age poll

[Janinni]

How many people are here that are still in there 20's or thirties? Just curious.

The reason I asking is because I've noticed that on most other sites everyone seems to be in the 40+ age range (and there is nothing wrong w/ that:) ). Might be because younger folk don't know they're infected or don't care.  

[dutchie]

I'm 36, found out a year ago. 15 years infected.

[Jenna1188]

Hey Guys

I am 19 years old. I was diagnosed with Hep C last April when I was 18. I got Hep C from a blood transfusion when I was 6 weeks old. So I have had it for 19 almost 20 years.

Jenna

[harley dude]

46 years young,found out I had it last year, #30 of 48 (pegasys+copegus 2b. got it from blood transfusion from accident in 73. started feeling fatigued about 5 years ago, just thought it was from age, not really any symptoms other than the fatigue, found out from a blood test last year. You'll all have a good weekend.-- HD

[mumsie]

With sooo much in this poll beyond age it's hard to start ,female,haha, 46 young just turned,geno2 stage3,that's about all the stats i know start tx on tues.i'm nervous and excited all at the same time. I found out via snail mail,it's been a year,had to wait for agood GI then had to wait for the beginning of the year 'cause the goverment kicks in money on an annual time line.All I know is you shouldn't take celebrex or vioxx with a bad liver had to give it up. AND back then ,20 years, the threat of aids wasn't even in focus,never mind hepc, people are so ignorant about the subject,and I work with a wide age range and diverse crowd yet they don't have a clue ,ok getting off the soap box...all I know is july 26th last shot can't come soon enough...Good night and thanks again to you all for being

[jonihs]

happy birthday !!

I'm 46 and was diagnosed in July 02. I knew I was getting sicker all the time, but assumed it was from drinking. I drank right up til my liver failed. I didn't know anyting about hep c until I was diagnosed in rehhab.After asking enough questions here and at my new G.I., I realized that even though I have barely compensated cirrhosis it's not a death sentence. If I clear (I'm 2b) and continue eating a liver freindly diet, I could still have years.                Joni

[meandhepc]

Im 49 as of today..... infected back in 1978 from blood during surgery. dx'd in 2002, 1B, treated and relapsed 2003 (waiting on new tx).

[dutchman]

I'm 46, type 1a grade 2, stage 2 on week 14 of treatment. i have been just mainly lurking here past 2 years and learned alot at this site about this treatment before starting(thanks to all the veterans here). best to you, dutchman

[St. Georgie-Girl]

Hi All . . .

I'm 48 and newly diagnosed.

I have a question, or rather I should say I'd like your feedback.

The GI who made the diagnosis referred me to a another GI who has Hep C experience.  The first doc did my viral count (2.2 million) and the new doc who I just saw for the first time ordered genotype and I will go for biopsy on Feb 6.  They did a liver scan Monday but did not have the reults back when I saw this new doctor on Thursday.  Anyway - he seems to think that because my enzymes weren't elevated and because I don't have spider veins and red palms that my liver is not in a bad way.  But from what I'ver read the liver enzymes can look fine even if you are really bad off.  Is that your understanding as well?  I don't want a bad liver, but I want to think this doctor is straight up.

Also, other than fatigue, he didn't seem to think my other sypmtoms (muscle pain, headaches, diziness, tingling hands, constipation, insomnia, trouble concentrating and forgetfulness) were related to Hep C.  I'd like your input on that as well.  Thanks for any info, chin up, and Peace and Strength to all.

GG

[St. Georgie-Girl]

p.s - and thanks to the fine people who created and maintain this site - it's been a real help in educating myself on what I may face in the future.

