Hepatitis C Support Group

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease which can cause liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person's blood. Many people with HCV infection have no symptoms and are unaware of the need to seek treatment. Hepatitis C infects an estimated 150-200 million people worldwide.

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lisaloc 02/09/2011

Hello! I am not sure if I am doing this correctly - not sure if there is an existing "Introduction" section, but I will play around and try to learn the lay of the land. I just wanted to introduce myself and get to know some other memebers of this support group.

I was just diagnosed with HCV about a month ago when liver enzymes came back elevated after routine bloodwork. It is a shock, and I remain very scared. Most likely I've had this for about 20 years. I'm pretty nervous that due to the long duration of my time having it undiagnosed and untreated, it must be pretty bad now.

I had my first meeting with a hepatologist yesterday, got vaccines for A and B, and scheduled a biopsy for next week. Scared. I never thought the word biopsy would figure in my life so prominently... now I'm just throwing it around very casually. Still, I am more upset than i even know how to let on.

Well, I am looking forward to talking more about things and meeting the rest of you. Does anyone have any tips on how to use the site?

Thanks very much!

lisaloc 02/10/2011

Thank you!

I never knew I could ask for copies of my lab work. But now that I think about it - it make ssense.. it's news about my body, so why would they not give it to me? I will ask for copies at my next appts. I'd like to know what my numbers are.

Also, Dave? What are rescue meds?

I have much to learn! :)

Looks like I came to the right place!

deleted_user 02/10/2011

I could not agree more. Without God in my life I would not be able to do this, and maybe if I meditate with him more and lean on him more I will have more peace. It took me 48 years to discover how much God loves me! It's been a wild road, but worth every step. I do not want to push my beliefs either, but it is something to think about.
Good Morning and God Bless to each and everyone of you!!

deleted_user 02/10/2011

Welcome! I was diagnosed in 1998, back then because I'm Genotype 1a, chances of cure were slim, tx was brutal (I hear). At the time I felt good and decided to just try to take care of liver best way I could (no alcohol, avoid tylenol and most other drugs that were not absolutely necessary since everything is processed through liver. No vitaminw w/ iron. Other than that, stuck my head in the sand. Have prob. had hep since early to mid 1970's

Started having problems 3-4 yrs ago. Finally came off my boat-ride on "de-Nile" and face the disease head on. Had a biopsy, (there are 2 ways they do this, I strongly prefer laproscopy. My liver's not too bad, even after all these years. Statge 2 Grade 2. Am preparing for tx.

This site is my lifeline. So glad I found it. So many great people w/ a variety of info, experience, love and support!! You're in the right place!!

deleted_user 02/10/2011

Welcome to the site Liza!! I've been a member for about a month and reading the old posts and chatting with others has helped me obtain mass knowledge about HepC. Just stick around and you will learn so much and have fun.

Take care.

karmah0209 02/11/2011

welcome Lisa, You came to the right support group! Alot of good advice given here. I havE to tell ya, if you do treatment, this is a slow moving virus, and a serious one too. But you learn what you can, and try not to OBSESS OVER IT! iF YOU OBESESS OVER IT, it will suck you in, and your whole world will change. Yry not to stress to muck!!

oOoREBoOo 02/11/2011

Welcome! I think everyone covered everything!

Fear is one of the first side effects of Hcv! Once you learn more about this virus and about the tx, then your nerves will settle.
It's just so much at once, and can be overwhelming. I remember!!! I was scared to death!!!

Ask all the questions you need, and search the 'net! HUGS!!!

oOoREBoOo 02/11/2011

And, this site is for YOU! Make it work for you!

swfldeb 02/12/2011

Welcome Lisa - I haven't checked in for a while but glad to see you've found us here at DS. I just learned of mine this past September and everyone has been very supportive, helpful, knowledgable and uplifting toward my whiney wussy butt which probably needs a good kicking every now and then. Anyway, I seemed to be dealing with this whole thing a bit better and worrying a tad less until a recent issue with my insurance (see my discussion entitled BCBS of FL). I'm getting stressed out about it again and feeling crappy but hope I will hear something from the insurance or some suggestions from others here to put me back in better spirits. You came to a great place, and welcome again.

deleted_user 02/12/2011

To answer the question you asked Dave, rescue drugs are primarily Neupogen and Procrit. On tx, many people experience extremely low wbc's (white blood cells) and rbc's (red blood cells). Neupogen is an injection to boost white blood cell production in the bone marrow. Low rbc's cause extreme anemia and people with very low rbc's on tx often will receive injections of procrit to boost production to avoid blood transfusions. Both of these meds got me through tx! Ask as many questions as you can think of!

deleted_user 02/12/2011

welcome lisa im pretty new too and love it here wow these people are awsome i see myself laugh alot also i get alot of info here

Barb99999999 02/12/2011

welcome

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