Welcome Jerry, you have come to a wonderful place! Everyone here is full of compassion, support, and wealth of information. Was your doctor able to tell you what genotype you were? I am a 1b, and I am at grade 2 stage 4. I already have some liver damage including inflamation, cirrohiss, and necrosis. I am starting treatment on Monday. I encourage you to ask questions and do plenty of research so you can learn more about Hep C. I to have no insurance, and all of my doctors and labs work with me for payments. When you know the tx plan, definitely look into patient assistant programs. The drugs are very, very expensive. I was told by the drug company to the tune of $5,000.00 per month. Tx for me will be 48 weeks. I have heard that some have little to know side affects and others have grueling side affects. I guess it depends on the individual. Research, research, research, and ask questions. Write them down as you think of them, because if you are like me I forget rather easily these days. Feeling tired and being in bed prior to tx is normal from what I understand. Your liver is your main source for energy, and if your body is fighting a virus, you will feel this way. I wish you the best! Keep coming back!

Welcome!!! I was diagnosed in August last year (an incidental finding while doing an ultrasound for another reason) and started treatment in November. Until I found this website, I didn't even know what I didn't know! It's good to know that I'm not crazy...that all these funky little side effects are real and not a figment of my imagination. Treatment is not easy and can last for a long time...I am in my 15th week of 48 weeks of treatment...and nearly every week a new side effect pops up. While annoying and mildly painful, I am very lucky as they are all tolerable. And this support group gives lots of good advice on how to handle a good majority of them. Everyone handles treatment their own way...you need to find what works best for you. And the meds affect everyone differently and to different degrees, so keep a positive outlook. I guess the best advice is to drink tons of water...the dehydration led to lots of problems for me that got easier as I increased my fluid intake. Good luck to you and I hope your treatment goes smoothly.

Welcome to the group Jerry!...You most certainly got the right support group. Lot of in fo, check out the past posting and read ..and click on some of the links thats connected with the post. Lots of good info there.This is very expensive treatment..Do you have insurance through work?...If not, you can try applying for SSI or help through local clinics.SSI doesn't mean you have to stay on it, but it will pay for all the meds you will need.
The newer drugs (teleprevir/boceprevir) they should be out in May hopefully...especially if your genotype 1a. 1a is the hardest to clear and those drugs are designed it!

Good luck and welcome to DS! Glad to have you, take care...and no more boozes for you....(if you drink)...it big time destroy's liver fast ..

You will need to see a GI or hepatologist (liver)or infectious disease expert.
I too was terribly fatigued & feeling like crap, aches, pains, joints, etc. Its all hcv related.
You'll get lots of info here.
Take control of your own health issues. Soon you'll know more about hcv than your primary.
You may want to know your stage & grade liver damage by biopsy or other new techie tests.
Try your local health dept for direction. Look for clinical trials.
http://www.searchclinicaltrials.org/search_form.php
http://www.hepccenter.org/clinical_trial/

If you choose tx - I felt tyerrible before tx. People will tell you how awful tx is. It is a shot at getting rid of the virus - your only shot. The choice is yours.

welcome, jerry! we're happy you found us!

you might want to wait to start treatment until spring of this year as that's when the new protocol comes out. it has a higher rate of clearance for 1A's.

read a lot of the old posts and that will give you an idea of how treatment will go. it is different for everyone. some people breeze through treatment and others are deathly sick. but we've heard that the new treatment is easier on the body?



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Hey guys, Thank you so much for the information! This is with no doubt where I need to be. Thanks for making me feel so welcome. I read the previous post for a good while yesterday and last night, There is a ton of very much needed info here for sure. Looking forward to getting to know you better and being apart of this. I feel much better just knowing someone else is there.
Thanks, Jerry

Hi there and Welcome. I'm waiting to see if I'm accepted for a clinical trial. Try to find a center close to you that does them. If they accept you, they pay all cost. You may have to have a liver biopsy and other tests prior to being accepted.

Hi1 I'm 25 wks into treatment...You can do it and we will help you! Positive attitude is very important..So glad you joined us! Holler if you ever need me! :)