[Ambush]

Happy Birthday!
ambush :)

[ringading]

hi there and welcome, most of your symptoms sound VERY familar.  i too struggled for about 5 years with many of the same symptoms as well as a few others..ex; itching..joint pain and stiffness, stomach issues, severe bloating, and pain!!, i was probed and prodded over a few years with no answers.i was perscribed, PREPULSID and PREVICID, (prepulsid, changed to dicetel) for joint discomfort and muscle discomfort i always took tylonel. (now on celebrex,) as rhumitiod factor in my blood showed as 120, the arthritis specialist took one look at me and said it was NOT arthritis..humm, but believed a conection to the hep c was indicated. i have discovered through others that many many symptoms can be attributed to hep c, so don't give up! push for answers!! finally finding out this info is liberating as sudddenly, i no longer felt like i had a myirad of different complaints, rather, one common thing that seemed to connect it all pretty much together for moi!!
good luck
cheers!

[tuna]

58 as of fri. wish i was 20-30 but when you reach 50+ its nice too!!!!! 1b shot 29(fri.) still undetectable.

[St. Georgie-Girl]

Yes - I have the raging stomach and bloating as well - in fact, on Feb 3 the first GI I saw will provide me with the uncommon joy of a combination endoscopy/colonoscopy to see what's going on with all that. A week later I'll have the biopsy.  Ooooh - what a fun February I have on tap!!!

I've had several doctors attribute all these other symptoms, along with the fatigue, to other things - menopause, stress, imagination - and if it's truly valid that they may be related to the Hep C I don't want this doctor to discount them.  I don't mean to throw the baby out with the bath water or second guess the doctor, but then again I don't want to waste time with a doctor who won't consider the entire gamut of symptoms if in fact they really are a part of the entire disease process.  It was only by refusing to accept bum diagnoses that I kept going till someone tested me for Hep C and got to the root of the problem, which definitely did not need to go undiscovered. So I am a bit unwilling at this time to settle for someone who pooh-poohs the idea that the other symptoms are valid as well, if indeed they are truly attributable to Hep C.  Hence my request for input, and I truly value yours.

[haleys comet]

im 54 and have had hepc for i believe 25 years. i wonder if the spread of hcv inadvertantly decreased with the fear of hiv and people being more cautious combined with blood screening

[haleys comet]

i know people have discussed this vasculitis before does anyone know how its diagnosed i mean blood test or bone marrow biopsy??
i wonder if that may be why i threw a clot and wound up with that pulmonary embolism.

[Sioux]

F/44

[ral]

Happy birthday meandhepc and tuna. I will 56 in feb.

Tuna I'm right behind you just did 28 Fri

Bob

[DebbieDo]

I'm 52, 1b, VL 5.9, got infected 1969 while in Canada.  I got pretty sick, turned yellow......found out last yr i have HEP C.......doing #4/48 on Mon...This site has helped me educate myself on the Hep C and TX........thanks everyone for being so supportive...

[audreywald]

I am 52; probably have had this for 25 or so years. Like some of you; I am in recovery, sober for 18 years. BUT, when I heard about HCV I knew I was high risk, having used IV drugs in the 70's.

I also have been to doctors about pain, stomach, joint, muscle, fatigue ... probably most of these things are due to the hep. Imagine if I got well and did not have to live like this anymore!

I have to hold on to that thought because tomorrow is shot #3.

[DebbieDo]

Hi, I am located in San Pedro.  I recently heard that very soon, possibly this month they will be opening a support group for Hep C at Harbor UCLA Medical Center.....in one of the bungalows...I will find out more when i go to my GI on the 26th.......I heard they have one in Long Beach

[susan400]

I am 42 years old.   Susan400

[meandhepc]

Happy Birthday Tuna!

Thanks Ambush!

[PhilaGuy]

I'm 37 - was diagnosed when I was 26, infected when I was 18.

[layla]

I'm 45 and got this probably 30 years ago "experimenting" with drugs. I had very rough teen years. I was active and healthy all my adult life until my dx on 02 at an annual check-up. I think the spread of HCV is slowing because of the blood supply check but also because the care now taken in tatoo shops and nail care shops where this disease was also spread. LL

OHC's website that has many statistics like this on many of us here. Age is included if you want to see more go to:
http://www.geocities.com/auggieaz/board.html
Thanks OHC.