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.
Hello everyone,
I found out that I have HCV, I believe it is 1a, about 2 years ago. We think it came from when I was 3yrs old and mimicked my mother by using her razor. She had contracted it through blood needed after I was born. Ironically, my mom after having 2 more children and a husband of 25 yrs, all were tested negative and I thought I was in the clear, so I didn't get tested.....until 2 yrs ago.
I am 34 yrs old this year and have a 5 yr old. It was up until my child's birth that I felt perfectly normal and functioning. During the labor and delivery, I felt different. I became dizzy (foggy head) and my vision changed (not as clear as before, but not in need of glasses). I thought it would go away, but it didn't. I was the one to request the test years later. I couldn't believe it came back positive and I was/have been devastated.
I had a VL of 1 million, no other diseases, and my liver ultrasound came back as, "Not 'weird'". They wanted me to do a biopsy, but I was/am too scared and I was told I should hold off on the 2 new drugs (at the time) because of the bad rashes/sides.
Now, new meds are coming out without interferon. Can I wait that much longer? My mom had straight interferon in the '90s (20 years ago), 3 times a week, for about 6 months and either relapsed or it just didn't work and she is still around even with hemochromatosis and a recent heart attack. She said she will not do the interferon again.
I am currently taking college classes online and taking care of my lil one as best I can. I want a shot at the new all oral, short duration meds, but I wonder what chance I have. I am sure I would be 100% cured seeing how I never took anything to treat it.
Thanks for any responses!
I found out that I have HCV, I believe it is 1a, about 2 years ago. We think it came from when I was 3yrs old and mimicked my mother by using her razor. She had contracted it through blood needed after I was born. Ironically, my mom after having 2 more children and a husband of 25 yrs, all were tested negative and I thought I was in the clear, so I didn't get tested.....until 2 yrs ago.
I am 34 yrs old this year and have a 5 yr old. It was up until my child's birth that I felt perfectly normal and functioning. During the labor and delivery, I felt different. I became dizzy (foggy head) and my vision changed (not as clear as before, but not in need of glasses). I thought it would go away, but it didn't. I was the one to request the test years later. I couldn't believe it came back positive and I was/have been devastated.
I had a VL of 1 million, no other diseases, and my liver ultrasound came back as, "Not 'weird'". They wanted me to do a biopsy, but I was/am too scared and I was told I should hold off on the 2 new drugs (at the time) because of the bad rashes/sides.
Now, new meds are coming out without interferon. Can I wait that much longer? My mom had straight interferon in the '90s (20 years ago), 3 times a week, for about 6 months and either relapsed or it just didn't work and she is still around even with hemochromatosis and a recent heart attack. She said she will not do the interferon again.
I am currently taking college classes online and taking care of my lil one as best I can. I want a shot at the new all oral, short duration meds, but I wonder what chance I have. I am sure I would be 100% cured seeing how I never took anything to treat it.
Thanks for any responses!
It does seem that the gentler tx will be out in a year or two, so if you can wait, it would be a lot easier on your body.
If a biopsy is scary for you, but you'd like a more information before making your decision to treat now or wait, a Fibrosure test might be helpful...and possibly an MRI-MRE as well. The Fibrosure involves a simple blood sample, but it has diagnostic potential similar to a biopsy. The general consensus seems to be that it's very good at determining degrees of mild damage and severe damage (in the middle range, some feel that it's less accurate). You're main concern now seems to be whether you have severe damage, and if so, whether can you still wait...so I think a Fibrosure would be helpful.
The "not weird" ultrasound result is hopeful...but I wouldn't rely on that alone if I was you. The more you know about what's happening inside you, the better off you'll be. If you're not seeing a liver specialist about this, finding one should be your next step. All the best!
Do stay with the group as we really do care about you and wipping out this SOB virus!
Will pray for you!
Bill
I'll try to call around to get info on those tests and I think I would like to see a Gastro doc this time.
Currently I'm trying to take care an infected tooth with Penicillin. I can't have the pain and "zinging" there while I'm trying to do studying for an exam this week.
Again, thank you everyone! I will definitely stay with the group and keep updates and present more questions when I have them! :)
Sending hugs your way>>>>>>>>>>