[phoenix_risin]

Thanks for posting this and sticking it.
This disease no matter what country is collecting people left and right to its infected persons list. The important thing is to get the word out no matter what country we are in.

Majority of us have Not a clue how we got it or when we got it. I know many who like myself were diagnosed when their yearly physical required the usual labs.
We than got a call from our docs saying you have it. Most of us know nothing about it bcause sadly the word is not spread like it should be regarding this disease.
Sadly the stars and celebrities who do have it or had it do not want to stand up and be a voice for it.

I was diagnosed in April 2000.
My doctor left a answering machine message saying Hi you have Hep C make an appointment when you can.
She never explained anything about it. Thank Heavens for the internet or I would have been a little nuts. It was after all a Friday evening and no one was in the office until Monday.
Of course a lot of what I read scared me even more.
I am a Single Mom of two with No other familyin my life but the kids. They also have no one but me.
I prayed just to live long enough to see them grown. That was 8 years ago and well today is another Birthday celebrated and so far no serious issues except the usual fatigue and some pain now and then.

So far so good.
Treatments sadly did nothing for me I am genotype A1 which has a tough time clearing with treatments.

Again Thanks for the information
For anyone who finds they have it or a friend has it or just would like more information a great site is Hepatitis Neighborhood
They have been a HUGE help to me.

Thanks Again

[iltos]

i read your first post, $teve, back when you began this thread....and although surprised by the epidemic proportion of HepC, i remained basically unaffected by it....so haven't even glanced at this thread since it began.

all that has changed...not because i am infected, but because a business associate of mine was recently diagnosed, and its treatment has turned his life upside down

i just want to post my support for this thread, and those who have to deal with this

[muppet1]

Wow! I would never have in a million years thought that when I joined a forum to improve my IT skills I'd encounter some fellow travellers, well done Steve, hope your trearment is going well!

[VaEsther]

Good morning Steve,

This was the last thing I expected to find when I joined this forum; and certainly the last thing I expected to see today.

I just spoke to my doctor this week and he told me it was time I made a decision about treatment. (God I can not believe I am putting this on the internet, but information is power).

I found out I had hepatitis C in a general exam almost 15 years ago and I estimated that at that time I had acquired it approximately 15 years before that.

I was sent to a hep. C clinic, spoke to a very rude doctor and given an appointment to see the psychiatrist. (As you know this is done, so I was told, to determine your present mental state, since the treatment for hep. C can make patients depressed.)

Also at this time I spoke with others who were receiving the "treatment". They all were quite ill due to the treatment.

Five years ago I again was told I was a good candidate for a cure. But again, I became frightened. The treatment appears worse than the disease, it is very harsh on the body and one's lifestyle.

I still have not had the treatment but am beginning to feel the signs of the disease; chills, slight fever, some weakness, just an overall flu like feeling. And yet, I continue to be afraid of the treatment.

I am bless to have found your post. God bless you for speaking out. I needed somewhere to vent about my fears of this disease.

[$teve]

WOW!.....its been a while since I checked this thread out and for that I appologise!
Thanx very very much for all your imput
I better update everyone

Firstly...
Anyone who needs to talk or discuss any aspect of this disease are very welcome to PM or email me in confidence...(claretsfan at hotmail.com)....ive had a couple of years now to research HCV and im very aware and clued up on this. Ive published a paper on Hepatitis C which deals with everyone involved from the infected to their family and friends...ill attach it to this post later today and anyone is very welcome to download it, copy it, distribute it to anyone.

I finished my 48 weeks treatment in May of this year and 6 months post treatment I was tested to see if I was still undetectable, which would mean im probably cured, which is the best you get for now.
Unfortunately I hadnt cleared so I have now been on the re-treatment waiting list since August, my next appointment is February 09 and im hoping to get back on the meds around Feb/ March, this will be another 48 weeks yum yum
Im certainly not looking forward to it but I would do it tomorrow if I could, im 52 now and I want to be able to put this episode behind me and move on with my life.

