Many here don't have health insurance. Being dx'd w/HCV is frustrating. I'd imagine being dx and not having tx options is beyond frustrating...

Well you know how we feel about knowledge and power.
They may at least like to know to start looking after their livers better.

Yeah, we've had this conversation before and my better judgement told me not to respond...but somehow there seems to be a huge disconnect between us (us being me and my better judgement : -)

I was speaking in terms of gen pop. If someone, anyone was living the lifestyle of so many with bad diet and alcohol all the while being asymptomatic and in the dark about what was really going on inside them. Well the knowledge of having HCV would be an invitation to make some changes or not, but they should know.

Good point, Kramer. Even if you can't afford medical treatment, you can make changes and do some natural stuff like milk thistle that might add years to your life...or move to Canda, eh?

I still don't know why they age-limit the reocmmendation. Baby Boomers may be at HIGHER risk, but &anyone* of any age could have it!!!

Well Joe that's another road to take if you wish. Autonomy rocks! 1st :^)

while briefly in the waiting room @ the lab tuesday, noticed stacks of flyers for baby boomers to be tested for hepC

Mentioned this to a couple of friends of mine and they were shocked I even brought it up. I mean, what do you have to lose in just being tested?

Do you guys ever wonder where they get the statistics on the percentage of people with hep c, when people themselves don't even know? Just a thought.
I had it for many years before I knew, then did no treatments because of no insurance, being single, and having to work long hours to make ends meet. Then it led to early cirrhosis and cancer. By then, I was on Medicare and a supplemental policy that allowed me to get help. Now I'll be going into txs at age 68, after the transplant 3 years ago. Many people don't see doctors and don't take tests, because they feel that financially, they could do nothing if a condition was found.

Marilyn it costs nothing to change one's lifestyle to be more liver friendly. Those changes can have a profound effect on how fast the disease progresses.

I know that.

Yes, Marilyn I did wonder how they got that figure. My guess is that it is extrapolated from the number of us like you and I who DO discover we have it and didn't know...

I think it is a crying shame that people avoid knowing because they have no health coverage - especially in nation like the US who is so damn poroud of allegedly being the greatest nation in the world that any of it's citizens, especially chidlren, go without preventive medical care or any medical care at all is a down right rotten SHAME.

It makes me cry when I hear from people here in this group or in my RA group who KNOW they have a disease and cannot afford medication!! RA is not a killer, but it is damn painful when untreated. I was SUICIDAL with pain at one point, and it is also a major quality of life issue as it CRIPPLES!

In fact - ironically -untreated patients with all types of arthritis cost the US gvt millions of not billions in disability! It would likely be far more cost effective to provide health insurance!!

But our do nothing legislators give themselves raises and don't have to worry about health insurance OR retirement on SS !!

And we joike about Brits having bad teeth, but almost no one here has any dental insurance - even working at GOOD jobs! My daughter went ten years without seeing a dentist. It's a SIN!

Yes I'm sure you do Marilyn as most folks who know their status do as well.
I just posted in response to your comment "Many people don't see doctors and don't take tests, because they feel that financially, they could do nothing if a condition was found."
Again what you don't know can hurt you.

Well if I didn't know I would be still popping lots of tylenol, aleve, and drinking wine / beer. I would not be taking milk thistle and I wouldn't be careful about sharing personal grooming items with others. Just saying...

Yes kind of like a tropical storm warning. One may not be able to stop it coming but one sure can take steps to minimize damage. It's good to know about our health in every aspect.