new to the group

[Guest guest]

Since

your new med is so new, I wouldn’t rule that out as a cause (although I

don’t know anything about that med) but I would definitely follow up with

the doctor on the status of your hep again. Maybe it’s time for another

biopsy to see if the damage has progressed. I don’t know if MS would

complicate tx for you, but you should definitely find out where you stand right

now and know what your options are.

New to the group

If I can remember

correctly I was diagnosed with Hep C in 1995 along

with my husband. It was suggested by my dr. not to seek treatment

because I was injecting interferon 1B (Avonex) to treat my MS

My husband died from liver cancer in 2001 at the age of 42. He never

took meds for the problem.

I had a

biopsy at that time. Test show no damage.

I felt fine until recently. After reading your posts I now feel that

the flu like symptons I have is not from my new medication but a

flare up from the hep c.

I no longer take the interferon.( stopped several years ago)I

started a new medication for the MS about 30 days ago. Low Dose

Naltrexone. I have read that this medication may help with

inmproving liver ensymes

I feel sick to my stomach, headaches and weak pain right side below

ribcage. I will ask my dr for a blood test next month when I have my

scheduled visit. I just don't know what to do.

Any advice or comments would be helpful.

Janet

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I was diagnosed with hep c in 2002. In 2003 I had a liver transplant.

I've had four good post-tx biopsies, level 1 scarring, then this year

my scarring reached level 3. The docs are suggesting I start interferon

treatment. I'm nervous about this.

I've joined this group to learn about hep c, others experiences with

hep c, and interferon. It may seem funny that I'm just now trying to

learn about hep c six years after diagnosis, but I just never wanted to

obsess about my blood levels, etc. Well, I guess now I will.

Thanks.

Dan

[Guest guest]

Hi Dan,First off,, WELCOME to the group hon.. You'll find LOTS of good support here.. Congrats on getting that liver transplant..and Im sorry that this virus has reinfected the new liver,, seems that happens almost all the time.. You are wise to retreat and try to put that into remission NOW.. I was stage 3-4 too and I've been in remission now 5 years!!!!! So itspossible and even a sliver of liver CAN and DOES regenerate!!! You're smart to get it before you reach stage 4 because the less amount of damage, the better!Feel free to ask any question you have, thats what we're here for.. JackieSubject:

new to the groupTo: Hepatitis_C_Central Date: Thursday, August 14, 2008, 1:59 PM

Hello,

I was diagnosed with hep c in 2002. In 2003 I had a liver transplant.

I've had four good post-tx biopsies, level 1 scarring, then this year

my scarring reached level 3. The docs are suggesting I start interferon

treatment. I'm nervous about this.

I've joined this group to learn about hep c, others experiences with

hep c, and interferon. It may seem funny that I'm just now trying to

learn about hep c six years after diagnosis, but I just never wanted to

obsess about my blood levels, etc. Well, I guess now I will.

Thanks.

Dan

[Guest guest]

Thanks Jackie. Your words really help. I kind of feel like I've had a

weight pressing down on my shoulders since they told me I'd need

interferon treatment. My appointment to find out about the interferon

treatment is next Wednesday. I met briefly with the doctor that will

be in charge of my treatment at the liver clinic the other day, he

said he doesn't mess around, he will treat me as aggressively as he

possibly can. Like I said, I'm nervous about this.

I know I'm genotype 1A, which I understand is a more difficult type

to treat. I know my viral load is 8.5 million.

Over the next few days I'll read as many posts on this group as I can

to learn what I can. I've noticed already that there is a wide range

of experience with this disease and treatment.

Thanks again.

>

> Subject: new to the group

> To: Hepatitis_C_Central

> Date: Thursday, August 14, 2008, 1:59 PM

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Hello,

>

>

>

> I was diagnosed with hep c in 2002. In 2003 I had a liver

transplant.

>

> I've had four good post-tx biopsies, level 1 scarring, then this

year

>

> my scarring reached level 3. The docs are suggesting I start

interferon

>

> treatment. I'm nervous about this.

