My TX Bio -

[Guest guest]

Hi Folks ~~

I was first diagnosed with Hep C in April 2002. I had used IV drugs one time in 1992 so it is likely where I contracted it. The Hep C was discovered in a routine physical and came as a shock. I did have a little familiarity with it as I have two brothers that have it as well. I am genotype 2 and my liver functions have always been normal. I had an ultrasound, which showed a normal size liver, and then a liver biopsy. The biopsy revealed that I was a stage 0 grade 1 and had a "perfectly healthy liver." As a result of this, fear of the tx, and not wanting to tell my family about it since they already had two kids with it, I decided to just wait and see what happened. They recommended a followup biopsy in 5 years which I did in 2007. This biopsy revealed that I was a stage 1 grade 2 so the damage to my liver had progressed, although it is still mild damage. Now, I

feared the disease more than the tx. I did quite a lot of research and also joined this group which helped me decide to go forward with tx.

I started tx in January 2008. I experienced a lot of naseau and it took lots of ginger (in many forms) and trying three different medications before it was under control. Depression became a problem and this required an adjustment in my mental health medication. I had the typical fatigue and hair loss. I went to college but missed quite a few days and worked from home but less than usual. As time went on I did less and less away from the house and spent a lot of days in bed or on the couch. Even with these things, I didn't experience sides with the severity that many others talk about or even that the Hepatologist said might happen for which I am very grateful. The hardest part for me was the mental stress. Thankfully, at 9 weeks I was undetectable. They retested at 12 weeks and I was still undetectible. I completed 24

weeks of tx on June 10th and at 6 months have still remained undetectible. Next week I will go for a check up and they will retest my viral load. Then they will test again in December. The doc says that this one will be the important one because all the meds will be out of my system by then. At that time if I remain undetecible they will officially say that I have cleared the virus.

I'm glad I made the choice to treat and that God blessed me with good results. I'll keep you posted on how things go along.

I pray all that are on tx now are able to clear the virus successfully. To those that are considering tx be sure to listen to those that have had complications as a result of Hep C and those that are in End Stage Liver Disease (ESLD) as you are making your decision. This is a serious illness and should be taken seriously.

All the best to everyone,