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.
Hi everyone,
I just found your group while Googling Sofosbuvir treatment, and decided to join in as I have no other support group for this. I am newly diagnosed with Hepatitis C, type 2b. I had a liver biopsy during a gallbladder surgery last month, that showed I have fibrosis and cirrhosis of the liver. My liver disease was graded a "2". My virus is active, with numbers in the 4 millions. Apparently, I have had Hep C virus for a very long time, but do not know how I contracted it (no IV drug, no transfusions, no tattoos, etc..). I see my gastro doctor next week, for followup and possibly to discuss treatment options. Apparently I am a good candidate for the newly approved treatment, but getting insurance to approve may be an uphill battle.
I am also full time mom to a special needs child with autism and other developmental and neurological disorders, so I cannot afford to have "down time" with treatment.
I appreciate any and all support as I am still trying to digest finding out I have this disease and diagnosis and what it all means.
I just found your group while Googling Sofosbuvir treatment, and decided to join in as I have no other support group for this. I am newly diagnosed with Hepatitis C, type 2b. I had a liver biopsy during a gallbladder surgery last month, that showed I have fibrosis and cirrhosis of the liver. My liver disease was graded a "2". My virus is active, with numbers in the 4 millions. Apparently, I have had Hep C virus for a very long time, but do not know how I contracted it (no IV drug, no transfusions, no tattoos, etc..). I see my gastro doctor next week, for followup and possibly to discuss treatment options. Apparently I am a good candidate for the newly approved treatment, but getting insurance to approve may be an uphill battle.
I am also full time mom to a special needs child with autism and other developmental and neurological disorders, so I cannot afford to have "down time" with treatment.
I appreciate any and all support as I am still trying to digest finding out I have this disease and diagnosis and what it all means.
Welcome to the group....
We'll be here for support while you are waiting for treatment, during treatment, & after.
Best wishes
Sorry to hear of your diagnosis, but you've found a good site for support.
The truth is, no one knows for sure exactly when the virus was contracted. Some like myself had high risk lifestyles, while others did not. My doc seems to think nail salons may be a common theme among women with seemingly no risk factors, but again - who knows.
Also I'm not sure I understand you when you say you have fibrosis and cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is the later stage of fibrosis, when the scarring has taken over most of the liver. If you are a grade 2, that usually means mild fibrosis, which is a one of the better diagnosis.
You are doing the right thing trying to learn as much as you can. The virus itself is usually slow moving; many of us had it for years.
New drugs were just released, and more are on the way. Treatment is no longer the major ordeal it once was.
Good luck.
Bob
Centers for Disease Control website
Hepatitis C FAQs for the Public
Transmission
"Can a person get Hepatitis C from a mosquito or other insect bite?"
"Hepatitis C virus has not been shown to be transmitted by mosquitoes or other insects."
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/C/cFAQ.htm#overview
Vital Information:
It's estimated that almost four million people are infected with the hepatitis C virus, which infects the liver, killing up to 10,000 people each year.
New laboratory research shows that hepatitis C can grow in mosquito cells, leading scientists to believe that the virus could possibly be spread by mosquitoes.
People at highest risk for getting hepatitis C are drug abusers, people who receive transfusions, patients who require kidney dialysis, and health care workers.
http://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/news/20000524/mosquitoes-may-spread-hepatitis-c
Surprise...surprise...!!!!
Sorry you are joining our club but welcome. The new meds that have recently been approved have a high success rate & side effects are minimal according to many people who have taken sofosbuvir (now called solvadi) as well as olysio & tx times are much shorter. Your VL is used as a baseline to determine how you are responding to tx but the VL numbers mean very little otherwise. It is rare but HCV can be transmitted sexually or through medical/dental procedures with equipment not properly sterilized & my Dr. asked me about specific things like if I'd ever used someone else's razor or shared a toothbrush & even though I didn't use IV drugs he asked if I ever experimented with drugs by snorting them & sharing a straw which can also transmit the virus. I guess my point is that you've been exposed to contaminated blood & that's how you contracted HCV. The most important thing is that you've been diagnosed & now you can make the best decisions to regain your health. Try to eat healthy & avoid alcohol. I'm glad you're doing your research & wish you well on the journey. There's an excellent chance that you'll be caring for your special needs child during tx & for many yrs to come following a successful tx. Sending you hugs.
As what allabout mentioned avoid alcohol and eat lots of veggies and fruit. Take a milk thistle supplement as well as alpha lipoic acid suppl if possible. These made me feel better before tx.
Best wishes to you - keep us posted !