>

>

>

> I've joined this group to learn about hep c, others experiences

with

>

> hep c, and interferon. It may seem funny that I'm just now trying

to

>

> learn about hep c six years after diagnosis, but I just never

wanted to

>

> obsess about my blood levels, etc. Well, I guess now I will.

>

>

>

> Thanks.

>

>

>

> Dan

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Dorothy, you sound much better organized than I am.

My first appointment with the interferon people is in about three hours. I'm not sure when I will actually start the treatments, I hope I have the time get everything together by then. I have some of the stuff you mentioned, and my wife is a tireless helper.

I have a little business I work at, and I have a half-remodeled house. I hope I have the energy to continue with those things, even if only in a small way.

Dan

[Guest guest]

It is most important to try to slay that dragon, Dan.

That is a mighty big job, take it one day at a time..

Some days will be better than others, eventually

all days will hopefully be better..

Take care of you,

Sheena

Thanks Dorothy, you sound much better organized than I am.

My first appointment with the interferon people is in about three hours. I'm not sure when I will actually start the treatments, I hope I have the time get everything together by then. I have some of the stuff you mentioned, and my wife is a tireless helper.

I have a little business I work at, and I have a half-remodeled house. I hope I have the energy to continue with those things, even if only in a small way.

Dan

[Guest guest]

first thing,take a good deep breath.2 This is a very slow virus,I have

had it for 30 yr's.If u want some sort of life ins,Get that before u get

tested.3Unless u have had a blood transfuson.or used iv drugs,It's very

doubtfull that u have it.I have been married 3 times had 2 kids and no

one has it but me.

>

> Hi, my name is Lindsey. Please excuse the long post, however I am

> new, and need to get this off my chest, and it seems like I have

> finally found the perfect group to do so. My name is Lindsey or lyn

> for short. I am only 20 yrs old, and I am engaged, just recently. My

> fiance' is deployed overseas in Afganistan, and is due home either

> late November or early December. (sooo exciting!!) However I just

> recieved a phone call from him the other day, and he was a nervous

> wreck and crying. Just very depressed, and after 20 minutes of

> begging him to tell me what was wrong. He tells me he just found out

> he has Hepititis C. He was getting routine blood work taken, and when

> his results came back the Dr told him he has it. However the Dr said

> his levels are low, but from the looks of it, he said he thinks he

> has had this for 2-4 years. And because he is overseas he cannot

> start treatmeant right away. He has to wait until he is back in the

> states. The Dr did tell him to take (it's like a vitamin, but

> strictly for the liver. It just promotes healthy liver function) for

> the time being. I have researched like crazy since I recievd this

> phone call. Cureently at this time I do not have health insurance, so

> I couldnt even get myself checked if I wanted to because I am

> currently on un-employment. So funds are low. I checked & I beleive

> its over $200.00 to get tested. I am worried I may have this, because

> there has been times where has had a cut, or was hurt and I took care

> of him. And also while on vacation I have used his tooth brush and

> razors. Either way I love him just the same, and do not feel any

> differently about him. And if I do have it, then I have it, and there

> is nothing I can do about it, except take it day by day. However were

> in complete shock as to how he got this, because he was never into

> drugs or anything like that. And the Dr said most likely due to being

> in the army. Between Basic Training, and being deployed. Having all

> of those men living together in such close quaters. Now from what I

> am reading, whenever people talk about their treatments, it seems as

> if they are very sick, and have a lot of symptoms? The Dr informed

> , that most people go on treatment and stay on it for 6 months

> to a year, have their levels checked, and that sometimes, it

> completely goes away. And they live a healthy, normal life. Is this

> just wishful thinking? I do not know anything about this diease, the

> treatments involved, or if the treatments would make this diease go

> completely away, or just remission? My nerves are shot, because we

> are at a complete stand still until he comes home, and we can go see

> a Dr in our area and find out what steps we have to take. And if

> there even such a place where you can be tested for free?

>

>

> Once again, so sorry for the long post. I am just a nervous wreck and

> depressed. And since we live in the basement of my parents house and

> pay rent, he doesnt want anyone to know, unless they absolutly have

> to. He is so embarassed by this, because he doesnt want people to

> look at him differently and judge. So I am sitting here everyday

> trying to hold it all in. Having him deployed is hard enough with the

> stress and worries, and now this on top of it. I feel like Im ready

> to crash. If anyone has some extra time to actually read this lol,

> and has useful information for me, I would greatly appericate it.

