Hi, I'm new here... thought I'd take this chance to introduce myself. And no, whoever asked, you are not the only oddball with type 3... I typed a long intro with some questions that I had the other day, walked away from my comp for a minute, came back and saw "mozilla has crashed"... argh! So here's the abridged version of what I was trying to say:

My husband and I are both genotype 3a.
I was diagnosed in 2001, at age 18.
I really don't know too much more info about it because I don't have the bloodwork from when I was first diagnosed and sought out a specialist. I was still using, so it wasn't a big priority at the time. The doctors do believe that I'm such a moron that my body cleared the virus on its own the first time (after my two initial positive tests, I tested negative for five years) and then, after a short relapse in 2006, I started testing positive again (I shared needles with my husband during the relapse)... so yeah, I'm such a moron that I RE-infected myself. But again, I keep testing negative half of the time (I get bloodwork done for something else every 3 months so my doc throws in a liver/hep panel just to keep on top of things), so the docs keep telling me to live my life and not worry about it at this point. They said that many people live their entire lives without any problems because of hep c so I should focus on that.

That was one of my questions- is that bad advice?? I see Sooooo many people on here who are undergoing (or have in the past) treatment... is it because you all actually had symptoms of some sort?? Or did you just choose to do it to be safe? After reading so much here, I've been wondering if I should be doing more about this than I am.

I was told by two different specialists that I saw when I first diagnosed, that I would be hard-pressed to find any doctor who would be willing to treat me. They both said that they would NOT take the risk of treating me based on my psychiatric and drug history. I mean, these weren't some backwoods doctors or anything... lol... they were both docs from major teaching hospitals where I live. I've asked my PCP if I should see another specialist since it's been a few years, but he says there is no reason to at this point because nothing has changed.

My husband is a little older than me (12 years older) and was infected, ironically enough (considering his years of IV drug use), as a kid in the hospital in the 80s. He had some brief symptoms that led to them testing him in the first place, but since then he has never had any signs or symptoms of hepatitis in the last twenty years. I've obviously not had it as long, but I have never had any signs or symptoms either. We both seem to have totally normal livers. The doctors seem to be optimistic that it will continue that way given my husband's history (and i know for sure i got it from him). I'm not so sure though... I have felt this dark cloud of doom hanging over my head since the first day they told me I tested positive. I still worry about it constantly, especially since they told me I couldn't ever be treated for it. I have some serious back problems that cause me ALOT of pain (I'm pretty much bedridden at 26), and it's been going on since I was 19. I can't walk more than a few feet, stand for more than a minute or so, I can't do *anything* normal really. So I'm just terrified... I don't think I could cope with any other health issues on top of this back nightmare... I'm "not a surgical candidate".. I was too young at 19, now at 26 my problems have become too severe for surgery. Lovely. So I feel pretty stuck. Now lately I've just been freaking out about whether I should be doing more about the hep c... I don't know what I'm trying to say... just feeling overwhelmed today.

Thanks for reading that.

Geno 1
pre-tx VL 277,000
undie at week 12
coming up on shot 22

And welcome Jennifer!

Joe
geno 1b
beginning of cirrhosis
viral load 500,000
did 48 wks, second month undectable after treatments 3 months it came back, with a vengence, stayed off 3months then did infregrin for only 3 months stayed undectable for over one year then it slowly came back to what it is today.

Diagnosed hep B 1983.
Jaundiced and spent 3 weeks in hospital
Diagnosed hep-c 1994 Geno 2-b
viral load 1 million
stage 1 fibrosis.
Stopped tx after 3 months due to sides.
Alpha recombinant. Shots every other day.
That was 10 years ago
2 years later Cleared virus after 24 weeks peg. interferon and riboviran .
9 years later (current)
Diagnosed with 1a
Viaral load of 3 mil and stage 3 fibrosois.
Undie at 12 weeks and on shot 23 tomorrow

I'd like to send congrats to all!
Everyone is a warrior Here!

Skitzy........... I'd like to tell you ............... You are one hell of a warrior dude!
Too have 3 genos and still Fight to knock each one down. Your my hero!

Most definitely.. Warrior alright.. Jennifer Rose.. I will be in tomorrow afternoon, going for blood work in the am.. would like to talk with you... mj
Again ty to all those who replied to this roll call.. very helpful...
Congrats to those who finished their journey...
For those still on the wagon... if you need to talk, questions, advices, whatever, I am back to stay.........
Mckenzie
One day at the time......

geno 1b just finished 48 weeks of Tx and just got the viral load back as undetectable. Feeling better every day. Amazed at the quite bounce back. I thought 'cause in 60 it would take longer. Pleasantly surprised with the body's ability to recover considering I have abused for years - makes me appreciate the temple more.

Take care all you out there in DS land

Diagnosed Aug 08, VL 1,750,000
genotype 1a
grade 2
stage 3
viral load before treatment... 2,000,000

TX 5/09: peg/riba & trial med, supposed to do 48 weeks
VL got down to 325K by week 4
Then VL started going up & blood counts crashing
Taken off TX @ wk 12 with VL 750K - non responder

VL Jan 2010 - 850K - only rose 100K OFF tx

Will wait for non poisonous remedy

I just found out I have hep c my doctor told me my blood level was 300 what does that mean is it really high he's trying to find a doctor to treat me

Diagnosed in 2008 during pregnancy. Found out when I went for blood work.
Geno 1a
viral load at time was 70,000
as of last month viral load 500,000
had biopsy and doc says mild inflamation, minimal scaring. ( I think thats good considering)
Debating treatment. Want to, but have to little ones. NO family where I live. I think it will be CRAZY hard if I start now. I will more than likely wait till they can wipe there on asses. Both kids are negative!!!! Thank God!

My son Arman was diagnosed January this year and started tx 22nd Feb.

Geno 1
VL 2.5 mill
Awaiting 4wk VL test results
Currently heading for wk 8 shot

Well my name is Jim I am a non responder told several times cant and or want do me any good to take treatment. Got it between 75 and 81 Viral load is 3 and a half Billion so my good days are pretty much a thing of the past but I try my hardest not to let it get to me. Although sometimes it sneaks up on me. On tons of meds for this and that. Wouldnt be able to move if I wasnt. But I aint saying all this again so yall better remember it. Does me no good to whin about it. Just makes me feel worse in a way. I rely on my relationship with God to get me though. And of course my good friends in here. Yall are great and wise friends. Dont know what I'd do without yall. Later Jim

Stonewall here.
Geno 2b.
Grade 2.
Stage 3-4.
VL 8,000,000 February of 2010.
Some nodules in last Ultra-Sound.
Ultra-Sound shows no fluid, I don't agree.
I believe I notice light yellow color in skin around eyes.
Started TX 3/19/10. Took 4th shot Interferon 4/9/10.
Yellow may be fading. Will report all to Doc upon next appt.
VL to be checked 4/16/10.
Anxious.

just found out dr,informed me improperly,,i am
geno 2a stage 1
680,000vl
no damage
no unusual numbers except for the fact that i have a tested positive as well as my viral load..
probably had it 20 years