Anyone "THINKING" about treatment but cant make their mind up or worrying about the effects its going to have on them should contact me for a chat, there are lots of aspects to think about but trust me on this one point.....although the treatment is quite brutal, its also quite do-able, our bodies and minds are fantastic things and can adapt to the most challenging of circumstances, and some genotypes (2 & 3) have only a 26 week course of treatment to endure.....although im genotype 3, mine was 48 wks under the old UK guidelines, its just 26 wks now...but if we dont clear 1st time, which is very very rare!!...48 weeks has to be done on the 2nd round its only a BIG deal if we make it one!!

I have no liver damage at all and even if I dont clear a 2nd time (it will be the last) I stand to live out my life as normal....it aint going to kill me but im hoping to mark this thread "SOLVED" eventually

Thanx again for all your replies on this and all the well wishes.
$teve

[VaEsther]

Hello Steve,

Thank you for responding to my post (which honestly I'd forgotten).

I do not have the time tonight to go into all the questions I have, but I will post again after Thanksgiving. I only wanted to thank you and convey how sorry I am that the horrendous treatments you underwent were not successful and you must start them again. What faith and courage! I do not know if I could do it.

You are in my prayers, Steve and I thank God for your courage.

We celebrate Thanksgiving as a holiday once a year. However, we know that everyday, although sometimes we may feel to the contrary, there is a reason for giving thanks. Being cleared of this disease would certainly be one.

Continued blessings,

VaEsther

[$teve]

Ive uploaded my 32 page information sheet dealing with everything HCV related, even down to how to understand your own blood results, ive tried to make it as understandable as possible.
Anyone is welcome to it and is free to cop/print or distribute it in any way.

[Paradoxblu]

Thank you so much for the heads up Steve. This is valuable information!

[VaEsther]

Hello Steve,

Today is February 11th and as per your post, you should have started your second round of treatments.

I am writing for several reasons: to thank you for the information; to let you know I am encouraged by your faith; to let you know you are in my prayers.

May God continue to endow you with His grace and love, and may He continue to use you in any way He sees fit.

Vaesther

[$teve]

Yep, I started re-treatment on the 18th Feb, and im looking forward to nailing it this time!
Ill keep this thread updated as the weeks/months go by.

==========================================

Jonathan Gems "YouTube" Hep C Video.....very informative.

A look at the true nature of Hepatitis C; the failure of health authorities to tackle it; how to protect yourself against infection. various ways to treat the disease, and the need for mandatory blood-testing to control one of the world's fastest-growing epidemics.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iRplOylfgjI

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=nkikoGnW6VM&...feature=related

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=NJWM0Ie_JHk

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=GWSQLTEjijQ

Watch, learn and PASS IT ON!


Ive sent you a PM VaEsther its important that we convince you to start thinking about treatment yourself!!

[MikeM49]

Yep, I am in mid tx myself and so far I am undetectable/clear of the virus. Taking pegasys and ribavirin combo tx. It is a hard tx, I wish our FDA system would get off there fannies, Australia is reporting that there are 16 new tx's for Hep C!!!!! Not only that but Hep C is on the rise and spreading 3 fold on HIV/Aids!

[MikeM49]

They need to start teaching more about diseases in the high school level! We use to have a class in high school about health, was pretty good, I think it should discuss things much more serious. The human race is just walking around and don't seem to worried about this epedemic, but they sure are worried about the economic crisis. Hell you don't need money if your dead!

[MikeM49]

Also there is a site at dailystrength.org, that has a support site for Hep C and other ailments.

[MikeM49]

Ok one more thing, If you ever heard of SAM-e it is very beneficial to people with hcv, and mushroom complex, wheatgrass and just great nutrition. Don't take any iron supplementation it feeds the virus. If you are on the pegasys tx, just take it one day at a time, it is a rough tx. Take care fellow Hepper's and God be with us.