>

>

> Thank you all for your time.

>

>

> P.S. Everyone in this group seems absolutly wonderful!

> Hope everyone has a good day

>

>

> Lindsey

>

[Guest guest]

Lyn

I should think the govt would pick up the bills for both of you.

The first thing, take a deep breath.

Sometime Hep C is bad, sometimes not so bad.

Everyone here will be supportive of you two, and informative too.

You will learn alot here.

I am beginning my experiance with Hep C too. Ive already pooped from fear, now its time for me to get off the pot.

I used a needle back in the late 60's and guess got it then. My ex is clean.

Have hope, stay positive, keep informed, stay here.

We will hold you.

love

don in kansas

Subject: Re: New to the groupTo: Hepatitis_C_Central Date: Friday, October 10, 2008, 9:22 AM

first thing,take a good deep breath.2 This is a very slow virus,I havehad it for 30 yr's.If u want some sort of life ins,Get that before u gettested.3Unless u have had a blood transfuson.or used iv drugs,It's verydoubtfull that u have it.I have been married 3 times had 2 kids and noone has it but me.>> Hi, my name is Lindsey. Please excuse the long post, however I am> new, and need to get this off my chest, and it seems like I have> finally found the perfect group to do so. My name is Lindsey or lyn> for short. I am only 20 yrs old, and I am engaged, just recently. My> fiance' is deployed overseas in Afganistan, and is due home either> late November or early December. (sooo exciting!!) However I

just> recieved a phone call from him the other day, and he was a nervous> wreck and crying. Just very depressed, and after 20 minutes of> begging him to tell me what was wrong. He tells me he just found out> he has Hepititis C. He was getting routine blood work taken, and when> his results came back the Dr told him he has it. However the Dr said> his levels are low, but from the looks of it, he said he thinks he> has had this for 2-4 years. And because he is overseas he cannot> start treatmeant right away. He has to wait until he is back in the> states. The Dr did tell him to take (it's like a vitamin, but> strictly for the liver. It just promotes healthy liver function) for> the time being. I have researched like crazy since I recievd this> phone call. Cureently at this time I do not have health insurance, so> I couldnt even get myself checked if I wanted to

because I am> currently on un-employment. So funds are low. I checked & I beleive> its over $200.00 to get tested. I am worried I may have this, because> there has been times where has had a cut, or was hurt and I took care> of him. And also while on vacation I have used his tooth brush and> razors. Either way I love him just the same, and do not feel any> differently about him. And if I do have it, then I have it, and there> is nothing I can do about it, except take it day by day. However were> in complete shock as to how he got this, because he was never into> drugs or anything like that. And the Dr said most likely due to being> in the army. Between Basic Training, and being deployed. Having all> of those men living together in such close quaters. Now from what I> am reading, whenever people talk about their treatments, it seems as> if they are very sick,

and have a lot of symptoms? The Dr informed> , that most people go on treatment and stay on it for 6 months> to a year, have their levels checked, and that sometimes, it> completely goes away. And they live a healthy, normal life. Is this> just wishful thinking? I do not know anything about this diease, the> treatments involved, or if the treatments would make this diease go> completely away, or just remission? My nerves are shot, because we> are at a complete stand still until he comes home, and we can go see> a Dr in our area and find out what steps we have to take. And if> there even such a place where you can be tested for free?>>> Once again, so sorry for the long post. I am just a nervous wreck and> depressed. And since we live in the basement of my parents house and> pay rent, he doesnt want anyone to know, unless they absolutly have> to.

He is so embarassed by this, because he doesnt want people to> look at him differently and judge. So I am sitting here everyday> trying to hold it all in. Having him deployed is hard enough with the> stress and worries, and now this on top of it. I feel like Im ready> to crash. If anyone has some extra time to actually read this lol,> and has useful information for me, I would greatly appericate it.>>> Thank you all for your time.>>> P.S. Everyone in this group seems absolutly wonderful!> Hope everyone has a good day>>> Lindsey>