hep-c viral load 9 million have questions

[worrywortmom]

I was just recently diognoised with hep-c and my viral load is 9 million. I would like to here from people that have had that high of a load, and responed to treatment. Don't know what genotype yet. But my doctor said probably a genotype 1, given my past backround, and that with that high of a load I have a good chance of not responding. Could you please tell me how long it takes to get the results for the genotype test. Sonogram was neg and my liver emzyme was slightly elevated. If treatment doesn't work will the high levels of the virus cause liver damage sooner than if the levels were low? If all goes well with the rest of my blood tests i will start treatment in two months, I cant seem to get my mind off of this. But I'm trying to keep my spirits high.  I'm afraid to tell my work, dont know it they can get rid of me or not? Where does hipaa fit in. Can they tell other associates? I dont have much of a support system most of my family lives out of town and my husband just keeps saying its going to be alright. I dont want to here that, what if it isn't!
Cant talk to him about it he keeps telling me give it a rest. i have lots of questions and know answers, please help!

[cuteus]

Boy, do a gazillion questions flock our minds when diagnosed or what? Welcome to the best board online, no bias there, you are in for a lot of reading and WAITING. We all want answers yesterday and it kills us to wait for them. First, viral load(VL) has not been linked to high or low liver damage, it makes no difference in assessing damage in that organ. High VL sometimes clear faster than low VL. Once you know your genotype, geno 1 is present in the US about 70% of the time, and know your level of liver damage, you can make decissions. For now, you have to wait and read a lot on hep c.
here are some good ones to start
janis7hepc.com
projectsinknowledge.com
hcvadvocate.com or org
there are lots more, but start with these and your fear will ease as you learn more.

[worrywortmom]

i have read a couple of forums and you guys have a lot of questions that i forgot to put on my forum. I am female, 46, menopausal, 150 lbs, half white and half spanish. smoker! no symptoms.

[jmjm530]

Good thoughts from Vegas. If it turns out you're genotype 1 -- the hardest genotype to cure -- you probably want a biopsy or something similar before you make a treatment decision one way or the other.

Alternatives to biopsy is a test called Fibrosure and a device called Fibroscan. Fibroscan is only available in a few places, including Boston and I think Miami.

If it turns out you're a genotype 2 or 3 (easier to cure) then some doctors still recommend a biopsy but many will urge you to treat regardless.

In answer to your question regarding high viral load and liver damage. No, there is no correlation although the lower the load, the easier it is to treat. That said, viral load tends to move up and down on it's own, so it could be higher next year or it could be lower.

Since this is your first post, you should understand that there are no doctors here -- you will get a variety of different opinion --  and you shouldn't make any decisions on your treatment without first consulting your medical team.

[worrywortmom]

Unfortunetly, when i went to see the specialist my family doctor didnt have my blood test, viral load, sonogram ect,  which my red and white blood cells were normal, i was not anemic and didnt have hep a or b. just said that i had hep-c. I was very angry! He had plenty of time to send them.  My next appointment is in a month and that is when I guess i will find out my genotype. And hopefully do a byopsy. The specialist didnt want to take the time to answer my questions and that bothered me very much! What does he get payed for! Thank god for this forum!

[vegas777]

Hi there, my name is Beth but people on here call me the dip...First let's start off by saying, sorry you have this virus, but it is not as scary once you get to know all about the "bug" and have choices you can make...It's a very slow moving virus, some people, such as myself have had it for over 30 years and are still living a normal life, and even some without treating it with conventional drugs...

You didn't mention in your post that you had a biopsy?  This is very important in deciding when and if to treat...I have low liver damage and decided to wait for "more friendly" drugs to come along...I'm not saying you should do that, but once you know what your liver damage is you can make certain decisons...

Secondly - I too like you have not much support at home...I live with my husand and 2 cats and the cats are better listeners...It's hard when you don't have family close by and your spouse is not interested in the virus...But, this is a good place to come and talk about it, and there are other forums that are HCV support sites too...

Welcome, and if you need any "technical" help regarding treatment and side effects and the such I am sure someone more versed than I will help you out, if you need a hug call on me!

Welcome  -  Beth