cant decide whether to treat

[BonnieRobin]

Have had hep c for 22 years. I feel good. I have been thinking about treatment for the longest time. I just had by biopsy on mOnday havent gotten results yet. I have been weighing the pros and cons for a year and just cant decide whether to treat. Ive been reading and reading and reading and so many people after treatment are worse off than before. I dont think I can ever come to a decision. For example everyone says Ive had this disease for 37 years..Im still here...or someone else will say after all these years we will all die having hep. WHy put poison    in our bodies and get 3 more diseases when we only have one now??? On the other hand some have cleared and are well.
ANd others say there is NO CURE for hep c this is just a new drug thats been around for a few yars and people want it out of their body. Well I do too. But at what risk? I am so tired of thinking about this...I cant function anymore just thinking and trying to make a decision....I have a viral load of 8 million, just had liver scan which was normal and for the first time my alts are normal in the last two years (which I find strange) since they have been elevated the last 20 years? I feel so sick with making the wrong decision and like I said I have been trying to make a decision for a year. I feel so mentally sick I cant function here in the office, I dont even want to get in the car and drive. I have had NO life.
WHy are so any people suffering year or two after treatment? why cant they get out of bed? They felt fine before? ANd I know there are sucess stories...but but outweighs what??

[BonnieRobin]

Hope you are feeling tolerable today. Thanks for the response. May I ask if you have significant liver damage? Have you had a biopsy?
You had said treating is not an option for you at his point. I understand. Many people feel like that from what I have seen and read over the years.
I wish you well.
Bonnie
And again thank you for your point of view and much support.

[BonnieRobin]

Thans for responding.  You are so correct. And I need to take baby steps I know.....But Im really really having bad panic attacks. (Again not regarding my hep that Ive had for 23 years) but the anticipation of what lies ahead. Its hard to think rationally and logically...Im trying hard so hard but not succeeding........Im a mess......to say the very least.
I am going to keep reading what you advised me over and over and over.
Thanks Mike

Hope you are feeling well.
Peace & Joy

[mikesimon]

What you are going through is not uncommon. There is stress with this disease and fear is a natural reaction to a diagnosis of HCV. And fear motivates us to educate ourselves about hepatitis - the risks, the existing treatments and its possible side effects, new treatments that should be available in the future - hopefully the near future. So you're not out there by yourself with this stress because we've all either been there or are there to a greater or lessor extent. I think that we must strive to live in the present with an eye toward the future. I always advise people not to look too far down the road and to just focus on getting through today - putting one foot in front of the other. And the most important thing that I have learned is to never expect the worst because no matter how much we try and envision and prepare for the worst we are never prepared for the worst. And the worst rarely does eventuate and if it does we'll deal with it then. That probably sounds very simplistic and naive but I truly believe it is one way to get through this very hard time in our lives. You will get your biopsy results and then you will incorporate those results into your decision making and then you will decide what you should do and then you'll do it. You are here with people who are very happy to help you and who do have some very important knowledge to share with you. Try to relax a little and wait for more information before you try to decide what you will do. I know it's not easy but it's easier than going over and over different scenarios and possibilities and likelihoods and arriving at appropriate responses to every possibility.
Good luck,
Mike

[BonnieRobin]

Thats encouraging..................no sides at all???
How long have you had Hep ?
When you get a chance let me know about your journey..You can be brief ..I dont want you to go ino a whole saga if you dont have too.


Thank you so.
Bonnie

[Cindy10]

First off you should wait for the results of biopsy and talk to your doctor about pros and cons of treating. But I must say not everyone gets real sick on tx.
I am doing shot #30 tonight and I feel fine, a little fatigue. My husband is on tx as well shot #16 tonight and he feels fine as well except skin rashes.

Dont fear the worst, you may fine. Also if you do not have any damage you may not have to treat. But if you wait until you are older you may end up with damage and tx might be tougher. Something to think about. I do not have any damage but still decided to treat while young and glad I did.
No regrets here yet!

[jitte]

Hi,

I was originally diagnosed with Hepatitis C in 1996. I also had Hepatitis B and D in the mid 1980's bu t have immune status to B now.

The first thing my doctor asked me when we discussed treatment for my HepC was if I ever had thoughts of suicide. I didn't want to be completely honest with him, but the thought rarely ever left my mind, I just wasn't the kind of person to act on it. I was afraid though of taking a med that might make it seem life a viable alternative so I decided against treatments.

I usually don't feel too bad, fatigue is my main thing I have to deal with and I'm in a position where it doesn't effect anyone but me. I don't drink and try to take care of myself. If I get tired I can lay down and take a nap. Although there have been times when I am awake for a few hours, sleep for a couple, and repeat the cycle throughout the day.

I was married to someone who had the virus and we had planned on her taking treatments first, me taking care of her while she did, and then me taking treatments afterwards but the marriage didn't work out. Now I am alone again and don't want to take anything that is liable to make me feel worse than I do now. I had hoped to beat the HepC virus like I did B, I developed the antibodies myself without any kind of treatment, but it doesn't look like that's going to be the case.

Treatment doesn't seem like an option for me at this point. I may pay for that decision later on in life but I'll take responsibility for that decision if that times comes. I did just see the doctor and he said my blood work looked surprisingly good so I guess I'll just continue on like I have been for the past 11 years till I am in a situation where treatments seems more like an option or the virus takes it's toll on me.


I just recently put up a forum for support and awareness for people with Hepatitis C if you would like to stop by and say hi. I'd be glad to have the company. I wish you the best of health and luck and hope you make the right decision for you.

Take care,
jitte
http://hepatitisc.yuku.com/