my diagnosis, alot of things finally made sense.  Like why I suddenly developed bronchial asthma and chronic sinusitis (2 sinus surgeries later) about 10 yrs ago after NEVER having colds or sickness.  Also could never figure out why my stomach would be completely flat in the a.m., but by noon, I'd look like I was 4 or 5 months pregant... went to all sorts of docs to find out why I had such horrible bloating, had cat scans, scopes, etc.  They said it was IBS or bloating from cysts on ovaries.  Whatever the heck it was, I think it all stemmed from the hepc.  I could be wrong, but I definitely think it affects your immune system, hence the chronic sinusitis, etc.  I wish you the best of luck.  There are some great people here who are very helpful.  They are all very close with each other and support each other & never hesitate to go the extra mile to get you facts, figures, advice, or just a shoulder to lean on or cry on.  Talk to you again soon.

[goldyn]

Hi welcome to the forum , i remember having some stomach issues, lots of fatigue, and some upper right liver pain,went in for regular blood work came back hcv positive ive had this for about 21 yrs im 1a starting viral load 15,000,000 cleared at 12 weeks just did 25/48 waiting on 24week pcr ...do you know your stats what geno type are you what is your viral load, welcome and keep us posted .....