your storys make me feel better

[ivvinj]

i ran into you all by fate and your storys have giving me hope and some have just made me feel like well its all over.im 51 and prob came in contact in the 70's.i found out about 8 years ago and was told it was prob no big deal.i started feeling bad about 3 months ago. fatique-stomach pain-lost 8 pounds in a 2 week period.im waiting for all my blood work to come back all i know is the v count was around 300.000.i dont know if i want to put my family through this.my glock is always within hands reach but i dont know if i want to put them through that .

[kickboxingmom]

So glad to hear some good news.That's the man ! Sounds like your the family man to me.Just got home from work and love love love reading about you and how you want to enjoy your grandkids some day.That made my day. Thanks.
God Bless you and go ahead and buy the arm band cause a few ticket's just won't do.lol
Have a good weekend.Use that glock on an intruder if they try to come in and hurt your family.That's what my baby is for.
Tammy

[ivvinj]

sorry im new at this--thanks to all for opening my eyes-i want to kick this thing in the *** and see my grand kids someday--i cant wait to go to the docs and get rollin on whatever and get back to normal--yes i am a little bit like a roller coaster---thanks again--irv

[Marcia2202]

Okay, he started a new thread, thanking everyone for the advice and support.

Marcia

[Marcia2202]

I think he might not be getting any message alerts, as everyone is misspelling his screen name.

Marcia

[kickboxingmom]

Glock is the Easy way.Not for your family.Family ? isn't that what your saying? You couldn't do that to your family? Why would you even think about doing that to them ? What if you were alone and no family ? That's what it will be if you DO IT .No family.They no longer will have a family as they know it and will never remember the good happy family times, just the reason's why you made such a wrong decision.There's avenues in every direction.It's up to you to be the best you can be.You can be Strong and get through what you have to do to beat this.I beleive in you.You know why ?Because you came here and wanted to talk about it. That tells me you are hurting so bad.No one understands where your coming from.Now start with chiming in and telling us your okay.You are okay. Your just at a slump in your life.You don't want to put your family through that.What ? HCV ? It's not a death sentence as to the news mam or sir,  I'll give you three months to a year with your diagnosis of lymphoma or a deadly brain tumor.You brought every one into this by starting a thread now let us all know how you are or aren't.We care enough to take the time to talk to you.To try and help.Why? because we care.Now it's your time to care back.If not for us .Care for your family.They need you more than than they don't.How are you ?
God Bless,
Tammy

[IAmTheWalrus]

Depression is the number one reason that patients are unable to complete treatment, I believe. If you are already suffering from depression, treatment could make it worse. You should have a frank discussion with your doctor about it. He may want you to start antidepressants before starting TX.

I suffered for quite a while after starting TX before I began taking antidepressants. They have made a huge difference in my ability to keep going with TX. I belive that the majority of HCV patients on TX are treated eith antidepressants (I think Dr. D said something to that effect).

Read up and learn about the disease and treatment. Perhaps you are a genotype 2 or 3 and will have a short treatment period? Some people do not suffer from side effects. It would be great to see you post here on your progress.

Best wishes - Walrus

[IAmTheWalrus]

I look at it this way. The glock might seem like a good backup plan, and the thought of that choice can sometimes give some solace but keeping it within hand's reach might not be the best idea. In the meantime, focus on the reasons to go on. I think that is what your family would want, and what you would want to do for them. You have obviously given this thought and realize the pain that your family would feel at losing you in such a way.

Depression can be life threatening and is often treated successfully with few complications. Just getting the weight off your mind can be liberating enough to change your outlook.

Like I said, the glock will always be there tomorrow. Focus on Plan A and take care of your family. Savor every moment with them.

Best to you!

[frijole]

Find a new temporary home for your Glock should you choose to treat.  Ever hear of a little thing called Riba Rage?  Let me tell you, emotions can run rampant and bring a grown man to tears over a Disney movie or make a mild mannered woman use her car as a weapon of mass destruction.  

You have not been handed a death sentence, but maybe a signal for a lifestyle change.  Good luck to you on your journey
frijole

[jdwithhcv]

Its not time to despair!  There's a lot of hope for heppers.  Please speak to someone about your questions and fears, and put a lock on that glock.  We're here for you.  Good luck.

jd

[Deb_c430]

Also please note one of the sides of this disease, is that it can cause suicidal, tendencies.  

If you were not joking about the glock,  you need to talk to GI about that.

deb

[Deb_c430]

So agrees, it is a fearful thing to hear,    when I first found out i thought i had month to live!   That was 10 years ago.

So start taking care of you,  start making lists, the first thing on your list should be looking into Anti depressants,    

hang in there and good luck

Deb

[nygirl7]

Iwinj

"through this.my glock is always within hands reach but i dont know if i want to put them through that".


I'm hoping that you're just being flippant here and are able to ignore the pun above it's just a statment made in poor taste you are no where near having to think of anything this dire whatsoever.  

This disease is NOT the end of the world.  In most cases this is not a disease that will kill you - you will die of something else long before hepc - it is a VERY slowly progressing disease.  As a matter of fact, it's not a bad disease to get at all in a way.  Even the worst type has a 50% CURE rate (and these days the doctors are learning so much so fast that you can do a lot of things to try and increase those odds in your favor!).  While doing treatment isn't 'fun' it's certainly doable. I had two separate strains (geno 1A and geno1B) and managed to kill them off and have been virus free for over two years now.  I'm a big baby and thought it was going to be too hard to do this.  It wasn't.

You have a very low viral load from what you say and that too is a good sign usually. You haven't had a biopsy yet and it might show that you have low liver damage and don't even need to do treatment yet. Your stomach ills probably are completely unrelated and just have to do with the same 'getting older' that we are all going through.

Your family will be a great support to you if you decide to do treatment.  Believe it or not I'm sure that they would WANT to be there for you and you will find them to be a great source of encouragement.

We've all been exactly where you are right now.  We get it.  Just ask those of us who have arleady treated if it was worth it?  Yes. I do not regret beating the hell out of this disease for you second.  You won't either.

Hang in there.  Talk to your doctor about going on a good antidepressant.  MANY of us take them before and during treatment. I never thought they worked but you know what - it was a life saver for me.

Good luck.

[Marcia2202]

Just wanted to welcome you to the forum. You have definitely come to the right place. If I could only put in words how the people here have helped me to get where I am today. I have gained so much information on the disease and treatment and felt so much compassion from people here. I started tx this week and was able to start with total confidence.

Marcia

[ladywhy]

You're welcome. Keep in touch and let us know how it's going and how you're doing. Something to think about: Many people with Hep C tend toward depression, those treating and those who are not. Might want to talk to Dr. about that as well.
Take Care of YOU
and God Bless
and
G'night
y

[ivvinj]

thanks-i am at a university hosp-22 of next month ill get all blood results and prob sched a biopsy- thanks for the positive- ijk

[ladywhy]

Don't jump the gun just yet, my friend. (no pun intended)
Get a biopsy...see what stage your liver's at. What genotype you are, etc. etc.
In 8 years...progress has been made. Try to get in to see a Hepatologist....preferably at a University Hosp. I know other's who have had a vl of 60 million...300 thou is quite low...though the number really has no bearing on the amount of liver damage.
I think your family would prefer you do something proactive rather than them having to live with your other strategy.
The liver is quite miraculous. It's the only organ that regenerates.
To you and your family!
Sincerely,
y