Hallo All, My name is Rose, I was dx in june 07. Hep C, 1a, vlat 420,000.000 and stage 3/4.
Week 18 on tx. Boy I hurt all the time. The worst is my hair is falling out. I am doing the full 48 wks. I'm doin' peginterferon 180mcg once a wk. and Ribaviron 1000 mg daily. My motto is I'm going to bury this bad boy, Not the other way around. Thank you guys for the chance to meet you.

I'm genotype 1A. No treatment. Won't ever have treatment. Diagnosed 2006, I think. Don't know how I got it - could be a blood transfusion in 1979, or a nail salon in later years, or dental work, or some other source.

Am doing only naturopathic support/treatment - some Chinese herbs in the past, the UltraThistle (NOT over the counter milk thistle), fish oil, lecithin. Ran out of money for my naturopath, but will be heading back very soon. Probably will be doing Alpha Lipoic Acid and whatever else she has for me. Am very anxious to get back with her and work consistently on things.

I have no regular medical care at the moment. Did have access to some minimum care through a state program, but that has expired on me. Even when I had it, though, I was not allowed to see any specialists, and the doc wouldn't even test me regularly for things that are supposed to be routine for HepC'ers. So, that part is intensely frustrating and frightening. Western medicine sure can't help me much, but I do need it for the tests and the monitoring. Tough luck if you live in America.

I've no idea what my ALT/AST levels or my viral load have been since two years ago. At the time of diagnosis, viral load was about 400,000. And most other liver function things were in reasonably good shape.

I suffer from fatigue quite a lot. And brain issues. Some depression, fear, etc. I eat frequent, very small meals, and eat only organic food. I don't drink, smoke cigarettes or do drugs. Sleep has been difficult for several years - was never the least bit of a problem for my first 45+ years.

Can't make a living, and can't even begin to fathom managing something like school to learn a skill that would support me under my limited condition. I have a son who is able to help me some - without him I'd be homeless.

So, I have a decent roof over my head, and good, super-healthy food to eat.
CloudsDancing

hi i'm kathy been peeking in and out of this site and others(hepc) i'm 1a geno type and going the natural route..your all so brave..tx is rough..i'm 55 yrs old and have a 30 yr old daughter..i take herbs and ala..i also have an integrated doc who is very helpfull.best of luck to all of you

OKAY I'LL DO THIS !!! LOL.... I AM CHECKING IN AND SAYING HELLO TO ALL AND HOPE THAT YOUR DOING AS WELL AS CAN BE EXPECTED !!!! I AM GENO TYPE 3B,STAGE FOUR CIRRHOSIS, GRADE 2... NEVER DONE TX DUE TO CIRRHOSIS SO AM HANGING AROUND AM SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH A TP...

My name is Rob and I'm genotype 1a. Ooooo ! Ahhh ! Did a whole year of the peg and rebetrol and somehow survived. Beat it too, but it came back about 6 months later. I live in Mount Carmel, Pa. and that seems to be close to the last poster. Apparently you live just below where I spend the other half of my time. At the Lebanon V.A. Nice area down there I noticed. God's country. Howdy Neighbor !!!

Oops ! I was saying howdy neighbor to toomanyds down in Columbia, Pa. Sorry about that. Good to know someone from Pa. is in the forum. I feel better now somehow.

genotype 1a, 6 more days til tx time. Feeling postive about is so far, if it don't work it don't work but if it does,I will do the jig. lmao. I have 2 children ages 21,22, i don't hear from them much they are mad at me for leaving there mom, but it was the best thing. Now I am battling 2 diseases, epstein barr virus and hep C, I have had hep B many years ago, I was a party animal now I am clean and sober for 20 months now.Both these diseases do a number on me but for whatever miracle I am still working, in a business that is hard for a health person, I am a tough man, I can handle alot before I fold and that will come in handy when I am on tx. I was also in the navy many years ago. I was an athlete and ran a 3:59 mile in hs. I am funny,and a practical joker, wich will also come in handy for tx. Well enough about me, take care everyone.

...oh yeah my viral load was at 2 million last checked.

Hi, I'm a 28 year old stay-at-home writer and wife and mother of a 6 year old daughter and 3 year old son. I was diagnosed with hepatitis c in Feb. 2007. Dr's aren't sure how I got it; perhaps a blood transfusion in 2002 or when I was being revived after I died having my first child. Even that is pretty rough odds.

I'm geno-type 1-b, started treatment Nov. 2, 2007 with a viral count of 250,000. Cleared the virus in three weeks. Will finish the pegasyst and ribavirin combo in 34 days! Treatment has been bearable for me at this point.

Hi Cathie here. Genotype 1A stage 2 grade 2. I have 11 more injections to go to finish up my one year of treatments. I too got clinically depressed. I thought I was just sick from the treatments, but the depression monster is quite sneaky. At last count, I was borderline non-detectable. The nurse called and informed me two days ago that my white blood cells are getting close to the dangerously low level again. Last time that happened, I had to get a series of three injections of something that goes directly to the bone marrow and spleen to boost white blood cells, and it did make me feel a lot better. My husband is active duty Marine Corps, and gone a lot. This makes it very hard as he has two children ages 10, and 13 that I am solely responsible for. My four sons are 22, 20, 19, and 16. They are always gone out chasing girls, or riding their horses. (Horses make a great chick magnet). My oldest is out on his own however. Anyway, I have noticed that I always get spastic...hyper...agitated...depressed two days before my injection day, then I am sick for two full days after the shot including a horrible headache. I take pain meds to help me through those days, and effexor for the spastic days. Love and respect to all of you. Cathie

hey im abuff2 i nave hepc gen1...currently taking treatment..im single , a mother and a grandmother...13 treatments ...vload undetectable at this time...live everyday like its your last!

HI I AM dEBORAH I LIVE IN SCOTLAND NOW WITH MY 5 YEAR OLD SON. uSED TO LIVE IN THE STATES.....HAVE BEEN ON TX SINCE FEB 14 STTILL TAKING MEDS..HAVE GENO 1 A AND TESTED UNDETECTABLE AT 12 OR 14 WEEKS I CANT REMEMBER EXACTLY... BUT I JUST GET THRU EACH DAY AS IT COMES TOO X X

My name is Minette. I am new to this site and was hoping I could figure out how to access the online chat; that is if there is such a thing. I have been on treatment since 12/15/07. Started with Pegasys and Rib. After 3 months, changed to Infergen. My load got to zero within 5 weeks and I have remained at zero since April. I will be on treatment until April 09. I have been very ill on treatment, but feeling A LOT better. I have 7 grown kids and 6 grandchildren. I am a Court Administrator, but have been off work since January due to side effects to treatment. I am 50 years old. Married to a Saint!

Hello everyone, I am new to this site. I have had hepc for 30 years with minimal side effects. I just started tx today. Pegasys 180mcg weekly x 24 wks with ribavirin 1200 mg daily. I am genotype 2a. I am very scared, as I have heard horror stories about tx. I am so glad to have other people to relate to that are going through the same thing I am. I was wandering how long after starting tx do the side effects begin. I just took my first injection today. If anyone can give me any advise to make this journey easier please feel free to advise. Looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks for all your support.

hi mackenzie
good to see u again my friend:)
now for the roll call:
my name is pip 52 yrs old
geno 3a (cirrhosis, portal hypertension, varices etc) VL 3ml
had shot no 1 of 48-72 (depending on response) peg/riba last friday

feeling positive and strong and v grateful for my friends on ds